Will a subwoofer add depth and clarity to my system, or just bass?

A well integrated sub can be transcendent. The key part being "well integrated."
Most hobbyists don't want to buy a sub. They want to buy room correction with a sub attached, and that room correction varies a great deal.

If you can swing it, treat your room first, it will make your speakers sound larger and fuller. It will also help your room like a variety of speakers, including subs.

Audition the sub's room correction. Pay attention to room treatment the dealer may have.

JL Audio has amazingly good room correction, but IMHO it's hard to justify their prices overall.

Subwoofers will not add clarity to a system. They will add impact in the form of notes you can feel as well as sound stage volume.

This is kind of true but kind of isn't. I mean, clearly, there is a low pass filter involved. However, the effects are a lot more than what you would expect from this description.

From a perception point of view, they make everything feel more open and larger.


I say this as a man who builds his own speakers, and does his own room correction. I know the measurements and the effects. Well integrated, a sub adds a lot more than just what I quoted above.


Best,

E