So how many people are using subwoofers

The Swarm system just seems cool and inexpensive…if I wasn't happy with my RELs I'd seriously consider those things. It's true that a lot of music doesn't get to sub territory, but I like the ambient aspect of the sub adding that airy reality to the mix a much as the direct bass reproduction...systems need that to seem more like natural sound.

I like the REL a lot, but you should also look at the Hsu brand - I use a couple for cinema use only and they meld well and are quite tunable, depending on which model you get.  I do use them for music play back with organ - my main speakers are 3db down at 20 Hz while the Hsu go down to 16 Hz (what you need to reproduce a 32' organ stop, which you feel rather than hear)

I agree Wolf.  I wonder how many have not purchased them because they are not priced high enough.  I paid about that for my one SW-12, used.
dc, you say,

"I can vouch for REG's observations.  It KILLS my single V2W"

What is your context?  Did you hear REG's set-up, or have you tried them in your own system? I haven't heard much from owners but I am curious.  

I am a big fan of having sub woofers.  Having said that, I find that it takes a lot of patience to get them "dialed in" to the room and the side speakers.

A few months ago I upgraded from a pair of two-way monitors to a pair of three-way floor standing speakers whose specs indicate bass as low as 37hz.  It took a while, but when I got the floor standers in just the right spot, they sound great, but don't really produce that last octave of bass.

I ordered a pair of JL Audio F113V2 sub woofers, really great subs, but they brought out all sorts of problems with the room.  I have installed six bass traps, and have two more on order, and am on my way getting the boominess out of the room, but it's been a struggle.

My former system was in a much smaller living room, took some time to get the sub dialed in, but once I did, it put a wide grin on my face!

For me, I really enjoy having that last octave of the musical spectrum, so it's been worth the investment of time, patience and money.

Running dual rel s2 subs with my gato fm6