Dear Stanwal: +++++ " I have found it ALWAYS better to run the speakers full range and only use the subs to augment the very bottom end. " +++++
your approach is only an alternative and is the way sub's suppose to use it but things over years changed and there are other choices to do it all depend what we are looking for.
My approach is extremely precise/clear on what are the targets:
1- achieve lower way lower IMD from the main speakers especially those where the woofers crossover 150hz+ ( that's the case with the Cremona. ).
2- achieve better system quality performance level.
3- achieve better bass quality performance level and
4- achieve lowest bass response with the lowest THD.
of course that if you can't understand the critic importance on speaker IMD then you can't understand my approach that's is way different from yours and for very good reasons where the main target is: improve system quality performance level, I'm looking for excellence level nothing less.
Your approach is the old typical one where quality/excellence meaning almost has no real " significance ".
Stanwal IMHO you need to read the links I posted and this one too, if you read with care you could understand what I'm talking about. Btw, you can read in my Agon virtual system how I have that set-up. This is the link of what Vandersteen thinks about:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1117893153&openflup&84&4#84
Btw, I already try every single approach/alternative to blend and achieve the system excellence quality performance target in my system.
Which are your experiences, I mean with which speakers/system, with the alternative I posted here?
I forgot, IMD is critical on the subject and when goes lower the results is nothing less than astonish.
The other critic area when we are talking on bass response through sub's is THD ( of course if we care about quality level. ) and IMHO we have to look for the lowest THD on subs, because I'm talking of quality not only " bass " ( bass can be achieved by any sub but top quality bass only 2-3 subs out there, of course that we have to be aware/discern what means: bass and low bass quality ).
As I posted Velodyne has the lowest one THD: 0.5% where he JL Audio has: " Distortion: <6.5% THD at 50Hz ", this means that the JL Audio has a " good " but distorted bass response and means too that that spec is at 50hz: we can imply that at around 20hz the JL Audio THD distortion is even higher, maybe in the 12%-15% !!!! against the 0.5% in the Vs.
To choose a subwoofer for atwo channel audio system is not and easy task is a seriously choice if we want the best system performance. It needs know-how according our each one targets.
Regards and enjoy the music,
R.