RT5 or AS-B1?

ledhed
ledhed Posts: 1,088
edited September 2005 in Speakers
Audio Advisor has the Athena AS-B1 on sale for $99/pr. I am sure the RT5s I already have will sound much better but, just wondering if the Athenas were worth it or should I save some more for other upgrades (Tube pre, CDP)?
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited August 2005
    I haven't heard the Athenas, but I really like the RT5's. For $100, you could buy the Athenas and do a comparison, then sell the ones you don't like and lose very little $$. If you want to sell the RT5's, I know I would want them.


    Zach
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2005
    I have the Athenas.. and i like em.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited August 2005
    My friend just bought the Athena AS-B1's, B2's, and center for an HT and they sound DAMN good for the money. I haven't gotten him to let me bring them to my place for a listen on my 2 channel rig, but I bet the AS-B1 would give the RTi4 a run for it's money, especially for $100.

    I've never heard the RT5 so I can't comment on that...
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited August 2005
    ledhed wrote:
    Audio Advisor has the Athena AS-B1 on sale for $99/pr. I am sure the RT5s I already have will sound much better but, just wondering if the Athenas were worth it or should I save some more for other upgrades (Tube pre, CDP)?

    What would the purpose of the purchase be? To replace your RT5s? I have AS-B1's in my 2nd system and they are a remarkable sounding speaker. I believe I paid only $99 for mine also...and for my application they were a no brainer. I've never personally heard the RT5's but I'm pretty sure Audio Advisor has a 30 day guarantee so I say go for it....do a comprehensive comparo and report back to us with the results. If you like the Polk's better retrun the Athena's to AA and save up for other upgrades.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • abenedicto
    abenedicto Posts: 55
    edited August 2005
    I jumped ship to Athena with a whole set of B1's and the matching center and I haven't looked back. To get a better sound you would need to get the LSI Polk series.
    think before you speak....peace always


    Yamaha htr-5740
    Sony 222es (sacd/cd)
    Velodyne CT-10 (sub)
    JVC 48WP74 (HDTV)
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  • KrazyMofo24
    KrazyMofo24 Posts: 1,210
    edited August 2005
    Only the Lsi series sound better than a cheap pair of B-1's? I know they sound great for their price, but the Rti4's or 6's sound better IMO.
    Setup:

    2 Channel: Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand, T+A P 1230R, Primare SPA21, Oppo BDP-105
    PC: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand, Cambridge Azure 650A v2 , Peachtree iDAC, Denon DVD-3800BDCI

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,776
    edited August 2005
    I'd stick with the RT5. The Athena *might* beat it on soundstage...

    But the high end detail, clarity, smoothness - the smooth midrange and tight accurate bass is very hard to come by these days in moderately priced bookshelfs. Great performers, although there are better speakers - I don't think you will find replacing them with Athenas to be an adequate step up.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited August 2005
    I'm not sure the Athena's would be an upgrade but they are an excellet speaker for the money. I bought a pair that came with a free athena sub with the intent to sell the speakers and use the sub but after hearing them I've changed my mind and am now thinking I'll sell the sub and definatly keep the speakers.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited August 2005
    I'll chime in again....I haven't heard the RT5. The Athena is a very competent speaker. I had my doubts when I bought them and have been pleasantly surprised at the excellent creamy midrange. Vocals are very alive and very accurately rendered. I don't find the highs bright at all, if anything they lack a bit of detail. Again not having heard the RT5's I wouldn't venture a guess at if they are better. My best guess is it would be more of a lateral move. Sort of a different kind of sound. Acoustic music and well recorded vocals really shine on the AS-B1. They have good solid bass but can get a bit boomy at times. Polk's are hard to beat at any price point and they make/made some great bookshelf speaks. The Athena's were priced right for my application ($79/pr new) and I got the added bonus of them sounding very good (much better than expected) as well.

    Give them a try to see how they compare @ $99 you have nothing to lose.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2005
    i agree with H9, to me.. they sound better than a pair of $99 speakers. maybe even close to av$150 pair. I was quite surprised myself.. but he's right.. they do lack a little bit of detail. i haven't really noticed any boomy bass. are they a giant killer speaker? hell no. are the better than other $99 speakers on the market? yes. (not dissing ANY brand out there). they are, what they are. decent entry level bookshelf speakers.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • abenedicto
    abenedicto Posts: 55
    edited September 2005
    I was shocked at the bass output the B1's put out.
    think before you speak....peace always


    Yamaha htr-5740
    Sony 222es (sacd/cd)
    Velodyne CT-10 (sub)
    JVC 48WP74 (HDTV)
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