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

racedoc,

Main thing to keep in mind is the difference between adding "a subwoofer" and adding several. I've had "a" sub as has Tim and others, and what we're all saying is there's a huge difference when going to the multiple sub/distributed bass array/swarm type setup. Your speakers go pretty deep already, but the value we're talking about is a lot more than that. In other words even if you gained zero in terms of extension and headroom (you will, but assume not for now) then you would still notice a lot of improvement just in terms of the bass being a lot more articulate, musical and lifelike. Its just hard to appreciate until you hear it because listening to only one or two subs in a system that's all you really get, a little more extension, a little more volume. With 4 you open a whole new dimension.

In terms of ambience and soundscape, there's two very different ways people hear or perceive that. There's the higher frequencies where timing is so important and we all pretty well get that part. But the way we perceive and interpret low frequencies is quite different in that timing hardly even matters its the speed and smoothness of the bass that counts. Smoothness comes from more sources that create more modes, which equates to faster bass.

What I'm hearing, or better experiencing because of this, is less like more/deeper bass than more/deeper immersion in the recording. You just feel more "in" the space than in your room.

So to answer your question no, I don't think that "a" subwoofer will do much for you. But three or four? Yes. Definitely.

Dear @skipskip :  """   'higher' vocals and up might have the same effect from other end of the frequency spectrum. Adding power is easy, but all that energy goes somewhere and not always in a productive way.  """

no it does not have the same effect, it has a way different efect nd when you add a pair of self powered subs wired in the system in true stereo fashion you don't do it just for " power " not at all.

The main target adding 2 subs is to reduce the IMD overall distortion levels developed in the main passive speakers, this is the main target and along that comes a better quality performance levels in the bass frequency range that no passive full range speakers can  gives you, no matter whats or whom is the name: Wilson, Magico, YG and the like: no matters.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/do-you-think-you-need-a-subwoofer/post?postid=310058#310058

To understand those statements and its real meaning you need to have first hand experiences about.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Dear @racedoc : Of course that adding two subs in true stereo fashion to your passive speakers will helps a lot to your whole room/system quality level performance. It’s not only about that " ambience/soundscape " but something integral to the overall system. Look could an audio system with the Wilson Alexandria speakers been improved with 2 added subs?, yes can be improved

Adding 2 self powered susbs means that your today main speakers will be converted in the satellites of your " new " speaker system: satellite speakers + 2 stereo subs, these are your new " speakers ". Obviously you need a high-pass filter to achieve that.

Please read the link I posted to skipskip gentleman.

Of course that if you want it in the future you can go from 2 subs to 3 or four subs but if those 2 subs are well integrated that could be all what you need for listening at your seat position. I don’t need evenly bass response at more than one seat position.

R.

I sold REL when they first came into the US. They are still a wonderful product, but one of the most Overlooked subs on the market is Paradigm.

Depending on budget, The Defiance X10 for $1k is a great value. It has Anthem Room Correction and an app that allows you to control the sub from your phone. The X Series is built in Canada and the woofer’s surround (ART - Active Ridge Technology) on the cone holds two US Patents = It increases the output +3dB (which is the equivalent output of two woofers) and cuts the distortion in half - those are the two patents. It’s incredibly musical and will pressurize your room improving the harmonics of music you listen to just like the REL does.

Pressurizing the room is something very few talk about. When you’re at a concert (in a venue/hall/auditorium i.e. an enclosed space, when the orchestra plays, or the band plays, the room becomes pressurized and this helps the harmonic detail unlike going to a concert that’s outdoors. So for avanti1960 to say that subs don’t add clarity to a system, that’s not really true. A great sub can add a lot.  I would also recommend doing one sub over two lesser subs.  There is not strength in numbers with this, only room for more problems.  So if you're going with more than one, they need to be good, not average or just ok.  Always get the better thing.  

Also, the Defiance Subs have the kind of output required for home theater that the REL’s don’t. Check out the Defiance Subs on YouTube and at Paradigm.com Want to go higher end, look at the Prestige Subs by Paradigm.

Thanks,
Chris

Most full-range speakers can benefit from adding a subwoofer (ideally two - one each for the L/R channels).  You will definitely get increased bottom end, greater ambiance, and improved soundstage.  The trick is blending them with your mains - you really don’t want to know they are there other than hearing the perceived benefits.  This takes some time and experimenting to do it right (phase/low-pass filter/volume).  Worth the effort.  Jim Smith’s book/DVD “Get Better Sound” into the details/process very nicely.  Good luck!
Gorm