Are big subwoofers viable for 2 channel music?

I haven’t heard all the DBA/Swarm setup, But I do know the best bass systems I’ve heard were Columns. This may sound like a 70-80s design but still the most accurate and detailed system was again Bass columns. Whether infinite baffle, sealed accelerometer servo system, multi driver and size, passive radiator tuning, OB servo system with step baffle amps. ALL were a column style.

I’ve heard a few swarm systems NOW over the last year or so...

Good yes, great NO

But columns at this point in time for me is still KING, and have been for 20+ years.

A pair of 4-8 drivers per side is a good place to start. They actually take up less floor space, but cover FAR more ground evenly, in any application, including HT. I’ve heard as many as 4 in a system.
perfection... One still works better than most pairs of lowriders,
The Taller, The Better,

I know omnidirectional, NOT above 80, most pure BASS columns are 80-150 or <. Above 70-80 hz they get pretty directional. and very stereoish..(is that a word?)

Ay but what do I know, I made one out of an underground concrete vault, I got off a job site. a shop sub... 20 cubic foot interior, yea I know how to make BASS, really I do.. 2 18 inch PA 104s. City block of bass with that thing.

Regards

Maybe thats why the main guy at Rel keeps talking about the 'vertical component to bass'. Maybe thats why people love rel 6 packs.

Maybe that's why the Tekton subs work so well. DBA stands for distributed bass array. DBA says nothing about what or where, only that the bass is distributed among many drivers in different locations. One of the early papers even discusses four subs stacked on atop the other. Two Tekton subs is 8 woofers is more than my 5 is totally a DBA. Someone saying a BDA is not that great compared to Columns, when two columns is a DBA, is only showing they don't quite get the concept of a DBA.

More is always better. Been saying that about a hundred times now.

One still works better than most pairs of lowriders,
The Taller, The Better,

Good yes, great NO

Someone saying a BDA is not that great compared to Columns,

millercarbon, what was said is, "most pairs of lowriders", (24" or shorter).
good yes, great no... A little different "than not that great"

Bass columns, not sub columns, apples, oranges, (I’m trying to shorten the response honest) I should have explained my setups clearer.

I have a pair of 300 lb mid riders 12 cf boxes 65" tall. They work better than most lowriders. But the are not subs, They are Bass columns. SAT
(Stack and Test), There are a couple more setups here with multi MB, and taller cabinets.

Most of the systems I’ve heard over the last year or so, use multi lowriders, normally used as subs, 60-100 and below. Omnidirectional.
Bass columns are NOT. Bass columns are Very directional Up to 250 hz and down, usually 80-150 <

I've see, subs stacked also, they sound better to me, too.

I think I understand how most are using DBA/Swarm. I like ALL the bass in a its own structure. Something I learned from Mr. Bass Brian C. He used 3 columns, powered br Dayton SA1000s, 20 years ago.
lowers distortion, a lot...Especially on Sub/Bass/Mid Bass couplers using phase plugs. 20% distortion in the bass region is very common (non servo), not in my system, closer to 5%. Very little vibration issues with my planars monitors, again lowering distortion. with narrower baffles. and separate cabinets.

Regards