Tweak: raising the subwoofer off the floor...

Matchstickman, Bass builds up in corners as standing waves. The sub stand is just like a short tube trap in a different shape and designed to sit under the woofer. The Tube Traps reduce some of the mud, boom, and colorations that happen by breaking up standing waves by a combination of absorbtion and diffusion. Read their blurb on the traps and it will explain it more to you.

Warrenh, You don't understand because you have not tried it, you just buy into their pitch and are their most vocal salesman, that's fine. I do what works for me in this area and you do what works for you.

This is simply a matter of reducing the floor boundary reinforcement of the bass frequencies. Getting it off the floor reduces the reinforcement of these frequencies by 3db and tends to make it less boomy sounding. It also may have the effect of having the speaker more in-line with the ear at the seated position.

Note: Use an open type of stand if you are going to do this. Using a flat front closed stand will not have the effect, as it will help to re-couple the floor boundary to the sub, and thus add back in the boundary reinforcement.

Maxgain,
Do you think the sub stand could reduce the need for corner bass traps?

I think so. It all depends on where you have the sub. If the sub is not in the corner I think Tube Traps in the corners would still be a good idea. Are you still looking into going with the Vandersteen subs Matchstickman? I love mine and it works great with a bit of care setting it up. I think the sub stand should give me even better articulation and some added punch.

Maxgain, one thing is certain in my future; Vandersteen 2Ce. After reviewing my requirements and hearing a pair, I think that is the way I'm going to go. The subwoofer is another story. I want to listen to the 2Ces for a few months before I add a subwoofer. For all I know, I may not need one, but when I decide, my main two choices are the Vandy and the Rel.

I have a cheap Infinity BU-2 that I took apart, upgraded, tweaked and put back together. It has a 12 inch woofer and is rated at 100w and it can knock the walls down as it is. I am almost afraid of what a Vandersteen or a Rel, subwoofers of higher quality, will do to my place. So, one step at a time.

Right now I am just trying to get the best from what I already have.

There is one thing that I am wondering; how loud do most audiophiles get with their systems? I am thinking that two Vandy subs at 300w a piece could get VERY loud.