I suspect that there are 3 main reasons:
1). High end audio was spawned ca. 1970 as a reaction to Japanese solid state electronics. The high end argument was "simpler is better". Skip the tech approach and banish unnecessary circuit embellishment. Bye bye tone controls. Subwoofers involve more devices in the chain, so they were contrary to the philosophy of the time
2) Subwoofers are hard to set up right and often suck when set up wrong. Many people form judgements after hearing bad set-ups
3) The easiest way IME to get a good set up is with a software bass management package like Audyssey. This, of course, requires a visit to the dark side - digital (or digitized analog) audio. You know how that plays with many in this community
Between those 3 factors, I believe you'll find most of the answer to your question
Marty
1). High end audio was spawned ca. 1970 as a reaction to Japanese solid state electronics. The high end argument was "simpler is better". Skip the tech approach and banish unnecessary circuit embellishment. Bye bye tone controls. Subwoofers involve more devices in the chain, so they were contrary to the philosophy of the time
2) Subwoofers are hard to set up right and often suck when set up wrong. Many people form judgements after hearing bad set-ups
3) The easiest way IME to get a good set up is with a software bass management package like Audyssey. This, of course, requires a visit to the dark side - digital (or digitized analog) audio. You know how that plays with many in this community
Between those 3 factors, I believe you'll find most of the answer to your question
Marty