How can a subwoofer expand the soundstage?

Is it possible that the higher frequencies travel through the air more easily when the way is cleared by the low frequency waves? In other words they "draft" behind the low waves with less resistance.

Depotec - I like the way you think!

The sub gives "dynamic life" (as Stanwal puts it) to all frequencies. Kind of weird; but I like it.

Thanks to all who commented. Have a great day and keep enjoying the music!

I thought its because the subwoofer is omnidirectional in the lower region and thus adds to and expands the soundstage that the conventional speakers, whose sonic signature is directional, can't possibly convey. So, together, you get both directional and omni-directional cues which gives a larger soundstage beyond the mere boundary of the listening room and somewhat takes you to the recording venue instead. Unless you have already a gargantuan full ranger, most speakers can use the help of a good sub or two in this department.

Regards,

Kenobi

I second Kenk168

Roxy54 is on the right track. Notes at any particular frequency have both higher and lower harmonics. A system that isn't truly full range can't totally reproduce the lower harmonics. Adding a sub will allow reproduction of these harmonics which helps with the ambient info and spatial cues as mentioned by Roxy54. So, even music that doesn't seem to have much low frequency info can still be enhanced by the sub giving a better soundstage, imho. That's also the same reason why tweeters with excellent top end extension add to the spatial qualities of many recordings.