Do you use a Subwoofer when listening to stereo?

No, and I never will. Now I do use one in home theater and that's where it stays. I'm not into the boom boom boom when listening intently to my stereo. 

No, and I never will. Now I do use one in home theater and that's where it stays. I'm not into the boom boom boom when listening intently to my stereo.

You might want to open your mind a bit on this.  Properly integrated subs can positively transform a 2-channel system.  Companies like Wilson, Vandersteen, etc. don’t offer subs just to add “boom boom boom.”  IME, once you’ve heard a system with good and well-integrated subs you don’t want to listen without them anymore.  They add much, much more than “boom boom.”

No, and I never will. Now I do use one in home theater and that's where it stays. I'm not into the boom boom boom when listening intently to my stereo.

With 4 subs there's no "boom boom boom" in my room.  If that's all you're hearing when you're listening to movies you could benefit from more subs and/or better setup and/or room treatments.  It's kind of like saying "I don't play vinyl because of the noise".

A. TWO Channel Mode/Use of Home Theater:

a1. AVR sends full frequency signals out front left and front right ONLY.

a2. no center, no surround, no sub signals from the AVR outputs.

a3. ALL Imaging is Phantom, created by AVR front left and front right. True whether you do or do not have a sub or two included in 2 channel mode. More below.

a4. programs that ’arrive’ in surround may/often sound better if you try/change to 2 Channel, thus more important than you might think.
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B. SUB(s) ON SURROUND ONLY (sub out, mains only for 2 channel (video or music).

b1. choose mains with enough bass when in 2 channel mode

b2. single sub, non-directional can more easily be successful when on only in surround mode

b3. easiest wiring, simply sub out of AVR to sub, done.
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C. SUB(s) ALWAYS ON (any Surround AND on for 2 channel).

c1. stereo pair of subs, directional, near mains

c2. all imaging is Phantom, any location of low bass fundamentals and overtones will reveal directionality, which you WANT.

c3. Now you need to take your AVR’s front left and front right to a CROSSOVER: ALWAYS send some to the sub(s); ALWAYS send the rest to the mains.

c4. Crossover can be separate component OR built into the sub(s). IF crossover is in the sub, then you have to get to the mains from the subs. This is another reason to use a stereo pair of subs located with the mains.

c5. Any crossover should be ADJUSTABLE for 5.1 or 2 channel

c6. self-powered subs produce the bass, which means the AVR’s amp and front speakers have an easier job to do

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D. SIZE OF MAINS SETTING

d1.Telling AVR the size of your mains effects surround modes only. It always sends full frequency out front left and front right in 2 channel mode.
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E. CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER REQUIRED for ANY SURROUND MODE

e1. the programs coding, and the AVR's coding removes all the DESIGNATED audio information from the front speakers. Thus, a CENTER SPEAKER is definitely needed, no matter how good you mains are. You cannot make Phantom Center Dialog if the information does not exist in the front outputs.

e2. center channel is ALWAYS OFF during 2 Channel Mode, imaging from front and subs more important.

emergingsoul:
" noble100
thanks so much. awesome

so maybe setting up the speaker settings to large (rather than small) makes more sense so that it completely opens up the main speakers. Why bother restricting bass on mains, and then set the subwoofer separately via settings on back of cabinet..

The sub array setup may have merit in a larger room. My room is 12 x 16 with 7 1/2 ceilings. The extremely large asw 2000 from b&w with 12 inch driver set lower would seem more than adequate. I do need acoustic panels."

Hello emergingsoul,

     The choice of whether to operate one's main  L+R speakers full range. or restrict their low frequency output, should be based on the main speaker's efficiency, their rated bass extension, the specs of the amp driving them, whether a sub or subs are going to be employed and personal preferences.  
    In your case, for example, I believe your speakers are sufficiently efficient, have a sufficiently deep rated bass extension, your amp has sufficient power and current capacity and your going to employ at least 1 sub.  This means everything's a go for operating your main speakers full range and it just will depend on your personal preference. 
     I suggest you change your main speakers setting to large (rather than small), optimally position your sub in your room using the sub crawl method and setting your sub's volume and crossover frequency controls as low as possible with the bass still sounding very good to you.
      Then it's up to you concerning which system set up and configuration overall system sound quality you prefer.

Best wishes,
  Tim