sony 52's which one?

[jgw4]

I just compared the KDL52WL135 (2999 at Costco) and the KDL52XBR5 (4300 @ best buy). What are the differences that may a 1000-1300 difference? I pulled the specs and noted the following: the frame of the XBR is a little sleeker/fancier, WL has a bravia engine ex video processor, XBR has bravia engine with Pro HD video processor, XBR has front surrounds/digital amp (I don't need this anyway), XBR dynamic contrast ratio is 18K vs. 16K for WL. I'm I missing something?

 

[mudrummer99]

I would recommend the 52"XBR4, similar screen to the XBR5 but a few hundred cheaper (I've actually seen this one go on sale for as little as $3000). I haven't seen too many differences between the 4 and 5 series other than the 5 can change out it's bezel (for a fee through Sony). That would be the way I would personally go. Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[gwilks98]

I would recommend the 52"XBR4, similar screen to the XBR5 but a few hundred cheaper (I've actually seen this one go on sale for as little as $3000). I haven't seen too many differences between the 4 and 5 series other than the 5 can change out it's bezel (for a fee through Sony). That would be the way I would personally go. Hope this helps.

Mike

I have the XBR4 and have been pretty happy with it. I think the XBR5 has an 18 month warranty, but big deal if you buy the extended plans. The XBRs have some sort of 3D capability you don't typically see on their cheaper models.

I think the other difference between the two models you origianlly asked about is the refresh rate. I know the XBR5 (and XBR4) can do 120 HZ, but I THINK the other one is only 60hz. I honestly don't know how much of a difference you'll see.

 

[esqueejy]

I bought the XBR5 last January (only 46" though) and had it calibrated. It's picture still occassionally provides pleasant suprises. Believe it or not though, if you go to Best Buy and talk some smack, you can get them to come down...especially if they have a deal on a lower screen size of the same model. They were giving away PS3's with the 32" XBR5s so I was able to get them to throw in a 40GB PS3 and take $900 off the 46" XBR5's price in exchange for taking the extended warranty (which really amounts to not much of a price discount out-of-pocket, but we'll see...if something goes wrong I could end up relieved...otherwise, a little peace of mind can sometimes be invaluable ).

 

[onlinegadgeteer]

No can explain everything and it is OK.

 

[annunaki]

The only Sony I would do is the KDL-52XBR8 with localized dimming capability. It is the only way to get realistic Black out of an LCD.

It would be that set or the Samsung 950 series (which is less expensive than the XBR8 and will out perform any of the afformentioned XBR models [XBR4 or XBR5] by a substantial margin) if I were doing an LCD.

 

[AVBrat]

The only one I would buy would be the KDL-52XBR6

 

[septim]

XBR4/5 are very nice but they were top of line in 2007. The XBR6 will have a lot less blur and 120hz processing artifacts/issues than the first gen of 120hz.

 

[PENG]

I just compared the KDL52WL135 (2999 at Costco) and the KDL52XBR5 (4300 @ best buy). What are the differences that may a 1000-1300 difference? I pulled the specs and noted the following: the frame of the XBR is a little sleeker/fancier, WL has a bravia engine ex video processor, XBR has bravia engine with Pro HD video processor, XBR has front surrounds/digital amp (I don't need this anyway), XBR dynamic contrast ratio is 18K vs. 16K for WL. I'm I missing something?

I would say despite the better specs for the XBR5 or XBR6 on paper, it will be difficult to tell the difference in terms of PQ. The older KDL52WXXXXXXX models were 60 Hz (refresh rate) but the 2008/9 models are 120 Hz.

Not that long ago, Future shop/Bestbuy had the W going for C$1999.99. Now it is C$2499.99.
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=BDL10001797&catid=26554

And it is C$2479.99 (C$2299.99 just before Christmas) in Canada.
http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10317783&whse=BCCA&Ne=4000000&eCat=BCCA|79|2341&N=4008767&Mo=16&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&cat=3316&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-CA&Sp=C&topnav=

It should be cheaper in the U.S. because 1 US$>=1.2 C$.

Anyway, for that kind of money you may want to consider Plasma.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I still say displays are easy. If you have the money, you get the PIO Kuro, if you don't, you get the Pannny.

...I know...I know...you want a LCD...