More Power or use subwoofer to boost bass for music

xcool OP

The combined impedance and -phase angle graph shows these 804’s are a hard load in the bass from 60hz to 150hz where all the power is needed
https://www.stereophile.com/images/913B804fig1.jpg
Yet the frequency response shows that they have a slight rise in that area, and should give big bass if driven well. https://www.stereophile.com/images/913B804fig4.jpg

The second page of the Stereophile review often complains about the lack of bass from the 804 D’s. And looking at what they drive them with, it was the same amp as you a 3 channel HT Parasound A31 that has trouble doulbing wattage from 8 to 4ohms, let alone down to 2ohms
https://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-amp-wilkins-804-diamond-loudspeaker-page-2

I think your amp just like the reviewers, is not up to driving the bass with good current delivery, try something that can, and you then won’t need any subwoofers and the problems they bring to seamlessly blend in to the mains.

Cheers George

Thanks George.   Thanks for the information on Parasound A31.   That is good to know.   Maybe I do need more power to drive those B&W.   I'll checkout the review.

Also, many thanks to others for information on room treatment and multiple subwoofers.    One thing I should have mentioned in my original post, is that I live in an apartment, not small, but average size.  I don't have a lot of options to accommodate multiple subwoofers.   I actually do have a subwoofer now.  It's a very old Def Tech subwoofer from the 90's.   It doesn't have a whole lot of connection options.   I only use it for movies.  I was looking to replace that anyway.   

I do like the option of adding some acoustic panels, and will look into that further.

Thanks!

xcool OP Just found proper test on the A31 as I thought not much current ability into low impedances. The 4ohm wattage should be a lot higher, and they didn’t do the 2ohm as it would have been trouble (bang maybe). Not the amp for these speakers.

 Cheers George

BHK Labs Measurements: Parasound Halo A31 Three-Channel Amplifier

1% THD 232.8W @ 8 ohms, 352.0W @ 4 ohms

10%THD 285.0W @ 8 ohms, 422.9W @ 4 ohms

What amp did the dealer use ??????

dual subs; as large and powerful as you can fit and afford. I like the big HSU Research units