Subwoofer

At what frequency do you crossover ? If at or above 27hz you have the subs plus your speakers doing low bass duties ? I tried a sub crossed around 30 hz with some Thiels cs7's which go down to 23hz  and it sounded like they were competing with each other , was not clean sounding but i did not use an external crossover . I am unclear on what frequencies your speakers are handling . I would like to know how that gets setup . Seems like it would be beneficial if less taxing on amp/speaker relationship . 

I think there's no question you will get deeper and better quality bass with a high quality sub and crossover...

My speakers go down to 27 hz, but with the subs I'm hearing bass details that I've never heard before. My system is 2 channel only.

jl35,
yes, that is my question...whether money is better spent on better speakers? I added dual JL Audio F110s and the JL Audio CR-1 crossover to my system. Adding the subs has opened my system up. Music has more detail, air, and a larger soundstage. I don't think spending 9K more on speakers would yield the same benefits, but I'm always open to opinions.

Lowest bass string frequency is 41.2Hz.  Lowest piano key is 27.5Hz, but it is seldom used.  My speakers go down to 30Hz.  I would spend money on the sub only for the "Movie Theater" special effects, but it is low priority for me.

the other issue is whether the money spent on the sub and crossover would be better spent on better speakers. For the Vandersteen example, the 3A Sig + Sub costs the same as the Treo...

I guess I type to fast and didn't proof read what I typed...it should read, "what are you thoughts."

maplegrovemusic,
the dealer provided several examples of speakers that "go down to 20 hz", but benefit from a great sub...Rockport Altair's and Wilson Audio Alexandria XLF's. 

I never understand those who say it is difficult to incorporate a sub into a two channel system .Or that it is not a purist way . If your speakers do not have at least a ten inch driver why not add a sub . Have restraint when setting it up with volume and crossover and you will never know its there . Now if you have large speakers that go down to say 20 hz then why ? 

..so does Richard Vandersteen, and many, many others.  What you're doing is making your full range speaker and amp work far less without those awful power grubbing lows which are suppiied to the sub.