January What Hi Fi - 46-47" TVs
http://whathifi.com/forums/t/4881.aspx?PageIndex=1
Already discussed...
I must admit I've been waiting for this shootout for a month and in the end deeply disappointed with end results. I would have hoped that WHF team would have compared Samsung with Sony W3000 in the end but guess what they pulled a trick and compared it with a high-end model.
I think it is absolutely incorrect and WHF should at least put correction in the next issues or if possible revise their verdict. Company like Sumsung are competing against giant like Sony with agreesive pricing and giving deserving customer an opportunity to have the joy of high-end stuff at pocket friendly price but are let down by WHF editors. I don't work for Samsung but won't accept any injustice.
I know enough has been said but more disappointed that WHF says if your pocket is big enough go for Sony we will give it the crown of 46" even at that price. Wondering if Sony is pushing their shiny kits under the carpet of Hay Market corporate offices.
Whoa, enough with the accusations - as Joe Cox clearly says above, with the correct pricing (as opposed to the wrong one given by Sony), the Samsung is the winner of the test. We've gone straight on record up here and said that, and will also include an explanation in the next issue.
And no 'pulling tricks' - we've reviewed the 'W' range in several sizes, but plenty of readers have requested reviews of the brand-new X5 range, which is why we asked Sony to supply.
We'd already given the Samsung five stars and it's now proven itself as the best in this price-class - just as its 32in set was best budget in our Awards. An Awards when Sony didn't win a single gong for any of its TVs, I hasten to add....
Reviewing the latest products does sometimes means early price confusion, but it's rare - this is one of those unfortunate examples, and one we've clarified. Just as we clarify other mistakes, as you'll see from other threads here. Apologies again, but it's a result of being human, not any 'agenda'.
Injustice? FFS guys... its a blummin TV not some weird political conspiricy!
I do agree that the test could have been better (i.e use of a W3000 as opposed to an X3500) but thats life. If anything I give the WHF staff more credit for coming out here on the forum and holding their hands up because it would have been very easy for them to bury their heads in the sand on this one.
They mention that an amendment will be forthcoming in the next magazine, what more is there to say on the issue?
One question I do have however back on the subject is as you have reviewed various sizes of the W3000... hypothetically if that were dropped in to the test this issue (along with the X3500 too) how well would it have done?
I guess what I am trying to say is would the Samsung beat the W3000 in a test because the reviews I have seen of the W3000 seem very very favorable (even when compared to the X3500).
Is it just the 100hz picture missing and if so does it really make a huge difference (especially with HD material)?
No Sony Bravia set from the new range has gained less than five stars, so i'd be very surprised if the 46W3000 is a stinker. Whether it's better than the clearly excellent Samsung is something we'll have to reserve judgement on until we've done a proper, thorough test: we deal with actuals, not hypotheticals...
From what I read of your last post I was under the presumption that you had already reviewed the W3000 in various sizes. However upon reading again you state W series in general so I guess that meant older W series models. My mistake... 
In which case do you have any plans to review the W3000 at all in the next month or so? I would love to go for the X3500 but for purely asthetic reasons prefer the black bezel on the W series.
Knickers in a twist, come on girls wrong price from Sony, a reason not an excuse. Get on with it, no one has died. take a chill pill or perm your hair.
We reviewed the KDL-40W3000 in November, and it was an excellent 5-star product, with a detailed and extremely vibrant picture.
As you're probably aware, Sony has a huge range of LCD screens. The KDL-46W3000 is one of many on our wishlist, and we'll get round to testing it as soon as we can.
Whoa, enough with the accusations - as Joe Cox clearly says above, with the correct pricing (as opposed to the wrong one given by Sony), the Samsung is the winner of the test. We've gone straight on record up here and said that, and will also include an explanation in the next issue.
And no 'pulling tricks' - we've reviewed the 'W' range in several sizes, but plenty of readers have requested reviews of the brand-new X5 range, which is why we asked Sony to supply.
We'd already given the Samsung five stars and it's now proven itself as the best in this price-class - just as its 32in set was best budget in our Awards. An Awards when Sony didn't win a single gong for any of its TVs, I hasten to add....
Reviewing the latest products does sometimes means early price confusion, but it's rare - this is one of those unfortunate examples, and one we've clarified. Just as we clarify other mistakes, as you'll see from other threads here. Apologies again, but it's a result of being human, not any 'agenda'.
Well said. There has clearly been a simple miscommunication here and there is no need for all the accusations. If anyone can show me a magazine which never has any mistakes in it I'd be amazed.
As for the price of the 46X3500 the average price now is about £2699.99, and not over £3K. Given that this can be had with a free, insurance backed 5 year warranty and Sony's usual generous package saving offers its not so far away from the rest of the test in real terms. The 46X3000 is generally about £100 less and is identical with the exception of the bezel (brushed metal finish on the X3500, black plastic and interchangeable with optional coloured bezels on the X3000).
Sony £2000?? You can't get the x3500 less then £2700 at the moment.You may be referring to the x3000 even that is no less then £2300.
Yes very well written.
it seem's to me they prefer the Samsung which was reviewed this month and Sony in October.
I have seen them side bye side and i think the blacks levels on the Samsung is the best at the moment
slightly better then Sony's and the freeview is better on Sony but only if you don't mind the smearing and motion issues otherwise the Samsung is more solid with motion and blacks, but a bit soft.
Anyway i think they are both as good as each other,it all comes down to value and for me Samsung wins.
I find it hard to believe that the Sony television would really have won the best buy with a 600 pound difference.
If you review well written articles by http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk for both the samsung and sony television they both score 91%.
http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/lcd/samsung_le46f86.htm
http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/lcd/sony_kdl-46x3500.htm
Not got the mag yet (tonight). Does it mention fan noise on the X3500?
No they don't.
Yes your right its priced at £3195 but discounted to £2700 at Sony Style UK online but am not sure if its discounted at Sony center,Phillips is £2199 and the Samsung is £1799.
I think if they had got the price right the outcome of the group test would have been very different.
I have seen the Sony and Samsung on display, and i have also noticed the motion problems i found that
a proper distraction and i thought the the Samsung had better black levels but i agree with What hi-fi that the Sony's Freeview tuner is better,so if that's important to you then go for the Sony and if you or anyone else is thinking of getting a PS3 for DVD duties then don't, it's not good enough for a 46-47 tv because i made that mistake.
I then brought a Panasonic EX 75 dvd recorder for my Sony 40W2000 and that was a lot better especially for sharpness,blacks and motion.
I plan on getting a Denon 1940 £199 online or Toshiba HD EP35 (for Dvd playback according to What hi-fi more or less the same).It's £270 with 7 free HD DVD'S at Amazon uk.