Do you think you need a subwoofer?

I am using a stereo pair of Sunfire Signature subs with my MG3.5 which is used full range and is bi-amped using a Marchand XM126s electronic xover. I have been able to obtain seamless integration of the subs with the maggies after many weeks of experimentation and frustration.

To fully recreate the recording space you need the lower octaves even if the recording involves instruments sans the lower registers.

I was surprised at the improvements in detail and ambience retrieval with increased delicacy as a result of the subs on all types of recordings.

Adding a second sub to complete the stereo pair, improved the overall presentation markedly (some folkes claim that low bass is nondirectional and thus one sw is sufficient, but a stereo pair improved everything). The subs also made the overall presentation more articulate and dynamic.

Raul:

I agree with your basic thesis about using stereo pairs of subwoofer for improved performance in virtually all sonic categories. I note that you are proposing using a high pass filter to prevent the bass drivers from handling the lower frequencies. In fact, you are suggesting this approach even for such stellar bass producers like the Wilson Alexandria. I prefer a slightly different approach: I would characterize it as “low bass augmentation”. In my system, I am running the Magnepan 3.5 full range. In my room the Maggies are down about 3dB at about 30Hz. I am running a stereo pair Sunfire Signature subwoofers with x-over point about 30 Hz. The slope and phase are adjusted to ear. I have been able to obtain seamless blending among the Maggies and the subwoofers.

I did not want to use the high-pass filter in the subwoofer because I felt that any gain in freeing up the Maggies from handling the bass frequencies would be offset by the added distortion or corruption of the signal due to the additional filtering. In fact, I experimented with both scenarios and preferred running the main speakers full range. The sound was less mechanical sounding.