Напольная акустика — Kharma Elegance S7(-S)

The Elegance S7, also called the Single 7, is the smallest loudspeaker in the Elegance collection from Kharma, a floorstanding two-way design that comes with its own stand. Buyers choose between the plain S7, type EL-S7-1.1, and the upgraded Signature S7-S, type EL-S7-1.1-S. Charles van Oosterum began building speakers under the O.L.S. name in 1982 before creating Kharma as an international brand in 1993, and the Elegance range followed in 2010 when in-house composite cones replaced the ceramic drivers of the earlier Ceramique line.

Key specs that matter

A single 7-inch mid/bass driver sits below a 1-inch True Beryllium tweeter. The standard S7 uses the Kharma Composite Driver, and the S7-S fits the Kharma Omega-7 instead. Kharma rates the S7 at 100 W RMS and 200 W program, with a frequency range of 29 Hz to 30 kHz, an efficiency of 86 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m and a maximum level of 106 dB SPL. Nominal impedance is 8 ohm. With the stand fitted, the speaker is 972 mm high, 358 mm wide and 553 mm deep.

Engineering and use context

Kharma kept the polygonal cabinet shape of the Ceramique series because it gives good phase behaviour and a minimum of group delay, while the stand, base and front cover were redesigned. Walls are 35 mm high density MDF lined with acoustic damping that absorbs energy over a wide frequency band. The beryllium tweeter has a very high first break-up frequency, and Kharma ranks the material second only to diamond for stiffness. The Composite Driver pairs a cone of Formula 1 based fibre with a patented linear magnet motor drive system. In the Omega-7, Ultra High Modulus carbon fibres and a special resin push cone break-up higher still, and this is the one Signature upgrade visible on the front baffle. The other Signature measures sit inside - more damping, internal wire with a bigger cross-section and a compound on the crossover and bass port to limit mechanical vibration. Its grille attaches magnetically, and four spike discs come in each crate.

Pairing

The high impedance and modest efficiency make the S7 the easiest Elegance load in impedance but the least efficient of the four models, so amplifier power matters more than current capability here. Kharma sets 50 W as a practical floor and warns that driver damage from clipping is not a warranty case. The company advises the same brand, type and length of speaker cable on each channel and suggests its KLC pure silver-gold cable.

Alternatives

The Kharma Elegance dB7 is the next two-way Elegance floorstander, with two 7-inch mid/bass drivers and a 4 ohm load.