Advice wanted on floorstanding fronts

[Maceonc]

I am currently upgrading a low end home theater system to something hopefully a bit better. I have purchased an H-K AVR 335 7.1 reciever and plan on keeping my Cambridge Soundworks Center Channel Plus and
S-300 surrounds for the imeadiate future. I have a low end Liniear Dynamics powered sub whitch I will also keep for a while.

I am trying to determine which floor standing front left and right speakers in the $500-$800 (USD) range would be a good fit for this setup. Any advice would be appreciated

 

[topjimi]

athena as-f2, i'm running them with a HK 525, and they sound amazing! you should be able to get them for around $400 to $500 shipped. i can't imagine you not being completly satisfied. if you get them new, just give them about 50 hours break in time

 

[Maceonc]

Thanks for the advice

I have checked out all the reviews of the F2's on-line that I can find. They are universaly lauded by all who write about them. Unfortunatly I can not find anyone here in the LA area who has them for me to audition. I have heard the Klipsch FW35's which I see selling at a similar price point. I was impressed with there tight accurate sound and rich bass response when compared with the Monitor and Energy speakers that were in the same show room. Honestly I was'nt blown away by anything I heard, but as of now I guess I am using the FW35's as a reference point.

Do you have any thoughts on how the F2's compare with the Klipsch FW35's?. Presently I am leaning toward the F2's, sight unheard, just based on the user reviews I have read.

Also I faled to mention in my original post that I have a spare Hafler Studio Amp that I could additionaly employ to drive the front speakers

Any input, comments or suggestions would be welcomed

 

[jmgillespie]

If your lucky you might be able to find a pair of paradigm legends v.3 at close out for around $800. I own a pair for fronts and rears and they sound awesome much better then klipsch RF35's in my opinion and just as good as rf5's. The woofers are very accurate but you will need a sub for movies but I see you have one so you are set.

 

[bray]

Check these out too.

Check out the Axiom M50s and the M60s at axiomaudio.com.
Great speakers at a great price. (IMO)
Good Luck in your search.

 

[soniceuphoria]

You might give Magnepan a try. I have been using maggies for a few years and few speakers can match their clarity and openess especially for the price. You can pick up a set (older used set of course)fairly inexpensively $150-$800 mattering on the model you choose there are always maggies on sale on Ebay and Audiogon Just remember when buying used equipment especially vintage always properly inspect the product. Good Luck