DVP-NC625: Some of the Worst Sound I've Heard
Written: Aug 17 '03
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Picture Quality: |
|
|
| Durability: |
|
|
|
Pros: Inexpensive 5 disc carousel.
Cons: Sound has extreme emphasis on high frequencies.
The Bottom Line: If you can live with terrible sound, by all means, pick up this unit. However, you can get a better player for little to no price increase.
|
|
|
| brentv's Full Review: Sony DVP-NC625 Multi-disc DVD Player |
Introduction
I’ve never had problems with Sony in the past. They’ve always made, if not the best, some fairly solid electronics. When I purchased the Sony DVP-NC625, I figured that my past experiences would be a reflection of the type of quality and performance I would receive from this unit. I am sad to report that I was wrong.
Why I bought this unit
After my refurbished Yamaha 5 disc DVD player died (that I had purchased at a Champagne Sale at my local stereo shop), I was on the prowl for a replacement. But I didn’t want to make the same mistake again. I did, however, want a 5 disc changer. I had become accustomed to loading up discs and not getting my rear off the couch. So, I found this Sony at Sears. It was inexpensive and offered the features that I needed: CD-R, CD-RW support, coax/optical digital out, and progressive scan. Though I was unsure of purchasing the Sony, (as I had experience with JVC DVD players in the past and liked their performance) I bought this player.
Why you should consider another DVD player
The sound that this unit produces is the worst that I have heard on any DVD player. Period. I have used mid-priced DVD players from JVC, Toshiba and Yamaha. All three of these produced sound that was natural and balanced. The Sony, however, produced sound that was tinny and grating. This player’s upper frequencies were so bright that trying to listen to DVD’s at even moderate listening levels is difficult to do.
Some of the first DVD’s I auditioned were concert DVD’s; Keb’ Mo’s “Sessions at West 54th” and Eric Clapton’s “Live in Hyde Park.” Both discs on previous players were beautiful sounding and well mixed. With the Sony, though, upper and lower frequencies were distorted. There was little low-end bass and higher frequency sounds, like cymbals, were so sharp and bating, that you couldn’t tell what instrument it was.
Just to inform you of my setup:
JVC RV-8000V A/V Receiver
16 gauge speaker wire and Phoenix Gold interconnects
Paradigm Monitor Home Theater System
Besides sound, how is video and the other features?
Video seemed to be reproduced well. Colors looked fine and natural. All the other features seemed to perform their duties well, too.
Of note, though, is that the carousel is quite noisy. My old Yamaha Carousel DVD player and my current Yamaha Carousel CD player are a lot less noisy. When I first heard the sound of the mechanism, I was pretty unhappy. Though carousels don’t have to be quiet, they shouldn’t be overly noisy. This carousel is just obnoxious. Maybe it is a sacrifice you make for an inexpensive price point, but other manufacturers like JVC can create carousels that are much more quiet and still keep costs down.
Conclusion
I cannot recommend this DVD player. There are a lot better players out there. It might be wise to invest in a single disc DVD player if quality 5 disc players are simply too expensive. After I returned this player back to Sears, I purchased the single disc JVC XV-S502. It has treated me well and produces excellent sound and video.
(((Note: I am not trying to be cruel by giving this player a 1 out of 5 rating in sound. Epinons criteria demands it: "1-Terrible; tinny..." That's how I feel about the sound this reproduces. Even in this price range, sound should not be this weak. I believe I have been very fair in my other reviews here on Epinions.com. Please take a look at them, so that you can see that I am not just giving low ratings. Thanks.)))
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 130
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
brentv
|
|
Location: Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
I'm a simple man with a simple plan...of getting us the hell out of here!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.