teledynepost
12-04-2005, 09:36 AM
I'm stuck in my Sennheiser HD-600's. They are great headphones no doubt, but I want to feel some bass now and then. I do most speaker listening on Definitive Tech SM-350's (3-way bookshelf) set close to my computer desk. They have good bass for their small size, but nothing to speak of under 40Hz.
I want to set up a system for listening to 5.1 mixed CD's (and home theatre, but the music part is the important part).
Since I work for B-Buy, I can get a discount on Athena AS-F-2.2's (dual 8", 2 way) which I guess are regarded to be a good option as cheap but good-for-the-price speakers. BBuy no longer carries this model, at least not in-store, so I haven't been able to listen. I can get a pair for $239.
I was thinking 4 of these, with their center channel (AS-C1.2) and their 12" sub (AS-P6000) to make the 5.1.
Total price $695.
I'm still hesitant. The other option is JBL which I can get a discount on as well, but only the Northridge Series, the most similar to the F2.2 being the E90 which is also a dual 8" floorstander but is 3-way, having a midrange driver as well. I would of course prefer a flatter frequency response, does anyone know if the Athenas are spotty? I thought the JBL's might be better because of the mid-range. But the JBLs would also cost approximately twice as much ($1300 for most similar setup, all floorstanders, but all speakers are 3-way). It would be less going with bookshelves for the surrounds. Oh the JBL's also have bi-wiring, Athenas not.
The Athena F2.2's are rated at 93dB efficiency, and the center at 90dB. I was wondering if it would be possible to work dedicated Sonic T-Amps into a surround system, one to drive each speaker ($30*5=$150), and if this would produce satisfactory results? I have a simple Onkyo receiver, so I've never done anything like this. I would need someone to point me to a good idea for 5.1 SACD/DVD source or a preamp or what-not too. Is it possible?
I want to set up a system for listening to 5.1 mixed CD's (and home theatre, but the music part is the important part).
Since I work for B-Buy, I can get a discount on Athena AS-F-2.2's (dual 8", 2 way) which I guess are regarded to be a good option as cheap but good-for-the-price speakers. BBuy no longer carries this model, at least not in-store, so I haven't been able to listen. I can get a pair for $239.
I was thinking 4 of these, with their center channel (AS-C1.2) and their 12" sub (AS-P6000) to make the 5.1.
Total price $695.
I'm still hesitant. The other option is JBL which I can get a discount on as well, but only the Northridge Series, the most similar to the F2.2 being the E90 which is also a dual 8" floorstander but is 3-way, having a midrange driver as well. I would of course prefer a flatter frequency response, does anyone know if the Athenas are spotty? I thought the JBL's might be better because of the mid-range. But the JBLs would also cost approximately twice as much ($1300 for most similar setup, all floorstanders, but all speakers are 3-way). It would be less going with bookshelves for the surrounds. Oh the JBL's also have bi-wiring, Athenas not.
The Athena F2.2's are rated at 93dB efficiency, and the center at 90dB. I was wondering if it would be possible to work dedicated Sonic T-Amps into a surround system, one to drive each speaker ($30*5=$150), and if this would produce satisfactory results? I have a simple Onkyo receiver, so I've never done anything like this. I would need someone to point me to a good idea for 5.1 SACD/DVD source or a preamp or what-not too. Is it possible?