Full range or subwoofer with bookshelfs for best bass at low to moderate volume?

Guys, if you hate crossovers, get a sealed 2-way,plus a sub and don’t use a crossover at all.  Run the satellites full range, and only use a crossover and EQ on the sub.

You won’t get big gains in the amp's dynamic range, but you will avoid the electronics being in the way.

Best,

E

My new-ish current speakers (Sonist Recital 3s) use a simple first order "cap and coil" system with "real good" Snake River internal wire. They're efficient, dynamic, and need dusting from time to time.

My personal advice, considering your budget   get 2 martin Logan dynamo 300, open them and put inside a small cushy pillow back in the ointernal wall to dump internal resonances which will improve the tightness of the sub and put some cotton clothes on the firing port  so you seal them. The port for me only gives boomy and uncomfortable, not musical bass, maybe good for ht.
Then get the bheringher 2496 digital equalizer to adjust the frequency response according to your room , to do this you will need to download the audio tool to your cellphone, learn to use it, is not so difficult. Then spend a long time tunnig your subs with the recommendations given to you on the other comments.
Later, someday  get a preamp with phase tuning option, it is VERY helpful, I would say mandatory.
I own the ml sub with a pair of tiny paradigm Sig s1 v3 (is a sealed bookshelf) and could not express how good it sound.
Good luck!

I think there great for your movies.But that's just me. It did rock my room .