Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure

@stephendunn Fun times in the near future, for sure. The differences between all four amps and which ones draw you in the most will be very interesting to follow.

I’m curious and interested in the Enleum’s headphone performance. Is that an area you will be teasing out?

Another teaser from 6Moons... A driver based on the Neo V2 and F10 Select.

New Cube Audio Driver

@abd1  Thanks for the additional details about your room and the real life tradeoffs we all have to accept.

I think you mentioned you were house hunting in a previous post? Maybe revisit once you are in your new space?

@kw6

Yes, regarding:

Does it have treble information that reveals the air and hall of the recording?

No, regarding:

Have you found any speaker colorations having lived with them for awhile?

However, I am nowhere close to being an expert on the fundamental elements of music. ...ymmv

As a note, I consider the entire system and room to be responsible for music reproduction. Isolating the Nenuphars from ’this’ is, in my opinion, problematic. Especially so for the amplifier - speaker - speaker cable unit, which I regard to be a ’singular organism.’

@stephendunn  Stephen, thanks for the added clarity. Looking forward to all of your combinations and your final assessments. I have the HE1K and the 560, however, my reference are the Utopias. At some point, a new / different topology headamp is in my future, therefore the interest in your findings.

I've known of the 3dB drop in sensitivity for what seems like ages now. C'mon Cube Audio! : )

Given my choice of the 2A3 amp and purposely speccing it for 3 watt output...the V2 drivers are not going to work for me because I'm fully invested in Scott Sheaffer's Found Music amp build.

Stephen, I'm in agreement with your assessment (and current position) and how a new choice may impact your decision regarding V1 v. V2.

riaa:  Which color/finish did you go with for your Nenuphar Minis and what is the current turnaround time for a custom color? Thanks.

I believe the point has been made, specific to the brand, as well as generally to many brands. Can we move on? Thanks.

Photos of the Nenuphar V2 in a room in New Zealand, courtesy of Mono and Stereo.

Cube Audio Nenuphar V2 In Room Photos

 

[Note: it appears the 'spec' information shared is from Cube Audio's site and is for the V1]

 

@paullb What is your reference / criteria for "nearfield" in your setup scenario?

I find the Nenuphars work incredibly well nearfield [in my room]. In my current listening position, as I type, my ears are 7 ft measured on the direct diagonal to each driver. Some may find this ’nearfield’ ...others may not...room dependant.

I’ve been as close as 5ft on the same measurement.

Matej Isak / Mono and Stereo review of the Cube Audio Nenuphars:

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2021/01/cube-audio-nenuphar-speakers-review.html

@charles1dad  I have emailed Matej requesting information on the amplifier(s) used, etc. I'll post, should I hear from him.

Since we are all wondering about the amps, here is what was communicated in the review:

"Cube Audio Nenuphar was designed from the ground up to provide the best possible matching partner for a low power Class A (minimum 3 watts) tube-based and solid-state amplifiers. For tube amplifiers, Cube Audio recommends such designs based on 2A3, Px4, 45 tubes. I can see many of SET connoisseurs and afficionados' eyes illuminating."

A second page has been added to the announcement from 6Moons regarding the new Cube Audio driver and speaker.

The speaker is named "Jazzon"

I checked Cube Audio’s site and nothing as of yet.

 

Cube Audio Jazzon via 6Moons

@stephendunn Stephen, good and an important question. NO, regarding:

Do you think the not subtle improvements you heard were partly attributable to lowering driver to a plane closer or exactly ear height?

Suspended hardwood (oak). Seriously suspended as our homes in this part of Louisiana need to be a few feet above the ground. In other words, there is no basement below. There is no carpeting; I have a wool throw / area rug (5’/9’) between the speakers which extends to my seating position.

is your floor carpeted, wood or other?

+1 @cal3713 

 

Dogma is for people who prefer thoughts of superiority over experimentation and subjective experience, and what is music enjoyment if not the latter?  We've all got different rooms, systems, ears, and brains. 

@abd1   Congratulations on looking for solutions and applying them. Happy to hear you are pleased with the results and enjoying your system anew.

 

Now listening to Fabiano Do Nascimento's Tempos Dos Mestres album and I've never heard my system sound so good! 

 

 

@stephendunn  Did you experiment?

I’ve also have been thinking about your taking the Nenuphars off the Townshend Podiums and putting them back on the floor.

@rsf507 Thanks for sharing your impressions of the Refined Audio room. As you know, show impressions run the gamut and what is "best" for one is not necessarily so for another. Your impressions are valid...if you have thoughts on how Jon may have improved his room, shoot him an email.

Some audio friends of mine were not at all impressed by the 2019 Axpona room and seriously questioned my choice in the Nenuphars way back then. : )

@paullb That's the word on the street. : )

Thanks for the heads up regarding the new info on the Jazzon speaker.

Cube Audio Jazzon page 3 info from 6Moons:

Cube Audio Jazzon via 6Moons Page 3

@cal3713 Here are some of the ("electronica") artists / music I have had in rotation recently:

The Avener; Deadmau5; Egyptrixx; Armin van Buuren; Biosphere; Kraftwerk; Nightmares on Wax; The Orb; Primal Scream; Amon Tobin; Goldfrapp; Massive Attack; Robert Miles; Moby; etc.

No "weakness" to these ears. Pretty amazing, actually.

Hi folks, wondering if anyone with these Cube drivers listens to rock (e.g., Tool) or heavy electronica?

Just back from vacation. I need to catch up on the thread. : )

Short write-up and photos courtesy of Jason Victor Serinus / Stereophile re. Refined Audio's Cube Audio / Pass / Lampizator room at Axpona.

Refined Audio Axpona

@ricardoosusa   Regarding your room size...it's also important to consider the type of room you have. Can you share more specific details beyond the size (14X18)?

@paullb   Paul, did Charles' response address your question? Let us know.

I've spent my recent free time on motorcycle research, demos, etc. Time to catch up on the thread!

@ricardoosusa   PM me if you would like to connect over the phone. There are a lot of questions in your post and it will be much more efficient to cover them over a phone. 

So the Nenuphars seems to me like a great option to an all tube system. Being someone who doesn’t like complex systems and much prefer simplicity and short path to signal, no subwoofer its a must for me. The questions I have would be, how good are the high frequency? Describe if possible. How good is bass on a medium room say 14 x 18 ? Is it deep and able to energize it ? At what volumes? Do they play fast and accurately when demanded? Do they present a neutral and balanced sound or lean towards other spectrums? I appreciate if owners report in with valuable insight of these marvels of modern sound reproduction.

@debjit_g There are so many factors in play. In other words, guidance and results may (and will) differ and vary.

Speaker positioning is a deliberate art form. You will be rewarded immensely by getting it ’right’ with respect to the Nenuphar and your room. In your case, you also have the amplifier pairing in play.

The person who helped me set them up described the "interface" as being "eutectic" with the room. [Search for Eutectic Composition and Point]. I found the ’descriptor / concept’ very helpful in moving my understanding forward.

My room is 19 by 26 with non-symmetrical aspects. For example, from my seating position, there is a large ’doorway’ in the front right corner and a very large pass through into the kitchen in line from my right shoulder all the way to the right back of the room. Perspective is from the listening position, facing my speakers.

For reference, here is a link to more information on my room:

https://audio-system-details.blogspot.com/

As for the amplifier, I’m beyond pleased with the synergy and performance via my 2A3 amps and their 3.5 watts per channel. I’ve invested in pushing the 2A3 envelope even further with a custom build which is under construction. This new build is focused on maximizing sound quality (not power) so 3 watts or slightly less in terms of max power output. 

@paullb   Paul, you are welcome!  Richard( @toetapaudio ) may be able to help out with more information on Bakoon. He is a Bakoon dealer and has the most experience, among those posting here, pairing it with the Cube Audio line.

@vinpic  If memory serves, I think you are one of the first to post ownership experience with the Nenuphar Monitors in combination with a Cube Audio Sub.

The comparative perspective coming from the standard Nenuphars is really cool and significant, as is your varied experience with some excellent amplifier pairings. I'm looking forward to the results with your inbound Valvet amp.

Thanks for sharing your setup and what's been working and preferred by you. Great information for those following this thread. - David.

@vinpic Thanks for the update. Comparing it to the Ypsilon Phaeton says a lot!

Valvet’s AE4s are on my radar to explore / experience a higher watt and solid state pairing for the Nenuphars; and to serve as a ’book end’ in terms of differences from my 2A3 amps.

Looking forward to your updates as you run the E2SEs in.

@abd1  I went with the unthreaded version of these:

https://edensoundaudio.com/shop/hemispike-extra-large/

I used commercial / industrial grade double sided adhesive discs.  I have not had any slippage.

The bottom rear cabinet area can be drilled, but it is tricky and there is a chance one may damage/crack the finish.

@abd1  The unthreaded versions have a flat surface. 

I used this or something similar: 3M VHB double sided.

https://www.theclip.com/store/3m-vhb-double-sided-adhesive-small-round.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAkJKCBhAyEi...

I've been trying out a new pair of Nenuphars for about a week now and I'm mighty impressed

@jollytinker  Congratulations. It's wonderful to hear you are enjoying them paired with your Thoress EHT monos.  Looking forward to hearing more!

@stephendunn Stephen, congratulations!!!

What a terrific outcome. I’d keep both. : )

Are you using your Decware Super Zen 25th Anniversary Edition without a preamp? Given how well it has performed for you, any thoughts on going for the monoblock version and it’s 6 watt output? Is the iFi Pro iDSD still in your chain?

Compared to the cost of your Vinnie Rossi L2iSE integrated, both the Enleum and Decware also take honors on price.

 

@mikeg Mike, the same questions came to mind when I saw the specs over at Cube Audio.

First thought was a typo (i.e 28 Hz)..I would have minimally expected 30 Hz (6dB)...a slight gain in LF. This is especially puzzling given what Cube highlighted regarding the V2 version:

 

"You can expect it now to be have even more bass"

 

@vinpic Any thoughts, given you have the V2 Nenuphars?

 

I have sent Grzegorz an email requesting clarification.

Heard back from Grzegorz. It was a typo: 28 Hz (6dB) is correct!!!

They will make the correction on their webpage.

I’ve deleted the former post. Here it is, with the [single correction]. If there are others, I will repost.

Specs for the V2 Nenuphars from Cube Audio:

Parameters:

​​Impedance: 8 Ohm

Max power: 40 W

Efficiency: 91 dB

Frequency response: 28 Hz - 18kHz ( 6db)*

​Dimensions:  30 x 50 x 105 cm

Weight: 40 Kg ​​

* Frequency response may vary and depends on room size and accompanying electronic equipment.

Confirming that Cube Audio has made the correction on their webpage.

 

@vinpic The upper range listed is the same as that of the V1 [ 18KHz (6dB) ]

Are you saying that the V2’s upper frequency number is higher and that ’number’ also needs to be corrected? Thanks.

"V2 covers a wider frequency range (lower & higher"

@stephendunn  Thanks for answering my questions!

Are there other moves / plans on the component / pairing front in store?

Specs for the V2 Nenuphars from Cube Audio:

Parameters:

​​Impedance: 8 Ohm

Max power: 40 W

Efficiency: 91 dB

Frequency response: 28 Hz - 18kHz ( 6db)*

​Dimensions:  30 x 50 x 105 cm

Weight: 40 Kg ​​

* Frequency response may vary and depends on room size and accompanying electronic equipment.

[Note: Reposting the specs for the V2 Nenuphars so folks can easily compare with the original / opening post V1 Nenuphar specs (at least for the duration of this forum page)]

 

@stephendunn  Exciting times ahead.

+1 on the Playback Designs MPD-8. It will be a very interesting comparison with your TotalDac.

I'll give Nocturnes a listen. Thanks!

I recently added the Taiko Audio SGM Extreme server/player to my system.

Thank you Mike Lavigne @mikelavigne for your help, without which it would not have happened; and for your support along the way.

A major shout out to Charles @charles1dad and Lalit @lalitk for letting me run a number of server options by them AND for their advice on how to best move forward with my server choice.

Thanks, Charles. You’ve been integral in my journey.

6Moons review of the Cube Audio Jazzon speaker, pages 4, 5, and 6 added. Link is to page 4.

 

6Moons Cube Audio Jazzon review

@stephendunn Thank you, Stephen. It was the correct choice.

I’m going USB out from the Taiko’s USB Extreme card to the T+A SDV 3100 HV (specifically, it’s DAC).

Still figuring out whether I prefer the recommended ASIO USB driver or the WASAPI USB driver (via the Taiko Roon Player).

Srajan Ebaen’s 6Moons review of the Cube Audio Jazzon speaker is complete.

Here is the link to page 1.

 

Cube Audio Jazzon Speaker Review by 6Moons

 

He fleshes out differences between it (Jazzon) and the Nenuphar.

@greysonjordan  Welcome. Which speakers and amps are you looking to pair? 

Photos of Cube Audio Nenuphar speakers in a customer's home, courtesy of Mono and Stereo:

 

Cube Audio Nenuphar, system, room photos

 

+1 @debjit_g   

I spoke with the US distributor and it looks like the v2 driver upgrade is changing out the cone and assembly on the same frame/magnet of the v1 drivers.

The 'downtime' is about two weeks. Jon Ver Halen / Refined Audio will send a box for the V1 drivers to be shipped to him; he replaces the front of the driver and ships the now V2 driver back to you with a sticker labelling it as V2 and additional stickers for the owner to place on the outside (e.g. by the binding posts) of each speaker to signify the speakers are V2s. 

@debjit_g  Debjit, have you reached out to Grzegorz regarding their recommendation for type(s) of wiring (metal / mix)? If so, can you share their feedback? Thanks.

 

I am tempted now to upgrade to even better wire, maybe silver.

I spoke with Jon yesterday. He should have his ears on the new drivers soon and will be able to provide his feedback on differences, etc.

 

I wanted to get his opinions on the v2 before upgrading