Which sub for Athena S.5

[adiamant]

Hi,
I'm building a new HT system, and am currently looking at the Athena system 5 Mk II for center and surrounds - seems to be a good deal right now.
The question is, is there a benefit in getting a matching Athena sub to go with them (AS-P4000) or can I go and look for a different sub without losing out on the matching between sub and speakers? (Hsu and SVS would be obvious choices I guess, or a Mirage or Accoustech perhaps?)

 

[ltworf]

I have that sub and my brother has the paradigm. His is great mine is better.. Go with the Athena you will not be unhappy with that choice.

 

[tomd51]

It's not necessary, Adiamant...

It is not necessary to have the same speaker and subwoofer manufacturer as tonal and sonic characteristics as well as timbre matching have very little bearing on most frequencies handled by subwoofers (~120Hz and lower). On the contrary, you'll find that HT enthusiasts more often than not have a subwoofer/s from one company and their speakers from another.

The mains (front L & R) and center are the most critical speakers to have matching components as this is where the bulk of your soundstage is carried. Timbre matching is important for these three to allow for seamless panning of both soundtracks and music. If you're listening to multichannel (MC) music such as DVD-Audio or SACDs, the surrounds are also suggested to retain similar components as your front three speakers to again maintain the same tonal characteristics.

Having said this, the AS-P4000 is a decent sub for the money. If you have a smaller listening area (up to 2000 cu. ft.), it should do just fine. However, if you're using this in a mid-large to large listening room (2200 cu. ft. and up) and plan on listening at high volume levels (30db and lower), you may want to consider a more powerful sub. Keep in mind, the cost for said sub will also increase... -TD

 

[Sheep]

The mains (front L & R) and center are the most critical speakers to have matching components as this is where the bulk of your soundstage is carried. Timbre matching is important for these three to allow for seamless panning of both soundtracks and music. If you're listening to multichannel (MC) music such as DVD-Audio or SACDs, the surrounds are also suggested to retain similar components as your front three speakers to again maintain the same tonal characteristics

To add to that, the rears need to match each other as well. IE the front stage needs to be the same, as well as the rear.

As far as subwoofers go, they don't need to match anything.

SheepStar

 

[tomd51]

Somewhat...

To add to that, the rears need to match each other as well. IE the front stage needs to be the same, as well as the rear.

As far as subwoofers go, they don't need to match anything.

SheepStar

While I agree with that logic to a certain degree, the rear surround(s) is/are not quite as critical as the front soundstage. Assuming further down the road, additional formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD start offering soundtracks in discrete 7.1, it will play a larger factor, but at this point with 5.1 predominantly the soundtrack of choice and the L/C/Rs carrying 80% of the soundtrack, matching rear surrounds aren't necessarily as important... -TD

 

[jcPanny]

Sub options

HSU and SVS build some great subs that are in a leage above the models from Axiom. They are products that will work great with your satellites and can keep up with larger bookshelf or floorstanders.

For a budget entry level option, also check out the Onix X-Sub for $200 from AV123.com. The black version would look great with your Athenas.

 

[Sheep]

While I agree with that logic to a certain degree, the rear surround(s) is/are not quite as critical as the front soundstage. Assuming further down the road, additional formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD start offering soundtracks in discrete 7.1, it will play a larger factor, but at this point with 5.1 predominantly the soundtrack of choice and the L/C/Rs carrying 80% of the soundtrack, matching rear surrounds aren't necessarily as important... -TD

Actually, its 6.1 (LOTR etc etc). If you have a different timber across the rear stage, panning effects will sound 1 dimentional.

SheepStar

 

[tomd51]

I think you missed my point, Sheep. I know there are 6.1 discrete releases and in fact, I'll use a DTS 6.1 ES soundtrack any chance I get, but like I mentioned earlier, at this point in time, 5.1 is predominantly the soundtrack of choice... -TD