Mya Vs Km

[ih303]

I recently purchased some KM Pears for use at my lounge and was really let down by them in general. The way people on the forum talk about KM's you'd think that with every pull an angel gets it's wings. But I honestly don't understand the hype. Here are my thoughts.

Looks - KM's seem to be very traditional hookahs with very traditional looks. They look hand-made and hand painted. If this is something that appeals to you, a KM would be a good choice. However, they kind of have a very unrefined look to them, IMO. The only other hookahs I have owned have been MYA hookahs. Sure, these are probably made at some factory by machines, but the look is very refined and highly polished. I find that a bit more appealing.

Build Quality - Due to the hand-made-ness of KM's I really question their quality. Usually, hand-made translates into a higher quality product. KM's however seem to be a guessing game of which hookah will have which flaw. We got ten Pears and out of the ones we opened, not one of them was without a flaw. One had a crooked base which made the entire stem sit crooked and lean. Another had a chip in the "pear" on the stem. When customers point this stuff out, I just explain that these are hand-made and much like something that would be bought at a bazaar somewhere in the Middle East. With Mya's, on the other hand, I have never seen a flaw that I have not introduced myself. Again, they are much more refined and polished than the KM's.

Smoke - For a test, we set up a KM Pear next to a MYA QT at the lounge, both with phunnels, both packed the same with the same shisha. Keep in mind, you could stack three QT's up on top of one another and they still wouldn't be as tall as the Pear. When we started smoking, the only positive difference I noticed on the KM was the smoke was a tad cooler. Other than that, the draw was the same, the smoke was the same, but one thing I noticed was the KM was much, much louder. It's like the phunnel was acting as a loudspeaker for the bubbling in the base. It was way louder than the QT making it seem like the QT was actually smoother.

Ease of Use - MYA's are notoriously convenient since they break down into multiple pieces allowing for easy cleaning. Friends of mine who have KM's have to take them in the shower with them since that's the only way they can clean them. It seems rather ridiculous. Also, with a hookah that tall and the build quality lacking on some of them, there seem to be major stability issues.

In the end, I recognize I have only been exposed to a couple different KM and MYA models. However, based on this experience, these are my thoughts. The only reason I could imagine why someone would buy a KM over a MYA would be if they just wanted something traditional and that was their only concern. Personally, I'm considering selling off all but two of the KM's down at the lounge and replacing them with slightly smaller MYA's.

Keep in mind, this is all IMO. I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes. Also, I have no experience with AF and MZ hookahs to compare to.

[twoapplesplease]

My current hookahs are a 22'' mya globe with a bohimian base and a 32'' km copper heart.And I have had many other hookahs as well but as far as these two.They smoke about the same really.The draw on the KM is a little eaiser and the smoke just a bit cooler.However the mya does also smoke just as well.
For home use I prefer my KM however the smaller mya is my travel pipe and in no way am I disapointed when I'm using it.

For lounge use I would only use mya's in all sizes for there ease of cleaning and solid construction. Edited September 17, 2009 by twoapplesplease

[FiveSpeedF150]

Ya know, while I understand the "prestige" of handmade items, I've found that on things where fit can be a very big deal, machines can do more exacting specifications more consistently...

I have no dog in the Mya vs. KM fight though... I've got a chinese and an AF

[Canon]

this applies to the KMs that are coming out now, but 2ish+ years ago and KM would have won the matchup.

[gunsboy]

Thanks for your great and detailed comparison.

I bought those hookahs (MYA and KM), I have bought other ones but different manufacturers:

I will just write a little about my experience with each one of them.

Red Chrome Bohemian Crystal Narghileh
http://www.myasaray.com/store/item.asp?ITE...EPARTMENT_ID=47
- This looked nice, huge thing. Any none smokers actually were wowed by its presence. But when I smoked with it, it has a problem with stale smoke. It does not clear well enough. Also, the draw was not impressive but this is a relative thing. Some people like a huge draw and others just take little draws.
STATUS: Gave it away to a friend of mine as a payment for setting up my satellite dish.

Chrome/Dark Blue Bohemian Glass MYA
http://www.myasaray.com/store/item.asp?ITE...EPARTMENT_ID=49
- This looks ok, well build, no issues. Same problems as above.
STATUS: It was my friend's and now I gave it away to another one after he left the country and left it behind.

Blue QT MYA
http://www.myasaray.com/store/item.asp?ITE...EPARTMENT_ID=62
- This one for its size was impressive, again, MYA builds solid nice looking products. But I think it has something to do with that chamber in the middle that does not clear stale smoke fast enough.
STATUS: One of my friends lives in the same building as I do, I smoked at his place when my parents came to visit. I left it there and never bothered getting it back (I am planning to though).

Khalil Mamoon 1 Hose Trimetal 29"
http://www.thehookah.com/khalil-mamoon-1-h...rimetal-29.html
- Build of it seems like a cheap product. Welding shows all over the place, fitting it needed some work. But once it was up and running, this smoked like a train. I got my lungs to work at a new level. When my wife walked in the living room, she was complaining that it is foggy in there .
STATUS: This is being used once or twice a day.


Khalil Mamoon Ice 34"
http://www.thehookah.com/khalil-mamoon-medium-ice-34.html
- This was a little bit better build, the rubber thing that connect the vase to the bowl is hard to deal with but it smokes really well, ice makes a little difference but Tri-Metal owned this one. Those two KM's do not have any problems clearing stale smoke.
STATUS: I sent this as a gift to my older brother.


I have tried the same hose (AF disposable), shisha (AF Double Apple) and coals (Coconara) with all those and I am personally hooked on my KM TriMetal but I tell my friends it is not for the weak or occasional smoker. It will give you as much smoke as you try to pull.

[ih303]

I don't really understand the physics behind why a bigger hookah would smoke better than a smaller one. The only thing I can think of is there is more space for smoke to sit between pulls. But it would seem if you are sensitive to the staleness of the smoke this would be a problem. With a small hookah, you're pulling the smoke directly from the bowl into your lungs. With a large one, the majority of the smoke you get would be whatever was left in the stem, base, hose from the last pull. It seems like if you compare any two non-leaking hookahs with comparably guaged air passages, there would be no difference in smoke quality. Temperature might be different and staleness might be detected, but other than that, I can't see what would be different.

[maestroelite]

I don't really understand the physics behind why a bigger hookah would smoke better than a smaller one.

My KM trimetal pulls easier than my QT which makes it easier to draw more smoke and larger hoses fit in the port. Otherwise the QT smokes just fine.

[ih303]

My KM trimetal pulls easier than my QT which makes it easier to draw more smoke and larger hoses fit in the port. Otherwise the QT smokes just fine.

Why does it pull easier? Because it fits a larger hose? Or is there a difference in the diameter of the stems?

I've heard some people say larger hookahs are more difficult to pull out of because of the amount of water being displaced in the base. I don't notice too much of a difference but I wonder if that would cancel out any stem diameter difference.

[Zinite]

My KM trimetal pulls easier than my QT which makes it easier to draw more smoke and larger hoses fit in the port. Otherwise the QT smokes just fine.

Why does it pull easier? Because it fits a larger hose? Or is there a difference in the diameter of the stems?

I've heard some people say larger hookahs are more difficult to pull out of because of the amount of water being displaced in the base. I don't notice too much of a difference but I wonder if that would cancel out any stem diameter difference.

Larger inner diameter of all the joints. ID of down stem, ID of hose port joint.

My KM 34" Ice smokes better than my QT. I've done the same test that this guy did.

[Chreees]

I've only ever tried cheap Chinese hookahs, some big monster modern hookah at a lounge, and my QT. Personally, I love my QT. Never tried a KM, but want to someday. Gonna eventually get a Mya Obelisk. Mya's just appeal to me more, and I'd be scared of getting a KM that's just too flawed. Plus I'm a fan of two-hoses and the auto-seal system. Edited September 17, 2009 by INCUBUSRATM

[ih303]

I must be missing something, then. When I put a QT next to that KM, if there was a difference, it was negligible.

That KM just feels real cheap - like when I take a big rip, the tray rattles like a busted speaker. Small detail but I find it annoying.

[Chreees]

Maybe you got a bad batch of KMs. I've heard of that happening.

[mattarios2]

like what you like, IMO km's look better, smoke better, and the less things that are able to come apart the less likely the item will break. Also the closed bell design is better than the open bell design.

KM's are one piece = more reliable than a hookah that breaks down.

SOME km's had issues, I have bought 5 km's and 1 was a 4/10, 1 was 9/10 and 3 were 10/10

Basically buy any km that has a brass heart and they should be great quality.

Back 2 years ago as canon said, they were all perfect. When KM wasn't huge in the states

But KM knows we will buy anything now so they send us the "shitty" stuff

The "premium" km's HJ has are the quality of the 2 year ago km's i'd say.

[fcbayern]

UHm have tried to purge that QT? The Mya purge sucks donkey balls..

I have both Mya and KM pipes and there is a craftsmanship thing about the KM's which the Mya cannot match. Each Km is unique in its own way. Even the same model has its own uniquenes. You dont get this with a Mya.

Not to mention that the Pear is not one of my favorite KM stems. Maybe you will think differently about a trimetal or Ma'Shaal.

Just my .02

KM FTW!

[indian_villager]

You know there is a delay effect on hype right? I got my KM two years ago and I can fully agree that the quality has degraded. My Hafa came with a brass tube running down the entire length and and brass tubes in all the ports. I saw the recent rendition of it and it was made with galvanized steel through out, you can tell because the parts where the center tube is welded there is rust. the design as far as diameters and the direct ported bells remain. As far as the MYA goes they are solid but the purge sucks and that is a pain for me because I do purge often. And as far as the noise goes.....I like the thunder of my KM.

[K1024]

I don't really understand the physics behind why a bigger hookah would smoke better than a smaller one. The only thing I can think of is there is more space for smoke to sit between pulls. But it would seem if you are sensitive to the staleness of the smoke this would be a problem. With a small hookah, you're pulling the smoke directly from the bowl into your lungs. With a large one, the majority of the smoke you get would be whatever was left in the stem, base, hose from the last pull. It seems like if you compare any two non-leaking hookahs with comparably guaged air passages, there would be no difference in smoke quality. Temperature might be different and staleness might be detected, but other than that, I can't see what would be different.

the length of the downstem allows the smoke to cool more. making the smoke
a. cooler
b. when the smoke cools more carcinogens turn off (making it healthier)
c. the heavier particles in the smoke will actually stick to the side walls of the stem, thus cleaning the smoke more.

[Sapphire]

Have not tried a KM yet... but I LOVE My MYA Colossus. It smokes Fantastic. I think I will have it forever. = )

[BBKakes]

KMs are not as good as they used to be. After spending alot of time with my MYAs and my KMs, I still say KMs are alot better. Edited September 17, 2009 by BBKakes

[Zinite]

KMs are not as good as they used to be. After spending alot of time with my MYAs and my KMs, I still say KMs are alot better.

Eh...

I have two KMs. One is a year old, 34" Ice. The other is about 6 months old, a 1 tier Kafae. Neither have any problems, and both definitely smoke better than my QT or any of the dozens of Mya Acrylics that are stuffed in my closet.

[ASUSEAN1]

KM has better quality hookahs:sturdy base, close heart, purges well, bigger/better hits, more traditional. Mya went down the tubes when they changed glass factories. It's a joke how thin the bases are nowadays. When they go back to their old glass and get rid of the open-heart chamber design, then I will buy another mya. The open-heart design hinders the smoke potential that a mya could produce. Edited September 17, 2009 by ASUSEAN1

[NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD]

i have 2 km's that i love but i wont lie those myas are just too sexy..i know when its all said and done i will have a few myas in the collection

[indian_villager]

I don't really understand the physics behind why a bigger hookah would smoke better than a smaller one. The only thing I can think of is there is more space for smoke to sit between pulls. But it would seem if you are sensitive to the staleness of the smoke this would be a problem. With a small hookah, you're pulling the smoke directly from the bowl into your lungs. With a large one, the majority of the smoke you get would be whatever was left in the stem, base, hose from the last pull. It seems like if you compare any two non-leaking hookahs with comparably guaged air passages, there would be no difference in smoke quality. Temperature might be different and staleness might be detected, but other than that, I can't see what would be different.

the length of the downstem allows the smoke to cool more. making the smoke
a. cooler
b. when the smoke cools more carcinogens turn off (making it healthier)
c. the heavier particles in the smoke will actually stick to the side walls of the stem, thus cleaning the smoke more.

Other than the cooler part I believe none of what you say. Smoke will be cooler due to larger area for heat exchange. Carcinogen's don't "turn off" Unless you are filtering it all through antioxidants. And i dont get any condensate on my stem, as far as particulate matter i can see that being true, but the shit ton of water does a much better job of making sure that scraps dont fly into your mouth.

[arzan87]

My .02
MYA definately better then KM.
I've only ever owned 1 KM, it was a 32" one, green base, first hookah pipe I ever bought. This was about March 07 (my bday) so it'd fall into the "2 year old , quality KM category".
At the time, I smoked exclusively AF shisha. Traditional Egyptian bowls too.
Around Nov 08, I got my first chip in the base, it was purely cosmetic, but I wanted a new hookah, and I bought the 26" MYA Swirl Aqua Blue one from Hookahcompany. At that time, I still used same Shisha and bowls
Comparing those 2, MYA is definately a better smoke, staineless steel everywhere, replacement stem for that one is readily available and costs $47 incase something breaks.
It's way easy to clean.
Now although the purge system on the MYA is inferior, I'll give you that.. I've had no problem when I convert it to a 2 hose Hookah with a NON AUTOSEAL adaptor. I just purge out of the other pipe and it works like a dream.
Also I purge very few times during a session, mainly when I'm shifting coals etc, and whatever smoke comes out of the purge valve on the first attempt is usually enough to make it smooth again, and I see no point in purging till the Vase is completely clear.
Plus there's that cleaning element which KMs just don't have.
24 Sept I get a bonus from work, and I'm buying a 3 hose Mya Obelisk Black or Green from Hookah-Shisha.
MYA has completely won me over as far as craftmanship and the overall experience is concerned.
Btw, now I use phunnel bowls exclusively, and Tang Lucid Line Shisha. Smokes better than anyone expects. Grade A stuff that is.

[ih303]

I think I am on the fence about this one. It seems there are pros and cons about both brands. Let me see if I got this straight.

MYA's
PRO - Easy to clean due to disassembly
PRO - Made with high quality stainless steel
PRO - Parts are interchangeable and readily available so you don't have to buy a new hookah if something breaks
PRO - Superior craftsmanship
CON - Price
CON - Inferior purge
CON - Fragile glass

KM's
CON - Difficult to clean due to LACK of disassembly
CON - Made with low quality stainless steel
CON - Parts are NOT interchangeable or readily available so you have to buy a new hookah if something breaks
CON - Inferior craftsmanship
PRO - Price
PRO - Superior purge
PRO - Sturdy glass

Did I leave anything out? Edited September 21, 2009 by ih303

[twoapplesplease]

My mya purges better than my KM.But my KM does offer a slightly better smoking experiance.The mya is built for a life of use and my KM will only last a few years.

I don't think you can go wrong with either.But I'm boycoting both