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When comparing towers to bookshelves, do you let a subwoofer into the mix?

I'm presently comparing bookshelves to towers in my listening space.
Until today, I've just compared the speakers without adding my sub.
But since I would be using a sub (especially with bookshelves) it seems fair to add that in.

How would you make a final judgment comparing two speakers?

Naked (no subs) -- Speaker A vs. Speaker B?
or
With Sub (since that's how things would actually happen)?

Perhaps this question answers itself with "both" but I'm curious what folks do in this situation. It seems unfair to blame the bookshelf for not having the low end of the tower, but I would be using it with a sub, so that would allow me to judge on just the non-bass performance
128x128hilde45
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
Thanks Miller. Free diver, since you’re never in the situation described, your answer could only come out one way. But now we know what it is. ;-)
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,115 posts
 
Compare the complete configuration in each case ie including a sub if that will be used. 
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
The way you use it.

If you were doing a review of the product, you might do a with, and without..

Regards
Post removed 
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,499 posts
 
only fair way to do the comparison is how it will be listened to in your home. If you are going to listen to the standmounts with a sub, it is critical that not only do you have the sub on hand, but you spend the time to integrate it with the standmounts. Take the time and that will give you both a fair sound and budget comparison.

If you don't, odds are you are going to gravitate toward the fuller sound of the floorstanders.  Not that this is a bad thing but you are essentially stacking the deck against one option.  
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