Maggies and subwoofer integration

I do wish people would be more direct with their opinions. 😉

One can definitely integrate subs into a Maggie setup. To each his own, but there are genres of music that I feel need the punch, and I use subs with box speakers too. 

Being a big REL fan (I run a swarm of 5 at times - it's a massive room) I think there are some misunderstandings about what subs are supposed to do with music.  It's different with home theater where it's supposed to give you the boom of the explosion.  REL subs add a spatial quality, almost more air than boom, and they shouldn't really be setup so that you can "hear" them.  

That's one reason why I like the swarm approach - several set at low gain creates a subtle strength behind the music that I prefer to pushing one sub harder. 

I also have 2 DWM panels that I'll include in the mix sometimes, but if I had to choose between REL subs and DWMs I would take the subs. 

To address the OP: I think your favorite genres might be part of your analysis here.  If you do like a bit more of the phat sound (as I do), I would suggest you see if you can go to at least 2 subs - see if you can run them stereo (i.e. left speaker signal to left subwoofer, right to right).  While upgrading subs to avoid HT-focused versions will help improve sound, relatively cheap subs are still good in a multi-configuration and you want to keep the gain on them relatively low -- you don't want to be able to detect where the bass is from. 

It's all about experimentation and personal preference.  There just isn't any "right" when it comes to sound preference in audio. 

Time to open a can of worms :)

One of the reasons we purchase Maggies is for the transparency and neutrality of the music we listen to, getting rid of the inherent sound signature of the box. I’ve not owned smaller panel Maggies, 2.5r and up to 20.1’s. I would imagine there would be a need for a sub for the smaller Maggies, 1.7 and under, not saying in all cases but given the smaller size of the panels they may need that extra bottom end. IMO adding a sub to the larger panels counter acts the whole point of going box-less. Maggie bass will not shake the glasses off the shelves, but they will reproduce the sound of the instruments in the way they were recorded. At the risk of opening another can, Large panel Maggies require tons of good clean power and current and to say my 50 watt tube amp does fine with my 30.1 panels is like saying my Pinto does fine on the Autobahn, the Pinto will get you there, but where is the pleasure of driving the Autobahn. I love large Panel Maggie bass with high powered amps that are capable of driving them. Fast , articulate and natural, that is how I describe Maggie bass. Adding a box defeats the whole point. A high end sub, no matter how much you spend is not going to sound like a Maggie.

Enjoy the Music

Large panel Maggies require tons of good clean power

No question. I 100% agree. My Maggies never *really* sang until they were actively biamped with 2 amps rated at 500w into 4 ohm (doubling from 8).  Getting those active crossovers out of the picture was a game changer. 

the transparency and neutrality of the music we listen to, getting rid of the inherent sound signature of the box

It’s possible you’re crossing over at too high a frequency? No question I can still hear the detail and agility of the Maggie bass panels. RELs don’t bloat that way.

That said, to each his own. My mother liked ice cubes in her wine. People put ketchup on $50 steaks. I like depth to sharp drum strikes.

Check out Mike Powell's site, "The OCD Guy".  He seems in touch with matching subwoofers to planar's.  With Quads, I have never heard a subwoofer keep up with them.

I have a pair of LRS and use the big HSU VTK-15h MK2 and it works very well for me. I recommend, and am able to cross over my LRS at 80hz.  I use a Oppo 205 source and am able to set the crossover point.  People  say that Magnepans  don’t need a sub but I disagree. At least regarding the LRS anyway. In my room the LRS have about as much bass as two transistor radios.  With good tuning and setup they sound awesome.  I recommend a sealed sub not ported. My HSU has both options but I always run it sealed with both ports closed.  The trick is less is more. If you run to sub set to high it draws attention to itself but if tuned properly it disappears. I suppose everyone’s rooms and systems are all different but for me it works great.  I noticed that with the LRS if run full range and playing anything moderately loud with heavy bass the panels will distort, the 80hz high pass is the cure for that.