Athena 15345 Point 5 MKII System Home Theater Speaker Package, Silver/Gloss Black

by Athena

Product Details

• Item Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 38 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002H6M0S
• Item model number: 15345
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,475 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Point 5 Mk II multichannel home-theater speaker system from Athena Technologies packs eye-pleasing style, high technology, and great sound quality into a small but powerful system. This award-winning set consists of 4 identical Athena Technologies S.5 bookshelf/satellite speakers and a C.5 center-channel speaker, all designed to reproduce the 5 primary channels of a 5.1 DVD or HDTV surround signal: front left/right, rear left/right, and front center.

For the ".1" low-frequency effects channel, Athena recommends its AS-P300 or AS-P400, which are optimized for use with the S.5 speakers. Any powered subwoofer with a continuously variable crossover (low-pass filter) should be flexible enough for a successful pairing, however (it'll just take more listening and adjusting to find the right crossover setting).

All speakers use black, high-gloss finish with silver baffles designed to make them appear smaller than they really are. Each speaker uses a .5-inch Tetron-dome tweeter and 1 (in the satellites) or 2 (in the center speaker) 4-inch high-performance, injection-molded, polypropylene cone woofers. The speakers are rear-ported to enhance bas output, and they're magnetically shielded to prevent image distortion in your TV or computer monitor.

The S.5s offer flexible placement options, high power handling (20 to 100 watts RMS per channel), and massive sound. They're timbre matched for use with Athena's SCT series models or its Audition series speakers. The C.5 center-channel speaker's small size and dynamic output permit broad placement options with no sacrifice in sound quality.

The mounting brackets included with the S.5 speakers use one of the sturdiest and simplest designs available. The brackets require no special tools and allow flexible angles so you can place the speakers where you need to and aim the sound toward your seating positions.

What's in the Box
Five speakers, 11 removable speaker grilles, 4 sets of mounting brackets, and 2 user's manuals

Product Description

The Point 5 MKII System from Athena TECHNOLOGIES™ combines great looks, flexible placement options, and excellent sound quality all into a small sized yet powerful entertainment system for your home. This award winning system comes complete with four identical S.5 speakers, and a C.5 center channel speaker.The small S.5 (satellite/bookshelf) and C.5 (center) can be used in many applications. They're perfect for music or theater in small to mid-sized rooms. The S.5 and C.5 have great bass response on their own, but can also be coupled with a Subwoofer for a more powerful listening experience. It's important to note that while the S.5 is small, it is not so small as to severely limit bass performance. The cabinet volume of the S.5 is that of a small bookshelf speaker and therefore generates good bass output. The cabinets are finished in high gloss black with silver front baffles which look beautiful in any décor. The finish also matches well with today's televisions and electronics. The Point 5s are a cosmetic match to other Athena models, and are sonically timbre matched for use in conjunction with other Athena models. The speakers are shielded for use near a television.The system includes four simple and sturdy mounting brackets for the S.5s. The bracket requires no special tools and allows very flexible speaker placement. The value, flexibility, and amazing sound quality of the Point 5 System make this a package you should not pass up. Act quickly! Quantities are limited.A few of the MANY awards won by the Point 5 MK II System include – Sound & Vision Magazine's Reviewers Choice Award, Audio Revolution Best of the Year Award, DVD Etc. Top Choice, E-Gear Editors Choice Award, Home Theater Magazine Hot Ticket Award.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy with Confidence. Best Bang for Buck., October 10, 2005

By 

Rajesh G. Krishnankutty "Kuttyrocks" (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Athena 15345 Point 5 MKII System Home Theater Speaker Package, Silver/Gloss Black (Electronics)

First of all, these are great speakers, with a superlative sound quality, and I highly recommend this purchase now and will do so again at the end of this review. Now that this is out of the way, let me list out a few caveats you need to watch out for first, before I move to the strengths.

But first of all, the guy who left a 'Single' star in another review - don't mind him. Athena, or for that matter, any other manufacturer, WILL NOT honor warranties if the item is purchased from some unauthorized "An e-tailer" like he did. Even though it is extremely rare that you will end up with defective speakers like he did (assuming he did buy it 'Sealed manufacturer retail
box'), you don't want to take any chances just to save 20-30 bucks. Makes all the more sense to buy from Amazon or OneCall, the only two Authorized places that seem to stock these speakers nowadays. (BestBuy may have a few laying round, but be prepared
to pay daylight robbery prices).

First of all, the size. These are not "a bit larger" than the Micra6 like someone said. They are a whole lot bigger. Don't be expecting weenie Home theater satellites, these are proper
bookshelf speakers, only at the smaller end of the size spectrum. I'd say that volumetrically, each of the bookshelfs are 3 to 3 1/2 times the size of each Micra speaker. They are quite heavy for the size and deep too, so I do not quite recommend mounting these on walls, even though it comes with all the mounts and clamps. Cheap sturdy stands are available for like 30 bucks + Shipping from PartsExpress. The boxy shape allows you to place them on any flat surface. However, the Piano lacquer finish looks like an open invitation to scratches, so make sure you have enough rubber padding on all contact surfaces.

Looks and feel. Now, surprising as it is, to me, these look kinda uglier than the pictures would suggest. The color combo of Glossy Piano black on the sides and a dull light silver front baffle, and cheap black plastic rear panel, along with the quirky curves and humps and all those separate speaker grills give it a strangely odd-chic appearance, akin to a Korean-make car, only less hideous. Doubtlessly, they would have been far prettier in all-black, however that option, unfortunately, is not available in the 5.1 configuration.

Like the other reviewers said, they do sound "tinny" straight out of the box, but let me assure you, it's not bad. I'd say the sound he called "tinny" is the AWESOME treble offered by the Athena 1" Teteron tweeter, which even this model seems to share with every bigger Athena speaker (Amazon's description says 0.5" Tweeter, the Athena website says 1"). Of course, once the woofers settle and start thumpin' like they should, the "tinniness" would not be pronounced at all. In fact, I noticed quite a bit of improvement in the bass dept. within the first couple of CDs played.

But the first thing you notice, esp if you are upgrading from something generic, is the incredible Sensitivity of these little things. The satellites are rated at 89dB, while the Center is 91dB, quite an achievement for speakers this small. My old speakers were the Onkyo SKS-HT240 6.1 system, which, even though are pretty good, are not quite sensitive - I was getting the same loudness at 18-20 on the Athenas that took the Onkyos 26-28 to achieve. Could make a big difference in Amp longevity, heat build-up, even electricity bills etc.

I had ordered a pair of Athena Audition Series As-B1.2's too from Amazon and they arrived a week before these did. I am breaking those in too, and I am accomplishing the concurrent breaking in of 7 speakers by interchanging the AS's and the S.5's as Front speakers, and playing them in 'Stereo' thru my AV Receiver (I have even turned off my Subwoofer, and set the Speaker Settings on the receiver to 'Large', to let them work thru their full dynamic range), and I am playing a variety of music, from Genesis to Korn. For the center speaker, I turned up its level pretty high compared to the others, and played a few DVD-Audio Discs and 5.1 Concert DVDs that I have.

Now the most important consideration. Sound. Rest assured, the sound is not "tinny", just high on treble. And the bass response keeps on improving with each passing hour of playing. However, do not be under the illusion that this system can EVER get by without a subwoofer -- YOU WILL NEED ONE. I know it sucks that you need to spend almost the same money as the other 5 speakers to buy a single speaker to handle a measly 60Hz or so out of a 20,000Hz aural spectrum, but them 60 are pretty important Hertzes, so it's a worthwhile investment. I do not feel you need to buy the Athena's expensive ASP series - I can think of a lot of competent subs in the $100-$180 range (Velo VX10, Mirage Nano, Dayton 10" or 12", Yamaha SW215 etc. etc.), and Amazon itself has lots of good options, just makes sure they are from a reputable SPEAKER manufacturer who are honest with Specs. They should be able to handle sound as low as 25Hz and have at least 8" Woofer. (I have a Dayton 10" 100W got from PartsExpress for $115 shipped, which works pretty well mated to the Athenas. If you have a bigger budget and need a bigger thump, I am quite sure you can definitely do better. For the thump I needed, I am very happy with the Dayton.)

Technology has progressed so much that weenie satellites combined with a sub can produce seriously big sound... But this is the first time I'm hearing this kind of bass and sonics coming from speakers this small WITHOUT the aid of a subwoofer. I am VERY IMPRESSED. With the receiver set to output 'Stereo' and the Speakers set to 'large' and driving just two of the S.5's, the sound is awesome... very good deep Hi-Fi sound. Once I added the subwoofer to the mix and made it 2.1 and leaning back on the sofa 12 feet away, I had to tell myself that I was not listening to $600/pr Tower speakers... the Daytons match well, providing just enough lower-end assistance that the little Athenas cannot Reach... but the Athenas shoulder the majority of the sound Duties and are a SMASHING SUCCESS AT THAT.

Once I connected the full Point5 system, and played them back without a subwoofer (5.0), they were quite impressive, the fronts and the Center holding up quite well, even though the lack of a Subwoofer is quite noticeable. Let me reiterate, the strong treble put out by these speakers make a subwoofer even more necessary. Turn the sub on and make it 5.1, and damn, I am in Hog heaven. This system can do pretty well at 5.0 when playing back most music, however, to catch the lower frequencies of DVDs, no way around it -- get a Sub.

Comparing with the AS-B1.2's: The AS's are the most basic Speakers in the Audition Series. They both do sound different and the AS-B1's definitely put out better bass than the smaller S.5's -- minus a subwoofer, the S.5's definitely sound "tinnier" Because of that, and even adding a subwoofer, the AS-B1.2's are noticeably better, but I am in no way suggesting that the S.5's put out inferior sound. The S.5's are great, the AS-B1 is greater, that's all.

LONG-TERM INVESTMENT:-

In conclusion, BUY THESE. BUY 'EM BLIND. ESPECIALLY if these are going to be your first HT speakers. At the price Amazon is offering it, it is the best HT Speaker bargain out there. And in the long term, I can assure you, this will be the best speaker Investment you've ever made in your life. Also, invest $150 or so on a decent subwoofer along with this, and you get a highly COMPETENT 5.1 system for $350, which, unlike lots of inferior speakers that will be forced out into the bedroom or even the back porch once you trade up, this one has all potential to stay on in the Main Home theater/Living room forever. Once you can afford better or want to move into 7.1 surround, put all your upgrade money into a pair of higher end Bookshelf speakers or Floorstanding speakers, and move the front S.5's to rear Surround. These S.5's and even the C.5 to a certain extent, are more than competent enough to stand up as Surround speakers against anything that's out there.

They're that good.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great value, great sound, January 28, 2005

By 

montana_nick "montana_nick" (Boise, ID) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Athena 15345 Point 5 MKII System Home Theater Speaker Package, Silver/Gloss Black (Electronics)

I did a LOT of research when it came time to replace my Bose Accoustimass 6 speakers. Not wanting to make the same mistake again (spending too much money on inferior products), I eventually settled on these Athena speakers after weeks of research. I am so glad I did. I matched these up to a Vellodyne CHT10 sub. But, before hooking up the sub, I tested out the Athena's on their own and was blown away over how much better these sounded than the Bose with its feeble bass module. Far better audio range, very tight, great sound stage. Adding in the sub was the icing on the cake. In addition to the great price, these speakers come with a really nice integrated wall mounting system, good wiring system and really sharp looks. As a bonus, Athena uses the same tweeter design on their high-end speakers, so it will be easy to blend these with upgraded Athenas down the road. IMHO, you would have to spend a LOT more money to beat these speakers.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best VFM for Surround setup, September 8, 2005

By 

Adrian Ledger - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Athena 15345 Point 5 MKII System Home Theater Speaker Package, Silver/Gloss Black (Electronics)

I have owned these speakers for a little over a year now. The sound these speakers produce is surprisngly warm and lifelike from what is a relatively small speaker. This is no doubt to the fantastic build quality of these speakers. From the piano lacquer case to the stylish silver front these are beautiful speakers in my opinion. They are very heavy for their size and extremely sturdy. One of the binding posts broke on mine (caused by me, not a design flaw), and Athena technologies shipped me out a complete new binding post and hardware, no questions asked. Excellent customer service. You can not beat these speakers at this price.