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Athena owners thread. - Page 67

post #1981 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

Look again at the LS300 on Amazon. its clearly says $0.00 for shipping from Audio Advisor. That's $88 shipped for one speaker. Great deal!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...9455925&sr=8-1

Also if you call Audio Advisor, they will lower the shipping cost for you..if you ask. For Athena LS-500's $35 is their bottom line for a pair.
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post #1982 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

The Energy C-300 and Athena LS-300 are essentially the same speaker in different cabinets. Both use the same 6.5" composite Fiberglass cone woofer and 1" aluminum dome tweeter. So they would both give you the smooth sound you're looking for. Not bright like the Athena AS-F1 with the Teteron tweeter which I own and really enjoy. Both can be found for decent pricing in the US.

The LS-300s have curved cabinets which is definitely going alter the timbre of the speaker. The C300 tweeters are chambered, the LS-300 are not. The Energy C300 and AS F1 have the same sensitivity rating, 92 db, compared to LS-300 89 db rating. Either way, going with the C300s or LS-300s, he's not going to be timbre matched with AS line. I just think the C300 is the better match.
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post #1983 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:20pm
The LS-300s have curved cabinets which is definitely going alter the timbre of the speaker.
How does this affect the timbre? I thought curved cabinets were to reduce the standing waves internally of the woofers?
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post #1984 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vincolo1 View Post

Not true....I just ordered a pair of LS-100B bookshelves for the garage due to arrive tomorrow...$99 clear....no shipping from Amazon and they were in the clearance section of AA.
I am about to order another set of LS-500's for a relative...no shipping on those either.

Amazon didn't offer me free shipping because in live in Canada then. I guess you guys in the States are lucky.
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post #1985 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star Hawk View Post

Amazon didn't offer me free shipping because in live in Canada then. I guess you guys in the States are lucky.

But you guys have way hot babes.....your the lucky one...
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post #1986 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vincolo1 View Post

The LS-300s have curved cabinets which is definitely going alter the timbre of the speaker.
How does this affect the timbre? [code]I thought curved cabinets were to reduce the standing waves internally of the woofer[/CODE]s?

You just answered your own question.
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post #1987 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vincolo1 View Post

But you guys have way hot babes.....your the lucky one...

Yep, I got one cuddled up to me now.
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post #1988 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:31pm
Kind of ironic that you can't get better shipping in Canada for speakers made by a Canadian company.

(Of course, I think most of the Athena stuff has been made in China for years now, but still...)
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post #1989 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Star Hawk View Post

Yep, I got one cuddled up to me now.

I'm bowing.....
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post #1990 of 2461
12/16/08 at 12:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tulpa View Post

Kind of ironic that you can't get better shipping in Canada for speakers made by a Canadian company.

(Of course, I think most of the Athena stuff has been made in China for years now, but still...)

Even more ironic is that the Chinese aren't capitalists yet they capitalising off of them. They are real opportunists.
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post #1991 of 2461
12/16/08 at 1:08pm
Yeah, but that goes for just about everything now.
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post #1992 of 2461
12/18/08 at 7:40am
OK, I have questions about the break in period. I have played by the rules on all Athena's with the recommended break in period up to 100 hours. My question is I have heard people talk about the speakers getting better with break in, or sounding tinny at first and becoming richer as time goes. So I thought I would try an experiment. I hooked up a brand new set of LS-100B's where I had previously had AS-B1's. Played a few tracks of some music with good bass and really subtle back notes to hear the difference. The AS was as expected, nice and clear and punchy (these are well used speakers), then the new LS. First round, the LS was a little more boomy on the base, not as punchy and not as clear (bright). So I went to a used set of LS-100s that I have broken in for awhile. A little better sound, but not certainly not night and day. Then back to the AS....expected results and then to the new set of LS...they seemed to open up a little after about 10 minutes, but now sound like the used pair...still good,
So, have you guys found that after the break in period...the speakers REALLY do sound better? I am not seeing a dramatic change like I have read from others.....
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post #1993 of 2461
12/18/08 at 8:36am
I don't believe in the 100 hour break in myself. Maybe a few minutes or hours which might loosen the drivers a little. But the sound isn't going to change dramatically. The speaker has its natural sound, whatever that is. To expect the sound quality to have a significant change highly doubtful.

I think break in is mainly for the listeners ears, not the speakers.

So which do you like better, the LS-100 or AS-B1?
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post #1994 of 2461
12/18/08 at 9:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

I don't believe in the 100 hour break in myself. Maybe a few minutes or hours which might loosen the drivers a little. But the sound isn't going to change dramatically. The speaker has its natural sound, whatever that is. To expect the sound quality to have a significant change highly doubtful.

I think break in is mainly for the listeners ears, not the speakers.

So which do you like better, the LS-100 or AS-B1?

Hard question really. As I was sitting there listening to each, they both have their "flavor"....If I had to choose for my ONLY system...I would have to go with the AS line. The reason, it that they leave nothing behind. Hard, loud and always showing your ears something you never heard before in your old favorites. The LS...while damn good, only really adds the spatial-ness to the music. Leaves a little dullness on the bright highs that the AS gives. You can get the spatial quality with adding more speakers in the AS line and with a correct balance. My problem is that I want it all....so while Athena claims the LS is an improvement over the AS.....its a change, not an improvement.
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post #1995 of 2461
12/18/08 at 9:40am
Quote:


so while Athena claims the LS is an improvement over the AS.....its a change, not an improvement.

I like that, good response.
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post #1996 of 2461
12/18/08 at 12:59pm
I'm replacing a set of Dahlquist ca 1's. I've been watching and missing deals on infinity primus p362, speaker company tst2, etc.

friend pointed out the deals on athena ls-300 and 500's. we've been discussing if i can get by with the 300's in my 13x20 room for my ht (and some music).

He thinks with my sony 500w sub, i should be fine.

sound like a good plan? the 500's would cost me $125 more for the set.

never mind... ordered the 500's through amazon for free shipping.
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post #1997 of 2461
12/18/08 at 1:28pm
Carphunter, where are you buying the LS-300 or 500? Should only be a $100 difference for the pair unless the price got lowered for the ls-300. I think the 500 would be the better of the two if you're doing any stereo listening. Finding a matching center for the LS speakers might be a problem too if you're looking for one.
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post #1998 of 2461
12/18/08 at 1:32pm
thanks... like i said... just dropped the hammer with AA via amazon... no shipping fee.

now i don't feel so bad about missing the infinity p362 deal at frys, or the tst2 deal with the speaker company

oh... the prices were like 149 for the 500's and 88 for the 300's
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post #1999 of 2461
12/18/08 at 7:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

The Energy C-300 and Athena LS-300 are essentially the same speaker in different cabinets. Both use the same 6.5" composite Fiberglass cone woofer and 1" aluminum dome tweeter. So they would both give you the smooth sound you're looking for. Not bright like the Athena AS-F1 with the Teteron tweeter which I own and really enjoy. Both can be found for decent pricing in the US.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATLS300

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC300

p.s. if you buy the LS300 from Amazon site instead of Audio Advisor, you get free shipping.

The driver material does look identical, but if you compare the woofer up close and mounted in the cabinet, the mounting flange is different (4 screws vs 6)...

Athena LS-300

Energy C-300

The Energy may simply be using some kind of baffle, and the driver is the same, but they definitely are mounted differently in the pictures.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Star Hawk View Post

Originally Posted by cam94z28:
"Would you mind comparing them with your AS series speakers when you get them? Specifically whether the highs are smoother (less bright). I've always known Energy to make great speakers, but never seen them this cheap. The specs claim they also have a frequency response equivalent to the AS-F1's with a smaller woofer. Aluminum tweets can sound good if properly crossed over.

I have been looking for a cheap, decently bassy replacement for my overly bright as-f1's. These may be it. Any idea if they're available locally in the US. I don't happen to be in canada."


Ok, I will do that.

Unfortunately they only ship within Canada which is no problem for me. Only thing was that the piano black finish was the one sale.

However, Audio Advisor has the C300s, with the much nicer cherry cabinets, for $129.99 which is still an excellent price. So in the end I ended up ordering from them because I like the cherry color better than piano black. The AS F1.2s were going to be $66.08 shipping. The C300s weigh a few pounds more. So figuring in $70 for shipping, that came to only about $329 for two shipped. Which isn't a bad deal since the C300s retail at $275 each. That's getting two for less than the price of one.

The C300's like the AS-F1s need a 50 - 100 hour break-in period according to my cousin in BC who has the C300s. I will report on how they sound compared to the AS series before and after.

When the Energy CC100 comes down to the 100 - 150 price range, then I will replace the AS-C1. But I'll wait until I listen to how well the C300s blend in with the AS-C1 before I do.

I would actually prefer the piano black as it would match its surroundings.

Any idea what the major differences are etween the two? Do the Energy use different/better crossovers, or are the internals virtually identical aside from the drivers? I honestly don't need all of the bass the F1's provide (it's boomy at times), but I don't want towers that are bland and lifeless in the bottom end. I don't want to require a sub to listen to Rock/Metal/R&B.

I also just noticed that the Athena's are rated down to 30hz, but the Energy only down to 40. There must be some cabinet differences too.
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post #2000 of 2461
12/20/08 at 12:51am
I wonder how these would compare at their new sale price of $199/pr....

The Speaker Company TST1-High-Performance-Tower-Speakers-Pair
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post #2001 of 2461
12/20/08 at 5:37am
Would the Energy C-C100 center be a perfect match to the Athena LS-500 towers? The Energy C-500 towers seem to look very similar.
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post #2002 of 2461
12/20/08 at 7:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cam94z28 View Post

I wonder how these would compare at their new sale price of $199/pr....

The Speaker Company TST1-High-Performance-Tower-Speakers-Pair

nice looking speaker but never heard of them, but with free shipping, free return shipping...how can you go wrong, try them out. A treated paper cone...hmmm sounds cheapish...back in the early 80's...treated paper cones were a big thing. The better answer to plain paper. Around this time Infinity came out with Polypropylene cones...nice looking and clear. But I never found that treated paper stood up to the test of time. They seemed to have the same issues as paper....failure in less than perfect conditions (dry winters). But thats just my understanding of it. I could be way off in left field....maybe its better now.
anyone making a carbon fiber cone?
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post #2003 of 2461
12/20/08 at 7:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Munkee Boy View Post

Would the Energy C-C100 center be a perfect match to the Athena LS-500 towers? The Energy C-500 towers seem to look very similar.

Perfect match? Not perfect, but certainly complimentary. I am running LS-50's as the center channel with the LS-500's. While its in the same cabinet style, its tweeter and drivers are not the same and yet, it seems to blend in just fine. I would say yes.
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post #2004 of 2461
12/21/08 at 12:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vincolo1 View Post

nice looking speaker but never heard of them, but with free shipping, free return shipping...how can you go wrong, try them out. A treated paper cone...hmmm sounds cheapish...back in the early 80's...treated paper cones were a big thing. The better answer to plain paper. Around this time Infinity came out with Polypropylene cones...nice looking and clear. But I never found that treated paper stood up to the test of time. They seemed to have the same issues as paper....failure in less than perfect conditions (dry winters). But thats just my understanding of it. I could be way off in left field....maybe its better now.
anyone making a carbon fiber cone?

They come with a 5 year warranty. I will probably get the upgrade bug again before then anyway.

I emailed them regarding the quality of the woofer and was told they have a "very substantial" surround. I'm also interested in the tweeters, as they appear to be similar to the Infinity PolyCell.
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post #2005 of 2461
12/21/08 at 6:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vincolo1 View Post

Perfect match? Not perfect, but certainly complimentary. I am running LS-50's as the center channel with the LS-500's. While its in the same cabinet style, its tweeter and drivers are not the same and yet, it seems to blend in just fine. I would say yes.

Dear Vincolo1,

We are following your responses with particular interest. In our configuration, we are mixing LS-100 with AS-C1 and the results corroborates your comments. They are not timbre matched. Playing the AVIA speaker timbre match test, it becomes evident. Based on our configuration, we really would like to replace the LS-100 by the AS-B1 or AS-B2, but we could not find them.

After all the tests you performed, we would much appreciate to know what is your final configuration?

Best Regards,

Marcos

Q.J.A
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post #2006 of 2461
12/21/08 at 7:16am
Here is the setup(s) I have.
Nothing out of the realm of ordinary and predictable here.
Main Theater. Onkyo 707 Ht (7.1)
Fronts - WS-100
Side / rear - WS-15
Center - WS-60
Sub - AS-P4100
running all speakers as small with sub

Basement. Onkyo 707 (6.1)
Fronts - AS.F2.2
Rear - AS-B1.1
Center - AS-C1
Rear Center - AS-B1 Bipole
Sub (AS-P4000) not really needed tho, but it looks better to me to have one.
Running F2's as large.

Music Room. Onkyo 506 (mainly stereo all channels)
Fronts - Ls-500
Rear - LS-100
Center - LS-50
Sub - looking for one now

Garage. Sony Shelf System / CD / MP3
Alternating between LS-100 and AS-B1...can't decide.

Its clear that I have an addiction to Athena. Its been a quest of acquiring them as cheaply as possible.
To date the best deal was WS-15's - $20 for pair.
The most memorable deal was F2's for $200....
Strangest deal was AS-P4100 Free pickup for Dead subwoofer (fuse blown), which is I guess really the best deal..free.
I need to get some pics posted of the groups, I have wanted to make my sig a photo of ALL of them in one spot....I think that would look interesting.
I have also stuck with Onkyo simply because I am too afraid to try something new. Athena and Onkyo are a match made in heaven in my ears. The Sony shelf system sounds fine, but lacks the warmth of Onkyo and I would never think of using Sony in the room systems.
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post #2007 of 2461
12/21/08 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mtavares View Post

Dear Vincolo1,AS-B1 or AS-B2, but we could not find them.

I might have the set of AS-B1's available for sale very soon. It would help me make up my mind about what to leave in the garage. PM me if your interested in them.
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post #2008 of 2461
12/21/08 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vincolo1 View Post

Its clear that I have an addiction to Athena. Its been a quest of acquiring them as cheaply as possible.

Heh, I thought I was weird for scrounging the net for four B1s to eventually replace my WS-15s for surrounds (right now, the 15s are a better match for my living room, but the B1s will eventually be mated to my F2.2s and C1.2.)
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post #2009 of 2461
12/21/08 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tulpa View Post

Heh, I thought I was weird for scrounging the net for four B1s to eventually replace my WS-15s for surrounds (right now, the 15s are a better match for my living room, but the B1s will eventually be mated to my F2.2s and C1.2.)

My therapist recommended this forum..! Ya know its a good thing AAdvisor sold out of the F1's...I was really thinking about getting those too. I mean hell, I still have my bedroom to outfit..! Too bad Athena didn't get into car audio...I would have had a whole new craving to fill....
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post #2010 of 2461
12/23/08 at 3:48pm
FWIW, I ordered the TST1's from The Speaker Company. Anyone looking for a pair of moderately used AS-F1's?
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