Help me understand "the swarm" in the broader audiophile world


I'm still fairly new out here and am curious about this Swarm thing. I've never owned a subwoofer but I find reading about them--placement, room treatments, nodes, the crawl, etc--fascinating. I'm interested in the concept of the Swarm and the DEBRA systems, and I have a very specific question. The few times I've been in high-end, audiophile stores and asked about the concept of the Swarm, I've tended to get some eye-rolling. They're selling single or paired subwoofers that individually often cost more and sometimes much more than a quartet of inexpensive, modest subs. The same thing can be said for many speaker companies that make both speakers and subs; it's not like I see Vandersteen embracing the use of four Sub 3's. 

My question is this: do in fact high-end stores embrace the concept of multiple, inexpensive subs? If not, cynicism aside, why not? Or why doesn't Vandersteen or JL or REL and so on design their own swarm? For those out here who love multiple subs, is it a niche thing? Is it a certain kind of sound that is appealing to certain ears? The true believers proselytize with such zeal that I find it intriguing and even convincing, and yet it's obviously a minority of listeners who do it, even those who have dedicated listening rooms. (I'm talking about the concept of four+ subs, mixed and matched, etc. I know plenty of folks who embrace two subs. And I may be wrong about all my assumptions here--really.)

Now, one favor, respectfully: I understand the concept and don't need to be convinced of why it's great. That's all over literally every post on this forum that mentions the word "sub." I'm really interested in why, as far as I can tell, stores and speaker companies (and maybe most audiophile review sites?) mostly don't go for it--and why, for that matter, many audiophiles don't either (putting aside the obvious reason of room limits). Other than room limitations, why would anyone buy a single JL or REL or Vandy sub when you could spend less and get ... the swarm? 


northman
I agree with @mapman. IMHO, it has to with practicality which millercarbon and DBA advocates continues to overlook each time a sub discussion pops up.

Before I get flamed by DBA fanboys let me add, those who can justify 4 subs in their room, DBA probably makes sense. For rest of us, I say this; one sub is better than no sub and two subs is better than one sub.

Peace!
Yup, the more subs the merrier. I have 1 system with 0 (not needed speakers are essentially full range and no significant bass issues in the room) and one system with one sub. Ho ho ho!

Why not 10? Get on it DBA pioneers!
Dear Audiogon,

If you need to bring me over to your side, please serve me a heaping hot plate of condescending flattery drizzled with projection.

Best,
E
is it safe to say we all hate to walk into a hifi store and have the salesman tell us what we should buy or do without even listening to what our needs are and acting accordingly? The ones who do listen and act accordingly are the good ones.

Maybe we can all strive to be more that way here as well. Help others figure out what is best for them not for us.