Kharma最新研發的C-Drive單元技術解析
Kharma最新研發的C-Drive單元技術解析
Kharma創辦人Charles van Oosterum先生趁香港音響展期間親臨現場，在展會結束後特別於香港代理商《豐寧音響》舉辦媒體見面會，向各大音響媒體詳細介紹他們全新開發的C-Drive中音與低音單元。
在正式介紹這項突破性技術前，Charles首先分享了”Kharma”這個品牌名稱的由來。他透露這個名稱源自一段心靈探索的旅程，當時他在構思品牌時想到了”karma”（因果）這個詞彙。向來喜歡與眾不同的Charles決定在字母a前面加上h，變成了”Kharma”。他發現這樣的拼寫不僅發音更加優美，從視覺上看也更具設計感。更重要的是，這樣的改動讓這個名稱能夠成功註冊為商標，因為原本的”karma”就像”water”（水）這類常用詞一樣是無法註冊的。
在詳細介紹自家研發的C-Drive發聲單元之前，Charles先說明了Enigma Veyron系列喇叭箱體的製作工藝。這些聲箱採用特殊的超高密度複合材質，是由數千層浸漬了環氧樹脂和聚酯的紙張經過高壓成型製成。這種材質成型後同時具備鋼鐵般的強度和木材的質感，其截面會呈現出樹脂特有的深棕色。由於整個箱體設計完全沒有任何平行曲線，傳統的旋轉切割方式根本無法適用，必須使用特殊的小型刀具持續進行三維立體加工，這也是製作過程相當耗時的主要原因。
箱體的加工需要使用五軸CNC機床，光是成型一個箱體就要花費整整一週的時間。這種加工方式對機床的要求極高，因為每個毫米都需要用鑽石切割刀進行精密加工，而且這種箱體材質完全無法用砂紙進行後期打磨。如果在切割過程中表面出現任何波浪紋或變形，根本無法透過後期打磨來修正，必須在切割階段就達到完美的平滑度。雖然這樣的加工方式既耗時又成本高昂，但當Kharma為Enigma Veyron系列升級箱體時，經過反覆測試後確認這種材質的性能最為優異，這也是Enigma Veyron系列價格高昂的關鍵因素之一。
這次發表會的主角是Kharma最新開發的C-Drive單元。相信不少音響發燒友都有參觀《豐寧音響》的展房，在展會期間聆聽過Enigma Veyron 2D（EV2D，又稱威龍2號）喇叭的示範。Charles提到在開聲演示期間，許多在場觀眾都好奇詢問，這對威龍2號是否另外加裝了超低音喇叭，否則怎麼會有如此驚人的低頻量感？其實這對威龍2號正是全面採用了全新的C-Drive單元，每邊配置了一對7吋中音和一對11吋低音。Charles形容這款C-Drive單元能夠呈現爆炸性的低頻訊息量，帶來更多細節和更完整的能量傳遞。
談到研發過程，Charles透露這款C-Drive的誕生其實源自一次意外。原本只是為了提高可靠性而設計的新磁鐵系統，在保持所有其他組件（包括音圈、振膜、懸邊）完全相同的條件下，音質卻意外獲得大幅提升！
這套新磁鐵系統採用極為特殊的設計，廣泛應用了先進的SMC（Soft Magnetic Composite，軟磁複合物料）。採用這種磁體後，能夠產生一種具有極高抗音圈調制能力的新磁場。SMC軟磁複合材料能有效聚焦磁場線路，消除渦電流（Eddy Current）造成的損耗，並透過降低電感值來提升單元反應速度。最終採用的N54釹磁鐵達到目前最高規格，磁場強度高達54MGOe（兆高斯奧斯特），而單元內部採用短音圈加上長磁隙的結構設計，確保音圈在任何位置都能處於100%的磁場範圍內。
除了磁體系統的革新外，C-Drive單元在內部接線柱方面也有所改良。接線柱的支撐部位採用了Tankwood（防彈木），而金屬導電部分則使用銀製端子，透過外部端子緊壓導線到內部端子的設計，既不需要焊接又能確保連接穩固，同時還能提升導電性能。至於單元振膜方面，雖然外觀與之前使用的Omega-F driver完全相同，讓消費者從外觀上難以分辨，但其實採用了與F1賽車同級的航空碳纖維材質，其抗彎剛性達到傳統材料的10倍，能有效減少盆分裂的情況。而採用C-Drive的喇叭背後是有標示的。
目前Kharma已成功將C-Drive技術應用在7吋中音和11吋低音單元上，並率先搭載於本次展會亮相的EV-2D喇叭。同廠更高階的Enigma Veyron 1D也將採用這項技術。未來Kharma計劃將C-Drive技術進一步擴展到鑽石高音和中音單元，所有核心組件都會在自家工廠生產，以確保技術機密不外流。
Charles在《豐寧音響》陳列室特別用EV-2D示範了C-Drive單元的威力。現場聆聽可以明顯感受到低頻量感的提升，同時低頻的解析度和細節還原力也相當出色，不僅能呈現強勁有力的低頻衝擊，對於那種潛湧式的低頻也能完美重現，營造出更豐富的音樂氛圍。不過Charles對這次示範仍不太滿意，因為試音室內同時陳列了其他Kharma喇叭進行靜態展示，這些喇叭某種程度上會抵消部分低頻效果，實際表現應該還能更好。但即使如此，與之前在同一環境聽過的舊版EV-2D相比，這次C-Drive單元的表現已經徹底改變了我對Kharma喇叭低頻表現的認知！
當天Charles也選了兩首音樂作為示範，大家可以按入以下連結，給大家一個參考：Demo 1：
Demo 2：
Technical Analysis of Kharma’s Newly Developed C-Drive Driver Units
Mr. Charles van Oosterum, founder of Kharma, personally attended the Hong Kong High-End Audio Visual Show. After the exhibition, he held a special media session at the Hong Kong distributor ‘Fung Ning Audio’ to introduce in detail their newly developed C-Drive midrange and woofer units.
Before delving into this groundbreaking technology, Charles first shared the origin of the brand name “Kharma.” He revealed that the name stemmed from a spiritual journey, where he conceived the word “karma” (cause and effect). Always one to stand out, Charles decided to insert an “h” after the “a,” transforming it into “Kharma.” He found that this spelling not only sounded more elegant but also appeared more visually distinctive. More importantly, this modification allowed the name to be successfully trademarked, as the original “karma”—like common words such as “water”—could not be registered.
Before detailing the in-house developed C-Drive driver units, Charles first explained the cabinet craftsmanship of the Enigma Veyron series. These enclosures are made from an ultra-high-density composite material, formed by compressing thousands of layers of paper impregnated with epoxy resin and polyester. Once molded, the material combines the strength of steel with the texture of wood, with cross-sections revealing the resin’s distinctive deep brown hue. Since the cabinet design features no parallel curves whatsoever, traditional rotary cutting methods are entirely unsuitable. Instead, specialized small cutting tools must be used for continuous three-dimensional machining, which is a major reason for the time-consuming production process.
The cabinet machining requires a five-axis CNC machine, with a single enclosure taking a full week to complete. This method demands extremely high precision from the equipment, as every millimeter must be meticulously processed with diamond cutting tools. Moreover, the cabinet material cannot be sanded afterward—any surface imperfections or distortions during cutting cannot be corrected through post-processing and must be perfected during the initial cutting phase. Although this manufacturing approach is both time-consuming and costly, when Kharma upgraded the Enigma Veyron series, extensive testing confirmed that this material delivers superior performance, making it one of the key factors behind the series’ premium pricing.
The highlight of this presentation was Kharma’s latest C-Drive units. Many audiophiles likely visited Fung Ning Acoustics’ demonstration room during the exhibition, where the Enigma Veyron 2D (EV2D, also known as the “Mighty Dragon No. 2”) was showcased. Charles mentioned that during live demonstrations, numerous attendees inquired whether the EV2D had an additional subwoofer, given its astonishing low-frequency output. In reality, this speaker fully incorporates the new C-Drive units, with each side featuring a pair of 7-inch midrange drivers and a pair of 11-inch woofers. Charles described the C-Drive as delivering an explosive amount of low-frequency information, providing greater detail and more complete energy transmission.
Discussing the development process, Charles revealed that the C-Drive was actually born from an accident. Originally designed simply to improve reliability, the new magnet system unexpectedly delivered a significant leap in sound quality—even while keeping all other components (including the voice coil, diaphragm, and suspension) completely unchanged!
This new magnet system employs an exceptionally unique design, extensively utilizing advanced SMC (Soft Magnetic Composite) material. With this magnet, a new magnetic field with extremely high resistance to voice coil modulation is generated. The SMC material effectively focuses magnetic flux, eliminates eddy current losses, and reduces inductance to enhance driver responsiveness. The final product uses N54 neodymium magnets—currently the highest-grade available—with a magnetic field strength reaching 54 MGOe (Mega-Gauss Oersted). The driver’s internal structure adopts a short voice coil with a long magnetic gap, ensuring the coil remains within 100% of the magnetic field at all positions.
Beyond the magnet system’s innovation, the C-Drive also features improvements in its internal terminals. The terminal supports are made of Tankwood (bulletwood), while the conductive parts use silver-plated connectors. The design employs external terminals to clamp the wires firmly against the internal contacts—eliminating the need for soldering while ensuring a secure connection and improved conductivity. As for the diaphragm, while it looks identical to the previous Omega-F driver (making it difficult for consumers to distinguish visually), it actually uses aerospace-grade carbon fiber—the same material used in Formula 1 racing cars—with bending rigidity ten times that of conventional materials, effectively reducing cone breakup. Speakers equipped with C-Drive units are marked accordingly on the back.
Currently, Kharma has successfully implemented the C-Drive technology in 7-inch midrange and 11-inch woofer units, first showcased in the EV-2D at this exhibition. The higher-end Enigma Veyron 1D will also adopt this technology. In the future, Kharma plans to extend C-Drive technology to diamond tweeters and additional midrange units, with all core components manufactured in-house to protect proprietary know-how.
At Fung Ning Audios’ showroom, Charles specially demonstrated the prowess of the C-Drive using the EV-2D. Live listening clearly revealed enhanced low-frequency presence, along with outstanding resolution and detail retrieval in the bass. The speakers not only delivered powerful, punchy lows but also perfectly reproduced deep, rumbling sub-bass, creating a richer musical atmosphere. However, Charles remained somewhat dissatisfied with the demo, as the listening room also housed other Kharma speakers on static display, which somewhat counteracted the low-frequency performance—meaning the actual capability should be even better. Nevertheless, compared to the previous-generation EV-2D heard in the same environment, the C-Drive units have completely transformed my perception of Kharma’s bass performance!
