Pretorious
Active Member
I’m by no means an expert, and I am trying only to summarize my understanding of this thread, so please someone correct anything I say that may be wrong. But, a system with a properly integrated sub is always going to be better than a system without, whether that system be made with floorstanders or bookshelves.Floorstanders vs standmount/bookshelf speakers+ a sub
Which is better?
As has been stated, the ideal position for bass is seldom, if ever, the same position as the mains. So even if a pair of floorstanders extends deep into the bass range, you may not be hearing the full effect of this due to other characteristics such as room modes.
The question would need to be made as equal as possible, and even then it’s difficult to pose because there are differences between manufacturers and model ranges. One might ask, floorstanders with subs vs. bookshelves with subs, same model range/family/design philosophy, which one is always objectively better? And even that may not be a realistic question unless every single other factor (such as room, positioning, etc.) is the same, given my understanding of what’s been said in this thread.
I think this is what most people are trying to ask when they pose this question on this forum. As we see, it’s a lot harder to answer than it ostensibly seems.