Kharma - what’s in a signature edition

Mike

Mike

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I get asked often what is the difference between the non-signature and signature editions of the Kharma Elegance speakers.

Here’s the details:

The Elegance Collection has 4 different models, of which the Elegance S7 and the Elegance dB7 can be delivered in standard or Signature version. For the Elegance dB9-S and the dB11-S, the Signature treatment is always included. A Signature model can be recognized by the -S behind the model name.

There is a difference between both versions, with each their own characteristics and treatments. The Elegance Signature versions have a different treatment upon several levels of excellence:

[emoji3502] For the midrange section, the Kharma Composite Driver in the standard version is interchanged with the Kharma Omega-7 driver in the Signature version.

[emoji3502]Enhanced damping: The acoustical damping of the cabinet is enhanced to better absorb all energy trapped inside the loudspeaker in a wide frequency range.

[emoji3502]Enhanced internal wiring: The cross-sectional conductive area of the internal wiring is increased to have a more refined signal transmission between the crossover and the drivers.

[emoji3502]Vibration-reducing compound: The crossover and bas pipe on the back plate of the Elegance are treated with a special compound to bring mechanical vibration to an absolute minimum.


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I recently listened to the DB-11S at Mike’s store. It is a fantastic speaker. I’m surprised how this superb line doesn’t get more industry recognition.
 
Ritmo said:
I recently listened to the DB-11S at Mike’s store. It is a fantastic speaker. I’m surprised how this superb line doesn’t get more industry recognition.
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Just speculating here, but I suspect limited distribution perhaps due to pricing and strong competition from at least two premium US manufacturers, Wilson and Rockport, who offer similar products. I am an admirer of Kharma but have not heard them. Has anyone here who would like to comment compared the Kharma DB9-S with the Wilson Sasha DAW or the Rockport Atria II?
 
GSOphile said:
Just speculating here, but I suspect limited distribution perhaps due to pricing and strong competition from at least two premium US manufacturers, Wilson and Rockport, who offer similar products. I am an admirer of Kharma but have not heard them. Has anyone here who would like to comment compared the Kharma DB9-S with the Wilson Sasha DAW or the Rockport Atria II?
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I’ve listened to the DB-7, DB-9S and DB-11S at Mike’s. All very good and competitive at their price points. Kharma, Wilson, Vivid, Rockport and Magico have offerings at similar price points. All five brands are very good and very successful. Ultimately, the decision is down to personal taste.
 
Ritmo said:
I’ve listened to the DB-7, DB-9S and DB-11S at Mike’s. All very good and competitive at their price points. Kharma, Wilson, Vivid, Rockport and Magico have offerings at similar price points. All five brands are very good and very successful. Ultimately, the decision is down to personal taste.
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No disputing that. I am a Magico owner. Kharma, Wilson, and Rockport offer similar ported designs. I would like to know how those who have heard similar models from these three brands contrast their sound. Or do they sound so much alike that a buying choice should be made largely on other criteria?
 
WA sounds completely different from Kharma , Magico sounds more in common with them than WA, i have never heard Rockport cant comment there.


Regards ...
 
a.wayne said:
WA sounds completely different from Kharma , Magico sounds more in common with them than WA, i have never heard Rockport cant comment there.


Regards ...
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As everything you’ve ever disseminated on this forum, that’s complete BS. You’ve never owned any of these brands, so how would you possibly know?

The Kharma sound is a blend of Magico and WA, but overall much closer to WA.

Do you ever have a basis for anything you say, or is it just a steady uncontrolled outflow of nonsense?
 
Kuoppis said:
As everything you’ve ever disseminated on this forum, that’s complete BS. You’ve never owned any of these brands, so how could you possible know?

The Kharma sound is a blend of Magico and WA, but overall much closer to WA.

Do you ever have a basis for anything you say, or is it just a steady uncontrolled outflow of nonsense?
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How do you like DB9-S? I’ll be interested to hear your take on DB9-S vs. S3 particularly in the bass, rhythm.
 
I'm very pleased with the choice. It's a more complete speaker vs. the Magico S3 or S3 mk2, which I both used to own.

Bass is in a totally different league, the sound is fuller and has more bass heft. Nevertheless the double-niner has the Beryllium clarity, w/o ever being sharp. No Beryllium bite here, I prefer it to the Magico tweeters. The Omega-7 mid range is very detailed and dense in tonality.

Talking about the British PRaT, they definitely deliver on the toe-tapping.
 
Kuoppis said:
I'm very pleased with the choice. It's a more complete speaker vs. the Magico S3 or S3 mk2, which I both used to own.

Bass is in a totally different league, the sound is fuller and has more bass heft. Nevertheless the double-niner has the Beryllium clarity, w/o ever being sharp. No Beryllium bite here, I prefer it to the Magico tweeters. The Omega-7 mid range is very detailed and dense in tonality.

Talking about the British PRaT, they definitely deliver on the toe-tapping.
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Your comments are very relevant to my situation (S3 MkII owner), Kuoppis. Thank you.

I have a dedicated 15 ft x 18 ft room with a low 8 ft max ceiling, speakers set up out from the long wall. Do you think DB9-Ss would overpower this room? (The S3 bass powered by a Diablo 300 is pretty decent in this room.)
 
Same Scan-Speak Be tweeter that was in the S3 Mk1. Not nearly as good as what you alredy have.
 
Kuoppis said:
As everything you’ve ever disseminated on this forum, that’s complete BS. You’ve never owned any of these brands, so how would you possibly know?

The Kharma sound is a blend of Magico and WA, but overall much closer to WA.

Do you ever have a basis for anything you say, or is it just a steady uncontrolled outflow of nonsense?
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I talk so you can eat kuoppis im generous ...!!!
 
LVB said:
Same Scan-Speak Be tweeter that was in the S3 Mk1. Not nearly as good as what you alredy have.
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Incorrect. Magico S1 mk1 tweeter is Magico in-house made (motor etc.), although using external diaphragm. Unless you of course know something Alon doesn’t. The Kharma tweeter is indeed ScanSpeak made.

Further, even if any two drivers would be identical, how they’re implemented will determine the sound. And sound-wise any Magico beryllium tweeter, and the Kharma implementation are very different sounding. Maybe you check with Mike, he just got himself a pair of Exquisites.
 
GSOphile said:
Your comments are very relevant to my situation (S3 MkII owner), Kuoppis. Thank you.

I have a dedicated 15 ft x 18 ft room with a low 8 ft max ceiling, speakers set up out from the long wall. Do you think DB9-Ss would overpower this room? (The S3 bass powered by a Diablo 300 is pretty decent in this room.)
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That is indeed a good question, and also one I had on my mind when getting the Kharmas. But my room is about the same size, and I do not encounter any problems. That said, my room is acoustically treated.

When the double-niners were new, there indeed was a slight bass overhang. But once burning-in the topic has completely become a non-issue. Now the bass is just fantastic.

Key differences between the Kharmas and my earlier Magicos are, that while they also have Beryllium tweeters and offer all the material-induced detail, they’re silky smooth and do never show any Beryllium-bite. Second is that the bass is just way more substantial, making the music more full-bodied. Also imaging and sound-staging are wider and deeper.

I’m indeed very content with my choice.
 
Hi Khin, the bass in particular is more fun, more lively, more solid. You’re getting very easily pulled into the music. As a result, music is more engaging.

I loved the S3 mk2’s, but I love the Kharmas more 😀.
 
Kuoppis said:
Hi Khin, the bass in particular is more fun, more lively, more solid. You’re getting very easily pulled into the music. As a result, music is more engaging.

I loved the S3 mk2’s, but I love the Kharmas more [emoji3].
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Not sure that’s something I need to hear. Lol Thanks for info, Kuoppis.
 
GSOphile said:
No disputing that. I am a Magico owner. Kharma, Wilson, and Rockport offer similar ported designs. I would like to know how those who have heard similar models from these three brands contrast their sound. Or do they sound so much alike that a buying choice should be made largely on other criteria?
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I very much align with the description of sound qualities of the Kharmas provided by Kuoppis. The Kharmas sound qualities are more to my liking than either WA and/or Magico.

And, to be fully transparent, I have owned Wilsons (Alexias). Have not owned either Magico or Kharma speakers. I’m very happy with my current MBL 101E MK2’s. With that stated, if I was looking for a new set of speakers, Kharmas would definitely be on my list - at or near the top.
 
kzhtoo said:
Not sure that’s something I need to hear. Lol Thanks for info, Kuoppis.
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Apologies my friend. No need to worry, the Magicos are really great speakers [emoji3].


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Ritmo said:
I very much align with the description of sound qualities of the Kharmas provided by Kuoppis. The Kharmas sound qualities are more to my liking than either WA and/or Magico.

And, to be fully transparent, I have owned Wilsons (Alexias). Have not owned either Magico or Kharma speakers. I’m very happy with my current MBL 101E MK2’s. With that stated, if I was looking for a new set of speakers, Kharmas would definitely be on my list - at or near the top.
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Well Mike, the MBLs definitely are destination speakers. So congrats for your decision.

And I also agree with what you say about Kharmas. They in a way blend transparency and full-bodiedness.


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