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LED TV Review - "How to Blow 6k in 20 minutes and Love it!"

An LED TV review of Samsung UN55B8500 LED TV.

This HDTV uses the latest tricks and technology that Samsung has up its sleeve.

Of course Samsung is already working on the new 9000 series HDTV sets which are coming out very soon. You may wonder why I am writing an LED TV review about a set that will soon be yesterdays news?

Why? Because the price is about to come down and this awesome HDTV will now be affordable for many folks. Or in the very near future…

You may be a consumer who knows how the technology game is played. You don’t buy a new piece of technology hardware when its just hitting the market; The prices will be at their absolute highest.

Wait about 6 to 9 months (sometimes over 12 months) and the next model year products are being hyped up. Then close in on that new piece of gear. The savings can be in the thousands. This Samsung model is no different.

Samsung LED TV review - How is the Picture Quality?

The quality of picture on this Samsung 8500 series LED HDTV set was simply stunning. On 2D viewing you have plenty of reason to want this HDTV set.

Comparing the Samsung to nearly other set on the market is like 720p Vs 1080p.

One set we found that gets reasonably close during this LED tv review was the LG INFINIA 55LE8500.

The LG is a great HDTV set but it’s colors and picture quality cannot quite match the Samsung 8500 series. Still, if you want a cost effective alternative to the Samsung the LG 55LE8500 should fit the bill.

Samsung LED Black levels - LED TV review report summary:

Black levels were the best we have recorded to date. This is likely a result of the local dimming which shuts down the lights where there are shadows on the picture. Side lit HDTV's cannot duplicate this feature. Their lights stay on therefore some light still bleeds through the LCD screen from behind.

I have heard, but have not seen for myself, that the now discontinued Pioneer Kuro Plasma had deeper measurable black levels than this set.

But I think at this level of performance you would be hard pressed to see it even if viewing side by side. Still, measurements don’t lie, and this LED HDTV is beyond reproach.

Color Quality and Accuracy - LED TV Review report summary:

The color saturation, variation, and temperature of the Samsung UN55B8500 is class leading.

Nothing currently on the market can touch it for black level and consistency.

Pros: 55 inch 8500 series Samsung - LED TV review report Summary:

1. Awesome Picture Quality in all respects

2. Plenty of useful connections

3. Internet Capable (although it’s a bit slow)

Cons:

Very Expensive.

Its a bummer that high quality HDTV sets are still this pricey.

Here are some of my Favorite HDTV sets you may want to consider:

Here are my picks – Highest Quality sets at Top Moving Down to Budget sets at the Bottom:

Samsung UN55B8500 $3500: (used) $5800 (new) - sets the bar high for all HDTV sets to beat. The buck stops here. Awesome everything! The big Samsung has local dimming on the LED’s and incredible color. Phenomenal HDTV set! (Not cheap!)

LG 55LH90 around $1800 online: This set is much less expensive than the Samsung UN55B8500 model and it is nearly as good. This LG is very tough to beat at the price point. I have heard that this model has been recently discontinued so if you can find a set you better get one quick.

Samsung UN46B8000 $2000 online: (Amazon) offer incredible black levels and performance.

Samsung LN46B750 $1350 online: (Amazon) This set is not an LED but you may be hard pressed to notice. This is a great conventional back-lit model and worth every penny.

Samsung LN40B650 $1000 online and is a good value set that outperforms most sets in this price range. This little Samsung is very hard to beat at this price.

LG 37LH30 $700-$750 online: This budget 37 inch HDTV does not have a perfect picture due to uneven screen brightness and black levels but performs very well within its price constraints.

Vizio VO320E $500 online: 32 inch budget display is a great set with good overall picture quality.

Vizio VA19L around $200: 19 inch budget display has a great image and would work well for a kitchen, bedroom, or patio set.

Samsung UN55B8500 Features:

General

Product type LED LCD TV

Diagonal Size 55 in - Widescreen

Dimensions & Weight Details Panel without stand - 52 in x 1.6 in x 31.4 in x 61.7 lbs , Panel with stand - 52 in x 12.1 in x 34 in x 77.6 lbs

TV Tuner

Multi-channel Preview Picture-in-picture (PIP)

Stereo Reception System MTS

Secondary Audio Program (SAP) Yes

Display

LCD Backlight Technology LED

LED Backlight Type Edge light with local dimming

Display Format 1080p

Refresh Rate 240Hz

LCD Pixel Response Time 2 ms

Progressive Scan Progressive scanning (line doubling)

Additional Features Ultra clear panel , Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology

Video Features

Video Interface HDMI , Component

HDTV Ready Yes

Audio System

Speaker(s) 2 x Right/left channel speaker - Built-in - 15 Watt

Sound Output Mode Stereo

Surround Mode Yes

Sound Effects SRS TruSurround HD

Audio Controls Balance , Bass , Treble

Output Power / Total 30 Watt

Connections

Connector Type - Rear , 4 x HDMI ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Side , 2 x USB ( 4 pin USB Type A ) , 1 x Component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) , 1 x VGA input ( 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ) , 1 x Network ( RJ-45 ) , 1 x Digital audio output (optical) ( TOSLINK ) PC Interface VGA (HD-15)

Network & Internet Multimedia

Functionality Digital audio playback , Digital video playback

Memory Card Reader

USB Port Yes

Remote Control

Remote Control Remote control - Infrared

Stands & Mounts

Stand Included

Stand Design Tabletop

Stand Features Swivel

Flat Panel Mount Interface

Power

Power Device Power supply - Internal

HDCP Compatible

Manufacturer WarrantyService & Support 1 year warranty

Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year

Dimensions & Weight (Shipping)

Width (Shipping) 57.1 in

Depth (Shipping) 15.7 in

Height (Shipping) 39.2 in

Weight (Shipping) 95 lbs

Customer Testimonials:

"Peter, I just wanted to drop you a quick note and say how impressed I am with these speakers. They are EXACTLY what I was looking for..very very small with big sound.

My wife loves them as well. They look great, and you hardly notice them at all sitting on the shelf. They integrate perfectly as surrounds. I have them crossed over at 150 as you recommended...simply fantastic. I only have about 15 hours on them so far, so I know they will only get better. You really have something here. Kelly ~ Montana USA

"I found these speakers by accident and after reading all the available info and after several emails back and forth with the company owner I decided I had nothing to lose, so I ordered a set of 5 mini cube speakers.

Peter was very helpful and patient and always responded to my emails within hours.

I have had the speakers set up for a couple of days and they sound great; they are everything described on the web site.

The sound from these small speakers truly is awesome.

I replaced a set of very high quality but also very large speakers and have not been disappointed... and the wife loves not having four large speakers in the living room.

The sound from these speakers really does fill the entire house, I was concerned about the small size of the speakers due to the fact I like to listen to music and movies at volumes most would consider loud.

These speakers are more than capable of playing at volume levels louder than I ever need while also maintaining very high quality sound. ~by; William (Corinth,TX)

"I ordered these speakers in the hope of bringing some life to my entertainment system... I didn’t think it would bring room filling sound to my entire house. These speakers not only fill my den with crystal clear sound, but radiate great sound throughout the house. Thanks for such a great product!" Celia ~Malasia IP#110.159.58.99

"these speakers breathed new life back into my music, I had no idea such small surround sound speakers could perform so well." John from US IP# 24.177.193.45

"how you got so much performance out of these speakers I have no idea -Great product!" Andrew from Denmark IP# 130.225.22.254

"nice speakers, nice finish, blended in with my room well and the wife is happy too. Great sound presentation! Now I just wish you guys made a subwoofer." Kyle from US IP# 98.233.53.244

"These surround sound speakers are amazing! After running them in for a couple days, I decided to play some tunes, and they never once sounded distorted or strained...

While I know they should be paired with a good sub-woofer bass system, I think they sound good enough that I can wait until I have the money to buy a really nice sub." Fred US IP#76.208.13.182

"Wow, what a great set of speakers. I really understand what you mean by a large sound-stage." Sandy from US IP# 137.100.121.30

"Recently I came to realize that my HDTV was better than my sound system... So, I decided to piece together a better sound system. Running across your site (and these speakers) was the best thing that has happened to my home theater.

My current system is; an older receiver, a home theater PC with a blue-ray player drive, and one pair of your Mini-Cubes. (for now; I plan to buy 3 more speakers soon)" Kevin US IP#98.179.199.26

"Purchasing a new set of surround sound speakers was a must for me. My old system looked awful and sounded even worse. The quality and look of your Mini-Cube speaker were a perfect fit.

Once I reviewed the ratings and tests I knew they would be perfect. I will be sure to look for more information and products from you. I can't believe the performance of these surround sound speakers for the modest price. I would recommend these speakers to anyone!" Mike US IP#172.16.2.142

"The overall quality and dynamic capacity of these speakers really took me by surprise. Their imaging is distinct, tonality is crystal clear, and oh yeah... they pump out some serious volume!

I feel like I have stolen speakers that I can't afford. People that spend more are Suckers!!" Micah US #Ohio