I envy you guys going to RMAF, the best show I have been to by a good margin. The cost to get there from the UK makes it a once only trip.
The Athena does look the business, very well proportioned. Given the option now, I would probably go for it over the DA-RMA's I have, though I am very happy with these and have no plans to ever change them. I suspect they will become the best sellers for Lou.
As far as I understand it, the sound is very similar to the DA-RMA's except for a bit more base extension. I suspect only Lou has compared them, as yet.