Single vs. Dual Subs

mijostyn, I appreciate your suggestions and yes I'm pathetically stuck on analog but our low frequency system is master and slave digitally processor controlled.

At shows I'm regularly impressed by total bandwidth room correction demonstrations and then I walk into an analog demo and am often quickly reminded. 

divertiti, after many 18" single subwoofers when some dedicated subwoofer manufactures began designing ten and twelve inch top line models I liked the idea of at least two smaller units. After experimenting with four subs I found my room loaded nicely with just two 12"s running summed L/R located asymmetrically in the rooms largest bass modes. Good luck with it.

Hi divertiti, 

As someone who has had a variety of two channel monitors over a long period, differing rooms and challenges, I've discovered that a pair of subs properly matched to the personality of your mains is terrific.  My sealed subs are positioned below my monitors, with a radiating pattern that integrates nicely with the mains in a fairly nearfield, small room, well away from front and side walls.  My pro dac steeply rolls off 80hz down to their tube amp for the mains and the subs from 80 down to the high 20's with purity and resolve. This arrangement makes for a very coherent and near full range presentation.  The disappearing tricks of great monitors, staging, et al work their magic,  with appropriate slam.  I considered a swarm but decided against it in a small studio.  Bonne chance, divertiti!  More Peace, Pin

divertiti, I have a similar situation to you, relative to Sub Woofer Placement.

I solved it, which IMHO, has optimized the results, as follows.

Here's my solution:

1) Set of 12 inch, self powered 500 Watt Subs at Far Left & Right of room, set @ 70 HZ Crossover.

2) Single 15 Inch Sub Directly in Center.  This Sub Woofer is Fed its signal from a dbx 234S Electronic Crossover set @ 40 HZ Crossover Frequency, & set to SUM Left & Right Channel Inputs, which signal is in turn fed to a Classe 25 in Mono Mode, putting out an honest 1,000 Watts.  dbx 234S gets its signal directly from the second output of my pre-amp.

3)  Combined with PS Audio BHK  Signature 300 Mono Blocks, feeding a pair of Anthony Gallo Acoustic 3.0's, three way speakers.

This combination of Speakers puts out Exceptional Non Boomey Bass with Massive Slam, as the 15 Inch Sub Woofer is driving directly into one, when they are sitting in the sweet spot.

I find the "Single Very Low Bass Sub", summing both Left & Right Bass signals to be optimum for Deep Bass, while not interfering with the music that one plays.  

It is all summed at that frequency anyway. But, whatever.