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Why the fascination with subwoofers?

I have noticed many posts with questions about adding subwoofers to an audio system. Why the fascination with subwoofers? I guess I understand why any audiophile would want to hear more tight bass in their audio system, but why add a subwoofer to an existing audio system when they don’t always perform well, are costly, and are difficult to integrate with the many varied speakers offered. Additionally, why wouldn’t any audiophile first choose a speaker with a well designed bass driver designed, engineered and BUILT INTO that same cabinet? If anyone’s speakers were not giving enough tight bass, why wouldn’t that person sell those speakers and buy a pair that does have tight bass?
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Showing 5 responses by clio09

clio09
3,346 posts
 
I am a former AudioKinesis owner and really respect Duke's work. His Swarm is a great system. I took a similar path as I wanted smaller drivers and boxes. I use 8" drivers in 0.4 cu. ft. sealed boxes. The four boxes sit at various spots in the room. I use a Beveridge RM-3 active crossover with LP and HP boards cut at 100 Hz, Linkwitz-Riley 4th order 24 dB slope. Amplifiers for above 100 Hz are either Atma-Sphere or Music Reference, the bottom a vintage Luxman. I use this set up with my ESLs and box speakers and all I can say is I wish I did this a lot sooner. I can't see going back.
clio09
3,346 posts
 
Can someone define for me what "tight" bass is.
clio09
3,346 posts
 
@rodman99999

When I first built my woofer system, it was designed(1980-81) to mate well with my Acoustat Model IIIs. It’s worked seamlessly, with everything(mostly planar) I’ve owned, since(various active crossovers, amps and one driver change, but same transmission line cabinets).

My distributed array woofers are used with Acoustat Model IIs with the Acoustat direct drive amps and a Beveridge RM-3 active crossover. I feel it is very well integrated and also works well with other speakers (Quad ESL and Spendor 1/2e). I don't think Duke LeJeune gets the credit he deserves for following this path and his DBA design certainly inspired what I am doing today.

Of the response to my question that I have seen so far, I thinks Ralph's is notable for his reference of tight base as an artifact of sound reproduction.
clio09
3,346 posts
 
I am out listening to live music once or twice a week. Living in the SF Bay Area there are no shortage of events, from local spots to well known venues. I've also been fortunate to record or obtain recordings of many of the events I attend.

I believe in many of the attributes used in the definition of "tight bass" that have been posted. It's the term itself I don't agree with. That was the reason I asked and why I felt Ralph's response was notable.

clio09
3,346 posts
 
@rauliruegas Here is the definition of notable (adjective): worthy of attention or notice.

In this context when I read Ralph's statement I felt it was worthy of attention.
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