Sony BRAVIA XBR Series KDL-46XBR9
Pros: If you can get this TV for less than $1,400 (like I did thru Amazon, including a sound bar with subwoofer and a Blue Ray player) you will be thrilled with this TV! If you base your buying decisions on expert reviews, get ready to spend like crazy!
Cons: Con number one from the experts, the “black level” debate – it’s overrated…tell me something, will you stop watching a movie just because a certain scene is not displaying a “true black” level? And con two from the experts, you went all out to buy this TV, where should the sound from a Blu-ray movie come from? If you really want to hear and feel that jet flying over head, expect to spend at least 50% of what you pay for this TV in a quality surround system.
Bottom-line, if you want true black levels from a movie, go watch the movie at the theater, no TV can match that…none! If you’re looking for those same black levels in a live program, buy the tickets to be there live. Otherwise, this TV will give you the next best thing to being there. If you’re looking for a bargain, you really need to be patient and look at online deals practically every day. That’s how I found the deal I got thru Amazon. I am not fanatical about any brand, but I did my homework…I went to a few brick and mortar stores and did side-by-side comparisons of different models, brands, prizes and sizes of HDTV’s. I really liked the natural colors that the Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and Pioneer TV’s reproduced, but, holy moly, the prices of the models that I really liked were, let me be honest, as if someone was cussing at me, I’m talking about fighting words, obscene ultimate-cage-fighting words. BUT, I wanted to stick to my plan – be patient, pick one or two TV models I would be really happy to own and wait…wait for the right (crazy-right!) prize. And the day came (and went really fast!) I saw this TV on sale and without hesitation whipped out the plastic and got it. I am extremely happy with this TV. But don’t listen to me, I am not an expert, just an average user who got the best price on a high end TV. Do more research, read more expert advise, but in the end it’s you (and your family) who are going to watch the movies and shows on this TV. The black levels are not perfect, the sound is not perfect. But like I mentioned earlier, for true blacks, go to the source (or a better reference you can afford to buy, like going to the movies.) And for the best sound? Do I need to repeat myself? Okay, no offense, but for everyday TV viewing, the sound on this TV (like any TV at any price range) is acceptable. But for watching a Blu-ray movie? Please! Let me say this, if you are going to complain that the sound on this TV is “bad” while you’re watching a Blu-ray movie and you consider yourself an expert in this field…get off the crack! For the best picture this TV can offer, get the best sound system you can afford…and (surprise!) the sound from the speakers on this TV are not the answer! This TV has other features that many people will enjoy…movie rentals thru Amazon, internet widgets, streaming music, syncing with other components like the surround sound and Blue Ray player…blah, blah, blah…this TV is awesome, shop wisely!
Reviewed by : Santos Lopez “Volkyman, Dec 7, 2009
