Got my receiver, now the speakers

[moggi1964]

Thanks for the assistance on the receiver (Yamaha RX-V663), now the speakers.

I am torn between the following:

Ascend CBM-170 SE bookshelf x 4
Ascend CBM-170 SE C center

$798 + shipping

and the

Athena - LS-300 Tower Speaker -two pairs

Athena - LSC-100 Center Speaker

$900 + shipping

I recognise that I still need a subwoofer and that I have to think about (getting short on money but might have $200 for that).

Lots of reviews rate both very highly, so I would appreciate your thoughts too.

Thank you.

 

[kubakuba]

Im in the same boat as yo

 

[kubakuba]

Im in the same boat as you are (just got the yammy and looking for speakers now). On another forum http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm were recommended. Not sure how they compare with the speakers you've listed, interested to hear some comments..

 

[furrycute]

Athena is being phased out. The closeout deals are fantastic. Grab what you can before they are all gone.

 

[Seth=L]

The Ascend, Athena, and SVS systems are all good choices. The Athena towers should provide sufficient bass until you can afford a subwoofer. I would up the budget on the subwoofer to at least $400 and if you have to wait it shouldn't be to hard with the Athenas running full range. You could also save a bit on the Athena system by getting bookshelf speakers for surrounds, depending on placement. If you have to buy stands to support bookshelfs it would likely be easier and possibly cheaper to get two sets of towers.

 

[rnatalli]

Excellent receiver choice. Speaker taste is completely subjective. Try and audition as many as possible. From the two you listed, I'd choose the Ascends.

 

[moggi1964]

I can't see any way for me to audition the Athena's so they may have to be bought on faith.

I know the Ascends have a good return policy.

Decisions! Decisions!

As far as speaker placement goes; how far from the wall behind them and how wide apart should the bookshelf (front) speakers be? I have a 32" screen (yes, I know!) in a 12' wide by 15' long room. I might be able to save some money if I can put them on a unit rather than buying stands or going for towers.

Thank you.

 

[moggi1964]

Would it be worth holding off on the 'surround speakers' and getting this:

SVS PB10-NSD?

Thanks.

 

[moggi1964]

So I ordered the Athena's and will get by without a subwoofer until I can afford it.

Thanks for the input from everyone; $620 shipped for 4 LS300 and 1 centre speaker.

 

[Seth=L]

Killer deal man, and hopefully you can land a nice SVS, HSU, ED, or Velodyne subwoofer. I have a personal bias to HSU, the STF-2 I had was very good. It blended very well with my other speakers. Unfortunately I had to get rid of it because of financial hardship. Maybe you will get lucky and someone will sell on to you here. I sold my STF-2 for around $250 or something.

 

[ChunkyDark]

Since I'm also looking for some speakers I was checking out the Athenas and found this:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATKLS500

Basically it's
2 ls500
2 ls100
1lc100
100' 16 gauge speaker wire for 594 shipped free. I don't know much about the company nor have i auditioned them but seems like a good buy if your going Athena.

Cheers,
Chunkydark

 

[moggi1964]

That is the company I am getting mine from and that is a terrific deal.

I am in two minds whether to swap to that deal and get a couple of speaker stands for the 100 speakers.

Hmm!

 

[moggi1964]

Well I have to say thanks to Chunkydark for bringing that to my attention as when I put it in my cart I noticed it had free shipping which my order didn't.

So I had a chat to Audioadvisor and we came to a deal on my original order that makes me much happier than the happy I already was They were very fast to answer, understood my questions and quickly proposed a deal that worked for both of us. The items should ship today or tomorrow by Fedex 3 - 5 day.

I have placed two orders by phone in the last two days with two different companies and between them I have saved $220 over their web order prices.

Moral of the story: PHONE THEM, it's worth trying.

 

[jliedeka]

I have a bookshelf system and didn't like the options for low end speaker stands. I ended up buying a $60 set of wooden tray tables. They are just under 26" high and put the tweeters at close to ear level.

Jim

 

[ChunkyDark]

Glad to help out Moggi
It's nice to have a constructive outlet for my obsessive researching. My co-workers and wife are also happy i've found this site, now I don't bug them as much.

 

[moggi1964]

My wife says I research everything to death but she's wrong because I usually only spend two days without sleep then I buy something

With Red Bull I could be up all week

You saved me a bundle and I appreciate it.