Athena AS-F1 Opinions

[450]

I'm thinking of buy the Sharp SD-EX111 and Athena Technologies AS-F1 Floorstanding Speaker. Right now, I really don't need/want too much bass so I don't think the F2 is needed. If I do need bass, I'll add a sub later.

Anyway...What do you guys think of the AS-F1?

I'll buy the speakers at Best Buy for 152 USD each.

 

[Aman]

You could get some nice EPOS speakers for 300 bucks.. they'd sound better too.. just my opinion. Better to get bookshelf speakers and stands, and add a sub later.
http://store.yahoo.com/decibelchicago/eposels3.html

 

[soundboy]

The AS-F1's are a fantastic buy at about $300.00/pair. However, if you already have speakers stands or is considering adding a sub at a later time, you may want to consider the AS-B2 monitors at below $200.00/pair. The F1's are just the B2's in a bigger cabinet.

 

[pne]

i've heard them and they sound very good for the price. I wasn't too impressed with the epos though.

 

[Aman]

The Epos made the stereophile best-buy list...

I've heard them and find them to be good for the price.

Better than those athena floorstanders (even the more expensive ones) because there is more money to spend on the quality of the drivers.

There may be a bit more bass in the Athena's, but almost certainly it will be drowned by muddy, flabby bass like I examined on the AS-F2 -- and the highs and mids weren't that impressive for me.

The Epos, however, was able to maintain what I wanted - mids. Mids were great out of those speakers.

Seriously guys, floorstander speakers DO NOT get good until much after $1000. It's better to just "suffer" with the lack of bass extension for now and get a sub later if it's really necessary.

 

[depaulhifi]

The Epos may or may not sound better than the Athena, depending on the ear. The Epos ELS3's are a detailed mini-monitor aimed at a customer who is less concerned in bass output and more concerned with finer details. The Athena speakers are geared for more of an "everyday" audiophile and are far more accessible to most ears. Their bass output is much more substantial than the ELS3's and the M15.2's. Also, the AS-F1 is not a floorstanding version of the AS-B2's. The B2's use a single 6.5" woofer, and the F1's use an 8". As we all know, you certainly cannot expect the world from a $399 pair of floorstanders, but bear in mind that the "humble" $600 AS-F2's were good enough to grace the cover of Stereophile and make their Recommended Components list.

 

[gevorg]

Whats a good warm receiver for AS-F1/F2?

 

[depaulhifi]

The Cambridge Audio stuff performs well beyond expecations and is reasonably priced. Their 640C 65wpc integrated is a solid unit and sells for $479. The Athena speakers are very efficient and will give more than ample output with the Cambridge piece.

http://store.yahoo.com/decibelchicago/caauaz64inam.html

 

[soundboy]

Thanks for the correction/clarification on the B2 and F1, depaulhifi.

 

[pne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aman The Epos made the stereophile best-buy list... I've heard them and find them to be good for the price. Better than those athena floorstanders (even the more expensive ones) because there is more money to spend on the quality of the drivers. There may be a bit more bass in the Athena's, but almost certainly it will be drowned by muddy, flabby bass like I examined on the AS-F2 -- and the highs and mids weren't that impressive for me. The Epos, however, was able to maintain what I wanted - mids. Mids were great out of those speakers. Seriously guys, floorstander speakers DO NOT get good until much after $1000. It's better to just "suffer" with the lack of bass extension for now and get a sub later if it's really necessary.

Yes but a lot of things make their lists, best buy, best sounding, a-class b-class etc. THe lists are just a very loose reference in which I base my purchases. The athenas received a postitive mention as well. I had demo'd two of epos's bookshelves that day, the els-3 and the other non-entry non els model. (E-12?) The latter was decent sounding but the els was a little lacking. What it made up for in mids it lost in bass, and the athena's were a better "buy em and forget about upgrading them" speaker.

 

[Aman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pne Yes but a lot of things make their lists, best buy, best sounding, a-class b-class etc. THe lists are just a very loose reference in which I base my purchases. The athenas received a postitive mention as well. I had demo'd two of epos's bookshelves that day, the els-3 and the other non-entry non els model. (E-12?) The latter was decent sounding but the els was a little lacking. What it made up for in mids it lost in bass, and the athena's were a better "buy em and forget about upgrading them" speaker.

Well, that's obviously your opinion.

Considering that a 300 dollar speaker is ... well, a 300 dollar speaker, it'd be better to have that money spent towards QUALITY parts instead of more parts with lesser quality. More upgrading abilities with the Epos line without having to actually CHANGE the speaker itself.

 

[450]

So...um...Which one is better?

I have an issue. Using just an Altec Lansing XA3001 5.25" Multimedia Subwoofer, it is heard in the kitchen downstairs (its not loud either and my kitchen isn't right below my room). How should I cut down vibrations? I mean...either way (EPOS, Athena, w/e), I gotta cut down vibrations.

 

[Necros]

Try Auralex subplatform. Or build your own - from top to bottom sandwich- carpet/MDF/hard foam.

Or use a concrete slab with carpet tile ontop. Cheap, and improved my setup.