Why the fascination with subwoofers?

I match a pair of Paradigm Servo 15's with my Apogee Duetta Sigs to pick up the 30 hz below the range of the Sigs. Sounds great on all music genres and did not cost a fortune. Got them used on Agon.

Sub(s) make listening a fuller richer experience. Even when not optimally placed they help. They don't take too much messing about to get them sounding/feeling right. 

For watching movies with explosions then a big and loud sub(s) add a lot. For music more nuanced is all that's needed. 

For young men in cars it's essential to have one that annoys other drivers and people in their houses. Not!

...and then, there are the few of us that do not have the financial means to afford such all-inclusive systems and add sub-woofers in an attempt to add depth & resonance (due to inferior equipment) for more listening enjoyment. We make due the best that we can.

but why add a subwoofer to an existing audio system when they don’t always perform well, are costly, and are difficult to integrate with the many varied speakers offered.

This is a question I often have to ask before answering a poster's question about full range vs. sat/subwoofer systems, or adding a subwoofer to an existing system.


Fortunately, room correction matters and is getting better and more automated, so simple it's almost ready for cavemen.


On the other hand, honestly, half of all "audiophiles" have no ear at all and for them more is just better.

Additionally, why wouldn’t any audiophile first choose a speaker with a well designed bass driver designed, engineered and BUILT INTO that same cabinet? If anyone’s speakers were not giving enough tight bass, why wouldn’t that person sell those speakers and buy a pair that does have tight bass? 

A sub, well integrated, has a number of advantages. Can go deeper, can be optimally placed, and can be EQ corrected.


Going back to your first point, you are better off with a bass limited (45Hz or higher) speaker which is not going to wake the dragons, than a big speaker that can go low which you don't know what to do with.


Best,
E