Most nearfield monitors cannot reproduce the low octave faithfully, either cuz of spec or the short distance 4 the bass 2 evolve.

Traditionally engineers had 2 figure out the low end by additional cues.

I use a sub, and it's been another world since.

1 can do w/o a sub, but the low end MUST b figured out somehow.

Peace,

Zooot

On my (active) sub, both speaker cables connect 2 the sub, then from the sub 2 the (active) speakers.

Peace,

Zooot

I use the Yamaha MSP5 active speakers, with the SW-10 sub, a dedicated partner sub 4 the MSP5 / MSP10s.

4 additional reference I use a pair of Auratones which were used on every studio's meter bridge as the "shitbox" partner of the NS-10s. Old habits die hard... 4 me it's not a "shitbox"@ all.

As 4 the stereo image - I don't feel a difference. Such LF (down 2 25 Hz...) is non directional. However - when I switch the sub on and off (there's another gr8 tool...) I can hear the TREBLE change as the lower octave kicks in!

Both bass and treble may give a different meaning 2 the whole picture if the edges r not "smooth", so the sound field changes, with detail level and there4 depth also.

Work is easier and faster that way, getting LF and HF which do not change the music when absent.

Peace,

Zooot