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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Kharma Speakers as pH-indicator of the worst in Audio.
Post Subject: other speakers using ceramic driversPosted by morricab on: 12/5/2006
I have had similar impressions to other speakers using these drivers. For example I found the top of the line Avalon Eidolon diamond to be similarly colorless and lifeless. Also a pair of Vaic speakers (designed by the guy from Lumenwhite) that used the ceramic driver as a mid and a ceramic tweeter. Similar cold sound even with a 300B amp! The only one I have heard that left me somewhat impressed was the Lumenwhite Whiteflame. Of course this was being powered by Ayon 52B referene amps (one of the best tube amps I know)! Still, it was definitely not a sound I could live with. Now we also see similarly expensive offerings from Marten Design. It appears they knew a good gravy train when they saw it! I haven't heard the Martens but I can imagine the sound quite well as I have also heard the same kind of sound in two or three other smaller manufacturer's products.
I did not know that the price had jumped so dramatically with Kharma, probably because they were almost unheard of until their prices hit the stratosphere. I am also at a loss why the industry promotes this sound so heavily. Surely they can't all be so deaf? I have to admit that it IS different from the sounds created by other speaker drivers. One of my biggest problems with conventional speakers is the sound the materials themselves make. This is readily apparent and particularly obnoxious with multi-way speakers where every driver is from a different material. The end result is a total lack of sonic coherence. I can say that a speaker with a ceramic mid and ceramic tweeter at least have the same character more or less and actually it seems like less character, than say a kevlar driver. Perhaps it is an honest reaction to this characteristic sound by people who really don't know what live really sounds like that is the problem?? They are so stunned by the initially clean sound that they immediately equate this with better, not realizing what is missing in terms of tone and harmonics until later when they decide to sell it off. Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site