| Author |
Athena AS-F2.2 My Thoughts |
mjcaudio
Rank: Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Oct 20, 2003
Posts: 38
From: Plano, TX
 |  Posted: 2006-02-12 21:13
I recently purchased a pair of Athena AS-F2.2’s. I’ve read the threads on this forum regarding how good the original AS-F2 was. I know many of us want to know how the new model compares to the old one. Well, I won’t be able to tell you how they compare because I’ve never heard the AS-F2. But I can tell what I think of the 2.2. My first impression is that these are some great sounding speakers and all of the great things said about the AS-F2 certainly apply to the newer model. Right out of the box they did sound somewhat bright in my system, but as I continue to use them the brightness continues to fade. The overall frequency response is very even sounding. The bass is very deep and tight with no booming. The midrange is refined, detailed and articulate with a very nice presence. The high frequencies are more of the same with a very nice touch of high-end sparkle. Overall the AS-F2.2’s are quite transparent and err on the side of being neutral. They are also very dynamic with a wide soundstage and can play very loud without any distortion. I like the design and color scheme, which matches up nicely with my HDTV and equipment rack.
My only negative concern regarding the AS-F2.2 is the build quality compared to the AS-F2. I noticed in Robert J. Reina’s August ’02 Sterophile review of the AS-F2 that the front baffle of the AS-F2 was 1" thick and the panels were ¾" thick. Well, I measured the front baffle and the side panels of the new model and the measurements are ½" for the front baffle at its thickest point and 7/16" for the side panels. So I can’t help but wonder if this has effected the sound quality of the speakers. One thing I discovered is that when I tap on the sides of the AS-F2.2 they have a very thin and hollow sound, which reverberates inside the enclosure. I know after reading threads in this forum regarding the AS-F2 and AS-F2.2 that the build quality of the new model was a concern of many, and Joe Fraser, Brand Manager of Athena Technologies did address the reason for the changes in the current Audition Series and that they felt the changes didn’t really effect the performance of the new series including the AS-F2.2. However, I would think the thinner panels of the new model would change the resonant modes of the speaker. So would this affect the sound quality between the two models? I guess we can only know for sure in a side by side comparison.
As for me, the build quality of the AS-F2.2 was the deal breaker. So I won’t be keeping them. I know some might say, "who cares about the build quality as long as they still sound good" and that’s fine for those who aren’t as concerned about build quality. I just prefer a speaker of this size to have a better build quality, and IMO the AS-F2.2 certainly deserves it! I would hope that in the near future Athena Technologies would return to a better build quality even if it means a 8- 12 % price increase that Joe Fraser spoke of in one of his "Athenaguy" post in these forums. I would not mind paying the increase on an already great value on such a great sounding speaker.
I want to make it very clear to everyone that I’m not trying to discourage the purchase of the AS-F2.2. In fact I highly recommend them if you don’t mind the lesser build quality. They are awesome sounding speakers and easily compare with many speakers costing twice as much. Case and point – I had a pair of Def Tech BP7006 towers and overall I preferred the sound of the Athenas. IMO they will out perform anything in their price class.
mjcaudio
|
|
jttar
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Master
Joined: Feb 28, 2003
Posts: 9160
From: Chicago,IL, USA
 | Posted: 2006-02-12 22:08
mjcaudio,
Thanks for taking the time to share your review of your Athena AS-F2.2's. I am sorry to hear that the build quality of these second generation speaker cabinets have disappointed you.
If you are sold on the Athena sound and performance, you can still find some of the AS-F2's on the internet. HERE is a site that is having a close out sale on them.
I own a pair of the F2's and like your F2.2's they were on the bright side when I first started using them. Mine have many hours on them now and not only is the brightness long gone but the they just keep sounding better. Your description of the sound is dead on.
It is beyond me why Athena, who had such a rave review speaker at such an incredible price, decided to change the build design of these floor standers.
Your measurements would certainly explain the difference in weight. The F2's are 51 lbs. while the F2.2's are 44 lbs. That 7 lbs. difference could prove costly to Athena.
Joe
|
mjcaudio
Rank: Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Oct 20, 2003
Posts: 38
From: Plano, TX
| Posted: 2006-02-12 22:38
Joe,
Thanks for the link. I will seek out a pair of AS-F2's there.
mjcaudio
|
jttar
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Master
Joined: Feb 28, 2003
Posts: 9160
From: Chicago,IL, USA
| Posted: 2006-02-12 22:42
On 2006-02-12 22:38, mjcaudio wrote:
Joe,
Thanks for the link. I will seek out a pair of AS-F2's there.
mjcaudio
Hopefully, they will still have some in stock. Best of luck. Please let us know how things work out.
Joe
|
Maxxwire
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
 | Posted: 2006-02-13 00:46
On 2006-02-12 22:08, jttar wrote: The F2's are 51 lbs. while the F2.2's are 44 lbs. That 7 lbs. difference could prove costly to Athena.
Joe
Judging by the lack of interest so far in the AS-F2.2 it has cost Athena a lot more to skimp on the build quality than it would have to keep the build quality and subsequent shipping charges the same as the extremely popular AS-F2 was.
I think that Athena's greatest failure was in underestimating the desire and appreciation their customer base has for an uncompromised truly high quality product.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
|
royphil345
Rank: Sony Devotee
Joined: Apr 12, 2004
Posts: 93
From: Cleveland, Ohio USA
 | Posted: 2006-02-13 07:31
Think the problem is that the original AS-F2s were made to sell for a little more than they sold for. Know they were out and not selling too well at around $350.00 per speaker for at least a year before Best Buy started selling them. Think the Best Buy prices were higher at first if I remember correctly. Price had to be lowered quite a bit to move the speakers. Athena had to try and change their speakers to be a little more profitable at the price point they sell well at. Those that picked up on the original AS-F2s for a little over $150.00 per speaker got a killer deal. Don't think Athena made much money though.
|
Maxxwire
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-02-13 14:45
I was under the impression that the original MSRP was $600/pr for the AS-F2.
I know that Audio Advisor sold tons of them for $400/pr which would be 30% off.
Don't forget that these speakers were made in China and Athena's cost of production was most likely very low.
Cutting the production cost even further may have allowed them to justify a lower pricepoint, but it seems to have ruined interest in the AS-F2.2 and killed the brisk sales that the AS-F2 once generated. Evidently Athena underestimated how important build quality is to sales.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
|
dragon53
Rank: Ultimate Sony Reviewer
Joined: Nov 01, 2002
Posts: 2893
From:
 | Posted: 2006-02-16 08:54
I paid $360 & free shipping for my AS-F2s from Audioadvisor, but they later sold them for $350. I don't know how much JTTAR's dealer's shipping is, but at $300 + shipping, their AS-F2s are a great deal, particularly if someone is concerned about the weight problem of the AS-F2.2.
|
jttar
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Master
Joined: Feb 28, 2003
Posts: 9160
From: Chicago,IL, USA
| Posted: 2006-02-16 20:42
dragon53,
You did better than me over at AudioAdvisor. I paid $399 (US) and they gave me free shipping also.
We haven't heard back from mjcaudio yet to see if that dealer that I posted the link for has the AS-F2's still in stock. Hopefully they do and mjcaudio will be able to land a pair.
Joe
|
Maxxwire
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-02-17 01:48
On 2006-02-16 08:54, dragon53 wrote:
I paid $360 & free shipping for my AS-F2s from Audioadvisor, but they later sold them for $350.
What speakers did you replace the AS-F2's with?
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
|
mjcaudio
Rank: Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Oct 20, 2003
Posts: 38
From: Plano, TX
| Posted: 2006-02-17 02:05
We haven't heard back from mjcaudio yet to see if that dealer that I posted the link for has the AS-F2's still in stock. Hopefully they do and mjcaudio will be able to land a pair.
Joe
Joe,
They are currently out of stock of the AS-F2's.
mjcaudio
|
jttar
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Master
Joined: Feb 28, 2003
Posts: 9160
From: Chicago,IL, USA
| Posted: 2006-02-17 21:52
mjcaudio,
Thanks for checking it out and posting back. Did they have any idea if they were going to get in any more? At that price, I'm sure they go fast when they become available.
Joe
|
mjcaudio
Rank: Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Oct 20, 2003
Posts: 38
From: Plano, TX
| Posted: 2006-02-18 04:18
On 2006-02-17 21:52, jttar wrote:
mjcaudio,
Thanks for checking it out and posting back. Did they have any idea if they were going to get in any more? At that price, I'm sure they go fast when they become available.
Joe
Joe,
They actually told me the AS-F2's were discontinued. But I will keep checking back with them as long as they are still showing on the website.
mjcaudio
|
Maxxwire
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25772
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
| Posted: 2006-02-18 15:02
The used market seems the best place to find the AS-F2 these days and from what I understand they are still selling for what the original owners paid for them from Audio Advisor which considering their great sound is quite understandable.
~Maxx~
-----------------
A Satisfied Sony Fan Since 1974!
The OCCC Furu-Charged Sony DB 930
|
happyface50
Rank: Sony Enthusiant
Joined: Aug 04, 2005
Posts: 25
From:
| Posted: 2006-02-18 21:05
It was an excellent review on the F2.2, mjcaudio, thanks for the good work.
BTW, if you happen to find out they have the F2 in stock again, please post it here, as I'm sure lots of people may be interested in ordering a pair. I called them yesterday but was told that they all out (except for a few floor models in one of the stores), and not getting more in as they are discontinued model.
|
