Endless debate: monitor + sub vs floorstanding

Generalizing here...

I'd take two fullrange speakers over two monitors + one sub. If it's two monitors + two subs vs two fullrange... well it's close, but probably the two + two. And I'd take two monitors + fours subs over the two fullrange speakers. In each case, I'm favoring the system that gives me the greater number of and flexibility with independent bass sources; as a general principle, the more in-room bass sources you have, the smoother the in-room bass response. This according to Earl Geddes, whose ideas about subwoofers I use with permission. The nice thing about starting out with one sub is, you can add another without having to recreate your entire system.

Duke
dealer/manufacturer

You should use subs (2,3,4) even with floor standers. By having the super lows go into a powered sub, you are saving your amp from straining....a good thing.

You should use subs (2,3,4) even with floor standers. By having the super lows go into a powered sub, (((you are saving your amp from straining....a good thing.)))
Only if he was able to High pass the main amp.
Johnnyr

Forget all the previous suggestions and get a large room with Magico Q5s and Boulder amps. Otherwise a used REL sub...I've had all the above mentioned options (except the Magico/Boulder thing...I only heard that in a shop) and in the last year my little used REL Q150 with some modest but well regarded small towers has made me a believer...in my current room anyway.

A lot of good suggestions and thank you all.

The reason I went the floorstanding monitor route with a sub is I basically downsized my system somewhat. I figured using a nice tubed integrated (Rogue Tempest II) pushing the monitors only would free up the amp and let the sub take care of the bass duties. I have the sub crossed at a little below 50HZ and the monitors are full range down to around 42HZ I think it is. After a lot of tuning the sub or trying to integrate it, I know I am close but the bass is a little different than my previous full range floorstanders. In some ways its better because I am getting those bottom octaves :) The bass now is right in the center or centerstage. "Some music" might be overlapping a tad with the monitors. I am going to turn the volume down on the sub some more to hopefully cure the bass hump. A buddy of mine awhile back brought over a test CD and his IPhone had an app to measure frequency response. My bass response was pretty darn even so I know I am close. I am wondering if another sub would help? I do like the idea of my integrated pushing the monitors and letting subs take care of bass duties but not oppossed to an efficient full range floorstander.