Does anyone have any recent experience with Kharma loudspeakers?
FWIW, I have a thread in which I give my quick impressions of many speakers I auditioned. Here's what I wrote about my Kharma audition: -------------- Back in the day when they became something of the new rage among well heeled audiophiles, I'd heard several models, including in one gentelman's super high end set up. They impressed me with a combination of transparency, smoothness, richness, soundstaging...almost the whole ballgame. But overall I found the tone just a bit too much toward the "dark" side to really warm up to them. Nonetheless a dealer suggested I listen to a used pair of Kharma CRM 3.2 FE speakers that he had for sale. I researched Kharma again and got quite excited at the prospect of owning a pair - great looks, good size for my room, wonderful high end pedigree in terms of construction, reputation etc. And it was a newer model, so I wondered what the Kharma sound was at this point. What I heard again was that recognizable Kharma sound. For the size, the 3.2 threw a huge, transparent soundstage with full-bodied, rich images. The transparency and detail was superbly natural and unforced - effortlessly untangling the layers of sparkling guitars on, for instance, Johnny Cash's Solitary Man and I Won't Back Down, and making each distinct. Never with ear fatigue. Unfortunately I found it veered a bit too much in to the "polite" terrifory, and the sound lost some of the excitement I was familiar with. The tone was also, as before, a bit too into the darkish territory for me. Finally, the bass wasn't nearly as tonal and controlled as I'd like. It was a Big Fat Bottom of a sound, probably great for filling out a big room. Unfortunately they were played in a room that was no doubt too small for them. |
The CRM 3.2 FE is a 20 year old speaker. The Kharma’s I’ve heard at shows over the past few years are extremely musical and engaging. I’m certain, like other manufacturers, they’ve come a long way in the past 20 years. Kharma Loudspeakers have been consistently some of my favorites at shows (even in crummy hotel rooms). |
Just a quick update to all that are curious about Kharma speakers. I received my new pair of Kharma DB9 S speakers about a month ago , and I can honestly say these are the most musical speakers Ive ever owned. I believe that is saying something. So what does that mean?? The Kharma's cover all the frequency's well top to bottom, great imaging, great soundstage, depth etc. But what they do that nothing else I have had do! is play music that sounds like music the midrange is to die for and you want to listen for hours. These things make music sound great without listening fatigue or ripping your ears off. If anyone is in the market I strongly encourage a listen at your dealer just two cents worth here Regards. |
How funny @prof and @rediculus I started this thread exactly one year ago today. I knew I was on to something when I heard these....ha ha
Woots |
I purchased the dB11-S from Mike at Suncoast in December ‘21 to replace my beloved SF Stradivaris. I couldn’t be happier with the upgrade. Impeccable build quality and highly musical SQ. They have more of everything over my Strads. i also auditioned the dB9-S and would likely have been equally happy with them. |
@crwilli57 So happy for you and glad they worked out! I remain shocked that Kharma does not get more recognition. Mike at @suncoast_audio is fantastic. What, in your opinion, is the best part about your Kharma's? |