(09-27-2021, 07:41 AM)The Real Marty Wrote:

(09-26-2021, 07:08 PM)anonymous2112 Wrote: In the speaker nerd camp, Bose are considered average with an expensive nameplate (No highs, no lows, must be Bose).  But during my cheap thrift store speaker buying experience, I picked up a couple of 301s.  They're fantastic.  I gave them to my little brother one Christmas, knowing his wife would let him put them up, since name brands are a big thing with her.  He set them up as surrounds, and I am now convinced there's not a bookshelf speaker pair under a grand that can beat them. 

I've got a component setup downstairs and an old school 70s setup upstairs.  I love them both, but the upstairs setup is just super clear.  It's a 50 wpc Technics with some Radio Shack Optimus speakers with 15" woofers that weigh about 50 pounds each.  I've never turned the volume past halfway.  And as you mentioned, the craftsmanship of the older receivers/amps is nothing short of beautiful.

I'm currently at 8 receivers, 6 subwoofers, and about a dozen pairs of speakers.  I've run out of family to give them all to, but I've also got good enough stuff to stop acquiring equipment indiscriminately.

In my opinion, anyone who buys a subwoofer is not really into accurate sound.  It's artificially pumped up bass that has nothing to do with the original intent or original sound of the music.  What used to be clean bass notes that you could actually follow musically, it's a thump thump or a boom boom and you can't really hear the notes.  It's just pounding like a giant bass drum.  

Am I wrong?

It depends on how you use it. Subwoofers are tunable in their output and crossover points. If not tuned correctly, or to your tastes, they can certainly become overwhelming. 
IMHO, they’re absolutely necessary for a component system. The subwoofer is what fills out the sound and gives it resonance and punch. Even classical music benefits greatly from a properly tuned subwoofer. 
Keep in mind I’m referring to a powered subwoofer which, I believe, is better than in-line subwoofers. They are much more tunable and more responsive. You’re missing out on a whole realistic dimension of your music without a subwoofer.

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