Athena AS-R1s vs. AS-B1/B2 for surround speakers? (1 Viewer)

[kurt_fire]

My current setup is:
-AS-F2 (L and R)
-AS-C1 (center)
-Onkyo R500 5.1 receiver
-old Onkyo mains as surrounds

Which are better surround speakers? The Athena AS-R1s, AS-B1s, or AS-B2s?

Thanks!

 

[Ryan_McG]

Hi Kurt,

I currently have the same set up as you, pertaining to my fronts and center, and I also have the AS-B1's as my surrounds. I have to say that they do sound great. I used to have them as my mains, and I also had the B2's as mains for quite a while. To be honest, I have compared the 2 side by side on many occasions with different movies and music as my mains, and I always liked the sound of the smaller B1's quite a bit better. They seemed to have a nicer sound stage, and more neutral sound. Don't get me wrong, they did not have the fullness of the B2's, as the B1 cone is smaller, but I always went back to the B1's for overall performance. I have never managed to compare them side by side as surrounds, but thought this may help you out a little in your decision making.

I have never heard the R1's, but have seen the reviews and people seem to like them as surrounds also.

Hope this helps!