Add sub to 802D4s?

I demoed the 802D4 on McIntosh MC611s and 2700 preamp. It sounded pretty good. Then I came home and listened to the same songs on my system with two subs highpassed at 60hz (Revel 228be, JL audio E112, MC462 amp). The bass was so much better on my system. It made the whole system seem better. Without question subs will improve your system. But budget for a highpass crossover if your system does not have the capability, JL CR-1 etc.

i felt the bass was fine on the McIntosh amps/802D. Some other amps may hit harder I guess but the Mac works some magic in the mids/highs with B&W. 

Wow, such varied responses! Some think it’s a major improvement, some think it’s absolutely unnecessary. Most that are in the sub camp feel two are necessary, which of course doubles the expense. Also, are we talking about 10”, or 12”? I’ll try to find a place to listen with and without them. Thanks for the responses. 

What ever sub you get make sure its adjustable because Id say some recording will like more boost then others.

Some recordings you will wan to keep clean, some need more boost and you wont care about the coloration just the punch

Two 12” subs nothing less. every octave lower requires 4 times the throw or surface area for the same SPL. Your speakers have 100in2 of surface area each and a single 12 has 113”in2. So really even larger would be better…

Anyone who thinks subs don’t matter either has very large top of the line (I mean top of the line) speaker or has failed to integrate them right. A well integrated sub never needed adjust on a track by track basis.

@cmb13 Not certain where you are located but if you are anywhere near Sarasota, Florida, visit Suncoast Audio. I was there back in May 2023 for a visit and spent a few hours with Mike Bovaird the proprietor listening to some gear. In one of the main listening rooms he has a pair of B&W 800 series speakers (I think they are the 802D4). When I listened the speakers were powered with Block Audio SE monos as well as several other amps we switched between (video below of the room but not at the time I was there).

https://youtu.be/REHMJ1gIqEI

Mike is a big advocate of subwoofers (2 or more) to smooth out bass response in the room. The effect of the subs seems subtle until they are turned off. The the soundstage shrinks, air around the instruments diminishes and the presentation justs seems less relaxed and musical. He uses B&W DB1B subs in this room but also for his personal system in support of Kharma DB11s speakers. I am personally sold on the idea and trying to figure out which subs (REL or B&W) to fit in the room.

Wherever you are located hopefully there is a dealer near by where you can listen to the impact of subs on 2 channel music and judge for yourself.