Athena owners thread. - Page 3

I have the AS-C1 with F1 fronts in one room and with B2 fronts in another. They both sound fine to me. And considering I got the second C1 open box for under $50 out the door, it sounds VERY good!

Room 1
AS-F1 Fronts
AS-C1 Center
AS-B1 Rear
Dayton 10"

Room 2
AS-B2 Fronts
AS-C1 Center
JBL rears (may get B1's before Christmas)
Sony SAWM-40 modded sub

Nice systems! Yeah, the C1 is not bad as dedicated centers go, especially for movies and not too far off-center...it's just not optimal. I recently made a much bigger 2.35:1 screen for my room (~ 7' wide) and went back to a C1 from an F1 for height reasons...with the increased screen height I didn't want people craning their heads. The viewing couch is as wide as the screen so no one's too far off-axis. While the difference is noticeable and something of a detriment for MC music, it's ok for movies, and the presence peak it seems to have can help dialogue be heard over explosions, etc. I guess I'll leave it this way, as the system is being used far more for movies than music.
I'm also thinking of picking up a pair of B1's to use as side surrounds and moving my R1's to the back in a 7.1 setup.

Below is the current front stage with F1's, I covered the C1 and its cinderblock stand in black fabric to hide it under the screen.

To me, the C1 sounded different then the B1s/2s, on axis, same material, etc. I was really happy with the sound of the B2s, but the C1 was different to me....dialogue sounded nasally to my ears, and since the center is doing dialogue for so much of the movie, I could not tolerate it. I used the speaker as much as possible to hope for break in, but it didn't change at all in the month I had it (maybe another few months!?!?). I much preferred the paradigm cc-150 I had over the C1.

Anyway, 3 B2s up front and I'm happy.

Yeah, no argument here, the C1 does sound different. I don't find in nasally so much as a little "crisp".

Right now for my 5.1 using 2 pairs of ASB1's and ASC1. I would like opinions on using ASR1's for surrounds instead of ASB1's. Room size is 15x15 and couch up agains't back wall. Thanks

You might prefer the R1s as surrounds as the couch is against a wall.

But you also have a reasonably wide room, to get the B1s away from the listeners a little.

It's difficult to say: the R1s are easier to mount, aren't rear ported (they are sealed), and aren't nearly as big and obtrusive; and obviously give a less directional sound. But you already have the B1s so I can't say if it's worth spending more money unless you went to 7.1 (which may have little benefit up against the back wall anyway).

What made my decision easy was their small size and diffuse sound, since my room is only about 11' wide, and I have two rows.

Well, I finally purchased my Athena's. 6 S.5's and a C.5. I will pick up the low model Hsu sub soon. The receiver is a Harman Kardon 240. Setup sounds awesome and you can't argue with the price. I can't tell you how much fun it was to blast out during the break-in period. I called off work for three days and ran night and day. My Christmas gift to myself this year is an H31 projector to round the set up out.

Only took my 2 years to decide...ha.

Right now I have the ASB1's I am using as surrounds up against side of couch (long counch) pointed at each other. I have the room to put them about 3 feet from sides of couch closer to walls, would this be more beneficial. I had them about 3 feet above ear level but just moved them so tweeter is about 18 inches from ear level and like that better.

Been reading a bit about complaints about ASC1, especially when you are off axis and lobing effects. I don't think any of the 3 seats on my couch are much off axis and I am happy with the ASC1. Anyone had any problems?

That led me to thinking about DSP modes. Would like to know what most people use for tv, etc. For shows like CNN (mostly talking) I am leaning towards "all channels" or PLII Music (where dialogue is also sent to fronts) vs. using PLII Movie. For TV movies, using PLII movie and I do like PLII Music for cd's, music channels.

hey all.. im looking for some stand/mount options for B1's.. thanks!

Omnimount Cosmic series

wow those look nice! thanks for the reply...

Well I just ordered four AS-B1's and a AS-C1 for my brother's new house. He was gonna get a RCA HTiB that included speakers, dvd player, and reciever for $300 but I think these will be A LOT better. At home, I have a 2.1 setup with a pair of Adire Audio KIT51's and a DIY AA Atlas 12" woofer.

I second that. Looks good with my B-1's.

Anybody directly compare the F2 to the F2.2 yet in terms of sound quality? I have 2 F2s as my fronts, and want to get two more for my surrounds. I'm having trouble finding them at a decent price, so I would really like to know the F2.2s sound the same as the F2s.

Audio Advisor has the F2.2's for $400/pair + shipping.

http://audioadvisor.com/store/produc...0Black,%20Pair

I'm aware of AudioAdvisor. That's where I got my original pair of F2s for $359. Are the F2.2s better or worse than the F2s?

Everything I have read, including from Athena, is that the speaker components are identical in both the F2 and F2.2 (as well as the F1 and F1.2). The only material difference is in the cabinet construction. The F2.2 (and F1.2) cabinet is constructed of cheaper, lighter materials, as evidenced by the reduced weight (see below). The change was made to reduce the final cost of the new model so that it is comparable to the previous model.

AS-F2: 51 lbs each
AS-F2.2: 44 lbs each (-7 lbs)

AS-F1: 41 lbs each
AS-F1.2: 29 lbs each (-11 lbs!)


web
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4 - AS-F1s (still new, sealed in the box, looking for a pair of F2s)
4 - AS-B2s (fronts and sides)
1 - AS-C1
2 - AS-B1s (rear surrounds)
1 - AS-P400 (thinking about a SVS Ultra )
powered by a Harmon/Kardon AVR-635

I have discovered an interesting psychological phenomenon connected with Athena.
Because A) they are incredibly affordable, B) they are sold in a big-box store instead of a " high end" store, and C) they are a fairly new company, I keep expecting them not to sound as good as they do. My mind keeps calling them "cheap" or "entry level".
When I can get past all that and hear how they really sound, however, I am reminded that they are simply some of the finest sounding speakers available, period.

4- AS-B1 $99.99 PER PAIR
1- AS-C1 $79.99
1- AS-P4000 $179.99

1- Yamaha HTR-5560

Can't complain

One of my friends ordered two pairs of AS-B1s, an AS-C1, and a SVS PB10 this past weekend after hearing my surround setup. He'll probably be driving them with either an Onkyo or Pioneer amp in his apartment.

I don't imagine Audio Advisor has a whole lot of the B1s or C1s left.

I just want some damn original F2s for $350/pair, or to know for a FACT from a credible magazine that the F2.2s are equal to the F2s.

Well I get paid tomorrow so going to throw the switch on my new speakers. Can you see any downside in a 5.1 setup having B1's up front and WS-15's in the rear. Athena emailed and said that it would be a good match. I like having smaller rear speakers that can be mounted easy. How many of you guys use your rears for music as well?

Whole setup will be

Pioneer VSX-815 (From GF for Christmas)
C1 center
B1's front
WS-15's rear
Dayton 12 (Ordered, comes in next month.)

In my smallish living room:

Athena Point 5 Mk II (S.5 x4, C.5 x1)
Wharfdale WH-2 (additional surrounds for 7.1)
Hsu VTF-2 MK2 sub
Yamaha RX-V657 AV Receiver

Usage: 90% movies/tv, 10% music

I was actually considering using these for rears as well. I'm waiting for my B1/C1/XR55 to be delivered. I already have the Dayton 10". Still debating what to do for rears. Let us know what you decide to do.

pioneer elite 54tx
L and R- F2
C- asc1
rears- b1
sub- svs pb10
room- 16x14

system sounds awesome. The center I feel is lacking, but not enough to weigh the system down, it does the job, but perhaps not the way I would have wished. Been thinking about swapping the b1s for r1s.

I can't decide. I ordered the C1 today because Audio Advisor said they were running low on those. They said they are running the sale till they are gone (including the B1's) so if anyone is thinking about buying there better get on it soon.

I'm not getting the receiver until Christmas so I'm going to think about my fronts and rears a little more. I love the look of the WS-15's though I just haven't heard much about the sound of them. Anyone else have them that can say anything?

Hey, I see a lot of people in this thread have pioneer receivers. I'm assuming they work well with athena speakers. Do you think the entry level pioneer vsx515 would be a good match with the point 5's or is it underpowered?

Thanks

Just wondering what the B1 owners set their fronts to on their receiver (Large or Small). I plan on setting them small for now unless everyone thinks they perform better Large for movies.

Thanks

Oh and Bookkilla I ended up ordering the S.5's for the rears.