Ok guys, so I now have all of my speakers for my new budget setup. I got 2 pairs (fronts and rears) of Athena AS-B1.2's, and an Athena C.5 for the center. I have a Onkyo 604 driving these. The Athena P4000 subwoofer is on the way.

So last night I set up all of my speakers (minus the subwoofer since it's on the way), and while it's a big improvement over my HTIB speakers, I don't think everything is right.

It seems as if I am getting too much base from my surrounds, is that normal? Maybe it's just I'm so used of really BAD speakers? It just seems like all the explosions and action scenes in movies are pretty loud, but the dialogue isn't where I want it to be. I did the Audyssey automatic speaker setup with the Onkyo 604 mic as recommended.

How can I get my dialogue (center speaker I assume) to be louder and clearer, and possibly lower the bass on the surrounds? Or is this how things should sound? Thank you for any advice in advance!

Adjust the center channel level higher is the first thing to do to get the dialogue to come thru louder.. That's pretty simple and the manual will explain how to do it.

Since your subwoofer is on the way, I'd just wait to make any other changes since you'll have to recalibrate again.

Adjust the center channel level higher is the first thing to do to get the dialogue to come thru louder.. That's pretty simple and the manual will explain how to do it.

Since your subwoofer is on the way, I'd just wait to make any other changes since you'll have to recalibrate again.

Thank you very much for the advice. Yeah I figured I would have to calibrate again. I will definitely turn up the center speaker. Any info on why the surrounds sound so "bassy"? I'm not saying it's a bad thing, and I appreciate bass through the surrounds, but I would rather my sub take care of like 70% of that. Other than that, these are great speakers for the price thus far.

I have auditioned these speakers twice and found them lackluster and dull on both occasions. Wait till your sub arrives and if you still feel the same about them, send them back.

Jon

p.s. Some receivers let you select between small mains and large mains. Select small so more of the bass is passed to the sub and see if that makes a difference.

The Athena C.5 has smaller drivers than your front B1s. I was running this setup for a while and had to run the center a little hot also. that should take care of the dialog issue.

Right now all your speakers are receiving the bass that the sub normally would. Wait till you get it and set all your speakers to small in the receiver then set your crossover accordingly, probably 80 or 100 for those speakers. That will direct the bass (below the crossover setting) to the sub and should take a load off your receiver and speakers and also take care of the surroud issue.

The Athena C.5 has smaller drivers than your front B1s. I was running this setup for a while and had to run the center a little hot also. that should take care of the dialog issue.

Right now all your speakers are receiving the bass that the sub normally would. Wait till you get it and set all your speakers to small in the receiver then set your crossover accordingly, probably 80 or 100 for those speakers. That will direct the bass (below the crossover setting) to the sub and should take a load off your receiver and speakers and also take care of the surroud issue.

Thank you sir, I appreciate the info. What do you personally think of this setup from your experience with it?

Speakers are a matter of preference but imo the Athena Audition line which includes your B1s and the Point5 line which include the C.5 is one of the best out there for the price. I've got them on 2 systems right now with no thoughts of an upgrade. I've ordered several different speakers in the same price range from JBL, Polk, Advent and AR among others and to me none of them compare.

They are getting hard to find now though since they have been discontinued. They are considered by some to be a bit bright sounding (emphasis in the higher frequencies) but I've never thought that. I love the detail in the higher frequencies.

I've never heard them decribed as dull as the above poster stated but that goes back to everyone has their on taste.

Jakeman, thanks for your opinion. I took advice from the thread and made some settings adjustments last night. It seemed to help a lot. The only option I couldn't find on my Onkyo 604 is "large" or "small" speakers. I didn't see anything like that, unless I wasn't looking in the right places.

As of now with no subwoofer, these are definitely sounding good. Leaps and bounds above my HTIB speakers, but that was to be expected. I'm hoping adding the subwoofer is only going to make the overall sound even better. So far, so good though for speakers that cost me about $240 total plus shipping. :D

I've never heard them decribed as dull as the above poster stated but that goes back to everyone has their on taste.

I meant "dull" as in plain and uninspiring sound. I auditioned them twice and found them to look and sound like typical budget speakers. However I auditioned them on their own, without subs. They would probably sound a little better setup as "small speakers" (as I previously suggested) with a 5.1 receiver and a sub. But then, even micro HTIB's speakers sound OK that way. Just my opinion, not something I would waste my money on when there are so many good speakers only a few hundred dollars more.

The only option I couldn't find on my Onkyo 604 is "large" or "small" speakers. I didn't see anything like that, unless I wasn't looking in the right places.

The 604 receiver uses different terms for large and small settings. On page 67 of the manual you have the option to set them at full band. This is the same as large if it's not set to full band it's the same as small.

I meant "dull" as in plain and uninspiring sound. I auditioned them twice and found them to look and sound like typical budget speakers. However I auditioned them on their own, without subs. They would probably sound a little better setup as "small speakers" (as I previously suggested) with a 5.1 receiver and a sub. But then, even micro HTIB's speakers sound OK that way. Just my opinion, not something I would waste my money on when there are so many good speakers only a few hundred dollars more.

I completely understand. I put myself on a budget and managed to put together 2 systems for right at $800 and am very happy with them both. I was talking about my comparisons of speakers at the same price point. I'm sure I could move up in price on speakers a few hundred dollars and find plenty that would make me much less enthusiastic with their sound and performance. But I won't allow myself to do that, don't want to be bitten by the upgrade bug :).