Don't Ever Visit Mike Bovaird

**MDP** · March 23, 2021, 02:13 PM

I made the mistake of visiting my 2 great friends in Florida this weekend,Mike&Mike. It had been way too long, about 3 years.

I think they had a secret plot to separate me, from my wallet. I'm going to start calling them the "Killer B's" (Bovaird & Bauza).

First stop Saturday was Mike's store. I have to say that since my last visit Mike has amassed a treasure trove of audio goodies. An amazing grouping of high quality toys that will make your heart flutter and your credit card weep. So we gave a listen to some of the stuff that I was interested in. On both their recommendations I sat down and listened the the new Kharma DB9-S speakers.

BIG MISTAKE!!!!!

As some of you that remember me know, I'm cheap. I hate spending money on audio gear, but I love music!! These little jewels were tugging at my heart in a matter of minutes.
To anyone that hasn't heard them, let me tell you that they don't really have a weakness. That might be the highest compliment I can give any speaker. I've been fortunate to have friends in the business that have allowed me to demo a lot of gear, both in and out of my home. And I always look to get real value for my money, which is why I still own my Salon 2's. I think these Kharmas perform way above their price. I'll do a review in the future whenever I get them and go through the usual break in routine.

I haven't posted in a long time. I've been enjoying my retirement here in Georgia. But I talk to Mike all the time and try to keep up with stuff through him.

I just wanted to warn everyone that if you value your bank account, stay away from Mike!!

**2fastdriving** · March 23, 2021, 02:30 PM

Oh man...Mike and I were just talking about me flying out to see him. Maybe I'll reconsider

Congrats, can't wait to hear more about your Kharma's!

**Dizzie** · March 23, 2021, 02:53 PM

Is it true you have to show a platinum CC to the bouncer before you can enter Suncoast Audio?

**the professor** · March 23, 2021, 03:08 PM

LOL

You knew better . . . . .

Originally Posted by MDP

I made the mistake of visiting my 2 great friends in Florida this weekend,Mike&Mike. It had been way too long, about 3 years.

I think they had a secret plot to separate me, from my wallet. I'm going to start calling them the "Killer B's" (Bovaird & Bauza).

First stop Saturday was Mike's store. I have to say that since my last visit Mike has amassed a treasure trove of audio goodies. An amazing grouping of high quality toys that will make your heart flutter and your credit card weep. So we gave a listen to some of the stuff that I was interested in. On both their recommendations I sat down and listened the the new Kharma DB9-S speakers.

BIG MISTAKE!!!!!

As some of you that remember me know, I'm cheap. I hate spending money on audio gear, but I love music!! These little jewels were tugging at my heart in a matter of minutes.
To anyone that hasn't heard them, let me tell you that they don't really have a weakness. That might be the highest compliment I can give any speaker. I've been fortunate to have friends in the business that have allowed me to demo a lot of gear, both in and out of my home. And I always look to get real value for my money, which is why I still own my Salon 2's. I think these Kharmas perform way above their price. I'll do a review in the future whenever I get them and go through the usual break in routine.

I haven't posted in a long time. I've been enjoying my retirement here in Georgia. But I talk to Mike all the time and try to keep up with stuff through him.

I just wanted to warn everyone that if you value your bank account, stay away from Mike!!

**MDP** · March 23, 2021, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by the professor

LOL

You knew better . . . . .

I should have.....

Hi Jock!

**Mikado463** · March 23, 2021, 03:11 PM

Mark,

Thanks for heads up, I'm stopping in to see him tomorrow on my way back from shooting clays.

**MDP** · March 23, 2021, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mikado463

Mark,

Thanks for heads up, I'm stopping in to see him tomorrow on my way back from shooting clays.

Have fun!

**NorthStar** · March 23, 2021, 03:54 PM

Fun thread's title.

**a.wayne** · March 23, 2021, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

I made the mistake of visiting my 2 great friends in Florida this weekend,Mike&Mike. It had been way too long, about 3 years.

I think they had a secret plot to separate me, from my wallet. I'm going to start calling them the "Killer B's" (Bovaird & Bauza).

First stop Saturday was Mike's store. I have to say that since my last visit Mike has amassed a treasure trove of audio goodies. An amazing grouping of high quality toys that will make your heart flutter and your credit card weep. So we gave a listen to some of the stuff that I was interested in. On both their recommendations I sat down and listened the the new Kharma DB9-S speakers.

BIG MISTAKE!!!!!

As some of you that remember me know, I'm cheap. I hate spending money on audio gear, but I love music!! These little jewels were tugging at my heart in a matter of minutes.
To anyone that hasn't heard them, let me tell you that they don't really have a weakness. That might be the highest compliment I can give any speaker. I've been fortunate to have friends in the business that have allowed me to demo a lot of gear, both in and out of my home. And I always look to get real value for my money, which is why I still own my Salon 2's. I think these Kharmas perform way above their price. I'll do a review in the future whenever I get them and go through the usual break in routine.

I haven't posted in a long time. I've been enjoying my retirement here in Georgia. But I talk to Mike all the time and try to keep up with stuff through him.

I just wanted to warn everyone that if you value your bank account, stay away from Mike!!

Warning noted , But This is a known, known ....

**joeinid** · March 23, 2021, 05:25 PM

Congratulations Mark!

Mike seriously wants me to demo the Kharma speakers. I'm very afraid.

Glad to see you stepping up your game.

**nc42acc** · March 23, 2021, 05:43 PM

Does Mike have a minimum purchase amount as an entry fee? It would be worth the flight to see his showroom.

**Alpinist** · March 23, 2021, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Does Mike have a minimum purchase amount as an entry fee? It would be worth the flight to see his showroom.

You’ll spend more than you want and slightly less than you have.

Ken

**sb6** · March 23, 2021, 05:59 PM

Congrats on the new speakers! I bet they sound great, enjoy!!!

**Randy Myers** · March 23, 2021, 06:12 PM

Awesome, enjoy the new speakers!

**MDP** · March 23, 2021, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Congratulations Mark!

Mike seriously wants me to demo the Kharma speakers. I'm very afraid.

Glad to see you stepping up your game.

Hi Joe!

You should be afraid! The beryllium tweeter may be better than the Salons'

**Alpinist** · March 23, 2021, 06:20 PM

Congrats Mark on the Kharma DB9-S! They are wonderful sounding speakers and look terrific. Great to hear from you again!

Best,
Ken

**nc42acc** · March 23, 2021, 06:26 PM

Mark do you have them in your setup yet? I look forward to hearing your comparison to the Salons.

**rrwmd** · March 23, 2021, 06:55 PM

Hi Mark

Good to see you back here again.

I’ve been itching to hear these myself as soon as I heard Mike had a pair. Yes, I am also afraid.

**MDP** · March 23, 2021, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Mark do you have them in your setup yet? I look forward to hearing your comparison to the Salons.

Not yet Marty. Probably 6-8 weeks before they get here.

**MDP** · March 23, 2021, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by rrwmd

Hi Mark

Good to see you back here again.

I’ve been itching to hear these myself as soon as I heard Mike had a pair. Yes, I am also afraid.

Hi Rance! I don't think these speakers would disappoint anyone.

In all honesty, I usually don't like many speakers. But these beauties ROCK.

**MDP** · March 23, 2021, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Congrats Mark on the Kharma DB9-S! They are wonderful sounding speakers and look terrific. Great to hear from you again!

Best,
Ken

Thanks Ken, lots of great people here.

**nc42acc** · March 23, 2021, 08:21 PM

Mark I found your new Kharma speakers. Mike is holding out on you.

Kharma DB9-S + Gryphon Antilleon Evo + Boulder 1110 - YouTube

Originally Posted by MDP

Not yet Marty. Probably 6-8 weeks before they get here.

**CPP** · March 24, 2021, 09:14 AM

Well Mark how have you been. Hows the golf going.

**Shadowfax** · March 24, 2021, 11:09 AM

I have yet to visit, but already pulled the trigger twice

**FDPDK** · March 24, 2021, 12:08 PM

Congratulations with your new Kharma speakers.

**Randy Myers** · March 24, 2021, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

I have yet to visit, but already pulled the trigger twice

I have never visited either, but have purchased several items from Mike. Not the level of some of you guys, but would rather purchase what I can from Mike if at all possible.

**stereogeek** · March 24, 2021, 08:23 PM

I just bought a Pass XA25 from Suncoast, partly due to his friendly feedback on this forum. He has already cost me money and I haven't even been to his shop.

**Mike** · March 24, 2021, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by stereogeek

I just bought a Pass XA25 from Suncoast, partly due to his friendly feedback on this forum. He has already cost me money and I haven't even been to his shop.

Yet....

By the way, Pass said your amp is 3-4 weeks from shipping.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**Mikado463** · March 24, 2021, 09:49 PM

Stopped in to visit Mike and take in his great facility this afternoon. Thanks again Mike for the extension of hospitality !

While I did not make a purchase today odds are pretty good I'll do so before heading North next week !

**Mikado463** · March 26, 2021, 01:01 PM

Did my best to kelp the economy of Lakeland Ranch...…………

this will be shipping out to me on Monday ………….

Record cleaning machine that is easy to use - Degritter

**MDP** · March 26, 2021, 01:31 PM

I saw that at Mike's. Congrats!!

**pdub** · March 26, 2021, 02:04 PM

So, Mark, as a long-term (for me) Salon 2 owner (who has held on to his 600wpc Classe beasts, btw) I'm curious what you heard in the Kharmas?

Did you hear the Vivids? If so, were looks a non-starter or did the Kharmas simply have greater appeal?

Congrats!

Parker

**MDP** · March 26, 2021, 03:02 PM

Hi Parker,
I did not listen to the Vivids at Mike's place, but have heard them at shows and really like them.

I was initially looking for a set of speakers for my main living and kitchen area, an open type floor plan. I was planning to keep my downstairs system, which was originally on the main floor area I just described. But my beautiful bride wants to once again have our main system in our main living area. We just found that we never wanted to go downstairs to listen.

The compromise was finding a more aesthetically pleasing setup for her. Which involves a smaller footprint than the Salons or the big Vivids. The Kharma DB9"s came as a complete surprise to me,I haven't heard them before. They were simply outstanding, shockingly so. As a Salon owner, you know how good these speakers are. I really never thought I'd find a speaker that I could afford that would top them, especially ones with a smaller footprint.

The Kharmas have a kind of musicality that just pulls you in. Usually when I demo speakers,I find them not to my liking. I'm very hard to please because most tweeters just sound grating and unnatural to me, especially Beryllium tweeters. But these sounded extremely extended but also very natural and totally non-fatiguing. I felt I could listen for hours without any problem.

BTW, I also had the Classe CAM600's for a while, they are outstanding amps, and I'm sure they would handle the Kharma or the Vivid speakers and sound amazing doing it!

**bluegrassphile** · March 26, 2021, 08:51 PM

It is, Marty. I know.

**bzr** · March 27, 2021, 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by MDP

Hi Parker,
I did not listen to the Vivids at Mike's place, but have heard them at shows and really like them.

I was initially looking for a set of speakers for my main living and kitchen area, an open type floor plan. I was planning to keep my downstairs system, which was originally on the main floor area I just described. But my beautiful bride wants to once again have our main system in our main living area. We just found that we never wanted to go downstairs to listen.

The compromise was finding a more aesthetically pleasing setup for her. Which involves a smaller footprint than the Salons or the big Vivids. The Kharma DB9"s came as a complete surprise to me,I haven't heard them before. They were simply outstanding, shockingly so. As a Salon owner, you know how good these speakers are. I really never thought I'd find a speaker that I could afford that would top them, especially ones with a smaller footprint.

The Kharmas have a kind of musicality that just pulls you in. Usually when I demo speakers,I find them not to my liking. I'm very hard to please because most tweeters just sound grating and unnatural to me, especially Beryllium tweeters. But these sounded extremely extended but also very natural and totally non-fatiguing. I felt I could listen for hours without any problem.

BTW, I also had the Classe CAM600's for a while, they are outstanding amps, and I'm sure they would handle the Kharma or the Vivid speakers and sound amazing doing it!

bout time you heard what a proper beryllium tweeter can do. I love focals tweeter. congrats by the way. put some iso acoustic feet under them & you're done, ask mike!

**Ritmo** · March 27, 2021, 05:36 AM

It was great to see you last weekend Mark!

And, congratulations on those new DB-9S Kharmas! I told you they sounded great.

**stereogeek** · March 27, 2021, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Yet....

By the way, Pass said your amp is 3-4 weeks from shipping.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks for the update. I really wanted the Luxman MQ-88 but delivery would have been months away. I like that the Luxman runs in triode mode and delivers 25wpc with KT88's. I know I can't go wrong with the Pass as the reviews are stellar and I am expecting it to best the mighty F6. Thx again.

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