Cowon Plenue 1. When the sound is really high quality

This gentleman is strict and elegant, and he also produces really high-quality sound.

Cowon is not a newcomer to the portable player market. Over the years of their work, its specialists have accumulated enormous experience in the production of high-quality devices for playing music.

Patents, awards, and most importantly user recognition prompted the company to produce a fundamentally new device - the flagship of its line, designed for the most demanding music lovers - the portable Hi-Fi player Plenue 1.

First look

We meet you by the clothes - the seamless body of Cowon Plenue 1 is made of anodized aluminum and is very pleasant to the touch. The front panel of the device is almost completely covered with Gorilla Glass 3.

Impeccably fitted body parts and high-quality materials do not allow us to doubt for a second that this is a premium-class device . At first glance, it may seem that the design of the device is too strict, but over time you realize that for Plenue 1 this is simply necessary.

By the way, when I first picked up the player, it seemed to me that the body should have been made more modern and rounded. However, after holding it in my hands for several hours, I realized that the Cowon designers were not mistaken; there is no need for anything else. The rigor only emphasizes the “seriousness” of the flagship model.

On the right side of the player there are playback control buttons: start/stop, volume control, as well as a rocker with buttons for rewinding and moving through time periods of songs. The value of the latter can be selected in the settings - intervals from 2 to 30 seconds are available.

In the gap between the case and the power button there is a device operation indicator that changes color depending on the state. Don't like this color music? No problem, you can turn it off in the device settings.

On the bottom edge there is a mini jack connector, by connecting to which you can receive not only an analog, but also a digital optical signal. Using the latter, the device can work with an amplifier or other devices.

Behind the silicone plug you can find a micro-USB connector designed for charging and connecting the player to a MAC/PC, as well as a micro-SD slot that supports memory cards with a capacity of up to 128 GB .

Don't like the anodized aluminum body or are you worried about the safety of the device if it falls? Cowon have provided for this too. In the box with the player you can find a stylish Ottawapell leather case from the famous Italian tanner Rino Mastrotto.

The device, clad in leather, completely retains all the severity of its appearance, and neat stitching will only emphasize it.

Thank you for choosing a cowon product

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Thank you for choosing a COWON product.

We wish you a pleasant use of the “Digital Pride” series concept device.

This guide will help you familiarize yourself with the player's functions and get useful tips.

for its safe use.

To use all the capabilities of your device and extend its service life,

Please read this manual carefully.

Product specifications are subject to change without notice.

The images in this manual may differ from the appearance of your product.

Interface

The interface of the shell program is the first thing you notice after the appearance of the device. If we draw an analogy with cars, then the “interior” of Cowon was treated in the same way as the “exterior”. Strictness and functionality - this is how you can describe the interface of Plenue 1. The solution is quite reasonable, because portable Hi-Fi players are designed specifically for playing music - Android is not needed here.

The 3.7-inch AMOLED touch display displays all the necessary information. Equalizer settings, playlists, artists or albums can be accessed in a couple of clicks.

Playback directories can be sorted by folder, artist, album, genre, and cue metadata. I was especially pleased with the “new music” category, the purpose of which is to sort files by time they were added . Searching for “fresh” tracks becomes much easier.

Since we are talking about search, it is worth noting that it is available not only in English, but also in Russian - fans of domestic performers will be pleased.

There are five graphical shells of the main screen, as well as two options for displaying the channel-by-channel sound pressure level - analog and digital. All this is perfectly adapted for touch control - you won’t miss it.

For particularly sophisticated connoisseurs, AB mode is provided. With its help, you can repeat your favorite section of the track, revealing more and more new details.

It is necessary to separately note the presence of built-in presets, which are integrated into the JetEffect 7 system. The authorship of eight of them belongs to BBE Sound Ltd. By the way, it was their BBE Headphone 2 that I liked the most.

Of course, there is a 10-band graphic equalizer that will help you customize Plenue 1 for any composition, as well as the ability to create 4 of your own presets.

The player has an additional advantage - the ability to use it as an external DAC for a computer . All you need to do is connect the device to the MAC/PC using a USB cable and select the appropriate audio output device in the settings.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE Web…

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PLENUE M

+ COPYRIGHT NOTICE

COWON website

+ For detailed information about the PLENUE M device and other COWON products, please visit https://www.cowonrussia.ru. + Check our website for the latest company news and download the latest firmware. + For first-time users, we suggest visiting the FAQ section and the online user guide. + Register on our website using the serial number found on the back of your device. + Registered users can receive online advice, as well as receive the latest news and event information by email.

general information

+ COWON and PLENUE are registered trademarks of COWON SYSTEMS, Inc. + The information contained in this document is copyrighted by COWON SYSTEMS, Inc. Unlawful distribution

any part of this manual is prohibited by law.

+ COWON SYSTEMS, Inc. complies with all rules and laws governing sound recording, video recording and gaming. Users must

comply with relevant laws and regulations.

+ Illustrations, tables, photographs and product specifications contained in this manual are subject to change or update without notice.

prior notice.

BBE Information

+ This product is manufactured under license from BBE Sound, Inc. (USP4638258, 5510752 and 5736897). + BBE and the acronym BBE are registered trademarks of BBE Sound, Inc.

Delicious filling

The filling of Cowon Plenue 1 justifies its strict appearance - everything is serious. ARM Cortex A9 processor , and the “heart” was a digital-to-analog converter built on a Burr-Brown PCM1792A .

The latter does not need any special introduction to music lovers familiar with high-end sound. Of course, because PCM1792A is used in devices whose cost amounts to hundreds of thousands of rubles.

Thanks to it, as well as other solutions used in Cowon in Plenue 1, support for audio files with a maximum sampling rate of 24 Bit / 192 kHz is provided. As for harmonic distortion and noise, there is also complete order here - their total value is only 0.0006%.

A good DAC is complemented by a high-quality temperature-compensated quartz oscillator - TCXO, which is responsible for the accuracy and stable operation of the device, including the absence of voltage surges and temperature changes. All this makes it possible to comfortably use high-impedance monitors with Plenue 1.

The amount of built-in memory corresponds to the level of the device - a 128 GB , as well as support for micro-SD cards, which allows you to double the device memory. This volume will be quite enough to store the entire media library on the player, even in very good quality.

Plenue 1 Specifications

processor: ARM Cortex A9 1.2 GHz;
DAC: Burr-Brown PCM1792A;
maximum sampling rate: 24 bit / 192 kHz;
signal-to-noise ratio: 120 dB;
total output impedance: 3 ohms;
total harmonic distortion + noise (THD+N): 0.0006%;
volume: 140 gradations;
channel interference: -134 dB;
equalizer JetEffect 7: 54 settings (4 customizable); 10-band equalizer; BBE+ (BBE, Mach3Bass, 3D Surround, MP Enhance); effects: Chorus (8 modes), Reverb (9 modes);
supported audio formats: DXD, DSD, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, APE, MP3, WMA, OGG;
memory: 128 GB + microSD support up to 128 GB;
display: AMOLED 3.7 inches with a resolution of 480 x 800, touchscreen;
battery: Li-POL 3.7 V / 3,000 mAh;
operating time: up to 8.5 hours;
dimensions: 64.5 x 116.4 x 13.4 mm;
weight: 173 grams.

Autonomous operation

The player is equipped with a quite durable battery.
Its capacity is 3000 mAh. For such a compact device this is quite a lot. The developers call the battery life about 8 hours. But this is subject to moderate use. If you listen to the player continuously, at maximum volume, the charge level will noticeably reduce its lifespan. Before the device's battery is completely depleted, the sound quality decreases and distortion in the music begins.

When the device finishes charging, it updates the indicators and turns off. This saves energy.

Packaging and delivery

All three players come in crisp cardboard boxes. You can distinguish the models using the print on the reverse side. The contents look presentable; in the first compartment there is a player, in the second there is a microUSB cable. There are no questions about the quality of the latter, but the set could be richer.

Precautionary measures

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PLENUE M

Precautionary measures

Before use

+ Store the player in a cool and ventilated place and do not expose the player to direct sunlight as this may cause

may cause deformation or damage to the internal circuitry or LCD display.

+ For safety reasons, it is recommended to use a USB power adapter and USB cable approved by COWON SYSTEMS, Inc. + We recommend using adapters manufactured by COWON. + When connecting to a computer, use only the USB port on the motherboard or USB host board. Using an external USB

hub (such as USB ports on a keyboard or external USB hub) does not guarantee proper operation.

+ When formatting the built-in memory, select the file system specified in the manual (for example, FAT32 / FAT16 / NTFS). + Be sure to unplug your computer's power source and USB power adapter during lightning and thunderstorms to prevent danger

for the user and avoid ignition.

+ Do not expose the player to magnets or direct magnetic fields, which may cause malfunctions. + Do not drop the player or subject it to shock. This may cause the player to malfunction and/or

malfunctions not covered by the warranty.

+ If battery deformation is detected, immediately press the RESET button to stop the device, then

contact your point of sale.

+ <Warning for MAC OS Users> It is recommended to follow the 'EJECT' procedure to safely remove the external drive.

Precautionary measures

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PLENUE M

Precautionary measures

Before use

COWON is not responsible for damage or malfunction of the product due to

due to improper use of the product by the user and failure to comply with established rules/

instructions described in this manual. The following information applies to all products

manufactured by COWON SYSTEMS, Inc.

+ Do not use this product for purposes other than those specified in this manual. + Handle the manual, product packaging, accessories, etc. with care to avoid cuts or injury. + For safety reasons, do not view videos, images and texts stored in the player’s memory while driving a vehicle.

means. Using other functions of the player while driving is also dangerous and may result in an accident.

+ Using headphones while driving, exercising or walking may interfere with control and may

interfere with the recognition of emergency signals, alarms, alerts, vehicle approach and human speech. Additionally, the use of headphones may be illegal in some regions.

+ To clean the surface of the product, do not use detergents or other chemicals to avoid damaging the paint.

Gently wipe contaminated areas with a soft cloth.

+ Do not use the player in cold temperatures below 0°C or in rooms where the temperature is above 40°C, for example, inside a car.

Sound

PLENUE J uses a 24-bit DAC. There is support for 24-bit/192 kHz sources, as well as a wide range of codecs - from simple WAV and MP3 to FLAC. JetEffect 5 and BBE+ technologies correct audio distortion caused by the listening environment or receiver limitations and reproduce sound as close to the studio recording as possible.

We tested this player with equally interesting headphones - Campfire Audio Andromeda, and were pleasantly surprised by the spacious and detailed sound. Perhaps sophisticated audiophiles will not have enough “naturalness”, but this problem can be solved by choosing the right headphones. For example, if you need good sound insulation, you should pay attention to models from Etymotic.

The genre of PLENUE J is universal - you can listen to both hip-hop with deep bass and complex compositions like vocal jazz. Rock, classical and electronic music also do well.

A few tracks for example.

David Bowie - Space Oddity. PLENUE J's vocals are all right, and one of Bowie's best albums reveals it even better. The performer has an excellent voice, and this player conveys it perfectly.

Lindsey Stirling - Crystalize. One of the most interesting works by the rising violinist, with which you can feel all the detail of the sound. Just one violin, but it sounds like a symphony orchestra, and as if in the same room with you.

The Weeknd - Starboy. A modern track with moderate bass and decent vocals, despite the fact that the artist likes to dabble in auto-tune. Our “couple” revealed it from a completely different side.