Sony's
XBR6 series won over hearts long before they even
went up for pre-order, but now that they've begun to filter out, you're probably wondering if the image quality is as stunning as the overall design. The lucky souls over at
CNET were able to feast their retinas on this 52-incher for awhile, and when time came to pen the review, they had only a few negative things to say. The only knocks were the high price, intermittent color accuracy issues and below-average screen uniformity, but those downfalls were (generally) overshadowed by the accurate color temperature / decoding, bountiful array of ports and energy efficiency. Moreover, this HDTV produced the "deepest black levels of any non-LED LCD TV" it had ever tested, which is sure to thrill those who like it dark. Unfortunately, the bloated sticker ($3,699) and image quality niggles kept it from snagging a perfect review, but 4 out of 5 ain't bad.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom @ Oct 10th 2008 7:16AM
That's a beautiful TV, but I'd rather save $2,000 and get the Samsung LN52A650 52" LCD 1080p, 120Hz, 4ms response time and 50,000 dynamic contrast ratio.
TechDealDigger recently featured this TV for just $1,698 shipped from Fry's. The deal is expired, but here are some of the recent deals on high-end 52" TVs - http://www.techdealdigger.com/hot-deals/52-inch-lcd-tvs-sale/1490
Now is a great time to buy an HDTV. Retailers are discounting early this year, you just need to be patient to get the best deal.
Multi-format-mayhem @ Oct 10th 2008 7:24AM
Like they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.
I just don't see what reviewers see when they say any widescreen HD TV over 40" is "stunning".
"Stunning"!?
Hardly.
(the nearest to an exception being the little < 32" wine-glass Samsungs IMO)
They're all big rectangles with the top & bottom edges longer & usually in black (thankfully).
There's not really a lot of wriggle-room to do much different except mess around a little with the bezel thickness & where you put the speakers - and, if you're Samsung or Philips, play around with a touch of light or colour.
Big deal.
TBH that clear perspex bit on this Sony looks odd to me but as I haven't seen one for real in front of me I guess I'll hold judgement.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 10th 2008 11:25AM
I dunno, I generally find most big direct-view LCDs (and some plasmas) to be stunning. I guess I haven't learned to take for granted the image quality available on modern TVs yet.
Video Master 2 @ Oct 10th 2008 8:15AM
I do like Sony better than any other electronics brand, but their prices as of lately are over-inflated. Their LCD's do have a good picture and they look more natural to me than a Samsung. I'd pay only about $1400 for the XBR6. I'm looking into buying the 46 inch Z series with the silver bezel. Almost the same features as the XBR6.
I do like the pics on a Samsung, but they really messed up with that ugly Touch of Color red accents on the edge of the bezel. How about make a plain black or silver bezel for the rest of us? I do like the new 9 series Sammies with LED backlighting, but then again the prices are ridiculous.
LCD's right now are in a crappy stage. Good selection if you have lots of $$$. If you don't you are screwed.
adam @ Oct 10th 2008 9:14AM
Below average screen uniformity, and intermittent color accuracy is actually nothing to be scoffed off under the rug. It seems that these manufacturers keep going for deeper and deeper blacks, but at the cost of color and uniformity that doesn't always make for the most pleasing image to look at.
Adam http://www.hdupdate.com
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 10th 2008 11:25AM
I doubt it's anywhere near as bad as my Sharp's uneven backlight, which was also triggered by a quest for more contrast as you say.
adam @ Oct 10th 2008 11:41AM
Good point, I haven't noticed any real backlight problems on my sharp, but it's an older model before this quest for contrast became such a hotly contested topic. I respect the desire for deep blacks, however not at the cost of other, possibly more important aspects of what makes an image great to watch
Lee @ Oct 10th 2008 11:19AM
Just saw this TV at the Sony store. I was not very impressed. I have an XBR2 and honestly I could not tell the difference in picture quality. I also saw the XBR8 on display and I was also not impresses LED backlight and all. Maybe it was not calibrated right but for $7000 it better be like looking through a window. I looked like any other LCD.
Tony @ Oct 10th 2008 11:51AM
Yea, I'd rather buy the KURO 5020 @ $2500. The KURO is stunning, I have two, so I am boasting from 1st hand experience (I'm a former Sony LCD owner as well).
http://www.plasmaconcepts.com/
http://www.invisiondisplays.com/index.php
The negatives on the Sony are too much for that price: below-average screen uniformity (below average!!) jeesh.
DonFol @ Oct 10th 2008 4:18PM
I would really rather spend half the price and get the new Vizio SV420XVT with 1080p, 120hz, great picture quality and great true blacks.
When you buy a Sony or Samsung, half the time all you are buying is the label. I'd rather get a good quality product at a decent price.
http://online.barrons.com/article/SB122307277314603571.html?page=2
britboyj @ Oct 10th 2008 9:22PM
I'll stick with my 46XBR4, properly calibrated. Blacks are just as good here as on the XBR6 I saw at the Sony Style store, except possibly in a completely black room, but I don't have that option.
That and the case looks... ugly. Speaker on the bottom is fail.
I'll save up for the XBR8 thankyouverymuch.