Samsung UN46B8000, UN46B8500 or UN55B6000?

[TangoJuliet]

I'm still trying to decide which TV to buy. I have a budget of about $2000 but I can go a little over.

The options I have are:

46B8000 + BR player/HT
46B8500 only
55B6000 only

The 8500s are top of the line whereas the 8000 are a tad below. However I can go for size over PQ with the 55".

I was debating over the Pany plasmas but I read somewhere that the black levels have been getting messed up and no software/firmware fix is on the way. I also saw one in Costco and I really do not like the stand and the TV will NOT be wall mounted.

I don't like the 55" Vizio LED's bezel. Any other suggestions? Should I just wait until some of the 2010 models come out to compare?

 

[JackBurton]

If 46" will do for you, and you have a budget of $2000, take a look at the 46" Sony XBR8. It is the best LCD out (even though it is a 2008). Take a look at one in person and see what you think. Sony also has some 2010 LCDs coming out. Check them out too. I haven't seen any in person, so I really can't tell you a lot about them.

If you need something bigger and wouldn't mind going the plasma route, check out the Samsung plasmas. Really nice plasmas, but they do have the tendency to show IR more than other plasmas. I agree with you about the Panasonics though. I would be hesitant about purchasing one with the reports of elevated black levels. Even worse, Panasonic doesn't seem to have fixed this issue on their 2010 plasmas. So I guess you'll have grayer blacks in 3D.

 

[TangoJuliet]

If 46" will do for you, and you have a budget of $2000, take a look at the 46" Sony XBR8. It is the best LCD out (even though it is a 2008). Take a look at one in person and see what you think. Sony also has some 2010 LCDs coming out. Check them out too. I haven't seen any in person, so I really can't tell you a lot about them.

If you need something bigger and wouldn't mind going the plasma route, check out the Samsung plasmas. Really nice plasmas, but they do have the tendency to show IR more than other plasmas. I agree with you about the Panasonics though. I would be hesitant about purchasing one with the reports of elevated black levels. Even worse, Panasonic doesn't seem to have fixed this issue on their 2010 plasmas. So I guess you'll have grayer blacks in 3D.

I'd love to go bigger but the price in the higher end LEDs are very expensive ~$3000. The plasmas aren't too bad but as I had mentioned before I did not like the Vieras. I have not seen the Samsung plasmas but again there are some issues with the black levels that I'd like to avoid.

As for the Sonys....there was a Bravia model that I loved (glass bezel) but it had some serious issues with the PQ. There has been all but one model that looked aesthetically pleasing as that one but I was under the impression that Sony's TVs have taken a hit lately in quality and PQ. Do you have a model for that 2008 one you spoke about? Since it is almost 3 years old would that mean I'd have to find a used/open box one?

I'd also like the TV to have some sort of internet connectivity as I can stream some movies over the network or at least have netflix/bb. I mean its not a deal breaker as I can just buy a WD Live add on device but it would be nice to have 1 less box hooked up to it.

Which 2010 models were worth waiting for? Were there any at CES that people spoke highly about? I'd like to pass on the 3D thing as its just another gimmick.

 

[JackBurton]

Tango, you can pick up the 46" Sony XBR8 at Amazon or OneCall. It is still being sold new and in the box.

And if you want to get some information on the new 2010 Sony line, take a look here. It should have all the information you need.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Tango, you can pick up the 46" Sony XBR8 at Amazon or OneCall. It is still being sold new and in the box.

And if you want to get some information on the new 2010 Sony line, take a look here. It should have all the information you need.

Great, thanks for the info! How would you compare the Sony to the Samsung LEDs? Both are 46" but the Samsung does offer 240hz as compared to the Sony's 120hz. Both are basically the same price online $1900

 

[JackBurton]

Great, thanks for the info! How would you compare the Sony to the Samsung LEDs? Both are 46" but the Samsung does offer 240hz as compared to the Sony's 120hz. Both are basically the same price online $1900

I'd say the XBR8 is much better than the Samsungs. Don't get caught up in the Hz race on LCDs. The XBR8 has a better overall picture quality, but best of all, the viewing angles are MUCH better on the XBR8. The Samsung LCD LEDs are awful in that regard.

 

[Jasonx82]

8500! local dimming!

 

[JackBurton]

Man, I don't want to make this decision any harder on you, but you can get the brand new 2010 Sony EX700 for $2500 (plus $100 shipping). It is a little over your budget but get this, it is a 60" LCD. It is edge lit, so I'd try to check one out in person to see what you think. I still think the XBR8 will still have the better PQ, but 46" compared to 60" is a HUGE difference.

Anyway, just some more options for you.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Man, I don't want to make this decision any harder on you, but you can get the brand new 2010 Sony EX700 for $2500 (plus $100 shipping). It is a little over your budget but get this, it is a 60" LCD. It is edge lit, so I'd try to check one out in person to see what you think. I still think the XBR8 will still have the better PQ, but 46" compared to 60" is a HUGE difference.

Anyway, just some more options for you.

You know when I mentioned about getting one over 55" my wife flipped out. She thinks the 37" that we have now is big. I can only imagine what she would think about a 60-65". I do agree though as our living room isn't that big and it would probably be a bit too big on the console that it would sit on.

I do believe I saw one of those new Sonys in Costco. The only problem I had with it was the bezel was like a piano black but (right above the stand) the part of the bezel that has the controls is a cheap looking grey plastic. It basically makes it look two toned and ugly IMO.

Aside from the 2010 Sonys were there any other models that I should take a
look at?

 

[JackBurton]

You know when I mentioned about getting one over 55" my wife flipped out. She thinks the 37" that we have now is big. I can only imagine what she would think about a 60-65". I do agree though as our living room isn't that big and it would probably be a bit too big on the console that it would sit on.

I do believe I saw one of those new Sonys in Costco. The only problem I had with it was the bezel was like a piano black but (right above the stand) the part of the bezel that has the controls is a cheap looking grey plastic. It basically makes it look two toned and ugly IMO.

Aside from the 2010 Sonys were there any other models that I should take a
look at?

Well I can tell you if you saw a Sony at Costco, it wasn't the EX700. They have barely made it on the market, and it will be a long time before Costco gets one, that is if they get one in at all.

Aside from the new Sony's, off the top of my head, nothing else out there really stood out for me.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Well I can tell you if you saw a Sony at Costco, it wasn't the EX700. They have barely made it on the market, and it will be a long time before Costco gets one, that is if they get one in at all.

Aside from the new Sony's, off the top of my head, nothing else out there really stood out for me.

Next time I go to Costco I'll check out the model number and post it here.

I just spent some time on AVS and seems like a lot of people are excited about the new Samsung LED "C" series. No release date on them yet but Amazon has the C7000 for preorder. The stand looks funky and I'm not sure if I like it. I'd have to see it in person.

Jack do you have any opinions on the LG LED set?

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Last year I upgraded from a 42" to a 52" LCD, and I have to say, even though there was a dramatic increase in quality (I went from a cheap Westinghouse to a high-end Samsung), the size increase is the most immediately impressive feature. As long as you aren't buying a cheap TV (and you aren't with a Samsung), I think I'd have to recommend going for size over model number. And while that wouldn't necessarily be my recommendation if we were talking about 3" give or take, the difference between a 46" and a 55" is huge, and well worth it in my opinion (you'll get a great picture out of all three of those models). But how big a space are we talking about? If you're sitting 6 feet away from your TV, my opinion changes.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Last year I upgraded from a 42" to a 52" LCD, and I have to say, even though there was a dramatic increase in quality (I went from a cheap Westinghouse to a high-end Samsung), the size increase is the most immediately impressive feature. As long as you aren't buying a cheap TV (and you aren't with a Samsung), I think I'd have to recommend going for size over model number. And while that wouldn't necessarily be my recommendation if we were talking about 3" give or take, the difference between a 46" and a 55" is huge, and well worth it in my opinion (you'll get a great picture out of all three of those models). But how big a space are we talking about? If you're sitting 6 feet away from your TV, my opinion changes.

I have a "cheap" TV right now that is being replaced. Its a Westinghouse 37" 1080p monitor that was originally used as my computer monitor. When my wife and I bought our house to save on some money we moved the monitor into the living room (to use as the TV) and I sold my computer.

The TV we be about 8' from the couches. We don't usually have many visitors so the other couch viewed at an off angle won't really matter much. The main couch is dead center.

Jack - I was looking at Sony's website and while the 60" may be a little too big for my wife the price is also a little more then I would like to spend. The 52" may be just right though. I looked at the specs and the biggest thing that caught my attention is the USB port. It says that you can attach your USB drive to the TV and play movies right from it. That would really be an ideal situation for me as I have a ton of movies stored on a USB drive and I can play right from there instead of getting something like the WD live device. Your thoughts on the 52'?

 

[ManBearPig]

if you are buying right now, 8500 no doubt about it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

if you are buying right now, 8500 no doubt about it.

I don't have to buy right now. I have the money to buy it but I can wait until early April (after my bday so hopefully I get some more $).

 

[Muadib]

I have a "cheap" TV right now that is being replaced. Its a Westinghouse 37" 1080p monitor that was originally used as my computer monitor. When my wife and I bought our house to save on some money we moved the monitor into the living room (to use as the TV) and I sold my computer.

The TV we be about 8' from the couches. We don't usually have many visitors so the other couch viewed at an off angle won't really matter much. The main couch is dead center.

Jack - I was looking at Sony's website and while the 60" may be a little too big for my wife the price is also a little more then I would like to spend. The 52" may be just right though. I looked at the specs and the biggest thing that caught my attention is the USB port. It says that you can attach your USB drive to the TV and play movies right from it. That would really be an ideal situation for me as I have a ton of movies stored on a USB drive and I can play right from there instead of getting something like the WD live device. Your thoughts on the 52'?

Specs for the KDL-52EX700 are the same as the 60". My problem with this model is the sensors it has. If you think you might have an issue with them, then you should wait for the models due in the summer.

I agree with Playboy. If you got the 55B6000, the size difference over what you have now will blow you away, and you should see a noticeable improvement in picture quality over the set you have now.

However, if you want the best LCD out right now, then IMO, you have to get the 8500. The XBR8 was hot back in 2008, but the 8500 became the top dog last year, and it shows. When I compared the 2 back in the fall, the 8500 was better in every category that mattered to me. I should mention that I really didn't compare the off axis view, because it didn't matter to me. I sit right in front of my set now, which currently is a DLP. The only way I would get an XBR8 now is if I got a great deal.

If you can wait, Samsung also has new models on the way.

 

[JackBurton]

Specs for the KDL-52EX700 are the same as the 60". My problem with this model is the sensors it has. If you think you might have an issue with them, then you should wait for the models due in the summer.

I agree with Playboy. If you got the 55B6000, the size difference over what you have now will blow you away, and you should see a noticeable improvement in picture quality over the set you have now.

However, if you want the best LCD out right now, then IMO, you have to get the 8500. The XBR8 was hot back in 2008, but the 8500 became the top dog last year, and it shows. When I compared the 2 back in the fall, the 8500 was better in every category that mattered to me. I should mention that I really didn't compare the off axis view, because it didn't matter to me. I sit right in front of my set now, which currently is a DLP. The only way I would get an XBR8 now is if I got a great deal.

If you can wait, Samsung also has new models on the way.

I was not impressed with the 8500 at all. As I said before, it has a very narrow "sweet spot" and during the credits you can see the LED backlight zones turning on and shutting off which looked weird. And I'd definitely take the XBR8's RGB LED backlight over Samsung's white LED backlight. That and the XBR8's much better viewing angles makes it a no brainer for me. But hey, I recommend anyone to go check out the TVs for themselves to see which one looks better to them.

 

[JackBurton]

I have a "cheap" TV right now that is being replaced. Its a Westinghouse 37" 1080p monitor that was originally used as my computer monitor. When my wife and I bought our house to save on some money we moved the monitor into the living room (to use as the TV) and I sold my computer.

The TV we be about 8' from the couches. We don't usually have many visitors so the other couch viewed at an off angle won't really matter much. The main couch is dead center.

Jack - I was looking at Sony's website and while the 60" may be a little too big for my wife the price is also a little more then I would like to spend. The 52" may be just right though. I looked at the specs and the biggest thing that caught my attention is the USB port. It says that you can attach your USB drive to the TV and play movies right from it. That would really be an ideal situation for me as I have a ton of movies stored on a USB drive and I can play right from there instead of getting something like the WD live device. Your thoughts on the 52'?

The 52EX700 may be a perfect fit for you, price and size wise. I believe it uses the new UV2A panel which looks to be pretty awesome on paper, but like I said, I haven't been able to check one out in person.

And if you are excited about the USB port, you're going to love the DLNA feature. It allows you to stream pictures, audio and video from your PC (or any DLNA server) to your TV using its ethernet connection. The specs also show it is wireless ready, so you may be able to stream content wirelessly. Either way, this is MUCH better than getting up and plugging a USB drive into the TV.

 

[TangoJuliet]

So I posted a similar thread over at AVS and the general consensus was to wait until the 2010 models come out. Someone posted that the Sammy LEDs have a glossy screen and you get a lot of reflections off of them. Also with the edge lit LED it gives some clouding and the blacks aren't that great.

I really think the 52" Sony is going to be the winner. 52" is a nice size to be immersed in the screen. It's wifi capable, has USB and the DLNA feature plus it fits right in my budget. I just need to see it in person.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Went to costco today and they had the 55" Sony EX501. That really was it for the newer models. Anybody know what the difference between the 500/700 models are?

 

[Muadib]

You can see the differences here.

Here is the price list.

 

[TangoJuliet]

You can see the differences here.

Here is the price list.

cool, thanks. looks like the 500 series is just a true LCD whereas the 700 series is edge lit LED.

I saw those prices on sony's site before but they can be had for less right now

 

[Gibson486]

cool, thanks. looks like the 500 series is just a true LCD whereas the 700 series is edge lit LED.

I saw those prices on sony's site before but they can be had for less right now

I wish Best Buy calibrated the TVs right. The only TVs that looked decent were the ones from Samsung....We were thinking about getting the LCD version of the UN46B6000, but those Sonys look tempting.

 

[TangoJuliet]

I wish Best Buy calibrated the TVs right. The only TVs that looked decent were the ones from Samsung....We were thinking about getting the LCD version of the UN46B6000, but those Sonys look tempting.

Tell me about it. I've been to a bunch of stores and most of the display units are all jacked up. The contrast is at max, there are multiple splitters from the original source, etc etc

I've been going crazy trying to pick a new TV. I really like what the Sony has to offer but I'm not 100% sold on the bezel. It is two toned (black/grey) and doesn't really look that great. The NX700 looks really nice but they don't offer it in 52" (46 is max I believe). The HX900 doesn't have the grey border and is 3D capable will be out this summer but I'm sure its going to demand a high price.

I also am not sold on Sony's quality. I have a HTIB from them and the 5 disc dvd player doesn't work any more and its only a couple years old. On the flip side though I do have a 30" HD Trinitron CRT in the basement that works great and its about 8 years old.

I think I'm still going to wait and see what the new Samsung LEDs look like (UN46/55C series). Like I said previously the Sammy LEDs look great both aesthetically and in PQ. Some people complain about the bad viewing angles and some clouding effects caused by the LED lighting in dark settings.

 

[Gibson486]

Tell me about it. I've been to a bunch of stores and most of the display units are all jacked up. The contrast is at max, there are multiple splitters from the original source, etc etc

I've been going crazy trying to pick a new TV. I really like what the Sony has to offer but I'm not 100% sold on the bezel. It is two toned (black/grey) and doesn't really look that great. The NX700 looks really nice but they don't offer it in 52" (46 is max I believe). The HX900 doesn't have the grey border and is 3D capable will be out this summer but I'm sure its going to demand a high price.

I also am not sold on Sony's quality. I have a HTIB from them and the 5 disc dvd player doesn't work any more and its only a couple years old. On the flip side though I do have a 30" HD Trinitron CRT in the basement that works great and its about 8 years old.

I think I'm still going to wait and see what the new Samsung LEDs look like (UN46/55C series). Like I said previously the Sammy LEDs look great both aesthetically and in PQ. Some people complain about the bad viewing angles and some clouding effects caused by the LED lighting in dark settings.

That's the exact reason I backed away from the LEDs. They looked awesome in store and they were the same price as the LCD counterpart at best buy. Very tempting.

I agree about Sony quality, though. I have a 27in Trinitron that is built like a rock, but the other stuff seems a little iffy. I have a clock radio and cd player....man, they did not last a year.