OPPO BDP-93, BDP-93NE (NuForce Edition), and BDP-95 Universal 3D Blu-ray Players

John Johnson, Chris Heinonen, Stephen Hornbrook

OPPO has just released its first universal 3D Blu-ray player, the BDP-93, and will shortly release the BDP-95, which adds a pair of balanced outputs (having their own dedicated DACs). At the same time, NuForce has released two upgrade boards that the consumer can install in a BDP-93 player, or purchase the player direct from NuForce with the card installed (Called the BDP-93NE and BDP-93NXE). This review will cover the audio performance of the three players (only the BDP-93NE, not the BDP-93NXE), as well as the video performence using our Benchmark tests. As you will see, OPPO has overturned price/performance expectations, and especially the BDP-95 is reference quality for less than $1,000.

Universal Players

Sabian 18″ Vault V-Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Sabian's Vault series, from their description, represents cymbals that came about through experimentation. Some work out, and others get tossed back into the melting pot. The present review is on the 18" Vault V-Crash. It has an intense bright sound that will cut through guitar amp stacks. It also rides well and has an excellent bell sound.

Cymbals

Zikmu Wireless Speakers

Jim Clements

Parrot touts the Philippe Starck–designed wireless Zikmu speakers as "Next Generation Wireless Speakers". This all-inclusive powered speaker system features modern styling, efficient Class D amplification and flexible wireless connectivity. They look to be a progressive realization of current technology and style. Let us find out how they work and sound.

Bookshelf Speakers

Home Theater Movie Renter’s Guide – February, 2011

SECRETS Movie Review Team

Buried (Blu-ray), Saw The Final Chapter (Blu-ray), Alpha and Omega (Blu-ray), Amazing Alphabet (DVD), Numbers Ahoy (DVD), Virus X (DVD), Soul Kitten's Cabaret (DVD), Ray (Blu-ray), Piranha (Blu-ray), "My Soul to Take" (Blu-ray), Almost Famous (Blu-ray), Out of Sight (Blu-ray), Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 (Blu-ray), Alice in Wonderland 3D (Blu-ray), RED (Blu-ray), Merlin: Season Two (DVD), You Again (Blu-ray), It's Kind of a Funny Story (Blu-ray), Death Race 2 (Blu-ray), Let Me In (Blu-ray)

Movie Reviews

Toshiba BDX-2700 Blu-ray Player

Chris Heinonen

During the HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray format war, Toshiba was the main supporter of HD-DVD and producer of hardware. Beyond being just an HD-DVD player, their units were well known for being high quality standard DVD players with very good up conversion of legacy titles. The present review covers the Toshiba BDX-2700 Blu-ray player.

Blu-ray Players

Sabian 18″ HHX Legacy Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Sabian's HH line represents the dark side of the force, and the HHX are classified as "Modern Dark", with the Evolutions being a specific set of crashes, splashes, high hats, and rides that have special dynamics that make them easy to play. Another variation on the HHX is the HHX Legacy, and the 18" HHX Legacy Crash is reviewed here. It is darker than the 18" HHX Evolution Crash. The HHX series only comes in several diameters, not specified weights, and a Sabian distributor told me that they vary in weight depending on the particular style (Evolution, Legacy, X-Plosion, Studio, etc.)

Cymbals

DIY Calibration Software – Update: CalMAN 4.1

Mark Vignola

Since our DIY Calibration software round-up was originally published in May, the CalMAN software has undergone a major upgrade. When we met the SpectraCal folks at CEDIA in September, they were eager to have us try this new software package. I already had some hands on time with CalMAN 4 at the Calibration Bootcamp that I attended earlier this year CalMAN Calibration Bootcamp: A Crash Course in the Science of Calibration, but I hadn't had enough time to really explore the software on my own system and without the guidance of the SpectraCal training team.

DIY

OmniMount LEDP75 Wall Mount Kit for Flat Panel HDTV’s

Jim Milton

While at CEDIA last September, I witnessed a demonstration of the OmniMount LEDP75 wall mount kit and was fascinated with the ease of installation and the uniqueness of the design. From the initial cutting to mounting took the technician about 15 minutes. The fact that they were also giving away a free LCD flat panel from Samsung did not dissuade me from watching the demo either. (No…I did not win).

Stands/Racks/Furniture/Room Treatment

Sabian 18″ HHX Evolution Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Sabian's HH line represents the dark side of the force, and the HHX are classified as "Modern Dark", with the Evolutions being a specific set of crashs, splashes, high hats, and rides that have special dynamics that make them easy to play. They only come in several diameters, not specified weights, and a Sabian distributor told me that they vary in weight depending on the particular style (Evolution, Legacy, X-Plosion, Studio, etc.) The 18" HHX Evolution Crash is reviewed here.

Cymbals

Toshiba 55WX800U 55″ LED Edge Lit LCD 3D HDTV

Chris Eberle

At the Consumer Electronics Show last January, every television manufacturer had at least one 3D-capable display in their booth. Over the next few months, new models trickled into the marketplace. Now that CEDIA has come and gone, the floodgates are officially open and every brand has at least one and in some cases multiple models to choose from. I attended CEDIA with the primary goal of securing as many 3D TVs as possible for review. Toshiba was kind enough to be the first to provide me a sample, the flagship 55WX800U Cinema Series 55" LED Edge Lit LCD HDTV.

HDTV

Paradigm Reference Seismic 110 Subwoofer

Ross Jones

I described the last Paradigm Reference sub I reviewed, the Reference Signature Sub 25, as the "Mother of All Subwoofers". Then Paradigm came out with the even more massive SUB 1 and SUB 2 models. So when I agreed to review the Seismic 110, a small barrel-shaped sub that measures barely 13" in any direction, my expectations were set accordingly.

Subwoofers

CD Reviews for the Audiophile – January, 2011

Jason Victor Serinus

Bi-coastal jazz saxophonist Jason Robinson, 35, an Assistant Professor of Music at Amherst College and former musician with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, seems to be blowing non-stop these days. No less that three albums that showcase the seemingly limitless range of his versatile musicianship hit the literal and virtual shelves in the fall of 2010. Each album shows Robinson on the cusp between tradition and experimentalism, with a strong emphasis on the latter.

CD Music Reviews

Sabian 18″ HH Thin Crash Cymbal

John E. Johnson, Jr.

If you have a medium crash, and likely you do, there is always the decision whether to get a medium thin, or a thin crash to go with it. We have reviewed several medium crashes, and this review covers an 18" thin crash in Sabian's HH line. The sound is a bit dark, which thin cymbals tend to be, and it is a bright punchy crash, with short sustain.

Cymbals