Are big subwoofers viable for 2 channel music?

I found the same with my 4 AK subs

I had PSA before, very powerful subs

for two channel systems definitely a swarm or array provides what you are looking for, you can select from existing of the shelf subs or go custom, a big part of it is how are you planning to integrate the 4 (minimal qty) subs,

I went custom and currently running 4 passive subs and could not be happier

@luisma31,

Would you mind describing your setup and the AudioKinesis gear used?

Duke,

I’m very close to becoming a customer in the future but can a customer use their own passive subwoofers of choice? Or do I have to use AudioKinesis designed passive speakers for best results? As I'm trying to understand if you would need to 'customize' your swarm peripherals, amps, speaker wire, crossovers and any other hardware to work with the subs a customer may propose. Or if you can or cannot do such a thing? I'm asking these questions with complete respect and sincerity of what you do and have accomplished and am just curious?

Tim, it might surprise you to hear that the system with the best bass I've ever heard consisted of two subwoofers and that they were crossed over at 120. I was quite surprised at the crossover point, but there was no denying what I (and a number of other pretty serious enthusiasts heard).

There's more than one way to skin a cat. 

Tyray asked: "Can a customer use their own passive subwoofers of choice?"

You can totally use your subs of choice, active or passive. Here is the amplifier that I use to drive my passive subs, note that it has a single band of EQ and a switchable 25 Hz "bass boost" circuit, which may come in handy with sealed subs:

https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sa1000-subwoofer-amplifier-rack-mountable--300-811

Tyray: "Or do I have to use AudioKinesis designed passive speakers for best results?"

I think the subs I designed work well for this application, but they are NOT required for good results. I don’t like to make claims like "best results" because in this hobby there is always something better... I’ll only claim "best I know how to make at my price point given where I think the goal posts are."

Tyray: "As I’m trying to understand if you would need to ’customize’ your swarm peripherals, amps, speaker wire, crossovers and any other hardware to work with the subs a customer may propose."

I don’t really "do" custom Swarm systems wherein I don’t at least supply the passive subs, but it’s not rocket surgery. Briefly...

Spread your subs asymmetrically around the room, perhaps with one (but no more than one) in a corner, and bonus points if you can raise at least one sub up off the floor such that it is closer to the ceiling than to the floor.

(If you prefer, you can also use a symmetrical configuration - see Todd Welti’s "Subwoofers: Optimum Numbers and Locations" on Harman’s website.)

Any subs which are fairly far from the main speakers, you want their top ends to be rolled off fairly steeply no higher than 80 Hz, so they don’t betray their locations by passing audible upper bass/lower midrange.

I usually find that reversing the polarity of the sub farthest from the main speakers tends to improve the in-room smoothness, but in a very large or open-floorplan room the result may be deficient in the bottom octave.

If you don’t have test equipment, when setting the controls on your subwoofer amp(s) by ear, the sequence is: First set the level, then the frequency, then the phase. Cycle back through this sequence several times to fine-tune. Credit to master acoustician Jeff Hedback for teaching me what the proper sequence is.

Duke

With Subwoofers the moor the better it distributes and even out unbalances in rooms .the best sub on the market period at $1500
or 7nder is the new SVS 3000 SB it has the latest 50+ bit processor that monitors control the drivers movement, plus processing with a good app great heavy duty driver and at $995 delivered buy 2 and even get $100 off 13 inch driver that weighs over 25 lbs and goes to 18 hz ,it has a short long pole piece 
for low volume great control ,when you crank it up it uses the outer 
part ,no one else is doing this, the ultra is the flagship at $2500
with a 16 inch driver both are best in class and won a Tons of awards  free shipping, 45 day audition ,free return and refund if not 
totally happy. And a 5 year warranty I sold my $1600 JL Audio 
for the 3000 they are excellent l

big_greg:
"Tim, it might surprise you to hear that the system with the best bass I've ever heard consisted of two subwoofers and that they were crossed over at 120. I was quite surprised at the crossover point, but there was no denying what I (and a number of other pretty serious enthusiasts heard).

There's more than one way to skin a cat. "

Hello big_greg.

     As far as you, the readers and the authorities know, I stopped skinning cats years ago. Shhhh.
     I am surprised by your comment about the best bass you've experienced.  You're correct, I wasn't surprised that only 2 subs were utilized because I know very good bass quality is very attainable with 2 subs if you only require very good bass at a single designated listening position in the room.  Utilizing 4 subs in a distributed array typically further improves the bass quality, integration and it provides this high quality bass throughout the entire room, not just at a single 'sweet spot'.
     Just like you, I'm most surprised by the extremely high crossover frequency of 120 Hz, which is generally considered upper bass, is well above the 80 Hz threshold at which bass tones become localizable.  Most individuals should be easily able to discern that 120 Hz tones are originating from the 2 subs which normally negatively effects good imaging.
    My main speakers have rated bass extension down to 35Hz.  I run them full-range and have my 4 subs crossed over at 40 Hz.  I'm completely unable to localize any of these subs in my room, which is what's desired, but I am easily able to localize each of them as the crossover frequency is raised beyond about 80 Hz. This significantly and negatively effects the sound stage imaging in my room as expected.  
     I cannot explain why the very high 120 Hz crossover setting in your 2 sub audition didn't significantly and negatively effect the sound stage imaging in the room.  Can you?