I've yet to find an amplifier that plays bass as well as the amps I have. So I tend to prefer speakers that have deep bass response. The speakers I have at home go to 20 Hz and are easy to drive- 98 db, and my amps have full power to 2 Hz so I can shake my home easily enough!
But my speakers are expensive and I've no worries if my stereo takes up space in my living room- I'm involved in the audio industry after all so it had better! But that is not the case for all people of course so a power sub can be really handy for keeping the sprawl under control and also getting some decent low end extension.
I do find though that if a sub is used, one needs to exercise a lot of care setting it up, otherwise blend issues will plague the system. It is precisely that which is why I prefer full range speakers, so I don't have to deal with that.
But my speakers are expensive and I've no worries if my stereo takes up space in my living room- I'm involved in the audio industry after all so it had better! But that is not the case for all people of course so a power sub can be really handy for keeping the sprawl under control and also getting some decent low end extension.
I do find though that if a sub is used, one needs to exercise a lot of care setting it up, otherwise blend issues will plague the system. It is precisely that which is why I prefer full range speakers, so I don't have to deal with that.