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

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.

@david_ten 

You are committed to the digital streaming format and you possess an exceptional home audio system. Why not endeavor to extract the best sound available for your front end source? The magnificent Taiko Extreme was the idea music server choice for you. It has unquestionably elevated the sheer enjoyment of you  listening to music . Case closed. Congratulations!!! 

Charles 

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

@david_ten 

Congrats on adding Taiko server.  What DAC will you use with it?

@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.

Thank you for giving the information about amplifiers.

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

Here's a good review for Enleum Amp-23R if anyone interested

https://headphone.guru/the-enleum-amp-23r-headphone-speaker-amplifier-the-best-of-both-worlds/

I was very interested to try the Enleum but my modded LM sounds so good with the Nenuphars that I have no interest of upgrading the amp. If I like the Enleum more than the LM, it will great win for me since, apart from the uptick in sound, I can also significantly reduce the power consumption of my system.

Btw, that reminds me - 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. So there is a down time in sending the v1 drivers, replacing them and then getting it back :-( You can off-coarse buy a new pair of v2 drivers and then sell the v1 driver in the used market but that will be a costly proposition.

@onsionsi 

Thanks for posting review of Enleum 23R as headphone amp.

Here's a review with detailed analysis of Enleum driving SoundKaos speakers:

What a creative concept! They do resemble flowers. Single-driver designs fascinate me, but there aren't any to try out around here. However, I appreciate hearing about other people's experiences. These are particularly fascinating.

Thank you @stephendunn for posting this link.

+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. 

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. 
 

@david_ten thanks for the details. I did not enquire about the downtime since I wanted to get his opinions on the v2 before upgrading and he was still expecting the shipment of the assembly. The 2 weeks downtime seems a lot, especially if you don’t have a back up speaker and you listen almost everyday. I can’t seem to think I will be out of music for 2 weeks. Cube should have figured a better plan :-)

@debjit_g You are welcome.

For me, the two week downtime (which is mainly due to shipping the drivers back and forth) is about as reasonable as it gets.

Jon will only proceed once he has the new driver materials on hand for each request.

[Note: this applies for U.S. / North American customers]

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

For me, the two week downtime (which is mainly due to shipping the drivers back and forth) is about as reasonable as it gets.
 

@david_ten yes, I agree. It’s quiet a reasonable time give the situation we are all in. However, since Covid many of us are WFH and enjoys listening more than ever :-)

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.
 

please keep us posted. I am also very interested in knowing how well it behaves with a low power amps.

Here is one approach, taken by Parmenter Sound, using Cube Audio’s Nenuphar speakers:

"A Very Special Sound System" posted by Mono and Stereo

Thanks @david_ten

I bet that configuration sounds utterly fantastic! Tonal/musical finesse and emotionally engagement achievable at lower listening levels? Not easy to do. I’d choose this attribute by a factor of 10 compared to loud volume and bass "slam" abilities.

Charles

This must be my place. Like someone said before, I asked on other forums about this speakers and few answers and enthusiasm… 

I’m really interested in this speakers. Good comments from all around. Srajan and Peter talked about something really special (Mr. Breuninger said that the importance of this speaker it’s equal to the famous Quad’s… That’s a lot!!!).

I have not been able to listen yet to the Nenuphars. Some questions. Let’s hope you can help me:

1) I hear a lot of rock. Do the Nenuphar’s rock?? It is said that if you place the Nenuphar’s near the wall there is a bass improvement but it’s enough?? Are they capable with rock music??

2) Sorry to the OP if I stray from the main topic but I must ask it. Magico A5 (“giant killer”), Von Schweikert Endeavor SE, Rockport Atria II… I know that they are a different designs, but is the Nenuphar at the level??

3) I’m a little bit confused between the new Audio Cube Jazzon and the Nenuphar. Aren’t they both 10” drivers??

4) I’m also worried about the performance of the new Nenuphar V2. Is less efficient than the V1??

5) What about the launch of the new Cube Audio F15 Neo with 15”. Any information?? What we can expect??

Sorry for my horrible english. Thanks so much and sorry to the OP if I stray a little bit.

@milhomes   Welcome to the thread.

Hope others also post responses to your questions.

1. I recommend you consider the V2 driver given your focus on Rock Music. They go a bit lower and are easier to pair with a wider array of amps. Solid state amps may be easier to pair and may work more favorably in meeting your preferences with the rock genre. Your prior reference will be a factor.

Placement is easy enough to experiment with...go with what works best for your room and your preferences.

2. I have not had any of the other speakers you are considering in my own room. They are all well implemented designs and have great owner and reviewer feedback AND will likely meet your needs. They will be different, given their design, than Cube Audio's Nenuphar.

I have heard the Rockport Cygnus in a friend's system. He's down the street from me. If you heard his system and mine, back to back, you might be very surprised by what's possible from a single driver speaker.

3. Both are 10 inch full range drivers. The Nenuphars use the top of the line F10 Neo; the Jazzon uses the F10 Select. There is a significant price difference between the two drivers.

4. The V2 is slightly less efficient than the V1 driver. Unless you are using very low output power single ended amplifiers, I do not see you running into any issues driving the V2s. Reach out to Grzegorz at Cube Audio for more specifics. The quality of the amp is a significant factor here, much more than the output rating.

5. I don't know where the F15 Neo effort is, currently. Another question worth asking Grzegorz. I have heard whispers of a flagship effort at a higher price point than the Nenuphars.

Let us know if you have other questions. All the best.

@milhomes My one addition to David's thorough response is that you consider adding a subwoofer to the Nenuphars--either the Cube Audio 10" or 12" especially if you want to keep the Nens away from the front wall to maximize sound staging. And it will add that extra foundation to the bass and mid-bass when playing rock.  When I added my KEF KC62 mini sub it brought the speakers to a new level of enjoyment.  Good luck.

Cube have made a video of V1 vs V2, it’s on YouTube.

Sorry but I have had repeated issues with posting a link.

@toetapaudio and @charles1dad Thanks!

For those that have listened to this YouTube video, what are your takes in terms of differences and preferences? [I haven’t listened, yet.]

How is it best to listen to YouTube, any suggestions?

@toetapaudio Robert, I find listening to YouTube "audiophile" videos better served via an external USB DAC / Amp and decent headphones.

In my case, though I have other options, my easiest/simplest go to is iFi Audio’s iDSD Signature DAC/Headphone Amp into Beyerdynamic Xelento IEMs.

Much, much better sound quality than via a laptop / tablet / phone.

Minimally, use easy to drive headphones/IEMs via the laptop’s 3.5mm output...this is a significant step up from via the laptop / tablet / phone direct (i.e. on it’s own). Adding a DAC/AMP into the chain makes things even better.

On the other end of the spectrum, as an example:

Cast...or...YouTube via TV and my main system.

In this case, listen to the Nenuphars through my Nenuphars. : )

TV is connected via eARC to the T+A SDV 3100 HV.

Question: does anyone have experience comparing Voxativ with Cube? What were your impressions?  Thanks!

If you want to make any cube speaker way better then do this:

Remove the driver and the binding posts.

Solder super wire directly to the voice coil wire.....no longer usng banana plugs into the banana jack....solder the speaker wire to the end of the banana jack (the very same point the voice coil wire is attached)

Run this wire directly out the back of the speaker about one foot and strip about one inch of wire and bend it around a quarter inch drill bit to form a loop and tin the bare wire loop with solder. Strip the wire after you have soldered the other end to the driver and reinstalled the driver.

Also, solder a Ground Enhancer ($30 a pair) to the negative voice coil wire (speaker wire and ground ehnancer are soldered together at the same point).

Put a Bybee Quatnum Clarifier ($100 each) on the back of the magnet of the driver.

Reinsall the driver.

Pull the any slack in the wire though the back holes and then cut the wire so you have about one foot of wire hanging out....then strip and tin and bend the wire..Attach your speaker wire (either bare wire or spade) to the wire coming out of the speaker using one quarter inch nylon bolts, thick washers and wing nuts (very cheap).

Turn on music......pee in pants.....cry and laugh. Now you have Nenuphar mark VII

By removing the banana connection at the speaker and removing the binding posts (essentially hardwiring), adding the Ground Enhancer and Bybee thang and using better wire than what is in the speaker you will hear things you never dreamed of. Much more extended, real, warm, dynamic, larger sound, much lower noise, more ambience, space, well..everything. Total cost about $260 plus some super wire...say $350 total.... Time.....about 3 hours....one hour and a half per speaker....being very careful You use a wire that is much longer than you need to you can put the wire through the box and have it hanging out the back......because it is now so long....you can work on the driver directly on a small bench in front of the speaker....another way to work on the speaker would be to lay it on its side on a padded table....then you can work on the driver right next to the cabinet.

Who will be the first to tweak a Nenuphar? Everyone hotrods their cars.....no one would think twice about taking their brand new $70k Corvette into a modders place and having an even bigger supercharger put in, etc. for another $25K to get another 2 -300 horsepower. Yet, no one in the world will spend $350 to upgrade a $16,000 speaker? We are such wimps....he he. You can always put it back to stock and no one will ever know.....Of course, once you have heard it modded you will never sell it.....ever.....

What is so cool about any single driver speaker is its simplicity...no fricking crossover......but still...every single thing you do (or don’t do) affects the sound....big time.....these mods are simple...yet highly effective.

Please read this review on what the Bybee thangs can do:

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0620/Loudspeaker_Mega_Tweakfest_Review.htm

Please, enjoy this moment and every moment that exists.....it is your right to choose love and joy all the time. The more you choose something and live it....the more you become that quality. You want to feel better? Than let yourself feel incredible right now...and keep choosing it every now.

Blessings and love.

Thanks David for the advice.

ricevs, I’ve been there and done it 30 or so years ago. I agree it does make a difference direct wiring. As a Cube dealer I’m not going to recommend as this would inevitably disqualify the warranty. It might be possible to specify when ordering but doubtful? Manufacturers make compromises for commercial reasons.

I’m not convinced about Bybee though, I have some but not tried with Cubes. 

@ricevs what is this super wire ? Any link ? I have contemplated changing the internal wire of the Nenuphar to a better solid silver wire but just didn't get to it. The internal speaker wire looks a bit flimsy and think a better wire could definitely benefit.
 

Btw, I have been using a pair of Fidelium speaker cable for some time now with great results.

Also have been playing with a pair of SR latest CTD (Carbon Tuning disc) - placing a purple disc on the speaker cable did not yield any change with the Nenuphar, which is contrary to what others have reported with speaker cables. Might move them into the speaker, near the banana post to see if the results are different. 

It is not just one thing that makes a differerce....it is everything you do. better wire, removing the sound of the jack connection on the speaker, removing the sound of the WBT binding posts, adding the enhancment of Ground Enhancers and the Bybee thangs.....it is five things.....

You just change the wire and you only get one out of five. I have not played with the Bybee thangs but I am getting a pair in shortly to try on a single driver speaker here.......but I doubt that review and this one are wrong:

http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/bybee-iqse-clarifiers-a-first-time-encounter/

He only heard bass changes....not mid and treble.....but he liked very much what he heard.

I have never liked silver wire. I find it too silver sounding.....forward and bright. I have straight wire bypassed WBT rca connectors......and the silver ones sounded "more detailed and forward" than the straight wire. Maybe some dull system could use this coloration. Right now I am using the 14 gauge VH Audio wire that is cryoed OFC stranded wire in foamed teflon.....I remove the outer clear teflon cover. Sounds really great.......I am sure there are better wires.....but which one?

You can see a crossover I made for someone that has this wire and also the quarter inch nylon bolts and nuts to secure his speaeker wires (Fidelium cables with biwire adapters.....will have more pics of his system up later today). Be sure to scroll all the way down the page to see the latest large pic of the updated crossover. Incredible speaker.....out of this world great

I will soon have pics and description on this page that shows an open baffle system using the top of the line Lii Audio drivers with added super tweeter.......and even more ideas and pics down the road.  Please bookmark page and follow along.  I think you will be amazed and what can be done......and for so little..

.http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Speaker_ideas.html

@debjit_g I too have been experimenting with the Carbon Tuning discs.  The purple ones placed on my Shunyata Alpha V2 speaker cables brought the highs more forward, irritatingly so for some recordings.  (I've certainly forgotten about irritating highs with the Nenuphars, something much more common with the Voxativs I've auditioned).  But on some recordings I kind of like the forward highs.  Be interested to know if you find another application that makes an overall positive impression.

And I'd like to add a follow up to my comparison of the Enleum 23R and the Decware Zen Triode 25th Anniversary amps.  It seems that the 23R was not burned in all the way when I wrote my original review.   It has opened up considerably more since my last report, better dynamics, even more detail, especially in the mid range and mid bass, and more air.  And richer tone.  To my ears it clearly bests the Decware Zen with every type of music I play.  And especially, as I mentioned before, with big orchestral works which expand the walls of my listening room as if I'm inside some virtual reality headset.  It is hard to believe it all comes out of that tiny box.

@ricevs  One has to take what you say with more than a grain of salt.  Your High Fidelity cables are living proof of your expertise.

Everything has to be taken with a grain of salt.....including what you say. For instance, I am not the Rick Schultz of High Fidelity Cables. I am the Ric Schultz of Tweakaudio.com. Even though you are wrong about this.....you are still worthy. You are beautiful....I love you.

All you have to do is to try something and listen to know whether it is "grain of salt" or high class organic honey. Sweetness rules.....I kiss you all so sweetly.

@ricevs My apologies for the mistaken identity and appreciate your understanding.

@stephendunn since you mentioned the Enleum, I just looked back the posts and realized that I have never posted about it. Recently I snagged one from a local audiophile buddy who was using it as a headphone amp. He has never hooked it up the speakers. I was not very confident that this tiny little amp can do any wonders compared to my modded LM SET. Well, never in the past I have been so wrong about audio the first time I have hooked up my system to the 23R. Just before I snagged the Enleum, I bought a new pair of Psvane ACME 805 for the LM and I had only played about 10hrs before the 23R took its amplification duty. So far, I have not turned the LM, neither I have the urge to do it. I will probably compare at some point but I can say that the sound from the Enleum is very satisfying.

I had a SR orange fuse laying around and it took the Enleum a notch or two up. Now a SR purple is on the way.....man, this hobby is just nuts :-)

I will update on what I find out on the CTD...

My buddy just ditched the Higher Enleum (53??) because he preferred both the Luxman 595 and Valvet E3 SE in his setup.

I have been meaning to add a Vcap ODAM in the Nenuphars. I have some on my linear power supply filter caps but I have not done played with it with the speakers. Anyone has any experience on how they perform on speakers ?

My buddy just ditched the Higher Enleum (53??) because he preferred both the Luxman 595 and Valvet E3 SE in his setup.

There is no Enleum 53. I think you might be talking about the Bakoon. Which speaker ?

@debjit_g  Nuts it is.  And pls report if purple SR fuse is the ticket.

@riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook  I have heard the higher powered Enleums don't have the magic of the 23R but I'm sure it's speaker dependent.  Was your buddy driving Cube Audio speakers?

The higher powered Enleums have been discussed by the designer but not released--unless there are some betas out there.  So not sure where I got the impression they sounded different than the 23R.  My bad.