Re: Looking for $500-$1000 Surround Sound System for HDTV

MarkW wrote:

that. I paid around $2000 for them. Since this is a smaller room and
not used as heavily I want surround sound speakers but a cheaper
system. I have a 7.1 Yamaha receiver and am looking for 5.1 speakers.
I prefer something small but with good sound and something that I can
mount on the walls.

You didn't say how large the room is. But mine is approx. 12'x18', of which
I'm using a 12'x3' area for low bookcases & walkway area to my closet. I
have An Onkyo 803 receiver with the Athena Point 5s & a Velodyne VPR-1200
sub. Great sound by themselves, better with the sub, doubtful I'll ever
hit full volume without destroying my hearing. :-)

Athena Point 5

Available at Onecall at a great price. Don't require a sub, but adding one
is preferable. The fronts & surrounds include wall mounting brackets, but
the center doesn't -- you'll need a shelf for it. The speakers are not as
small as Bose cubes or the fronts & surrounds of the micra 6 system.

Athena Micra 6

I've only heard the sub that comes with these, which was not that
impressive, compared to my Velodyne.

I will be using it probably 70% of the time for DVD's and TV. The
other 30% I'll use it for music (CD's). I want something that will
work well for both of these uses.

At the moment, I don't have a source for discrete 5.1 audio, but the Dolby
PL II Music setting on my receiver does very nicely with both TV & music.

Thanks for any help and opinions on these speakers. Unfortunately I've
had a hard time finding a place to listen to these so will be buying
online.

If you have a Bestbuy nearby, they carry Klipsch & are authorized Athena
dealers (but don't carry the Point 5s). Onecall seems to be the only
authorized dealer carrying the Point 5s.

Bill K
.