I have the AS-F2.2. I plan on writing a review someday, but not today. I have heard the AS-F2 at BestBuy last year. I believe the new model sounds the same as the old model. Of course, I have not done a side by side comparison. However, to my memory, I notice no sonic difference. The fit and finish is also the same. The 2 8" drivers provide very nice bass down to 31Hz in my room. The sound is very clear and full. I think the tweeter is excellent. In my room the sound is a tad bright. I feel that way about almost every speaker though. I also feel the deep bass could be a little better defined, but I even felt that way about a quality subwoofer that I auditioned the other day. I am very picky. I have auditioned a great number of speakers recently, and the only one I like better is the Paradigm Studio 100 at $2300. If you want a nice full range sound that a tower provides you can't go wrong with these at their price point. It is instructive to listen to speakers with different sized drivers in them. To some extent implementation is key, but basic physics is hard to beat. An 8" driver will have a large full sound, whereas a 6" driver like the Polk Rti8 might have a slightly better midrange. The Studio 100 with 4 7" drivers is an interesting in between sound. You might try seeing how well you like the sound of integrating a subwoofer. You might prefer 6" drivers and the addition of a subwoofer. If you don't want to buy a subwoofer the 8" drivers are definitley the way to go. I am beginning to think I like the 8" drivers and no subwoofer or maybe a sub for just the very lowest of frequencies. Amazon.com has a listing for them from BestPriceAudioVideo for $280 each.
Edit: I forgot, I also heard a VMPS 626R $1600 pair that were excellent and could be easily classed as better than the Athena, but they don't have the bass extension of the Athena and perhaps lagged a little in dynamics.
I would say that the Athenas make some comprises to provide a full sound at an affordable price. If you don't want the compromises, you either have to pay a boat load of money, deal without the full sound or deal with trying to integrate a subwoofer. I think the compromises Athena made though, provide for a speaker that should make a lot of people happy.
