Author Topic: Oppo Smartphone  (Read 5574 times)

Offline richidoo

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Oppo Smartphone
« on: May 29, 2013, 09:15:39 AM »
http://anandtech.com/show/6920/oppo-find-5-review

http://www.oppousa.com/

It has Dirac HD sound:  

As Oppo describes it: "Dirac HD is a combination of hardware and software technologies usually only found in high-end audio and cinema sound systems. With Dirac, you will clearly hear a difference, and become immersed in music the way the artist originally wanted to express it."

As Dirac describes it:
http://www.dirac.se/en/technologies/dirac-hd-sound/overview.aspx

Dirac is a very serious software company in Denmark specializing in high end quality room correction. They design audio systems for the big luxury car brands like Bentley, BMW, etc. But even better than that, Dirac is so good that our own resident golden-ear audiophile, hometheaterdoc himself, plans to use their home audio software Dirac Live to run his new speakers.  I was a beta tester for the software, it is impressive and I'll be using it when/if I get an audio PC.

Who knows how much of the core Dirac technology will be used in the new phone, considering that it only has one or two drivers the size of a pinky fingernail. But it does imply that if they are licensing the software technology for better sound they might as well let it out of the phone by employing some of their in house knowledge about quality analog design.

Dirac HD is also available as an app for iPhone.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dirac-hd-player-lite/id551661761?mt=8

Review of Dirac HD on iPhone:
http://kenrockwell.com/audio/dirac/hd-player.htm

I think maybe it is just EQ for the Apple's new EarPods.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0097BEG1C  $25
The Oppo phone is pictured with Apple looking earbuds.

Offline richidoo

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Re: Oppo Smartphone
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2013, 09:27:47 AM »
The Dirac HD app is a music player that replaces iTunes from playing music. It still draws content from iTunes library and therefore cannot EQ the sound on streaming music or movies. That's on the iPhone app.

Let's hope that Oppo has integrated the Dirac HD feature into the phone software itself, so that all sound can be fixed by the Dirac. That would be a step forward.

You'd want to be able to defeat the Dirac earpod EQ when using the earphone jack as line out to car or home stereo. That's when I would want quality DAC and output stage in the phone.

Time will tell!

It is getting harder for these small phone companies to be successful living in the same pond as Apple Google and Samsung. Even HTC is on the rocks and they have great hardware and name recognition, although they have other problems too.

djdube525

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Re: Oppo Smartphone
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2013, 12:33:45 PM »
Wow... very tough business (mobile device mfg) to get into...

On the Android front, Samsung is squashing all the competition... HTC is on the ropes... Motorola was on death's doorstep until Google bought them.

Wondering if this is a ZTE or Foxconn made phone, or if they are working in partnership with one of the big device mfgs.

Dave

Offline richidoo

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Re: Oppo Smartphone
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2013, 02:10:35 PM »
That would make sense. I can't picture such a small peanut being able to develop a new phone fast enough to compete without outside help. It's nice that it is unlocked for any carrier, but that also means you buy it with cash, no "$99 with contract" type deals.

But, of course, better sound quality is worth any sacrifice, right?   :thumb:

Offline sleepyguy24

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Re: Oppo Smartphone
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2013, 03:24:52 PM »
I'm confused though. On Amazon they say the Oppo Smartphone is unlocked and can be used with any carrier but then on the Oppo website there is no mention of Verizon. I'm stuck with Verizon and am hoping when my contract is up I can get the Oppo phone and use it with Verizon.

djdube525

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Re: Oppo Smartphone
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2013, 03:39:37 PM »
But, of course, better sound quality is worth any sacrifice, right?   :thumb:

Looks like the non-Lite version of Dirac HD player for iOS devices is only $2.99... even I can pry that much out of my hands. ;)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dirac-hd-player-lite/id551661761?mt=8

FWIW... There is a Lite version that is Free

Offline richidoo

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Re: Oppo Smartphone
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2013, 08:28:39 PM »
I'm confused though. On Amazon they say the Oppo Smartphone is unlocked and can be used with any carrier but then on the Oppo website there is no mention of Verizon. I'm stuck with Verizon and am hoping when my contract is up I can get the Oppo phone and use it with Verizon.
Sprint and Verizon use CDMA network protocol, whereas ATT and TMobile and most foreign networks use GSM protocol. This is hardware dependent, so the Oppo phone might be a GSM phone. Supposedly CDMA has the potential for better call quality. I don't really know that much about it. I'm on Sprint, so I'm in the same boat as you, unless the Softbank deal goes through, then I'm moving to Verizon.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/phones-mobile-devices/cell-phones-services/cell-phone-service-buying-advice/cell-phone-service-guide/cell-phone-networks/cell-phone-networks.htm