[HelloWorld]

Room Size - Medium (around 350 ft)
My budget is about $1100.
I listen to a great variety of music, am a guitarist and pianist and very much enjoy both rock and jazz...
would the sum of a bookshelf speaker (like the Axiom M3ti) with a sub like the HSU VTF-3 MK2 be better/worse/same compared to a floorstander like the Athena AS-F2?
I would be buying an integrated amp and speakers (w/ possibility of a sub).... for amps i was looking at NAD CR20BEE, depending on how much i spend on speakers. so, can anyone help me make my decision?

[Arctos]

HelloWorld,
This is not an easy question so I don't have any easy answers.  Nor am I the most qualified person on this site to make recommendations.  However, I do own a Hsu VTF-2 sub that I am very happy with, and I have heard the Axiom M3ti's, which are very nice for the money (I find them a little bright, but it is a personal taste thing).  There will be a significant difference between a system using a bookshelf and a sub vs a full range floorstander.  Bookshelf and sub will go lower, but it takes alot of tweaking and fooling around to get them to sound right together.  The floorstanders will not have the integration issue, but will not go as low either.  Typically it is cheaper to go with a floorstander than a similar quality bookshelf/sub combo.

I see you are looking at an NAD integrated.  Nice for the money also.  I am using an AMC 3050a and am happy with this "mid-fi" piece as well.  Will you require a source?  If so you will find it hard to hit your budget and get into a source, integrated, bookshelf/sub combo and connections.  

I don't know anything about the Athena speakers so can't comment on how they would compare to the Axiom/Hsu combo, but will say this; I prefer bookshelf speakers in general (imaging especially) and would say that you may want to start with an integrated, bookshelf speakers, source and connectors first.  Then see if you really need that low end, and if so, purchase a sub later on.

Just some thoughts,

R

[warnerwh]

A used pair of Vandersteen 2CE's are decent for about 600.

[Irwin]

I listen to a lot of classic rock and blues,and have been using the Athena
ASF-2' s for about 6 months now and am very satisfied with them. I think
they are being replaced with a new model.Best Buy had them for $375 a
pair.I would also recommend you try to locate a pair of PSB Image 5t's,
also recently discontinued and a great buy.Being you are on a budget
you can't go wrong with a NAD integrated.As far as subwoofers go, I've
owned 2 different ones,and was never able to properly integrate them into my system.
                                                  Lots of luck,
                                                      Irwin

[Songforyou]

You can't go wrong with the Athenas at the price.  I brought a pair home to audition over the Christmas holidays and in many ways (but not all) they outperformed my Meadowlark Hotrod Kestrels (which go for $2,500 CDN).  The bass is excellent (quantitatively and qualitatively) and the mids are very good too.  The treble may lack a bit of refinement, but they are fun speakers that will do justice to rock as well as jazz.  As a further benefit, they are very easy to drive.

Some here have had good success with inexpensive digital receivers (like the JVC RX-F10) but I have not heard one myself.  I did drive the Athenas with a 5 wpc Sonic Impact digital amp and this worked very well.

Personally, I have been successful integrating subs with monitors, but at your price point I would opt for the Athenas.  If you like bass you will not be disappointed.  Stick with the AS-F2 model though.  I have the AS-B2s in my den/office and they aren't half the fun.

Good luck!

[HelloWorld]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

[LordCloud]

I'm biased since I have a pair, but a pair of used Meadowlark Swifts would be great. My speakers are the last thing I'm going to upgrade. I also like the Vandersteens as well.