Posted by floatlite
Been waiting for a while for my B&O Serenata to arrrive off the first batch into the UK, and it's finally arrived, and i LOVE it!
I know (before anyone says it), that there are more featured phones, and better this and better that, BUT, I like things that are different and it certainly has some unique features.
I own the B&O Serene, and although its a fairly basic (in todays terms), it still garnishes looks and people seems to love it.
Some pictures of the new Serenata
The sound quality from the built in loud speaker is AWESOME, really.
I'll post some more thoughs when I have had a play
David
Posted by Nanu
And some more pics please!
Beware of a masked man hanging around outside your house! it's probably Fatreg after your goods!
Cheer's!
Posted by floatlite
Fatreg v's my Tibetan Terrier = no contest, lol, so my serenata is safe at the mo, unless Fatreg has a piece of chicken = my dog is happy, and I loose phone!
I'll post more pics shortly
Posted by fatreg
Jealousy is a nasty thing
Posted by Nanu
And how far off of Glasgow are you now Reg?
Posted by Superluminova
Hoping to pick one of these up in the next few weeks,
Is yours a sim free version? or did you get it on vodafone? as i was told by samsung that vodafone had it exclusively in the uk? i was hoping for a sim free on myself.
i does look rather lovely.
opps just noticed you had it on o2.
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[ This Message was edited by: Superluminova on 2007-12-23 18:33 ]
Posted by floatlite
Yeah I bough SIM free, it's only available through B&O shops in the UK, no networks are getting them. I heard the rumour that Voda were to get it as well, but it appears to be rubbish.
Posted by Dogmann
Hi floatlite
Nice one it is indeed a great looking devcie and one you are unlikely to bump int someone else with plus of course sonically i doubt it can be beaten by anything other than maybe a dedicated Music player and even then I'm not sure.
Marc
PS If you see dodgy looking character with an Albino Dobermann it's me not Fatreg LOL.
Posted by >500
actually @dogmann i hear the B & O mp3 players aren't the best!
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[ This Message was edited by: >500 on 2008-01-14 08:08 ]
Posted by floatlite
I have to say the musical performance is AWESOME. The loudspeaker pisses all over all other phones I've used and bests my Bose speakers with iPod.
Posted by Aware
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!
Posted by Dogmann
@>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
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[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2008-01-14 16:21 ]
Posted by NightBlade
On 2008-01-14 17:21:04, Dogmann wrote:
@>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
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.
Posted by Ranjith
cool looks classy!
Posted by C905
On 2008-01-14 09:07:59, >500 wrote:
actually @dogmann i hear the B & O mp3 players aren't the best!
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[ This Message was edited by: >500 on 2008-01-14 08:08 ]
they are simply the best: a fantastic sound combined with an innovative design is more than i would ask for
Posted by floatlite
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.................
Posted by floatlite
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 ]
Posted by haynesycop
That phone is simply beautiful, truly wish i had the cash to buy one. Great review.
Posted by Foxhunter
Can you talk in it too...??? Wouldn't want to talk with the mother in law using those speakers!!!
Posted by C905
the only disadvantage is that it's kinda big
Posted by Dogmann
@NightBlade
Yet again you mange to show your brilliance in not knowing what you are talking about as it is not just a MP3 but is also a phone DOH!!!
Marc
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[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2008-02-19 12:36 ]
Posted by leeboy13
oh for crying out loud.........
my 'wish list' is monsterous!!!!!
how much is one of these badboys? anyone take a leg as payment?
Posted by goldenface
Or a kidney?
There is a B&O shop not even 5 mins from where I live. I might go and check out the price.
I preparing myself for an
Posted by leeboy13
does anyone know how much these are?
got a lovely scratched nokia 3210 here.... any interest in a trade?
ok, seriously tho, i'll chuck in 2......
ok, deadly serious now.... i can also bundle in a pair of burgaz knickers.....
ok, enough jokes now...... how much are these things?
Posted by Burgaz
Why oh why do me and my belongings get offered in sooo many trades?
I'm waiting for the day some accepts the offer and i get a call from Fatreg or Leeboy13 telling me i have to go on a date with PeterKay as part of a trade!
Posted by goldenface
Just popped into the B&O shop on my lunch and they had one in a glass case for.
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£950, and yes my draw dropped and my face went blue just like
Not as big as you'd imagined, looked quite small to me in fact.
Lots of other great stuff in there but alas I didn't have time to browse.
Posted by floatlite
I have to say, it's absolutely one of the best phones I have ever used. I received the car kit today as well, I'll post up some pictures and let you see shortly.
It integrates so well with the stereo in my car.
Posted by zub
pffft! willy waver
Posted by floatlite
...........eh, ok then.
Posted by Miss UK
Floatlite, I like your style you seem to take music very seriously when it comes to sound
I enjoyed watching your little video,
I guess being born in Scotland myself you miss the accent
btw it looks like a nice little phone,
the design just stands out miles off!
I hope you enjoy using it
Posted by mariozlp
On 2008-02-19 23:46:51, floatlite wrote:
... I received the car kit today ...
It integrates so well with the stereo in my car.
I hope your car is great too. Cause i don't want to think a rusty car with that phone in it !!
:)
Posted by floatlite
On 2008-02-20 18:28:49, Miss UK wrote:
Floatlite, I like your style you seem to take music very seriously when it comes to sound
I enjoyed watching your little video,
I guess being born in Scotland myself you miss the accent
btw it looks like a nice little phone,
the design just stands out miles off!
I hope you enjoy using it
Yeah I love music, I just recently finished digitizing my collection, and have now a scary 4 TB of music!!!, does help when I do it all at full rate encoding, but if your going to do something, may as well do it right!
So where aboot in Scotland were you born then? Scotland, best country in the world (imo)
LOL, the car certainly ain't a rust heap, at least I hope not, it's only 5 months old! goes well with the car, got Bang & Oulfsen speakers, sounds great.
Posted by Raja
What's the car? An Audi?