Luv4nature Posted April 20, 2011 Posted April 20, 2011 Ok guys.. I got to say I've been admiring these speakers so much so that I acquired them the minute they hit our shore ;) Let's start a Penaudio Speaker dedicated thread. So far, nothing short of amazement! Here's an opening caption and some images, with impression to follow soon... Penaudio Serenade- An Enlightenment to Real Life Ambiance
deaf.eye Posted April 20, 2011 Posted April 20, 2011 Nice pictures with your copyright! ;) Connecting with Yter speaker cables? What does Penaudio recommend, any idea? Enjoy your new love!
Luv4nature Posted April 20, 2011 Author Posted April 20, 2011 Haha thanks! Yes with Yter^3 for now, no weakness heard with this connection, though Penaudio would recommend Jorma cables I guess, as it is the internal wiring used in the Serenade.
ervinelin Posted April 20, 2011 Posted April 20, 2011 Beautiful looking speaker, do you happen to know if they bring in the smaller Charisma or Rebel3? And if so what kind of monetary damage do they do?
Simon Toh Posted April 20, 2011 Posted April 20, 2011 Nice pictorial tour...congrats on your purchase. I'm keen to know how much is the Cenya...maybe should pop by the showroom one of these days...
Luv4nature Posted April 20, 2011 Author Posted April 20, 2011 Saw Rebel 3 at the showroom but not sure about Charisma. The Revel 3 that I first heard in Taipei eventually got me into Penaudio, so it's definitely worth exploring. You can contact Oey of AV Intelligence at 68873789 for pricing and other info.
Luv4nature Posted April 21, 2011 Author Posted April 21, 2011 Here's the Taiwan Penaudio Speakers fan club site again. http://my-hiend.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=2349 Wow! some take the trouble to change out to WBT 0705 nextgen silver binding posts.
deaf.eye Posted April 24, 2011 Posted April 24, 2011 Many years ago, I had a fleeting chance listening to the Charisma when it was first launched. I wasn't impressed by it and it was expensive as a small bookshelf speakers. The Dynaudio Special 25 playing beside it was more value for money and impressive! Anyway, it was just window shopping fun at overseas audio shops... Completely forgotten about Penaudio, until L4N highlighted this brand and invited me for a listen to his Serenades. Well, if I am not wrong, Penaudio was a pioneer in the kueh lapis construction technique that is quite common nowadays. So what is my view of the Penaudio now? First, I could un-hear the crossover in the "presence region". In fact that was my first remark of the speakers to L4N. ;D ;D ;D Most speakers that I deem good in the coherence factor, do not cross over between 2 to 5 kHz. Amphion & YG Acoustics below 2 kHz, Wilson Benesch at 5 kHz and quite a few other brands. (Amati and Special 25 cross over in this region... Anyway, I am more Dynaudio than SF fan ;D ;D ;D) OK, so the Serenade crosses over at 4.5 kHz ;D Quoted from Sterophile review - "In the case of the Serenade, Penttilä began with the custom-made midrange driver he'd employed in his Charisma two-way, a specially modified 4.5" (120mm) driver from the SEAS Excel line that he liked to run wide-range—in the Charisma, from 180Hz to around 5.5kHz. The 4.5" driver has a 26mm voice-coil, and heavy copper rings above and below the pole-piece "to reduce nonlinear and modulation distortion." You don't see any of that, but what is visible is a solid copper phase plug that also serves as a heatsink for the pole-piece, something Penttilä deems "crucial" when you run a driver as wide open as he does." Second, nice Scandanavian construction and small form factor. Modern looks! Third, small footprint that should fit most apartment dwellers. Fourth, it can play big and loud when pushed with a powerful amp... Yah, Krell behind it, what can't a Krell 402 push? :) So, if you are after a pair of quality speakers, go have a listen of the Penaudio!
Luv4nature Posted April 24, 2011 Author Posted April 24, 2011 You have pretty high expectation from audio gears corresponding to your years of exposure. So your edorsement surely doesn't come easy. ;D ;D FWIW, although the Serenade is the Penaudio flagship, the other models down the range such as the Rebel3 also bears most of the signature evident in the Serenade. I do think the Rebel 3 is easily among the best bookself among the $2k+ price range, both looks, built and performance wise.
deaf.eye Posted April 24, 2011 Posted April 24, 2011 Thanks for your invitation to listen to your set up! ;) My high expectations of good speakers? I am very chapalum rojak one. I just listen and then feel if it can connect to me. About the cross-over thing, I only discovered that I am very sensitive to it about 5 years ago. Last time young mah, dunno how to listen! ;D ;D ;D Anyway, there's a pair of speakers that you know I like, spec'd as <CROSSOVER FUNCTION 800 Hz–7 kHz. Non-textbook function> This one very fascinating to me! Anyway, it's not for this thread. Back to Penaudio, when free I will go listen to the Charisma (again)?, since it was "the first product" of the company! :)
SHL-5 Posted April 24, 2011 Posted April 24, 2011 I don't think AV Intelligence brought in the Charisma. They have an updated version of Charisma called Cenya.
deaf.eye Posted April 24, 2011 Posted April 24, 2011 OIC, The Cenya. Will listen to it then... :) If I were trying an integrated amp with Serenade, I will try LFD NCSE! ;)
ilovepanerai Posted April 24, 2011 Posted April 24, 2011 Had the privilege to listen to this setup a few days back. 1st thing you notice when you first encounter this speaker in person, it’s smaller and more petite than expected. This small and beautiful music producer will match nicely in small to medium sized space, even hall space like some of us. I had previously experienced the Rebel 3 in Taiwan about 1 year plus back and no doubt this flagship is in same style, fit and finish. The layered ply of wood and zebrano sides make it look very elegant and attractive. Admirable Finnish hand workmanship indeed. Coming to the sound. Listened to the few similar tracks mentioned by L4N above. The feeling was simply déjà vu like what I felt from the rebel 3 more than 1-year back. Music seems to be coming from the surrounding direction and not from the speakers. The disappearing acts of good bookshelves are performing from these slim music producers. Presences and holographic sound stage are strong points of these Finnish speakers. Additionally, coherency across the frequency is among the best I heard with none of the frequency range standing out; just smooth wholesome flow of music. Musical and natural relaxing approach is what I hear from pieces of tracks being played. If you ask me what I wish more in these already great music producer is having a higher sensitivity, however I have to highlight that this is subjectively on my own part. I am just being picky but hope the sensitivity to be at 90dB / 1m / 2.83V for a better drive with lower gain. Not that it’s a difficult to drive speaker, on the contrary, understand from L4N that this speaker is much easier to drive with a lower current amplifier than the Amati Anniversario which requires higher power and current amplifier. Further experimentation by L4N reflecting the easiness of driving these speakers with lower power amplifiers too. All in all, it’s an impressive speaker with beautiful, attractive sound, not only on the way it looks but also how it sounds from its size. It deserves to be among the few excellent sounding speaker I've listened before, though not a lot… :) Anyone who are in the search of a pair of speakers below SGD20K range owe themselves a listen to this flagship model from the Finnish brand – Penaudio Serenade. Disclaimer: I am not affiliated to the local dealer or manufacture in any sort of way. Cheers
Luv4nature Posted April 24, 2011 Author Posted April 24, 2011 Ilovepanerai, thanks for your notes. Hope it's alright to rekindle the "Finnish Crush" you once had in Taiwan ;D Perhaps can go check out the Sara and Cenya together, would like to find out if they mostly share the same family traits as the Rebel and Serenade.
Guest mousike Posted April 25, 2011 Posted April 25, 2011 Last Wed I visited a friend at Outram and thought why not give Penaudio a visit... I gave Oey the Director of AV Intelligence a buzz and he told me he will be waiting at the showroom. First off I didn't know where exactly the place is but when I got there I didn't expect it to be in a "Home" environment. Its a shop house, his official business address, no one stays there but its beautifully furnished and you literally feel at home the moment you step in. Oey met me at the door and I told him I like to have a listen to Cenya. He gladly show me to the leather sofa, asked if I brought any CDs (which I got), he slot in the CD and hand me the remote. Gave me a few simply instruction on where the buttons are, served me drinks, ask me to take my time, relax and just feel at home...I felt like visiting another friend's house! Talk about the GEMs in customer service...no pressure whatsoever just chill out and enjoy :) Enjoy indeed I have...I sat down and listened to Diana Krall Live in Paris tracks such as I Love Being Here With You, Deed I Do, Devil May Care, A Case Of You...tracks after tracks music simply flow in the open air. The Cenya was placed at the main hall with at least 2.5 meters apart and mind you its not a small HDB living hall. The Cenya fill the room effortlessly with a wide and open sounstage. You can hear every nuance layered of details yet never analytical. The instruments performed with natural ease and timbre. It was very close to being transported to the live arena with Diana Krall! :o In the showroom the Cenya was powered by Class D amplification initially but when we switched to a Class A/B amplification the overall sound improved. Especially at the mid bass where instruments and vocals gave a rounder of fuller sound. I did notice Cenya is not as sensitive as tube lovers would like it to be and you do have to push up a notch more for it to play at your normal listening sound pressure. Its relatively small in size and would easily fit into a small room...with the right stands, electronics, and room size this pair of speakers will really sing and entertain you. Its worth an audition... :) Here are some photos I took with owner's permission..
SHL-5 Posted April 25, 2011 Posted April 25, 2011 Was told by Mr Wee of AV Intelligence that Cenya sounds closest to Serenade. Wanted to listen to Serenade but all sold out. Even the demo pair was sold! Yes can't deny that these spks are very well built with a very high standard of fit & finish. All the bookshelves have a small front but are very very deep with an equally deep metal port. Mr Wee even demostrated how water proof the cabinets are. ;D Soundwise, the Cenyas are indeed quite likeable even though they were not fully optimised. I feel that they would sound better in a smaller room than where they were demoed.
vajrasattvasg Posted April 25, 2011 Posted April 25, 2011 estimated price of the cenya? :P looks interesting
ilovepanerai Posted April 25, 2011 Posted April 25, 2011 On 24/04/2011 at 3:52 PM, Luv4nature said: Ilovepanerai, thanks for your notes. Hope it's alright to rekindle the "Finnish Crush" you once had in Taiwan ;D Perhaps can go check out the Sara and Cenya together, would like to find out if they mostly share the same family traits as the Rebel and Serenade. Sure thing, will be keen to hear the Sara and Cenya to see how far apart are they from the serenade. Lets arrange a time.. Cheers
dXter Posted April 25, 2011 Posted April 25, 2011 Nice speaker. The designer posing with his creation.
mingzhen Posted April 26, 2011 Posted April 26, 2011 The Cenya is really a kool little bookshelf speaker. The drivers are from SEAS and the mid/bass driver is a 6' Excel driver from SEAS. I think if u want to discover its potential, u need to feed it with high current or high damping factor amp to drive it. I think the Cenya sounds better with Blacknote digital amp than Densen amp.
Luv4nature Posted April 26, 2011 Author Posted April 26, 2011 Paraphrase some earlier materials. On 19/04/2011 at 11:22 AM, mousike said: A refreshing way of marketing speakers...talk about coolness 8) Quote Thanks for sharing this site...the pictures in there are really cool and it seems many upgrades to high end WBT terminals and BDR isolations too. :) I saw these pictures and was like :o amazing...
Luv4nature Posted April 26, 2011 Author Posted April 26, 2011 The "big sound, smooth and deep bass" remarks about Penaudio Cenya seems to be consistent from those who've heard. ;) ================= http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=857 The Pen Audio Cenya speakers I heard were paired with the slick looking Sonneteer Morpheus music center. A sleek and modern looking music center, with integrated 100W digital amplifier, with unfortunately a horrid looking component stand, but thankfully it can be separated from the stand and placed on a shelf or table top. Simple design of the Sonneteer Morpheus and Pen Cenya speakers worked very well together. Though I bet if you paired the Cenya speakers with the Pathos amplifier above you’d have car wrecks in the hallways of the Venetian. Anyways, the sound from these misleading speakers was very large, smooth, detailed and produced bass with authority. I say misleading only because from the front on profile you can’t tell how deep these boxes are. When you hear the bass at first you have to say what? How did you get that clean and big a bass out of such a small box? But in fact it is fairly deep when viewed from the side. Hopefully we’ll have a full review of these speaker here on Dagogo in the next couple months.
Charnel Posted May 5, 2011 Posted May 5, 2011 I went to AV intelligence the other day to listen to the Penaudio speakers. I have listened to Rebel3, Cenya and Serenade. Overall impression is good. The shop was located near Jalan Sultan which doesn’t looks like a hifi shop. The place was cozy and the setup is similar to a living hall, unlike the shops in The Adelphi which are more formal. However, I would not say which is more proper, but it does gave me a feeling of being at home. The first speaker I listen to was the Cenya, which garnered many praises from this thread. It sounds smooth and cultured. The bass is taut (similar to those closed boxed speaker) and fast as well. However, the Cenya require a powerful amplifier to sounds its best. I would reckon a decent amplifier of minimum 100W/channel amplifier like the Primare will match well. AV amplifiers are not recommended, unless use for rear speakers which IMO the Rebel3 will be more suitable. The Cenya is small, but deep. The treble is not harsh or bright and the soundstage is wide. IMO, I would prefer the sound of the Cenya than the Dynaudio C1, which may sounds slightly tipped up in the high frequencies. The Cenya may not have the transparency or airness of the ATC speakers, but I could listen longer without fatique perhaps due to the good tonal balance. Next was the Rebel3. The moment I hear it, the bass was huge for such a small speaker. Initially, I thought it bettered the Cenya, but after a period of listening, I still prefer the Cenya by a margin. The Rebel3 is abit leaner in the mids. The bass is taut but not as tuneful as the Cenya. Overall impression was generally good with the Rebel3. The final listening session was the Serenade. No guesses here. This is by far the best sounding among the Penaudio models. The mids is more full bodied with better bass extension. The top to bottom is more seamless and is more musical compared to the Cenya. However, it will not sound its best in a large room (say about 115m2). It will perform flawlessly in a 5-room HDB living room. The kueh lapis looks is elegant and should blend easily with modern furniture in the living room. I would like to thank Mr.Oey for his patience to setup the speakers. Thumbs-up to his excellent service. In conclusion, I would encourage anyone looking for a pair of decent speakers to give Penaudio a try. It is fairly priced and coupled with excellent build quality and part makes it abit short-changed.
Recommended Posts