Floorstanding vs. bookshelf + sub

[emesbee]

I'm with you on that... rattling windows and vibrations in my chest are great for explosions in movies, but are just distracting and annoying with music...

But wouldn't the subwoofer only kick in when there are frequencies low enough for it? I would expect that most music simply wouldn't go sufficiently low for that to happen (with the possible exception of pipe organ music).

In contrast, the low frequency rumbles and explosions in movie soundtracks are special effects that are deliberately added to sound impressive.

[Ajani]

But wouldn't the subwoofer only kick in when there are frequencies low enough for it? I would expect that most music simply wouldn't go sufficiently low for that to happen (with the possible exception of pipe organ music).

In contrast, the low frequency rumbles and explosions in movie soundtracks are special effects that are deliberately added to sound impressive.

Subwoofers can be set fairly high, into the frequency range already covered by a pair of small monitors... In my experiences (so far) with SUB/Monitor combos, the sub tends to dominate the proceedings and just makes itself too obvious... It reminds me of when you press the Extra Bass button on a cheapy mini-system... suddenly even songs that were not bass heavy sound like the belong on a Dr Dre album... Maybe one day I'll hear a properly integrated sub/monitor combo that will change my mind... but so far I've just not been impressed...

[audio amateur]

Subwoofers can be set fairly high, into the frequency range already covered by a pair of small monitors... In my experiences (so far) with SUB/Monitor combos, the sub tends to dominate the proceedings and just makes itself too obvious... It reminds me of when you press the Extra Bass button on a cheapy mini-system... suddenly even songs that were not bass heavy sound like the belong on a Dr Dre album... Maybe one day I'll hear a properly integrated sub/monitor combo that will change my mind... but so far I've just not been impressed...

Subs need time to be set up in order to integrate properly. It's a long exercise, and is easier done in pairs. But IMO the end result can be very good. I'm guessing you've never heard a good quality sub that was set up properly for stereo listening.

[Luvin Da Blues]

[QUOTE=audio amateur]........It's a long exercise, and is easier done in pairs. But IMO the end result can be very good.....[QUOTE]

Very Very good indeed but "a long exercise" is an understatement.