Athena VS Klipsch - HELP!!!

[panteedropper]

Hey guys, how are you doing? I work at best buy and I am in a bit of a mess here. I would like a 5.1 setup including 4 floor standing speakers. I can get athena AS-f1's or klipsch SF-1's. Which would you guys think be a better choice, assuming they were the same price. Same goes with the subwoofers, the athena 400 watt or the klipsch KSW-12(500 watt i think). One more thing to consider, i can pay for the athenas with my best buy card and get 90 days 0% financing where on the other hand, the klipsch i have to order direct from the manufacturer(no financing). What should I do? HELP! thanks in advance.

Before you guys say it, yes i have heard both and i think they both sound more or less about the same.

[DavLyn]

Realizing not all people like opera or choral works, I still find this type of music to be the best torture for speakers for the mid to high end. If the speaker can articulate the words that the sopranos sing so you can understand them (make out the word even if you don't know the language) then buy it. For me so far, the only speakers that have ever been able to do that are Klipsch. IMHO

[panteedropper]

i listen to pretty much everything, i recieved the accomodation papers yesterday from best buy and it said that I could get SF-1's for 100 bucks each, SF-2's for 130 each and the KSW-12 for 200 bucks. Only bad part is that it takes 6 weeks for them to ship them. Athena, i can get the AS-f2's for 150 each, AS-f1 for 100 each, the C1 for 90 and the P400 for 200 bucks. In terms of price they're pretty much the same, so what do you think will make me happier in the long run?

[DavLyn]

I don't have "your ears" so there is no way that I or anyone else can make a decision for you. Use the advice above and test the Klipsch and the Athena's and what ever else may come to your attention and use the results to make your decision. That is the only way you'll be happy. Speakers have a long warranty because they don't go bad. So what ever you buy, you'll probably have it for a long time.

There have been numerous posts on this and other forums regarding dealer service, exchanges, trade ups etc., take that advice to heart also when making this kind of decision.

It sounds like you are buying the Klipsch through where you work also. Is this correct? While Klipsch sells their computer system speakers at Best Buy and other mass merchandise outlets there is a reason why the other models aren't available that way. Consider why that may be.

If you haven't already, check into the forum accessible from the Klipsch site. While it is biased (They are all Klipsch fanatics there) they do some pretty straight talking about the products, what they like and what they don't like. I'm biased too. I still have my Heresy I's from 1985 and they amaze me regularly as to how life like they are even today.

Use the test and do some serious listening and then make up your mind as to which set will be best. You'll be glad that you made the comparison and made up your mind as to which to buy.

[panteedropper]

davyln, you have been a huge help, i'm actually filling out my klipsch paper work right now, i have decided to get SF-2's for the fronts, SF-1's for the rears, and SC1 center and a KSW 12 sub. thanks alot

[DavLyn]

Glad to be of help.

Happy listening and watching.

[panteedropper]

turns out i went with athena instead, i tried them out again, and i decided that athena is better for me..... AS-f2's in the fronts, AS-f1's in the rears, AS-C1 and a P400

[alpha21]

I just got Klipsch RF35's
Very Happy w/ them!!!!!!