My issue with subwoofers has nothing to do with filling in the bottom end, room compensation, or any other supplemental low frequency embellishment.
The reason I don't like subwoofers is because I can never just leave well enough alone. No matter now many times I make a fine adjustment on the phase dial, volume dial, or sub(s) location(s), I analytically pick the sound apart to the point where the music becomes a test vehicle for integrating the sub. It just so happens that I do the same with with equalizers.
That being said, I find that I get the most joy from my systems when I put on a good record, cd, or tape, sit back, and enjoy the music devoid of what a subwoofer would have to offer. In addition, I find that I like hearing speakers for what they are and appreciating them and the music that they are able to produce. If they can't hit the the mid 20's down low, so be it.
A possible source of bias: All three pairs of speakers that I'm currently running have no trouble dipping into the 20's on the bottom end.