Do audiophiles hate large subwoofers?

I don't see much wrong with them. It's not really the larger drivers, it's more that it can be a problem of one kind or other to get them into a "small" enough box and still sound very good. And there's the problem of the lack of proper control enough to integrate them well into the room and system...which is my complaint of virtually any sub out there you can name.

I think servo subs can work well, but it's really all the rest of it that needs to be thought out most, first.

I don't like subs generally because they are designed as an "add on" to the system...a bandaid. They are designed that way because they are approached that way. "Hey, it's a subwoofer and that's what you want, right?" Just more fully resolving the bass/room/system interactions could possibly be a better thought, subwoofer or no.

Regards

ivan_nosnibor,

Try a REL Sub through it’s high level input and you will see how easy it is to integrate a sub with 2-ch audio. I have two of them and can’t imagine my system without them. 

They will shred your notion of ‘add on’ in no time. Nothing else out there that gels within your system like a REL sub. 

The Rythmik A370 and H600 plate amps (found in the F12, F15, F18, and F25 models) are available in versions (the PEQ, not the XLR) that provide both line level (on RCA jacks) and high level (on binding posts) inputs. REL subs of course have a great rep with audiophiles, as do Rythmiks.

OK, so seems like not a problem at a fundamental level, but perhaps more of a perception and aesthetic issue (kinda like the pro gear vs. audiophile gear). 15/18 inch sub woofers are big and you can't necessarily hide them in the corner like an 8 inch - so WAF comes in to play. (Many Audiophile's hopes and dreams have been crushed by the dreaded WAF.) Also, I think big sub-woofers are perceived as meant for home theater, so they won't get as much credit for being musical. I'm thinking audiophiles could be missing out by not auditioning a big one.

I am not against larger subwoofers but I am of the opinion that smaller ones that are capable of doing the job in general are preferable. Larger high quality subs may cost a lot more and offer no distinct advantage or be needed in many cases. Also larger subs are heavy and harder to handle and perhaps even place properly in some rooms where space is limited.

For my smaller 12X12 room, for use with a pair of KEF ls50s, I chose this model that is unusually extended for its size due to use of two passive 8" drivers to supplement the main 8" active driver. This is a really good combo!!!

https://www.klipsch.com/products/sw-308-subwoofer 

The KEFs are small with limited bass extension so a smaller sub fits in well there.

Granted that it will likely take a larger more extensive sub to merely fill in the lowest octave well if used with larger more full range mains.