What percentage of audiophiles use a sub ?

The only way to get real feel in the music is to use subs...... But not the boomy flabby type. A good sub(or2) will effortlessly fill in the lower bass regions, give dynamics and scale but without blowing your ears out.

This takes time, the right equipment and set up..... Something the average user doesn't do

to relieve the main speakers of deep bass cone movement means they can do the other areas a bit faster/tighter in general.

This of course depends on the main speakers.

I use 2 subs, sometimes turned on. Other times they are off. One thing that significantly improved integration of the subs in my system was to forget about using rca cable connections from preamp to subs. I instead use speaker level connections from amplifier to subs now. This was the biggest improvement I've experienced in subwoofer performance.

Good responses from both sides so far. I use a sub with my speakers and do not experience any integration problems. I read that a pair of stereo subs are the minimum recommended for a stereo system but I am getting pretty good results using only 1 sub.

I use 2 JL f113's for both 2 & 5.1 channel. What I like most about the JL's is the LFE trim pot. I set it in one possition for 2 channel and another for HT. I dislike subsonics when listening to 2 channel. That is unless the music is rap, lots of added bass in that type of music. I do not listen often but when I do it is nice to have lots of bass.

Ryder -

Agreed on the feedback (and appreciated) - never expected such a good response to the question. Very interesting and enlightening. I too use only one REL sub but all this discussion has me thinking about getting a pair (JLs) too. Keep it coming guys - thankyou!