Oppo BDP-83SE / BDP-83 Blu-ray Analog Audio Measurement Supplemental

[repdetect]

I failed to mention, bass also seems more substantial. I am doing comparison from memory ("if memory serves me right...") but after listening to recordings I am very familiar with, the difference is certainly there.

I found improved bass as well, especially the bottom octave, 22-35hz. Not so noticeable with acoustic instruments, more so with synthesized bass.

 

[Ron Temple]

I found improved bass as well, especially the bottom octave, 22-35hz. Not so noticeable with acoustic instruments, more so with synthesized bass.

I was listening the other night through my 2 channel pre, Porcupine Tree's The Incident. I was noticing that bass was a tad fat and not as resolved as I remembered it, but it was there in abundance. I decided to put in the Deadwing DVD A in 2 channel, again the bass was extremely deep and fat. My speakers are full range too. I then switched over to MCH and listened in 5.1 with the sub. I was getting more bass in 2 channel. I then realized that I had the loudness button engaged on my 2 channel pre which applies a 6db boost. I needed it engaged with the 83 for most material. Looks like I don't for the SE. I'll do some testing this weekend, but I'm thinking there is more bass quantity in the upgraded board.

 

[TommyV]

I would love to know an update on if Oppo is actually going to work on the bass management issue on these players. It seem odd you should have to buy an external crossover just to get proper bass management. It does not seem like many people are concerned with this issue which may be why they have not fixed it. This makes the Denon/Marantz units look even more attractive.

 

[j_garcia]

I would love to know an update on if Oppo is actually going to work on the bass management issue on these players. It seem odd you should have to buy an external crossover just to get proper bass management. It does not seem like many people are concerned with this issue which may be why they have not fixed it. This makes the Denon/Marantz units look even more attractive.

Maybe you should have read the entire thread. The bass management issue was fixed quite a while ago with a firmware update.

 

[TommyV]

I did read the entire thread and the article. I don't see any mention of the fixed 80Hz crossover and Gene has not updated the article to state that.

 

[j_garcia]

Likely the article won't get updated, but it was fixed about a month after the article came out.

 

[TommyV]

Any confirmation? I spoke to Gene about it about a month ago and according to him it is still not fixed. Oppo also responded that they felt it was not an issue and did not seem like they had any plans to fix it. That is why you see numerous 83SE owners trying to locate Outlaw ICBMs to do proper bass management.

 

[j_garcia]

Maybe we are talking about two different things? What specifically is the issue you are referring to? I was talking about the issue with the LFE setting not being retained in the setup. I have had no issues with my SE and bass management since doing the upgrade, but I also have always used an 80Hz x-over and all my speakers are identical. When you say "proper" bass management, do you mean that there are people who want to be able to adjust to something other than 80Hz or have different setting for different channels?

 

[TommyV]

Proper bass management is when the fixed crossover claimed in the Owner's manual is actually a proper 80Hz crossover with the correct slope and everything. From the test results it functions more like a 100Hz crossover should.

Unfortunately neither player followed this recommendation. In fact, they were both different from each other which again was puzzling though not surprising since no DVD / Blu-ray players we’ve bench tested with the exception of Denon flagships (ie. DVD-5910CI, DVD-A1UDCI) actually exhibit the correct specified cut off frequency and roll off characteristics.


We are hopeful Oppo can improve their bass management filters and also offer end users adjustable crossover points in 20Hz increments between 60Hz to 120Hz to accommodate a wider variety of speaker options.

 

[j_garcia]

I am not sure about the roll of characteristics, but it sure sounds like 80Hz to me in my system. I have always used 80Hz with all previous players including my 2900 via m/c analog and it sounds no different with the Oppo so I am not sure about this.

 

[Scoupe]

How is it that analog signal paths were tested ?

I do not understand how the analog audio paths were tested. Particularly as it is stated that "We utilized the industries most advanced HDMI Audio Analyzer". Say what? To measure analog signal? What am I missing here?

 

[j_garcia]

I do not understand how the analog audio paths were tested. Particularly as it is stated that "We utilized the industries most advanced HDMI Audio Analyzer". Say what? To measure analog signal? What am I missing here?

What you're missing is the fact that the analyzer can test the entire unit via the HDMI port.

Imagine for the first time in the history of this industry, you can simply plug an AV receiver’s HDMI input directly into this machine and test every aspect of its audio performance. This includes the ability of testing HDMI audio integrity, analyzing the receiver's bass management, or testing all 7 channels amplifiers and crosstalk performance (including LFE).

Audio Precision APx585 Audio Analyzer to Revolutionize A/V Measurements | Audioholics