Newb Question about Towers/BookShelfs

[pearljamfan]

Hi everyone. Please excuse me if my question doesn't have all the details required for you to make more informed suggestions. I'm very new here, And my experience with Audio Equipment has been very Low Price/Mass Market. I am just trying to step up..and step up BIG!

How Important is Bass Extension (in speakers) when considering 2-Channel Music? I mean, most people these days use a subwoofer (or even two) when listening to 2-Ch CD's...Everyone DOES have (or plans to include) a subwoofer in their HT/Music setup. So does it make sense to buy (for example) Paradigm Studio 100's AND a Servo-15 Subwoofer...or can I manage with two Paradigm Studio 40's with the Servo-15 Subwoofer...I know this isn't all the information you might require, and this really isn't a question about the Paradigm Studios (I just used that as an example)...so in short, do bookshelfs paired with a quality sub offer the same level of enjoyment(and i mean fidelity and AMAZING BASS!!!) as floor-standers (listened to with/without a sub)?

I would appreciate your view on this. Thanks!!!

 

[Rÿche 1]

I prefer bookshelfs with a sub.

 

[outsider]

IMO it's necessary to use a sub when using smaller speakers. Most bookshelf speakers I have listened to aren't capable of reproducing lower frequencies very well.
In my own setup I have the main speakers (Boston Acoustics CR series) playing full range with a sub woofer (Aperion Audio 8") running 85 hz and down. Together the sub and main speakers deliver excellent bass.
In you case, since you are looking at the Paradigm Studio 40 and the Servo 15 you may not need or want to run the Studio 40 in full range -- it's usually best to avoid running the main speakers full range.
My only concern with this setup is the Servo 15 might be too much for the Studio 40, but having never listened them together I can't say for sure.
I have listened to the Studio 40 with the PW-2100 and they complimented each other nicely.

 

[JoeE SP9]

With very few exceptions even full range speakers can benefit from a sub. I mean a true sub that is maximally flat to 18 or 20 Hz at 100+db. This excludes most of the smaller and less expensive subs. If all you want is movie thumps then virtually anything masquerading as a sub will do. If you want rattle the walls and shake everything in the house bass you need a good sub. 8" woofers need not apply. Apogee Grand and Infinity IRS owners can ignore this message.