Kharma 3.2 to MidiGrand Upgade???

Owl, I recently heard the Grand Ceramiques (a harder load than the Midi-Grand) over a three day period with extensive listening driven by the ML2.1s in a room 35 x 24 with 11 to 12 foot ceilings. I went there fully expecting to hear those amps clipping and groaning or the level so low that it got lost. I was a REAL skeptic on this one. I must admit, when a buddy threw on a Niacin CD and asked the owner to crank it up I thought I would laugh. I was the one they laughed at - that amp drove those Grand Ceramiques to ear busting SPLs and I ate my words. I still cannot believe they did it.

I must disclose, I am a Kharma and Lamm owner and I like that combo VERY much (I have the new 1.2 Refs). As a former owner of the Midis, I do know they are easier to drive than the Grands.

Just my $.02

Frank,

Your comments hit home because just found this CD, Infected Mushroom B Empire and have been buying up a lot of GOA Trance and been just astounded that the Lamm's are doing what they are with dynamics and upper bass. This is replacing some very dynamic full frequency Avantgarde Duos with dual subs! Synthesized music just appears from out of space, is beatiful and liquid then disappears just as quickly as it came into the room. Just picture a cheesy looking smile on my audiofool face for 45 minutes of sheer musical ecstacy... Until the time comes to put another disc in. Actually set up my road bike on a stationary stand and listen to 140bpm GOA and pedal around the same pace. Heart attack material! I think the key is placement. I have them out in the room for maximum imaging and near the sidewalls and sit within 10 ft for maximizing the bass wavelength. Surprisingly, these speakers are able to deal with being able to sit over 12 feet apart without sidewall reflection issues or center fill problems. The result: getting an even more enormous stage with very tight images and since I've moved them close to the sidewalls, some silly room reinforcement for the bass to boot. Could they use the sub? Perhaps, if integration is as good as the "buzz" then absolutely. Having heard them briefly at CES, I can say that I heard no integration issues whatsoever with the Midi Exquisites. In the smaller 3.2 room, they sounded incredibly dynamic, cohesive and perhaps tighter than in the MidiE room.

Thanks for all your comments.

Frank,

Niacin ? Perhaps you can fill me in on this ? group and widen my musical library. In my life, Niacin (a.k.a nicotinic acid) is what your internist or cardiologist prescribes on top of Lipitor, Crestor, or Zocor, to help prevent overpaid plumbers like myself from having to shove drug-coated stents down plugged coronaries. (something has to pay for these toys)

However, based on your story regarding the Lamm ML2.1's + Grand ceramiqes and JV's write up in TAS on the Midi Exquisite, Sub, and ML2.1's combo, I would think that one drug the ML2.1 doesn't require is Viagra (or Cialis). Tough to believe it's only 18 WPC.

Owl,

Similar to Frank, I could get you to fill me on electronica ... On Boxing Day, I was busy filling in some of the holes in my software library, by studying the various lists "best of 2004" CD's. Probably, too light for you, but I did pick up some interesting electronic/dance discs e.g. Junior Boys (from Hamilton, ON of all places !!!) & Mylo (Destroy Rock & Roll) Unfortunately, I can't speak from experience, as it may still be a few more days before my Midi grands arrive and I can set up my Trek 5200 on a trainer and try to get back into shape while listening to Radiohead, Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire, or Interpol.

In my protracted search for speakers, I briefly wondered about buying a pair of 3.2 FE CRM's + a Kharma sub (based on the HE2004 hype) vs. the midi grand enigmas. Price wasn't that much different if you went used/demo and bought a new sub. But, even though my room is about half the size of yours, I worried that 3.2/sub wasn't as ideal for type and volume of music I listen. I also worried about the potential of blowing the midrange of the 3.2's driving them that loud, as they do the work of woofer and midrange. I would think with your room size, you probably would love going with the larger 3-way speakers.

Look forward to hearing whether you upgrade.

30X40' is a big room. How are your speakers currently positioned and your seating distance?

I think that if you're looking for higher SPLs, then the Midi might be a better option but if you're not looking for higher SPLs but rather a bit better bass extension and bass output, the 3.2s and sub combo (if it does indeed integrate well) might potentially be the most satisfying option. I've gone back and forth in terms of thinking whether a large speaker is better or having a well-integrated sub in the system. I still have not heard a big speaker produce the bass impact that I once heard a well-integrated Rel studio in a large room connected to an essentially full-range speaker.

Hi
I've had the Kharma sub running with my 3.2's for about3 months now. I can tell you that the integration is seamless, and the addition of the bottom end is fantastic. My room is 15x21. The 3.2's are about 6 ft out from the front wall, and about 3 ft from the side walls. Due to logistics, I had to put the sub is on the right side, just slightly ahead of the right speaker. Even in this position, it blends perfectly. I'm using the Lamm 1.2's.
I've been intrigued by the idea of a larger speaker, but I'm yet to hear one that stages as well, and produces as large an image as the 3.2's.
If you like everything that the 3.2's are doing, I would go with the sub. I'm sure you will be happy.
Carl