Candid opinions regarding Kharma Ceramique 2.2
As indicated in a previous post, I am trying to make some final decisions regarding speaker selction for a "mid-range budgeted" 2 channel system. This system will be for a dedicated audio room that we will be constructing this summer with dimensions 23Lx13Wx9H. My musical tastes of late include a number of alternative rock/indie rock/rock artists: Radiohead, Muse, Ryan Adams, Strokes, White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, PJ Harvey, Lucinda Williams, Beck, U2, REM, Modest Mouse, Shins, Air, Stereolab etc
To date, my problem has been limited access to auditioning equipment as I live in a small Canadian city. Many speakers have been auditioned on business trips and there are some I have yet to track down (e.g. Kharma Ceramique 2.2) Of the speakers I have listened to so far, my short list includes JMlab Utopia Alto Be, Dynaudio Confidence C2, and the Wilson Sophia. I want to listen to Dali Euphonia's MS4 and the Kharma Ceramique 2.2 and I am waiting to travel somewhere where I can seriously audition them. The likely electronics will be Simaudio P-5 preamp, W-5 amp, and Nova CDP. On the other hand, I am still considering the possibility of a tube pre-amp (e.g. Hovland HP200), but would definitely prefer to avoid a tube amp.
As much as I love the musicality, air, transparency of the JMlab Alto Be, I am troubled by it's price, bulk, and worry it may be a tad too polite for the music I listen to. Similarly, I worry the C2 maybe too polite and lacking a little in emotional dynamic bass. On the othe hand, as much as I love the dynamic bass response of the Sophia (e.g. playing White Stripes), and the precise focused imaging of that speaker, I worry the speaker maybe too much in your face for extended listening and enjoyment It can also be tough on poorly recorded discs ...
Therefore, I am not sure I have found the right speaker yet, and given all the recent excitement regarding the more expensive Kharma speakers, I have been intrigued to consider their lower more affordable model the Ceramique 2.2. Yet, reading the recent review by Becker on enjoythemusic.com, I worry that he felt the speaker was similarly too much in your face, too detailed, and impossible to ignore. Moreover, he states the speaker is on the "border where music could become irritable or edgy with bad recordings". At the same time, he remarked about the trademark Kharma disappearing act. Until I get a chance to travel down to NJ, I would greatly appreciate any candid opinions regarding this speaker. I have already been recommended by person from this forum to look at this speaker line. I am curious whether people feel this speaker mates well with SS electronics, as most of the positive Kharma reviews were with tube (or hybrid) equipment (Tenor, Lamm, or Manley). Does anyone have any personal experience using the 2.2 with Simaudio amps/preamps, or the Hovland preamp ? Is this speaker too big to consider for my room size ? Do people feel this speaker is fatiguing over time ? Can anyone comment on a direct comparison with I dare say, the WIlson Sophia (please don't shoot me !).
I thank you for all of your help, sorting out my confusion. I realize I must listen myself, but I am trying to psych myself up to travel to NJ to hear for myself.
