Full-Range to Monitors

@don_c55 

I have never heard a system that was digitally EQ'd that did not sound unnatural.

I believe you have not. This is why I really like the JL subs. They do it very nicely. So do I. In both cases, we avoid EQ above the subwoofer. 

If you find low bass room effects hard to deal with do not use subwoofers.

Well, I don't know I would go that far, but I will say this is non-trivial. 

Reproducing lower than 30 Hz will just lead to frustration in all but the biggest rooms.

The transition from main speaker to subwoofer is always unnatural IMO.

I don't agree with you at all, but you illustrate why I give the advice that I do. Experience, bass traps and EQ are essential in most rooms to get this right. It is possible, and quite glorious, but it is so rarely done right that this experience appears mythical. Many have never heard this happen. So, in the absence of this, I agree, get a smaller speaker and avoid a sub, but this is not an impossibility either. 

Best,


E

Just to clarify, I love the JL audio auto-eq, but wow, those are pricey beasts. 

As usual, I agree with Eric.
Newest issue of TAS has a Harley review of JL Audio F113 v2. With a sidebar about how to time align a sub. Time alignment is crucial. JL’s auto EQ is excellent. Proper EQ and time alignment make all the difference. I suspect that the people who hate subs have never heard it done right.

I recently went from Wilson Audio Sophia 2s to Focal Sopra 1s and a subwoofer.   Very happy with the change and can’t imagine going back to full size speakers.

Regarding subs, the Swarm subs seem to be getting good reviews, especially for the price, if you have space to place all four where they need to go.