Do subwoofers really help?

Perhaps you should contact Paul Speltz regarding the autoformers before you make any big steps. I have not tried these, but I believe the purpose of them is related to your issues. Based on my assumption that the impedance curve of your speakers combined with their sensitivity and amps' dampening is creating the problem. I don't own or use the autoformers or zeroformers, but I think this is what they are supposed to address.

No, it's smarter to get a better amp. Why would anyone try to match speakers to an amp?

I find speakers I like...and then buy the amp they need (unless my current amp works fine with my new speakers).

Of course, if you have a good pair of speakers, and an amp that can handle their load with ease....adding a subwoofer (or two) is going to make things easier on all components involved....less work everywhere, and more options on placement (the best sound for mid/highs, is not always the best placement for bass reproduction)

Dave

I'm not crazy because when I replace my speakers with less sensitive ones (Focals for example) 2 things happen...Bass improves, and I don't have to turn the volume up as high to get good sound. I am an amateur and I did not pay attention to the specs on the speaker before purchasing. The Imepedance curve on the speaker is too steep. I am not buying a $4000 amp just to drive them.

Bobrock

How in the world do you expect anyone to help you when you supply nothing but general information? Do you think anyone here knows what speakers you are even talking about?

And why in the world would you need a $4,000 amp to drive your speakers?

Come on Bob....don't expect everyone to guess your system.

Dave

So Focals have more bass in your system. But how do you know the unnamed speakers of your original post are capable of more bass than you're currently getting? Have you experimented with room placement?

As far as impedance matching goes, there are plenty of high current, good-sounding amps well under $4K that can handle a sub 4-ohm load. A Parasound Halo A 23 can be had new for less than $1K. Even their modest $549 Model 2125 has an FTC 2-ohm rating, as does their twice as powerful $1349 Model 2250.