Help with speaker selection - Energy C1 or Athena

[Phily]

Hi all,
Looking for some help in selecting some bookshelf speakers. What do you guys know about these two? Thanks in advance, hope this isnt a dumb question.

Chris

 

[df4801]

Not enough info man!
HT or music use, room size, receiver used, etc. will get you better info.
Welcome to the forum!

For what its worth, the Athena's have a loyal following.
I guess the Energy's do too. But my buddy has the Energy's and I dont think they sound so great. Seem light weight also. They don't really fill his room and it's not even that big. I guess that's why he is ready to upgrade as well.

Try to listen to both and decide what sounds best to you. That's really the best way to pick speakers. Everybody has different tastes.

Also, if you do like the energy's. Make sure you get a good price as they go on sale a lot, and my buddy paid well under $100 a speaker. Although, now he wishes he didn't try to save a buck and would've just paid a little more for something he liked.

 

[Sheep]

I have the Energy C-1s and I know someone with the AS-B1s.

The Athenas have more bass, but it is boomy. The Energys have better midrange and treble then the Athena.

I recommend a subwoofer with the C-1s, but they can handle some bass.

As far as Build quality, the C-1s destroy the Athenas. WBT binding posts, very rigid enclosure, and best fit and finish I have seen for the price.

SheepStar

 

[doomguardian]

How about the AS-B2s?

 

[coose]

I actually demoed both (in home) and went with the Athena's.
Treble and midrange were livlier and more detailed to me with the B1's than the more laid back C1's. Granted the bass was tighter with the C1's, but as my usage is 95% HT, mids and highs were key. Bass is what dual subs are for

Fit and finish are excellent imho. Very solid well put together speakers. I have B1's and not the current B1.2, so I am not sure if the new series are still on par in this regard.

 

[walletjes]

Energy C-3's are just a little more money and are worth it.
They are always on sale at audio advisor or fairly priced at audiogon.

The Athena B-1 is great for the money, but too bright for my taste. (they are airy and detailed, but after long listening sessions at high volume, they sound harsh to me).
You should listen to them both because they sound nothing alike. The athena's are more sensitive, so if you have a lower powered receiver, they would play louder.

 

[Phily]

Thanks for the advice guys. I was told about the energy and athena brands by some co-workers who have them. So I'm going to try to listem to both of their systems.

 

[warpdrive]

Athena and Energy are owned by the same company (API) but Energy is designed to a higher standard and price range. API who owns both companies puts their most advanced drivers in the Energy's, and then later the design filters down into the Athena line much later. Think of Acura vs Honda.

The cabinets of the Energy are more rigid (a pair of C-3 weighs 8 pounds more than the B2.2) and the overall quality is higher.

The tweeter of the C-1 is a superior design, and consequently sounds smoother and more detailed. It's has a chambered construction which the Athena doesn't have.

 

[Phily]

Well, I was able to go over my co-workers house last night and hear his energy speakers. They were OK I guess, but didnt sound as warm, or full as I would have liked. Almost sounded a litlle atificial at times if that makes sense. If I didnt like their sound, is it still worth trying to hear the athena's if they are made by the same company.
My room is 17x14 and about 50/50 HT to music use.
Can someone make any recommendations on other speakers I should look at that would be a step up or two from those. Willing to spend around $600 on left, right, and center.
thanks

 

[jaxvon]

What about Ascend Acoustics?

http://ascendacoustics.com/

 

[warpdrive]

If I didnt like their sound, is it still worth trying to hear the athena's if they are made by the same company.

Nope, Athenas are more lively and bright, less accurate IMO....you'll probably want something smoother like the Ascend Acoustics which have a smooth polite sound that sounds pleasing to many ears.

Keep in mind that acoustics could be affecting the sound you heard, the Energy's shouldn't sound overly thin when placed properly and blended properly with the sub.