Galliardist
Major Contributor
My floorstanders are quite happy to go lower and loud without a sub. If I want even output in tbe bass throughout the room, that’s when I would need to add subs.Depends on what you call 'bass'. If the music one listens to is mostly made up of bands with electric bass, then 40Hz or so is fine, and a floorstander will do that with more efficiency than a stand mount because of the extra cabinet volume.
Going lower in frequency with high output levels will require a sub. Period.
If the speakers are designed to do the job they will do it. There are active standmount speakers that go low, like the Devialets, that don’t need subs as such.
A lot depends on the particular implementation of a system in a room. Our living room is heavily furnished, the best spots for subs were already taken. In a clean or dedicated room I’d use subs, they are cost effective apart from anything else.
Necessary,though? No.