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Bang & Oulfsen Serenata, mines arrived. |
floatlite
Joined: Jan 23, 2002
Posts: 486
From: Glasgow
PM |
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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floatlite
Joined: Jan 23, 2002
Posts: 486
From: Glasgow
PM |
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 ] |
haynesycop
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Posts: > 500
PM |
That phone is simply beautiful, truly wish i had the cash to buy one. Great review.
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Foxhunter
Joined: Sep 17, 2003
Posts: 318
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Can you talk in it too...??? Wouldn't want to talk with the mother in law using those speakers!!!  |
C905
Joined: Jul 08, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Denmark
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the only disadvantage is that it's kinda big  |
Dogmann
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: > 500
From: London England
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@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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Dogmanns Nokia E90 Blog @ http://dogmann.vox.com/
Honoured to have won BEST DEBATER
[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2008-02-19 12:36 ] |
leeboy13
Joined: Sep 28, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Brissle - dodgy accients
PM |
oh for crying out loud.........
my 'wish list' is monsterous!!!!!
how much is one of these badboys? anyone take a leg as payment? |
goldenface
Joined: Dec 17, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Liverpool City Centre
PM |
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 
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leeboy13
Joined: Sep 28, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Brissle - dodgy accients
PM |
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? |
Burgaz
Joined: Mar 25, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Cwmbranistan, S. Wales
PM, WWW
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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!
I  Fantasy Worlds and Disney Girls. Currently using: iPhone |
goldenface
Joined: Dec 17, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Liverpool City Centre
PM |
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. 
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floatlite
Joined: Jan 23, 2002
Posts: 486
From: Glasgow
PM |
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. |
zub
Joined: Mar 19, 2004
Posts: 264
From: London
PM |
pffft! willy waver  |
floatlite
Joined: Jan 23, 2002
Posts: 486
From: Glasgow
PM |
...........eh, ok then.
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Miss UK
Joined: Jan 11, 2003
Posts: > 500
PM |
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 
An "Apple" a day keeps the Doctor at Bay! | |
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Access the forum with a mobile phone via esato.mobi
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Posted: 2008-01-15 00:42
Fantasy Worlds and Disney Girls.
