Your input please: Using sub on 2 channel amp

REL, Velodyne, JL Audio are all excellent choice for musical subwoofers. I have 15 x 20 room with Focal Electra fronts that can go down to 30Hz. The bass response is already pretty good. But when I added DD12 to the system, the bass response went up to the next level. You don't need to listen to bass heavy music. The subwoofer adds nice ambiance to any recording from small band jazz to symphonies.

ML Depth sub along with my 3.6 maggies sound great. Check out the ML line of subs while you are at it.

Lots of good suggestions above. Personally, and as a 2-channel, music-only guy, I can't imagine doing without my recently acquired REL Stentor II.

Forget the sub and look at amp/speaker combo. I've got a tube system with Dynaudio Special 25s (88db pigs). I bought a Dynaudio Sub250 to fill in the bottom when I watch movies; I can't remember the last time I turned it on. Try working on your speaker placement, it can make all the difference in the world. Also don't discount your speaker cables... (Oh and by the way I'm loving my VTL ST-150.)

For me, the great advantage of subs is the ability to add EQ to the bass. The best speakers in the world may measure beautifully from 20 to 20K in an anechoic chamber, but you don't want to see how they meausre below 150hz in your room. Trust me, it ain't likely to look very pretty. While EQ may violate some audiophile golden rules, bass only EQ strikes me as a great way to have (most of) your cake and eat it, too.

Bob's comments about the bass content of music are generally true, which means that - IMHO, IMHO, IMHO, - your choice of sub is probably less critical than proper integration and EQ. I use a Velodyne SMS-1 sub controller ($500 street price) and it works great! You can also use an NHT x-over ($300) if you don't want the Velo's digital x-over in your main signal path. If you go that route, you can use the Velo for room analysis and EQ or you might prefer the new Audyssey bass EQ box from SVS for that task.

Good Luck

Marty

PS While sub choice may not be the most important factor in getting better deep bass, I'd note that the SVS subs do appear (from test results at AVTalk.com) to represent great value.