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< Esato Forum Index > General discussions > Other manufacturers > Bang & Oulfsen Serenata, mines arrived. Bookmark topic

Would be nice to have a listen to one of these at some point...only ancient N91(really), and similar i450(if you can find one) come close in sound quality, apparently......

F310 is supposed to be the best in SQ now, bar none!


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Posted: 2008-01-14 10:34:38
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@>500

When then it appears you have heard wrong as B & O are world renowned for both thier quality and high prices. Or maybe you believe a Walkman phone is much better then ?

Marc

_________________
Nokia E90,8GB SDHC, Fring,Tom Tom 6, Seven push E-Mail
Honoured to have won BEST DEBATER

[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2008-01-14 16:21 ]
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Posted: 2008-01-14 17:21:04
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Of course it is. Last time I checked, mp3 players couldn't make phone calls, write SMS'es, take photos or anything else even a regular SE phone can do.

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Posted: 2008-01-14 17:46:39
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cool looks classy!
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Posted: 2008-01-14 18:35:07
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they are simply the best: a fantastic sound combined with an innovative design is more than i would ask for
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Posted: 2008-01-14 22:40:57
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Ok, finally got a little bit of time to write up a mini review so far.

So obviously I have posted some of the box pictures and basic pics of the phone in the first post, so I'll start with the contents etc.

CONTENTS



Image showing the complete contents of the B&O Serenata, they are;

Phone
Charger x2
Desktop Docking station
Cables for connection to stereo
Lined pouch for carrying
B&O A8 Earset 3 headphones, with microphone
Instruction Manual
Samsung Sync software
B&O Music software

The contents are comprehensive and allow for full use of the phone, for music and calling. The only 'missing' accessory is the B&O Earset 2 Bluetooth headset (pictured) to complete the package, but I suppose its to much to expect a £350 headset in the box! The Earset 3 / A8 headphones are superb, and to offer a £225 headphone set bundled is great.

I own and use a set of the standard B&O A8 headphones with other players, and they are some of the best I have used, so to combine those with a mic for the phone is, to me. a great thing.

Also having 2 chargers is handy, you can leave one connected up to the dock, and have a spare for travel etc.

The supplied pouch is great quality, and is padded to protect the phone. There are 2 internal compartments, to keep the phone and the headphones apart, to prevent damage to either.



The dock is beautifully made, machined alloy, and with a multiport cable, allowing, charger, data cable and headphone all to connected simultaneously, as seen in the image below;






The Serenata connects to it's accessories, and the charger, or dock via the connector port on the bottom of the phone;



The charger port is the same as used on the previous B&O phone, the Serene, and as on the Serene, the port on the Serenata has a sliding cover to keep out dirt and unwanted items;



The mains charger can either be directly plugged in, or mounted via the desk cradle, and the headphones, or stereo connection kit can again either be directly mounted, or via the desk cradle.

You also get a 3.5mm headphone adaptor supplied, that I forgot to picture, this is a short cable allowing use of any regular 3.5mm headphones, or headphones with in built mic. Personally I'll never use it, as I love the A8 units supplied, but I suppose there are always others out there who will prefer other headphones.

SIZE

Without getting into boring exact sizes, here are some images comparing it to some contemporary phones, and an iPod.



Compared to a 5G iPod, and iPod touch, with Serenata in open position.



Serenata side by side with a Apple iPhone

The Serenata is a lovely phone to hold. It's certainly not the smallest phone you'll ever pick up, but it is a great ergonomic shape, fits beautifully in the palm of your hand, and is very tactile, with warm touch plastics, and machined alloy, giving a nice blend of warm and cold to the touch.

The initial reaction when looking at the phones is that the screen is under the controls, a slightly unusual configuration. The reasoning behind this is to keep the screen clean and grease free, and allow for a greater area, for a larger microphone. This allows better acoustics, and, what B&O regards as the most realistic reproduction of the human vocal in any phone available on the market. After having used the Serene, which has the generation 1 of this technology, and been blown away by the vocals, I have to say the Serenata is simply put, PERFECT.

The alloy jog wheel, is stunningly made, certainly the smoothest and most secure mechanical jog wheel I have ever had the fortune to use. I feels as if you are running your finger over silk, you can get no perceivable movement when using the wheel.

The back of the phone has a built in stand, to allow you have the phone in the standing position when using the music player. It totally recesses into the back of the phone, and it spring loaded aluminium.



Serenata sitting on stand in closed position



Serenata Sitting on Stand on speaker open position

Part 2 to follow.................
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Posted: 2008-01-15 00:42:02
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I have also uploaded a short video (1min 30sec ish) to YouTube to give an idea of the music functions.

Serenata Video

Sorry about my mundane voice, and the quality might not be the tops.




[ This Message was edited by: floatlite on 2008-01-14 23:46 ]

[ This Message was edited by: floatlite on 2008-01-14 23:49 ]
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Posted: 2008-01-15 00:46:16
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That phone is simply beautiful, truly wish i had the cash to buy one. Great review.


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Posted: 2008-01-15 00:47:12
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Can you talk in it too...??? Wouldn't want to talk with the mother in law using those speakers!!!
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Posted: 2008-01-31 18:36:24
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the only disadvantage is that it's kinda big
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Posted: 2008-01-31 22:52:17
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