OK, I was probably the most vocal on here regarding the Stage's lack of subwoofer output.
I have always, run my systems with a sub, that includes running speakers that go down to 30hz. A sub adds more than just bass, the ability to play the whole range can add a huge amount to the soundstage as well.
We often forget just how much info we have given to us in a recording from the sounds we can't really hear, for example, there is no way you can tell when a recording is made in a large space if the whol frequency range is not played, there may not be a single instrument that goes below 35hz on that recording, but the space can pick up reverberations that go lower than that, and that is why I find a sub adds so much.
Hence it stopped my buying a Stage, lack of sub meant it was a no go.
Also, I still DJ, I like my deep progressive house and I love sassy basslines, hence I need it to do bass and do it well.
However.....I started to think whether I was going to truly get that three dimensional soundstage from the Stage anyway? Of course not. I have only had it with a handful of systems over the years, Quad 2905, Meridian DSP 5200s, Scansonic 2.5, Quad Z's and when pulled out into the room in a way that just was not workable in anything but a dedicated room.
So all that mattered was the next bit, will it give enough bass and the warm, full, not fatiguing sound that I am after?
I will be honest, I presumed the answer would be "No" so I bought it online knowing I could return it.
The reality is the bass has exceeded my expectations. I was not sure at first, I think the out of the box settings are not great, not great at all. As I said earlier, dips around 100hz that you can hear easily, a little spike around the 2khz range that can sound bright and although it sounded impressive, it didn't sound "HiFi"m it sounded like a more grown up Sonos that was giving detail at the expense of warmth.
However, once the bass was dropped and the EQ moved towards high bass and dropped slightly from energetic everything fell into place.
I am sat here right now listening to this.....
....and it has proper bass you can feel.
My subs have always been Rel, Stratas and Studios. I like my bass. This is not lacking.