The next level up for FFP scopes is the Weaver tactical 4-20x50 and 3-15x50, the SWFA 3-15x42 and the Sig Sauer Tango 4 line. There are others (like the Nikon Monarch and Burris FFP scopes) but you start running into 50 and 75 yard minimum focus distances.
I just went through this process myself. I was looking for the next level up from the Athlon and Primary Arms entry level products but I wanted to keep the price reasonable.
I went with the Weaver Tactical 4-20x50 FFP as I wanted the larger objective lens for low light light performance . They are currently on sale at Natchez for $700 but they are normally $850 at Midway. In terms of where they sit in the pecking order, they are comparable to the Leupold MK4 line of FFP scopes (I.e. mid-level), except they can focus down to 25 yards (instead of 75 yards). The glass is noticeably clearer than the Athlon Argos and Talos, or PA scopes once you look beyond a certain range.
As far a being better than Hawke scopes, I feel the opposite to you in that I found my Hawke scopes to be disappointing but I quite like the Athlon Argos and Talos scopes as cheap options for the guns I don't want to invest in major glass for. They are definitely cheap scopes though.
I think the mistake you made was getting the 8-32. Most of the scope "experts" advise people to stay away from cheap high power scopes. I agree with that advice big time. I chose the 4-20x50 Weaver but if I was buying it again, I would have saved $130 and gone with the 3-15x50 which is more than enough scope for any air rifle, if the glass is good enough.
I can clearly see the pellet holes on a dark tree bark at 50 or 60 yards on just 12x with the Weaver. An 8-32 is just not made for short range air rifle distances.
If you can still exchange or return the Athlon, I would first try the 6-24 or better yet, the Talos 4-14x44 which is more appropriate for distances of 100 yards and less. The price is lower too so you might find the quality to be more consistent with what you paid.
This is one one of the reasons I like the Primary Arms 4-14x44 mil dot for a cheap FFP scope. It's the best $230 I ever spent on a scope. If I pay close to $400, I would expect more but for $230 I love it for my plinker / pest control air guns. The problem with the Argos line, for me, is that $370 is a little too much to be cheap, and it starts me thinking, if I'm going to spend that much, maybe I should see what I can get for $450 or $500 and then I start being less forgiving about any issues.
I would also say that, based on what I found when looking for my last scope, I think you need to spend more on an FFP scope than an SFP scope to get comparable glass and turrets etc. If your goal is to get the best glass you can for the money, I'd stick with an SFP. I was tempted to get the Athlon Midas or Clearidge XP5 4-20x50 scopes instead to save money but I just can't go back to SFP. If you can live with SFP, that's the way to go.