Athena AS-B1 vs. Polk RTi4 Bookshelves.

[Bluesmoke]

I'm in need of some decent surrounds. My fronts are RTi8s. And even though it seems logical to get the RTi4s, I am a college student and the Athenas seem to have very similar specs and costs $100 cheaper. Any ideas?

 

[Sheep]

I don't know to much as far as plok goes (please excuse the typing as I have 13 beers in me and well, its alot of beer), but Athena has proven ot be a good bargain.

Maybe someone who knows ploks can pipe up and offer their opinion, but I like Athena.

maybe you shuld look at the AS-R1's and FX 500I;s or w.e their called.

SheepStar

 

[mike c]

since you have polk rti fronts, i would vote for the polk rti rears.

because of both sound and aesthetic reasons.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

since you have polk rti fronts, i would vote for the polk rti rears.

because of both sound and aesthetic reasons.

I agree. The Athenas are nice but they wouldn't match as well as the polks.

SBF1

 

[markw]

Keep it in the family.

Although several years ago I A/B'd both Athenas and Polks towers in my home and wound up preferring the Athenas and went that way for the whole system, I would maintain the family lineage here. Now, had we been talking starting from scratch I would have a different opinion.

 

[speakerman39]

I'm in need of some decent surrounds. My fronts are RTi8s. And even though it seems logical to get the RTi4s, I am a college student and the Athenas seem to have very similar specs and costs $100 cheaper. Any ideas?

Well it depends on if you do any multi-channel music listening. If you do, then you will no doubt need to get the Rti4's. If not, as long as your front stage is timbre matched then you could get by with the Athena B1.2's. Have you considered the Polk R15's? They are actually a little cheaper than the Athena B1.2's and should be more closely timbre matched to youe Rti8's. IMHO, I would opt for the Rti4's because they are a little more refined than the Athena B1.2's and thus should be given their $260 price. Right now I am using the Athena Point 5 MKII system and like them BUT I am going to get me a set of the B1.2's for my fronts and the matching C1.2 center and move my S.5's to rear surround duty. All of the Athena speakers are timbre matched so you can mix the series if need be. Good luck on your decision. Be sure to let us know what you decide and how it turns out for ya.

 

[Bluesmoke]

Well my front will definately be timbre matched. I plan on getting a CSi3 to match the RTi8s. I've listened to both the Athena and the Polks, and I can't really tell much of a difference between the two. Mind you this was in a Future Shop store. With the B1, it just seems like you get a lot more for the buck. Now, I can always get the R15s for cheaper, but it didn't seem to be in the same 'class' as the B1 or RTi4 when I listened to them.

My setup is predominantly for watching tv and movies, with occasional music listening.

 

[speakerman39]

Well my front will definately be timbre matched. I plan on getting a CSi3 to match the RTi8s. I've listened to both the Athena and the Polks, and I can't really tell much of a difference between the two. Mind you this was in a Future Shop store. With the B1, it just seems like you get a lot more for the buck. Now, I can always get the R15s for cheaper, but it didn't seem to be in the same 'class' as the B1 or RTi4 when I listened to them.

My setup is predominantly for watching tv and movies, with occasional music listening.

Been told by many that since you are using the Rti8's as your front stage then you would be better off going with the Csi5. The R15's are not as good as the Athena ASB1.2's imho BUT should match your Polks better than the B1.2's. Personally, I think the Rti6 and 4 is much better sounding than the Athena ASB1.2 and B2.2's respectively. Now I am not bashing Athena because the B1.2's etc. are very good for the money BUT for a little more you can get better such as the Polk Rti series. Personally, I would just save up till you had enough to get the Rti4's and be done with it. Good luck in your decision. Be sure to listen to the Csi5 before buying the Csi3--you will be glad you did. Good luck.

 

[Bluesmoke]

Been told by many that since you are using the Rti8's as your front stage then you would be better off going with the Csi5. The R15's are not as good as the Athena ASB1.2's imho BUT should match your Polks better than the B1.2's. Personally, I think the Rti6 and 4 is much better sounding than the Athena ASB1.2 and B2.2's respectively. Now I am not bashing Athena because the B1.2's etc. are very good for the money BUT for a little more you can get better such as the Polk Rti series. Personally, I would just save up till you had enough to get the Rti4's and be done with it. Good luck in your decision. Be sure to listen to the Csi5 before buying the Csi3--you will be glad you did. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try to listen to them again before I make my decision. Last time, I don't recall anything about the RTi4 jumping out at me. It does have a woofer, but I have my Velodyne pumping out better bass than what the RTis can dream of.

As for the CSi5. Wow! That is an expensive center channel. When I first saw it, I thought it was a wedge for a doorstop. It's so frikken big. Right now, I've got the 'phantom' channel treatment going with my fronts. I have no issues with the setup. If the CSi3 can improve it even slightly, then that's good enough for me.

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try to listen to them again before I make my decision. Last time, I don't recall anything about the RTi4 jumping out at me. It does have a woofer, but I have my Velodyne pumping out better bass than what the RTis can dream of.

As for the CSi5. Wow! That is an expensive center channel. When I first saw it, I thought it was a wedge for a doorstop. It's so frikken big. Right now, I've got the 'phantom' channel treatment going with my fronts. I have no issues with the setup. If the CSi3 can improve it even slightly, then that's good enough for me.

Blue you are right the Csi5 is very big. If you believe the Csi3 will work for you then by all means go for it. It only matters what works for you NOT what everybody else wants you to get. It is all about application if you ask me. Keep in mind, however, that the Rti4's have good accurate upper bass and a very refined mid range that is very detailed, crysp, and clean. Furthermore, the Rti4's also have a very open and somewhat airy high end that is NOT rolled off but can be a little on the bright side of things. IMHO, this is needed when watching dvds. Anyways, good luck on your decision and be sure to let all of us know how it works out for you. This is what makes this hobby quite interesting--you know learning from each other as well as sharing what we do know. Peace out.