Considering upgrade

[philli1025]

I am considering upgrading my current home theatre system. http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-in-a/onkyo-ht-s770/4505-6740_7-30903741.html?tag=prod.txt.10

It's an older onkyo HTIB system i bought 3-4 years ago. I think it's great, esp the budget I was on. But perhaps it's getting ugly and I'm just getting bored of it.. i was browsing through speakers lately at work.

I was looking at the Athena speakers.. the WS-100 and WS-600... or the AS-F2.2 series... (that's my budget 400-600 for a pair) If i only change the 2 front speakers (and perhaps the center one)... continue using my current receiver for now.. would I hear a good amount of difference? IE switching from book shelf to floor speakers?

 

[jcPanny]

Athena speakers

Phill,
I have some of the Athena Audition series bookshelf speakers. They perform well in their price range. I would avoid the WS line which compromise performance in favor of asthetics. I have read some good reviews of the newer LS line which use the higher end energy drivers.

In your budget I would also recommend the AV123 X-series including the X-MTM and X-sls floorstanders. Great build quality and the real wood veneer looks great.

If it works in your budget, try to upgrade the front 3 channels and keep a pair of two of the old speakers for surrounds.

 

[philli1025]

Thanks... have you personally listened to the WS-100? obviously yes I think it "looks" cool... plus it is relatively a space saver. The only reviews I've read online "professionally" and by owners have been positive ... Besides buckeye on here who listened to it at BB... (i've always been skeptical about listening speakers at stores) I also read that the Boston Acoustic VR2s are pretty good for the price? (which center channel goes with that?)

Thanks JC... I will also check out the av123

Also.... With the floor speakers... would I actually hear a noticable difference? IE fuller range? bigger thump? Better clarity? I am not exactly not satisfy with my onkyos... but once again just want something new and "better" without breaking a bank

 

[Leprkon]

Also.... With the floor speakers... would I actually hear a noticable difference? IE fuller range? bigger thump? Better clarity? I am not exactly not satisfy with my onkyos... but once again just want something new and "better" without breaking a bank

I think you'll get much better sound because you're getting a better speaker, Athena vs Onkyo, not because you're switching from a bookshelf to a floorstander. There are alot of really excellent bookshelves out there. I recommend you replace all three (L/C/R) as a set with the budget you have. Your receiver will still power them fine and the rears will still sound good. Rears are are generally not stressed in a surround set-up, but would be if you use alot of SACD or DVD-audio disks.

If you want bigger thump, sink your budget into a decent HSU, SVS, Velodyne, or Outlaw subwoofer and wait on the rest.

you might also take a look at the Bic America speakers at

www.thetwistergroup.com

I had one of their centers for three years and it had excellent sound (heavy bastard, though). You could put together a quality set for about $400.

 

[philli1025]

Thanks... The AV123 X series looks pretty good, so are the BIC speakers... I guess I just want someone who actually owns the Athena WS-100 along with the WS-60 (not just listened at the local store) to tell me what they think... I'm willing to give up some "sound-ness" for the looks but NOT at the expense of I felt like i just wasted 400 or 600 bucks on a pair of speakers... but like others mentioned.. i know once I start upgrading i'll probalby end up getting new satellite speakers.. new sub, new amp/receiver.. and go broke The emotiva ultra theater series looks REAL sweet.. it's a looker..

 

[Leprkon]

ok I stand corrected... Billy P posted this a few threads down:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=2ENRC30RS

probably your best option in the $400 for a pair range.

 

[philli1025]

those do look pretty good... what's up with the factory refresh thing?

 

[philli1025]

Also how is the av123 x-series sub? it looks pretty nice... anyone has experience?

 

[jcPanny]

Factory refresh sounds like a nice way of saying "refurbished" or "b-stock" vs. new A-stock.

 

[philli1025]

I know... although refresh.. i'd prefer to buy brand new audio equipment.. rather it be home theatre or live sound. Anyone have experience with the BA VR2s at CC? They're on "sale" for 250 each, and i can buy the center channel to go with it...

 

[philli1025]

Another comparison... AV123 X series... the x-mtm tower, the x-ls, the center speaker plus sub or the Axiom Epic Midi 125?