Which is better for a DBA (Swarm); powered subs or unpowered?

@cheeg FWIW - I have just received an set up my Swarm DBA in a small 10' x 14' room with excellent results.

I previously tried different subwoofers, none of which could provide reliable quality bass. The room is just too small and easily overwhelmed with the lower frequencies.

I (hesitantly) decided to go with the Swarm after reading through the postings here (in particular from millercarbon and noble100) and other sources.  These are very knowledgeable people with real world experience.

Now with all 4 subs singing, bass is extremely present, dynamic, fast and very clear. Everything I read in the posts were true and not exaggerated. 

I would start out with the Dayton and two passive subs for now.  Add the other subs later.  You'll be that much closer to an awesome DBA.

Also, 3 of my subs are placed up on shelves facing the ceiling.  Duke from AudioKinesis suggested this arrangement as it augments dispersion in the vertical plane.

Saves floor space too!

Good luck in your quest! 

So, I am the new Swarm(er) noble100 mentioned.

3 ceiling facing subs (3 inches from ceiling) and one on the floor.
10’ x 14’ room with minimal acoustic treatments.

So far, outstanding improvements with Magnepan LRS and Ologe 5 speakers.

Switched over to KEF LS 50s non wireless last night and have been listening to them all day today.

Makes the somewhat diminutive LS 50s sound like true floor standing monitors. As with the other speakers, my listening room seems (sounds?) bigger.

Like they say, "Seeing is believing". So is hearing and listening!

Want to believe it?
Go listen to a system with a properly set up Swarm.
Then listen to that system without using the Swarm.

There's just no going back.