Should I bother to try a subwoofer?

Tostado,

I understand the finances.

That said, I do want to make it clear that I wasn't being sarcastic in acknowledging that your extensive musical training better equips you for the task I was describing. I've become much more attuned (pardon the pun) to pitch subtleties since I started studying guitar a few years back. However, I was trying to point out the difficulty inherent there for anyone undertaking the job.

Suffice it to say that - should you ever have the opportunity to add RTA and /or x-over flexibility and/or DRC down the road - you will likely be surprised at just how much improvement you'll get out of your existing sub/speakers.

Good Luck

Marty

Interesting that JL Audio is not mentioned in this thread. The OP went with REL and is happy, congrats. No doubt REL produces a fine sub, but for anyone else considering (Mapman?) adding a sub to a fine pair of monitors: (1) absolutly do it, for all the reasons mentioned above (particularly Teajay and Grannyrig), and (2) audition JL Audio. I recently added an F112 and the expansion of air/soundstage/tone is amazing. It transformed the entire sonic spectrum by enveloping it in an expansive, yet tight and tuneful foundation. Get it dialed in right, set it, forget it, and enjoy it.

JL has limited hookup options, especially compared to the Rel's. JL's are great subs, but you really need a certain set up to use them. Also, they do not allow for mulitple input signals as the Rel does. If you have Rel's you can put your LFE signal into one input from your HT processor, and the Speakeron connection from a dedicated 2 channel preamp, and it will work with both signals, the JL will not do that.

Also, the F112 mentioned costs far more than my mid-fi budget allows. I paid 425 + tax for the used REL.

It isn't very likely that your listening position is actually the optimal spot for all sound wavelengths, meaning that you are probably sacrificing sound quality in some frequency range no matter where you're sitting. In many rooms one could find the sweet spot for optimal sound stage and dispersion, but that spot be less than optimal for the longer bass wavelengths. With a sub you have the luxury of obtaining the correct placement for both creation of sound stage and full bass wavelengths. The best of both worlds.