Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[Musica Amantem]

A quote from Absolute Sound, in turn an adaptation from an article from Robert Harley back in the day (but still very valid!). It explians why headroom and overall dynamics and Oomph can be improved significantly through the use of SUB(s) and High Pass filters:

"Adding an actively powered subwoofer can greatly increase your system’s dynamic range, bass extension, midrange clarity, and ability to play louder without strain. The additional amplifier power and low-frequency driver allow the system to reproduce musical peaks at higher levels. Moreover, removing low frequencies from the signal driving the main loudspeakers lets them play louder because they don’t have to reproduce low frequencies. The midrange often becomes clearer because the woofer cone isn’t furiously moving back and forth, trying to reproduce low bass. This improvement in a small speaker’s performance can be dramatic. The small woofer’s excursion is no longer a limiting factor in how loudly the system will play when low frequencies are filtered from the signal driving it. The midrange is much cleaner, and the overall system sounds like a large, full-range speaker."

This is what our enlightened colleagues in this forum had advised me when complaining about a lack of Oomph in classical music reproduction. Thanks! Even though my loudspeakers are full floor-standers, their capacity to work for the entire range of frequencies is compromised. Eliminating those first 100 Hz or so is key here, along with a stereo SUB setup ... This hobby enables us to keep learning even in old age