Will a subwoofer add depth and clarity to my system, or just bass?


hi folks,
I just purchased a set of Focal Aria 906 speakers with stand, powered by a Bluestream PowerNode (not my ideal system but I had a limited budget).  I think it sounds really good, but am wondering if an upgrade to a subwoofer is worth it, and if so, what would pair well with this system -- my audio guy recommended the JL Audio D110 10" Dominion Subwoofer, but that's out of my price range.  Perhaps a SVSPB1000, for $499?  My room isn't very big, and I don't use the system for movies, just listening to mostly jazz and rock (and classical).
Thank you!
jazz99
Hello rauliruegas,

     "The information in the recording R2R (part of the overall recording process) comes in stereo way including bass range and is only when starting the LP cutting process when the low bass switched to mono due the severe limitations in the LP analog alternative."  

      True, the reel to reel analog master tape would include separate and unique L/R deep bass range information that would need to be summed to mono prior to being used for the LP cutting process, due to physical limitations of the LP format. 
     "Cd's comes with low bass signal in stereo not mono."
      False, cds have traditionally had their low bass below a certain frequency summed in mono even though the cd format has no stereo bass limitations and the analog R2R master tape with true stereo bass could have been transferred directly. 
     This makes no sense to me, I've yet to hear a good explanation of why this was the accepted method among cd recording engineers and it seems no one's been able to name even a single cd that contains true stereo bass information.  Can you name a cd, rauliruegas? 

     The good news is that, if these analog R2R master tapes still exist in good condition, they can simply be transferred to the even higher capacity 24 bit/96 Khz digital FLAC or WAV file format and be preserved virtually forever. Exact digital copies of the original analog masters could also be downloaded by consumers like us for a reasonable fee.  Listening to exact copies of analog R2R masters, how great is that?

    The bad news as I understand it, however, is that some download companies such as HD TRACKS sell downloads advertised as hi-rez that are nothing more than Redbook cds, with summed mono bass as a bonus, literally just transferred to a higher capacity digital format or bucket. 
    IT IS LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THESE SUPPOSED HI-REZ DOWNLOADS TO SOUND EVEN AN IOTA BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL REDBOOK CD SINCE IT'S JUST AN EXACT COPY OF THE ORIGINAL REDBOOK CD!

     Sorry for yelling but this really gets my panties in a bunch.  At best this is seriously false advertising and at worst may be legally fraudulent.  In either case, I believe HD Tracks needs to explain themselves.  
     HD Tracks customers must be very disappointed with their downloads and wondering why they don't notice any quality improvements.  Any HD Tracks customers care to explain their experiences?

Tim 
Dear @noble100  : Makes no sense what you posted about CD recording engenners decision.
Is the first time that I read what you posted about and this week I will my own low bass tests in my system looking for that " mono " or " stereo " sound. I have a lot of movie soundtracks with precise low bass recording " parts " and in some of them I have its LP couple too and my preamp is dual mono with separate L/R attenuators. We will see what I'm able to find out.

R.


Hello rauliruegas,

     You need to be more specific about my comments not making sense.  I'm a bit biased but I think they make perfect sense.
     The main point is whether you're aware of ANY cd containing discrete L/R channel deep bass information?
     Careful with your tests, please don't disregard my comments about mono deep bass being perceived as stereo deep bass with the directional assistance of higher frequency harmonics/overtones being heard from the main speakers.  This is a real psycho acoustic effect that I've experienced in my own system.
     Thinking about this further, my thoughts are that, ultimately, it's best just to run any subs in one's system in mono.  The reason being that the deep bass will be perceived as stereo deep bass regardless of whether the recorded content contains discrete L/R channel bass information or not.  I know this is true with my ears/brain, with my bass system and in my room.

     My mom always tells me I'm special but the truth is more likely that everybody's able to perceive mono bass as stereo bass with the assistance of additional directional information coming from the main speakers.

Tim  
Dear @noble100  : A mix up. I'm not trying to say that what you posted makes no sense because it makes.
What I posted is about the decision of recording engineers/producers that having the opportunity to use the bass range stereo information decided that in the low or very low bass to mix mono. This is what makes no sense for me and for you and any one.

As I told you I will make my tests listening each single channel with part of CD's information that came mainly with low bass range with out information of instruments in the mid/high frequency range. We will see.

I know that those tests will be a learning time.

R.
Hello rauliruegas,

      Okay, now I understand.  
      Thanks for the clarification and looking forward to your results.

Tim