Want a good, cheap 5.0 system?

[markw]

First off, start with a pair of these up front for $250:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ATHASF1.2&product_name=AS-F1.2 Loudspeaker -- Black Ash

Now, fill in the rear with a pair of these for another $120, which brings the total to $370:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ATHASB1.2

Finally, fill in the center with one of these for $150, which brings the grand total to $530:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ATHASC1.2

That's a lot of system for that price. Now, I know this does NOT figure a subwoofer but, for this price you get a pretty robust and musical system that can be the basis for a killer HT/music.

Here's a review on just this combination, albiet the original ".0" version where these are the ".2" version:

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/athena_audition_asf1_asc1_asb1.htm

It'll play quite loud and low like it is, but...

If you really want to blast, you can add a big. bad sub from one of the big sub names (NOT Athena here) and your system will sound like it cost a LOT more than what you paid. You've saved more than enough to give you a healthy start towards saving for that killer subwoofer.

 

[Sheep]

First off, start with a pair of these for $250:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/pr... Black Ash

Do they come with the babe?

SheepStar

 

[markw]

Do they come with the babe?

SheepStar

I think that costs a little extra.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I've not yet heard the new & "improved" versions, but the originals were amazing for the money. If you had to buy new @ that price point, it's hard to imagine how you could have done better (although I wasn't that impressed with the sub).

 

[markw]

"I wasn't that impressed with the sub."

While I respect the Athena Audition line in general, I don't like their subs either. I think they only released then to placate the "all one brand" mentality and rely on their other speakers excellent reputation to sell them.

From day one I've suggested people look elsewhere for a sub, generally from one of the manufacturers that specialize in subs.

I bought mine at full price when they first came out from AudioAdvisor*, even before they hit their monthly periodical on a salesman's suggestion. I was looking for some mates to their RTS series to flesh out two RTS-3 speakers into a HT system and were told they were replaced by the Athena audition series. I tried a pair of the B2's as main speakers, with a focus on music reproduction. I was impressed so I went back for the AS-F1's and C-1 and the B2's were relegated to surround duty.

They didn't have the subs yet, and perhaps I was lucky they didn't or else I might have been tempted to buy one for myself, only to be disappointed. That, plus I already had a Velodyne.

Heck, I've run my system w/o a subwoofer on occasion just to show doubting friends what it can do like that. In many cases I simply turn it off when they aren't looking and most times they don't even notice it's not playing, particularly on music. When I first got the system I ran it sans sub for a few days just to get used to it. When I did add the sub I was amazed at how little impact it had on the system as a whole. It just filled in the deepest of the deep where the F1's drop off.

*...and I don't regret it, nor do I feel ripped off. I've enjoyed 'em for over three years and still love' em.

 

[DanD]

new to the forums. Just reading all I can. I had a question. What would you recommend on running the speakers with? I am still new to this, so when does one need a pre-amp?

I am going to us it for listening to music and watching movies.

Thanks for any help, Dan

 

[Newbie06]

center channel

Audio Advisor also has the C.5 center channel (refurbished) for about half the price of the C1.2. I'm looking for a good low-end center, and was wondering what the difference is between the two.

they appear to have the same specs performance-wise, but the C.5 has 4" cones and the C1.2 has 5.25" ones. Any thoughts on the differences? ANybody heard the C.5?

 

[markw]

they can take pretty much whatever youl throw at 'em.

new to the forums. Just reading all I can. I had a question. What would you recommend on running the speakers with? I am still new to this, so when does one need a pre-amp?

I am going to us it for listening to music and watching movies.

Thanks for any help, Dan

These are incredibly efficient speakers so you don't need a heckuva lot of power to get some good sounds outta them. IOW, they will get the most out of virtually any receiver you use with 'em.

I'm using a a fairly outdated Denon 2802, rated at 80 wpc and they sing just fine and as loud as I would ever want, thank you.

But, OTOH, they can suck up a tremendous amount of power and, I've read that the better the amp you drive 'em with, the better they sound.

 

[zilla]

First off, start with a pair of these for $250:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ATHASF1.2&product_name=AS-F1.2 Loudspeaker -- Black Ash

Now, add a pair of these for another $120, which brings the total to $370:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ATHASB1.2

Now, fill in the center with one of these for $150, which brings the grand total to $530:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ATHASC1.2

That's a lot of system for that price. Now, I know this does NOT figure a subwoofer but, for this price you get a pretty robust and musical system that can be the basis for a killer HT/music.

Here's a review on just this combination, albiet the original ".0" version where these are the ".2" version:

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/athena_audition_asf1_asc1_asb1.htm

It'll play quite loud and low like it is, but...

If you really want to blast, you can add a big. bad sub from one of the big sub names (NOT Athena here) and your system will sound like it cost a LOT more than what you paid. You've saved more than enough to give you a healthy start towards saving for that killer subwoofer.

This is actually what I did last year. Went with the ASF2.2 for the mains, ASC1.2 center, and ASR1.2 rears. Then I went for a SVS PB12/2. Bam, I have yet to have a listener feel that the local movie theater sounds better.

 

[DanD]

I think I am going to go w/ these speakers and a yamaha RX V1600 receiver to run them. Any thoughts on the reciever. Any suggestions on what cables to get for them? Now I need to figure out what TV to go with. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Bigfishe]

Delivery tomorrow,
Now just need to narrow that reciever purchase

pioneer 1016 for 383
pioneer 816 for 238
yammy 659 for 338

ended up getting the F2.2 mains, C 1.2, and B1.2's for 655.80 delivered from AA, I called and mentioned they just had the center on sale, but wasn't any more but the B1.2's are, he gave me the sale price on the center and the B1.2's great customer service!!

any suggestions on the Receiver are welcome,
I will be getting a Samsun 6187 1080p DLP here in the next few days.

I was thinking maybe "skimping" on the receiver for now and get the 816, and use the extra cash for the x-sub from av123.
or should I go 1016 Now and save for a bigger sub.

 

[Pianoman84d]

How big is your room?

 

[Bigfishe]

room

My room will be 13.5 x 16 feet,
was going to be larger initially but after making some concessions to the wife on having an area for her that changed.