[djeickme]

I don't think that one approach is (ie large versus small) is necessarily better than another. It is a matter of recognizing what is important to you and them choosing product accordingly. Let's say you live in a small appartment in a large urban centre. For you maximum output is a non-issue because of your neighbours. Getting flat output to below 30 hz is also likely a non-issue because your room is likely too small to naturally support frequencies in that range. For you the size of the sub and its ability to match with your main speakers is of utmost importance. For you the Sunfire ultra-compact subs would be a great choice. For someone else (like me perhaps), a large sub would be a better choice (I have a large house with a reasonably sized acoustically treated room, and no neighbours to complain). My main considerations are getting the flattest output to at least 20 hz and output at THX reference levels. I have the space to do that with large boxes. I think that in general (both in audio and in life) we are trying to pidgeon hole people into too few categories. I think that having a variety of products on the market from microsubs (like the Sunfire) to highly engineered mid-sized subs (like JL Audio and the Velodyne DD18) to large simple boxes (like HSU, SVS and the numerous DIY solutions on the market) means that each person can get what they want and need (assuming they are willing to realistically assess those wants and needs).

Getting back to the original topic, I think it is possible to say that the changes in the subwoofer market are simply progress, but the question is really "Is progress always a good thing?". The sound that I am getting out of my mono system based on an old Goodham driver with a University horn tweeter in a Karlson enclosure let's me get far closer to the performer in many ways (midrange purity, timing, and emotional impact) than my stereo system that clearly measures better and has a much more extended frequency response. In this case progress is just different as opposed to being better. If you are looking for a smaller subwoofer box, I clearly concede that there has been much progress in the last 20 years. If you are simply listening to music or movies and not focusing on specs and technological one-upmanship I am less convinced that we have progressed very far.

Just one guys not so humble (how humble can it really be if I have posted it on an internet forum) opinion
Dan