Small or large sub for music

Erik,

I use the HGS-10s and 15s with SMS-1 bass managers that provide acoustic room correction.  I noticed when I played the Saint-Saens 3rd symphony that the pedal notes are not as well realized by the HGS-10s as they are by the KEF Reference 107/2s.  I think the 10s extend to just below 30 Hz whereas the 107/2s and 15s extend to below 20 Hz, so pedal notes have that more felt than heard vibration I sense at live recitals.

db

Thanks for all the advice.  Whether I use 10, 12, or 15 inch subs I will use a pair, most likely placed just behind the speaker stand.  Looks good and sounds good in my experience.  The sub will be non-ported.  

I've almost decided on rosewood KEF Reference 1s.  A pair Rhythmic F12s in piano black might be a good upgrade from my aging Velodyne HGS-10s or 15s.  I might continue to use the Velodyne SMS-1 bass manager that provides acoustic room correction, although that may be redundant with the F12s.

Thanks again for helping me firm up my plan.

db

After setting the low-pass filter, I use pink noise to set the levels of all my speakers, including the subs, to 75 dB SPL, then listen to a variety of recordings.  My goal is to not be aware of the subs.  A Velodyne SMS-1 bass manager sets crossover, slope, and acoustic room correction for the subs.

As an amendment to my OP, I did buy a pair of KEF Reference 1s.  Hope I don't regret it, given the LS50s supplemented by the HGS-10s sound so good even for large orchestrations.

db