Subwoofer: should we even use them at all?

I have a Rel Stadium III with my Parsifal and really enjoy the sound. The majority of the time, I listen with the monitor, woofer cabinet, and sub. The fun thing about most of the Verity speakers is that you can listen to many combinations.
I enjoy listening to them in different configurations when I have a nice stretch. Sometimes I listen to the monitor (vocals and strings). The monitors have nice speed and easily reach down into the low 40's. Sometimes I'll pull the sub out into the room and listen to the monitors and sub. Other times I turn off the sub.
I think I've integrated them to my tastes. Great speaker.

My Parsifal (Encore) barely makes the low 40hz range WITH the woofer cabinet - they start to quit in the mid 40s range and are well down by 40hz. The monitors start to roll off at about 55 to 60 hz in my room. There's a hump in the upper 40s thru the crossover region to the monitors that gives kick drum some extra (ahem) kick and a satisfying sense of bass with almost all music. Not exactly textbook accurate, but I love 'em with most program material, just not for the deepest bass.

I guess YMMV

Marty,

I certainly agree with you on simplicity being preferable. Further looking into these units I came across the DEQX HDP-4, and the QOL, amongst others, but these appear to be most endorsed. What's your thought on these, as an experienced DRC user?

I think the approach proposed by miniDSP is a non starter for me. As much as I love my Lamm pre, I think I will need to decide if I'd rather keep it or do the mains/sub crossover and integration thing. Much to consider!

Lewinski,

The DEQX has always looked interesting to me, but the local dealer (possibly also the national distributor) isn't very accommodating, so - even tho I tried to stop in for a demo - I never got a chance to check it out and can't really comment. It's gotten some good press, tho.

I know zero about the QOL and never thought it was designed for this application, tho I'm not sure what it IS designed for.

If you decide to keep the Lamm, my guess is that you'd be best off passing on subs unless you want to run separate 2 systems (or dual front ends). I don't mean to spend your money, but...

The good news is that +/- $2700 buys an Onkyo 5509 with Audyssey xt32 and a pair of 12" subs from SVS. That's a set-up that I'd be happy with and it's a modest investment relative to the LAMM. It would allow you to swap the amp and sources between the pre-amps on the fly (once you've attached the subs and set-up the DRC on the Onkyo), but you have to be the type that wants to repeatedly rewire the system.

I was that guy at one time, but not anymore - and I certainly can't speak for you.

Hey Marty; go for Audyssey Pro with your 5509. You will go to a much higher endresult.