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Athena owners thread. - Page 6

post #151 of 2466
1/4/06 at 8:57am
I got Athena Micra 6 and Panny XR55, and want to make a 7.1 system in a 12x12 HT room. Would the AS-B1 be a good choice to add as front speakers to the Micra 6, keeping the micra center, sub and use the micra sats as rear surrounds? Is there a noticeable difference between the B1 and B2 since the B2 has a slightly bigger woofer?
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post #152 of 2466
1/4/06 at 9:25am
Those may be too different to properly intergrate. My suggestion would be to buy the B1s and a C1, use the 4 surrounds(as 7.1) and sell your center
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post #153 of 2466
1/7/06 at 11:44am
will the C1 center mix well with the micras or will there be a big tonal difference....thus allowing me to add bigger speakers as the fronts b1s, b2s, or possibly f1s...the floor speakers are probably a little much, but will the others be ok or exellent? love to hear a few thoughts


jay
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post #154 of 2466
1/8/06 at 5:20pm
I just added an AS-P400 subwoofer to my bedroom Point 5 setup today (found one still new in the box at a Florida Best Buy). I really like the sound of this sub even compared to the JBL E250 I was using before. Tighter and more punch even though the amplifier is less powerful and the driver is smaller. Frequency response seems to be about the same. My primary usage for this room is music so I think it's going to stick around.

To anybody else out there that might have the Point 5s and the AS-P400, what crossover are you using on your receiver? I've got mine set at 100Hz right now but I notice some distortion in the satellite speakers on some bass-heavy movie passages. Wondering if I should bump up to 120.
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post #155 of 2466
1/8/06 at 7:28pm
I need inwall speakers. Does anyone have any experience with the Athena inwalls?
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post #156 of 2466
1/8/06 at 7:57pm
Got the Athena Point 5s . They're awesome for the price, $165 shipped. Paired for now with an htib receiver, planning to get an Onkyo TX-SR503 later. Going to build a 15" Dayton DVC DIY sub in a few weeks.
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post #157 of 2466
1/9/06 at 12:09pm
I have discovered an interesting "problem" with Athenas. If you are a gadget-hound like me, and you like to upgrade often, you will find that there is nothing to upgrade to once you have Athenas (except more or larger Athenas) without spending a lot more money.
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post #158 of 2466
1/10/06 at 3:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PULLIAMM View Post

I have discovered an interesting "problem" with Athenas. If you are a gadget-hound like me, and you like to upgrade often, you will find that there is nothing to upgrade to once you have Athenas (except more or larger Athenas) without spending a lot more money.

What exactly makes athenas different from other speakers w.r.to upgrade?
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post #159 of 2466
1/10/06 at 3:29pm
I have coming to me a pair of f2.2s, and 2 pairs of B1s (will only use 3 of them, but since I scored both sets for $170 shipped, I thought what the hell). Now I need a receiver, and I was wondering if any of you could help.

This process has been painstaking, so I desperate for your help.

Here are my choices so far:

HK 235
Pioneer 815
Panny xr55

Out of those 3 (all relatively close in price), what do you think is my best bet, or are there others I should be looking at?...I will be adding a small sub at some point, just not sure which yet (hoping partsexpress gets the dayton back in stock for $99, or am going to try to score an athena any model from ebay).
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post #160 of 2466
1/11/06 at 5:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kera View Post

What exactly makes athenas different from other speakers w.r.to upgrade?

The best tweeter this side of B&W Nautilus, with clear, extended highs. Excellent octave to octave tonal balance. Wide dispersion with a well-defined soundstage. A complete lack of midrange anomalies such as chestiness or nasality. The ability to reproduce timbre distinctly, to the point of being able to distinguish between closely related instruments. Bass that is not only deep and powerful, but fast and detailed as well. Impressive dynamic range. High sensitivity. Musically involving.
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post #161 of 2466
1/11/06 at 6:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by timmer45 View Post

I have coming to me a pair of f2.2s, and 2 pairs of B1s (will only use 3 of them, but since I scored both sets for $170 shipped, I thought what the hell). Now I need a receiver, and I was wondering if any of you could help.

This process has been painstaking, so I desperate for your help.

Here are my choices so far:

HK 235
Pioneer 815
Panny xr55

Out of those 3 (all relatively close in price), what do you think is my best bet, or are there others I should be looking at?...I will be adding a small sub at some point, just not sure which yet (hoping partsexpress gets the dayton back in stock for $99, or am going to try to score an athena any model from ebay).

I have the 815 and I love it. Some say that Pioneer is a warm receiver and people also say that the Athena's are bright. With the combination the it sounds perfect to me. I was looking at all of those receivers and I picked the Pioneer because it has the most features and had very good ratings.

I have never heard any of the other ones though.

http://www.audioholics.com/productre...verReview1.php

Also some people are saying that the Athena's lack in the bass department. I thought the same thing after I purchased them. All it took was raising the bass end on the EQ a little more and it sounded great. I just have the B1's and C1's running full right now until my sub comes in but they were hitting hard after that during movie soundtracks.
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post #162 of 2466
1/11/06 at 4:20pm
thanks sightseeker, I am still pondering but I am going to check out the reviews that you linked.

I made a slight change to my system, or should I say I gave myself more options. I sort of went on a buying frenzy so here is what I am receiving now:
pair of F2.2s
2 pairs of B1s
pair of R1s
athena 400sub (all for $650, not too bad if I dont say so myself) Just need that receiver.
Here is what I was thinking since I have all of these speakers and only want a 5.1 setup in my basement...I was going to use the Fs for fronts, a B for center, and the Rs for rears, with the sub tacked on. Then, since I have 3 Bs left, I was going to set them up in my very small spare bedroom, or I was going to run the other 3 upstairs into my sitting room/living room, but I would like to run them from the basement receiver...anyone know of a receiver that has this multiroom/different source function.? I think the HK 330 has it, but I am not sure...very open to suggestions but do not want to break the bank. I spent 650 so far, so if i can find something around $300, I will stay under budget (which by the way started at $400, and thanks to my new addiction, I have capped at $1000 - without wire and cables, those my fiance agreed to buy).

please help...thanks.
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post #163 of 2466
1/12/06 at 6:02am
timmer45,

Some Onkyo stereo recievers have multi-room capability, though I am not sure if their HT units have this feature. My Onkyo reciever has good "synergy" with my Athenas, for an excellent combined sound.
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post #164 of 2466
1/12/06 at 6:26am
My 815 Pioneer can use the extra surround channel for a set of stereo speakers in another room. I'm not sure if you can change the source of the music from what the rest is though. There is a setting in the menu to use that channel for the 7.1 surrounds, to bi-amp them, or to use them as the extra room set....or nothing.

You can go on Pioneerelectronics.com and read the manual to check and see.
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post #165 of 2466
1/12/06 at 7:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by timmer45 View Post

thanks sightseeker, I am still pondering but I am going to check out the reviews that you linked.

I made a slight change to my system, or should I say I gave myself more options. I sort of went on a buying frenzy so here is what I am receiving now:
pair of F2.2s
2 pairs of B1s
pair of R1s
athena 400sub (all for $650, not too bad if I dont say so myself) Just need that receiver.
Here is what I was thinking since I have all of these speakers and only want a 5.1 setup in my basement...I was going to use the Fs for fronts, a B for center, and the Rs for rears, with the sub tacked on. Then, since I have 3 Bs left, I was going to set them up in my very small spare bedroom, or I was going to run the other 3 upstairs into my sitting room/living room, but I would like to run them from the basement receiver...anyone know of a receiver that has this multiroom/different source function.? I think the HK 330 has it, but I am not sure...very open to suggestions but do not want to break the bank. I spent 650 so far, so if i can find something around $300, I will stay under budget (which by the way started at $400, and thanks to my new addiction, I have capped at $1000 - without wire and cables, those my fiance agreed to buy).

please help...thanks.

Hi Timmer45,

You should like that setup. I have the P400 with the B1/C1 combo up front and am very happy with it. Some have dissed the P400 but I find it perfect for my room. And at $100 it was a steal compared to it's normal price.

Eventually I'm adding three more B1's for the rear if I can find them at a reasonable price. The B1.1 that is.

Enjoy!
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post #166 of 2466
1/12/06 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by georgemoe View Post

Hi Timmer45,

You should like that setup. I have the P400 with the B1/C1 combo up front and am very happy with it. Some have dissed the P400 but I find it perfect for my room. And at $100 it was a steal compared to it's normal price.

Eventually I'm adding three more B1's for the rear if I can find them at a reasonable price. The B1.1 that is.

Enjoy!


georgemoe, what receiver are you using, that is the dilemma I am having right now...I like the fact that the xr55 is digital, but it may be too bright so I am leaning toward the 815 (due to its setup feature and its left over speaker channels being able to be used in a seperate room as a seperate system, but same source...If the xr55 can do this as well, I may reconsider)(or any other out there for that matter...
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post #167 of 2466
1/12/06 at 12:51pm
I think that the reason my Onkyo reciever works especially with my Athena speakers is that it has a warm sound which counteracts the tendency of the Athenas to sound a bit bright. You should get a warm-sounding amp.
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post #168 of 2466
1/18/06 at 2:04pm
with the speakers I have and utilizing a 7.1 setup, what should go where...

I am using F2.2s for the front, an AS-C for the center, and then I have my dilemma...I have a pair of Rs and a pair of Bs, which should I use for the side surrounds and which should I use for the rears. I was thinking using the Bs for sides, and mounting the Rs on the celing about 2-3 feet behind my viewing/listening area. but something is telling me to place the Rs as the sides and the Bs as rears...what do you think?

also, I think I decided on the yamaha 5760 for a receiver simply due to budget concerns (I can grab one for about $190 shipped).
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post #169 of 2466
1/18/06 at 3:34pm
We can go round and round on this one. I use the R's as rears and the B's as sides.
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post #170 of 2466
1/18/06 at 5:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PULLIAMM View Post

timmer45,

Some Onkyo stereo recievers have multi-room capability, though I am not sure if their HT units have this feature. My Onkyo reciever has good "synergy" with my Athenas, for an excellent combined sound.


pull, which onkyo receiver are you using? i had an onkyo 530 (really just a rebadged 503) with my athenas, then switched to an H/K 235 and there seemed to be a difference. they sounded less sharp, more rich and fuller. i don't know if it was a break-in thing (if such a thing exists) or a consequence of switching receivers. i'd like to get your thoughts if possible.
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post #171 of 2466
1/18/06 at 10:29pm
I'm a new Athena owner: got some point 5s for use as surrounds.

Someone said they were an awesome value for $165, I got mine for $30 ($15 each) from a local best buy. One was open boxed with one scratch, other was in perfect shape, new in the box. I was floored.
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post #172 of 2466
1/19/06 at 5:37am
Quote:


Someone said they were an awesome value for $165, I got mine for $30 ($15 each) from a local best buy. One was open boxed with one scratch, other was in perfect shape, new in the box. I was floored.

I think he was refering to the entire set of point 5s, but you definitely got a great deal. I have seen the entire set at many places for roughly $200, so I would say anything under that is a decent deal. Nice pickup.
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post #173 of 2466
1/19/06 at 5:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by G-star View Post

pull, which onkyo receiver are you using? i had an onkyo 530 (really just a rebadged 503) with my athenas, then switched to an H/K 235 and there seemed to be a difference. they sounded less sharp, more rich and fuller. i don't know if it was a break-in thing (if such a thing exists) or a consequence of switching receivers. i'd like to get your thoughts if possible.

I am using the TX8011, which is stereo-only (I have surround sound in a different room, and am using Yamaha in there with Def Tech speakers.) I cannot comment on HK as I have never heard any of their stuff.
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post #174 of 2466
1/20/06 at 9:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by itim100 View Post

I'm a new Athena owner: got some point 5s for use as surrounds.

Someone said they were an awesome value for $165, I got mine for $30 ($15 each) from a local best buy. One was open boxed with one scratch, other was in perfect shape, new in the box. I was floored.

Bah you suck . I'm trying to find the point 5s for surround duty on the cheap, since I really don't want to spend $165 for the pair. Amazon has them for 50 bucks each but they only have ONE in stock. grr. May have a look again at the nearest BB and see if they have em. I doubt it but it can't hurt to check.

Oh, and I love the B1s and C1 that I have atm for my 3.1 setup. Look really sharp too .
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post #175 of 2466
1/20/06 at 9:45am
try ebay...i snagged a silver/black S.5 pair for $89.95 + S/H (brand new). just have to have some patience.
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post #176 of 2466
1/20/06 at 10:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sohjen View Post

Bah you suck . I'm trying to find the point 5s for surround duty on the cheap, since I really don't want to spend $165 for the pair. Amazon has them for 50 bucks each but they only have ONE in stock. grr. May have a look again at the nearest BB and see if they have em. I doubt it but it can't hurt to check.

Oh, and I love the B1s and C1 that I have atm for my 3.1 setup. Look really sharp too .

Are you talking about this?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...Fencoding=UTF8

There is one seller but I'm sure they have more than 1 pair.
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post #177 of 2466
1/20/06 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SightSeeker1 View Post

Are you talking about this?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...Fencoding=UTF8

There is one seller but I'm sure they have more than 1 pair.

Doh should have been more specific about which s.5s on Amazon. The ones that I want to get are these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8

Just need one pair. I saw the black pair on Amazon but I really don't like the all black color. Just doesn't sit well with me. Thanks for trying to help though.
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post #178 of 2466
1/20/06 at 10:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by G-star View Post

try ebay...i snagged a silver/black S.5 pair for $89.95 + S/H (brand new). just have to have some patience.

Yea I have been looking on Ebay too incase a pair pops up relatively cheap. Oh well, the search goes on.
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post #179 of 2466
1/20/06 at 10:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sohjen View Post

Doh should have been more specific about which s.5s on Amazon. The ones that I want to get are these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8

Just need one pair. I saw the black pair on Amazon but I really don't like the all black color. Just doesn't sit well with me. Thanks for trying to help though.


Yea some people don't like the piano but I gave them a shot and love them. The look really classy. I got the ones with the dull black fronts though. I wish my B1's were like that but they sit up near the TV and the TV is silver and black so it's a perfect match.
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post #180 of 2466
1/21/06 at 10:20am
ebay has a few of the .5s that you guys are looking for, but they are not exactly budget cheap...I found a pair for $130 or you can buy singles at $60 a pop...the seller is named athomeproducts (he also has the set of point 5s for $200, just in case anyone here is in drastic need for these).

I picked up most of my gear thru audiogon and videogon (F2.2s for $200 a pair, P400 sub for $125, C1 for $60, Rs for $90 a pair) and I bought my pair of B1s from ebay for $80 shipped. I hope I did okay, this is my first system and I am hoping for the best. I also picked up a yamaha 6660 5 disc dvd/cd for $100 thru audiogon and a yamaha 5760 receiver for roughly $200 via audiogon as well (most of it wasnt listed, but thru contact with a guy, which led to another, and so on, I think I did okay). patience is a virtue when it comes to bargain hunting with this stuff. I cant wait to set everything up...now it is a matter of toying around with it and seeing which configuration sounds the best, which will also be a first for me, so it should be interesting.
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