Snag them?? open box athena as-f2's

[ducker]

I've done a bit of digging... and it looks like Best Buy will no longer be carrying the Athena speaker line. They are selling their AS-F1's for $136. I've been trying to locate some F2's.... I found some, for $150 each. 2; open boxed, and 2 floor models.

Should I be concerned about damage done to these speakers? I guess 1 pair wasn't hooked up to a receiver, only on display, the other pair was used for approx 2 weeks.

-Mike

 

[warpdrive]

Just look carefully at the drivers, and check if they've been pushed in. Little kids (and people) love to push on the speakers.

I'd take them home, run them through some frequency sweeps to make sure they are reproducing highs and lows at least.

Since BB has a return policy, it can't hurt giving them a try.

 

[ducker]

Hm, now if I already had a receiver, and some tool to check frequencies I'd be in business.

But since I'm in the process of putting together my HT system, I have neither

So I guess I'll look them over and make sure the drivers aren't damaged/pushed in.... How visible would it be?

-mike

 

[Shinerman]

Sounds like a good deal. Definitely check them out thouroughly at the store for physical damage and then at home for sonic issues. If you do get them, definitely run some demanding material through them to see if everything is fine.

Make sure they can be returned. Sometimes open box and floor models have a no refund policy.

Other than that, sounds like a very good price.

Shinerman.

 

[JJMP50]

I recently bought an Athena AS-C1 Center and a P300 sub from BB for $200 total (open items). The grill on the center was damaged but the salesman switch it for an undamaged one. I was hoping to find a pair of B2's but they only sell the B1's. In my basement (secondary) system I'm currrently using some older Mirage FRx1's (along with the formentioned Athenas and a pair of Microsats for rears) and I thought the B2's would be a good replacement. I have another use for the Mirages' but that can wait. Maybe I'll pick up the B1's. Anyone know how the B1's compare with the Mirage FRx1's. On paper they seem very similar and, of course they are made by the same people.

Its a shame if BB isn't going to continue to sell Athena.

 

[warpdrive]

Ask your friends to see if you can use their receiver (bring the speakers over) to test them out. I wouldn't buy them unless I can make sure they sound all right at least with some familar source material and some test tones. Trying them in the store is not good enough because it's really hard with the high level of ambient noise in the store.

Worse comes to worse, buy a receiver to test them out and then return it...(I don't recommend this practice of "renting" components and abusing the return policy, but that is a last resort)

 

[ducker]

good idea... but what exactly would I be listening for while testing out the speakers?? and you're right. that is a possible way of testing them out...

-m

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

BB should be willing to take 5 minutes to hook them up for you. They have dozens of speakers hooked up, just change out the wire. You'll know right away if they are blown or not, of it the tweeters are damaged by turning up the volume with some hip hop.

 

[ducker]

checked back with the store... two are currently hooked up to a receiver, and it wouldn't be a problem to connect the other 2 (1 in box, one on display) to check those as well. she said the speakers are in great condition... Hm, I think I'm gonna take a little trip tonight and get me some speakers!

 

[warpdrive]

I would say that you should be listening to them to see if the speakers are blown...that can be done in the store.

Then at home, just make sure that they sound clean. Just run some music that you are familar with and listen for differences. If one of them is defective or damaged, you might be able to hear a difference between the two speakers.

I bought a pair speakers once and one of them sounded very SLIGHTLY buzzy. It was only at home that I noticed it because they sounded fine in the store. Then I used some frequency sweep tones and I noticed that there was something buzzy/loose sounding in my left speaker when the test tone hit about 50 Hz. Maybe it was a stray loose wire, but I took it back anyway within my return period.

With a demo, I think it's more important to pay attention to these things. You just want to use them a lot to make sure they are ok. Of course, if you are going to get your receiver within the warranty, you may just want to rely on the manufacturer's warranty which covers you for the defect...but I'd rather get them checked out at home within my Best Buy return policy....much faster that way.

 

[ducker]

what would you suggest for running frequency sweep tones?

 

[warpdrive]

I have a audio/video calibration DVD called Digital Video Essentials. There are others called AVIA Guide to Home theater.

These have test tones as well as patterns to help you calibrate your display and setup your speakers. If you intend to buy a nice display, it's worth the investment.

Otherwise, don't worry about it....just use some music and listen for anything obviously wrong with either.

 

[ducker]

Ah.... nice
1 - clearance, unopened $169
1 - clearance, open box, unused $159
(they had 2 other floor models connected, going for $149)

Picked up the two that were boxed. He rung up the open box one as a floor, which was like icing on the cake
minus all my Gift cards I've been hording up... these too speakers cost me only $94 out of pocket.

I really happy!!

-mike

 

[Shinerman]

Ah.... nice
1 - clearance, unopened $169
1 - clearance, open box, unused $159
(they had 2 other floor models connected, going for $149)

Picked up the two that were boxed. He rung up the open box one as a floor, which was like icing on the cake
minus all my Gift cards I've been hording up... these too speakers cost me only $94 out of pocket.

I really happy!!

-mike

SaaaaWeeeeeeet!

Congrats. Feels good huh? Let us know how they sound.

Shinerman

 

[warpdrive]

You scored bigtime...Enjoy!

 

[ducker]

The funny part was I was less then impressed with the AS-F2's they had out as part of a demo set (for a large 52" TV). Turning up the Receiver to the max, they didn't have a lot of kick. The demo wasn't really setup properly... the 2 F2's were both to the left of the TV and then the surounds were on TOP of the TV... So I ended up squating down in front of the F2's to listen.

the F1 demo station (where they still had the Micro 6, B1, and F1 all connected) sounded nicer. I'm guessing it was because of the balanced rears, space between the F1's and a sub connected.?!?

I'm such a newbie... I'll have a few more questions in other threads... Thanks for the help here thus far.

-mike

 

[warpdrive]

yes, having proper positioning and a proper SUB will make a HUGE difference. That's why I would never make a buying choice at a big box store. Having a return policy allows you to try them in your own home. You'd be surprised what you CAN'T hear just because of the noisy environment and bad setup at the store.

 

[topjimi]

i have f2s with a HK 525 and they are kick a$$, mind boggleing, how much sweet sound comes out of these

 

[JohnA]

Did you get the F1's or the F2's?

 

[ducker]

The F2's.
only listened to the F1's they had setup at a listening station.

most likely going to see if a small shop will be open to me bringing them by to test them with a receiver there.... hopefuly they will be cool with it. As I want to make sure they work great... but I might wait 30days or so for the RX-V557 to hit the market.