First setup, help and guidance, please! Athena, Polk, Philharmonic

[Rachmaninick]

Hi, my wife and I are setting up our first 3.1 audio system dedicated to music (mainly classical and jazz) and movies. We are professional classical musicians therefore our ears are good but our budget is small. Here are some speaker options (we'll add a sub later) that we have found and like so far. I would appreciate any thoughts and advice you might have on these options. Or if you have something else to suggest, go ahead. Thank you!

Option 1: On sale from a local used source for $150, very good condition
Athena AS-F1 (2 Floors)
Athena AS-C1 (center channel)

Option 2: On sale from a local used source for $350, very good condition
Polk RT-800i, 2 floors and matching center channel

Option 3: Direct from maker, new $375
Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy HT, 2 floors and matching center channel

I realize we will need a receiver and a sub. For now we are focusing on the floors and center. Thanks again!

 

[herbu]

I'm not really qualified to recommend any of these 3 since I have not heard them. But I can contribute a little background that may help. Dennis Murphy of Philharmonic Audio is also a classical musician who plays in an orchestra. You likely realize there is a significant element of subjectivity in determining which speakers you like best. This element also exists in speaker/crossover design. People design/build speakers that sound good to them.

You might find a kindred spirit, or at least a kindred ear with Dennis, owing to your common musical experience and inclination.

Bottom line, if you can't actually hear the Phils, you can at least know that Dennis thinks highly enough to put his name on them. The more you know about Dennis, the more significant you realize that is.

 

[Rachmaninick]

I'm not really qualified to recommend any of these 3 since I have not heard them. But I can contribute a little background that may help. Dennis Murphy of Philharmonic Audio is also a classical musician who plays in an orchestra. You likely realize there is a significant element of subjectivity in determining which speakers you like best. This element also exists in speaker/crossover design. People design/build speakers that sound good to them.

You might find a kindred spirit, or at least a kindred ear with Dennis, owing to your common musical experience and inclination.

Bottom line, if you can't actually hear the Phils, you can at least know that Dennis thinks highly enough to put his name on them. The more you know about Dennis, the more significant you realize that is.

Thanks herbu. I have been in touch with Dennis and hope to stop by his place soon to experience his speakers.

 

[markw]

I have those exact Athenas for my HT, along with a pair of the B-2's for my surrounds. I've had 'em since they werethe latest & greatest around 2002 -2003 and am still quite impressed with them . Being somewhat frugal, I really haven't heard too many systems that can match the performance these provide, particularly considering that the five speakers cost $800 back then. On really good thing about these: those 8" woofers allow them to sound pretty good even without a subwoofer. Not window rattling bass, but more than one would expect for a two-way system.

That being said and today being today, not twelve years ago, unless minimum dollars is your ultimate concern, I'd be looking at those modded Pioneers from Philharmonic. I've heard the unmodified versions and they are pretty durn good as they are.

I'd forgo the Polks. Don't get me started.

 

[Rachmaninick]

I have those exact Athenas for my HT, along with a pair of the B-2's for my surrounds. I've had 'em since they werethe latest & greatest around 2002 -2003 and am still quite impressed with them . Being somewhat frugal, I really haven't heard too many systems that can match the performance these provide, particularly considering that the five speakers cost $800 back then. On really good thing about these: those 8" woofers allow them to sound pretty good even without a subwoofer. Not window rattling bass, but more than one would expect for a two-way system.

That being said and today being today, not twelve years ago, unless minimum dollars is your ultimate concern, I'd be looking at those modded Pioneers from Philharmonic. I've heard the unmodified versions and they are pretty durn good as they are.

I'd forgo the Polks. Don't get me started.

Thanks markw! Sorry to get your started but what about Polks do you dislike? Any thoughts and opinions are welcome. Even though I have extensive musical training, I can certainly learn from anyone on this forum. I know very little other than I was decently impressed with the Athena's I heard and was in awe of a pair of Electromotion Martin Logans that are way over budget. I hope to hear the Polks soon.

 

[markw]

I find the polk sound to be a bit thin and somewhat too subdued in the upper midrange for my tastes. While they might impress at first, particularly on movies, in the long run they seem to disappoint for music.

But, individual tastes vary. You should try them for yourself. A lot of people do like them. You may be one.

[edit] To clarify, for HT, a sub is essential. For music, unless synth or pipe organ is part of ones steady diet, I don't find a sub necessary. I believe that ones main speakers should be able to handle the rest of the musical spectrum without the need for a sub.

I do like M/L and the planar sound in general but they can be quite demanding in power and placement requirements. My main speakers are maggies.

 

[zieglj01]

Hi, my wife and I are setting up our first 3.1 audio system dedicated to music (mainly classical and jazz) and movies. We are professional classical musicians therefore our ears are good but our budget is small. Here are some speaker options (we'll add a sub later) that we have found and like so far. I would appreciate any thoughts and advice you might have on these options. Or if you have something else to suggest, go ahead. Thank you!

Option 1: On sale from a local used source for $150, very good condition
Athena AS-F1 (2 Floors)
Athena AS-C1 (center channel)

Option 2: On sale from a local used source for $350, very good condition
Polk RT-800i, 2 floors and matching center channel

Option 3: Direct from maker, new $375
Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy HT, 2 floors and matching center channel

Option number 3

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Wasting few bytes and cpu cycles, but I will agree with rest of crowd:
1) Modded Pioneers by Dennis (AAs)
2) Athena - I haven't heard them myself, but before Klipsch destroyed them, they there, at-least by reputation, very good budget speakers.
3) 100% agree with Mark on budget Polks. - Few years ago I went to stereo dealer in Miami and heard every single Polk bookshelf they had in stock - about 8 of them.
They were all crap, except last one - LSi/7 - but they cost arm and a leg. Long story short - stay away from budget Polk and on top end of the buck - there better choices at price point of LSi (currently LSiM)

a bit about myself - I am no musician, but I did had few years of training in music school and I do hear quite easily if someone misses a note

Another Brand to consider (actually two) is Ascend Audio and their new sub - Wave Crest audio.
Both produce very musical speakers on very affordable prices.

I also recommend to stick with bookshelves and sub, rather than towers. Unless you have very large room and need the extra volume