Is the XBR8 Worth It? - Blu-ray Forum

PVJAG · 05-05-2009, 08:32 PM

I've been putting money aside for my long awaited upgrade to my 46" XBR2. I've had my eye on the XBR8 and noticed it was on sale at Best Buy this week for $4,499. This still seems fairly high, but it's the first discount I've seen on them other than on Sony's website. Is the XBR8 worth the money? I was hoping to go with a 60" for my next HDTV so Sony's 52s are too small for me. 55" seems like a good compromise. When will Sony release the XBR8s successor? Is there any info on it yet? Thanks a bunch for any advice you may have to offer.

mmunro2003 · 05-05-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVJAG

I've been putting money aside for my long awaited upgrade to my 46" XBR2. I've had my eye on the XBR8 and noticed it was on sale at Best Buy this week for $4,499. This still seems fairly high, but it's the first discount I've seen on them other than on Sony's website. Is the XBR8 worth the money? I was hoping to go with a 60" for my next HDTV so Sony's 52s are too small for me. 55" seems like a good compromise. When will Sony release the XBR8s successor? Is there any info on it yet? Thanks a bunch for any advice you may have to offer.

The 55XBR8 did start out at $6999, so IMHO thats a good price drop for only being on the market for 6 months. We have no word on an XBR8 successor, something is always in the works but the XBR8 could have a longer product cycle than our other products. Remember, no one else makes a Triluminous LED model.

PVJAG · 05-05-2009, 10:01 PM

Thanks for the response. Anyone else have an opinion? Have you seen the 55 XBR8 cheaper than this? Thanks..

mmunro2003 · 05-05-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVJAG

Thanks for the response. Anyone else have an opinion? Have you seen the 55 XBR8 cheaper than this? Thanks..

http://electronics.pricegrabber.com/...arch=kdl55xbr8

phish00 · 05-06-2009, 01:44 AM

The XBR8 is definitely worth every penny I have other T.V.'S and you can not beat the picture quality on that the trilumious is the best technology that is out there. That is a excellent price on that t.v. if I didn't have the 52XBR4 I would get it.

phish00 · 05-06-2009, 01:47 AM

The only place I have seen it cheaper I was at Wood berry outlets this weekend they had the t.v. for $3,999 which besides employee price is the best price I've seen it if you live in the New York area go up there.

cawgijoe · 05-06-2009, 11:48 AM

It's definitely the best LCD out there right now. The price has dropped quite a bit.

The real question is.....what does Sony have coming out with the same technology and at what price point?..........but that's always the case. The triluminous tech will filter down to other sets in the near future.

I would say, if you have the money and the price is ok for you.....go for it.....you should be able to be happy with this set for years to come.

PVJAG · 05-06-2009, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the vote of confidence guys. I think I may order on this week. All the Best Buys around me are out of stock..

sokrman14 · 05-06-2009, 12:07 PM

Definitely worth it!!! And rumor has it the XBR9 will be a 52", not a 55"

mmunro2003 · 05-06-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokrman14

Definitely worth it!!! And rumor has it the XBR9 will be a 52", not a 55"

Its already out in a 52inch. Sony always does 52 not 55 (except the XBR8)

timbersbimbers · 05-06-2009, 03:25 PM

When I saw it at $4500 at Best Buy I jump at it. As I looked at the xbr8 next to Samsung's a950 side by side at Best Buy (many times over the past few months), I think the a950 did a better job of suppressing grain while the Sony brings out detail in dark areas better. Also the a950 showed film judder in pan scenes while the XBR8 was smooth but maybe the a950 had it's 120hz off. I notice colors on the a950 are brighter with more pop but I've read that is a chossen styling difference between Samsung & Sony. I guess brighter is not necessarily better if it is not accurate but it can look good (or bad).

Totally love Sony's build quality

MCT · 05-06-2009, 03:50 PM

I'm considering getting the 52'' 240HZ XBR7 model off Amazon, but I'm reading a couple of comments about "clouding" issues. Anyone care to explain what causes these effects, and if it's something I should take into consideration before purchasing a set?

mmunro2003 · 05-06-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCT

I'm considering getting the 52'' 240HZ XBR7 model off Amazon, but I'm reading a couple of comments about "clouding" issues. Anyone care to explain what causes these effects, and if it's something I should take into consideration before purchasing a set?

Personally I would get the XBR9, better styling, higher contrast ratio, built in internet widgets, 240Hz and Bravia Engine 3. LCD clouding seems to be a common problem in alot of LCD's on the market right now regardless of brand IMHO

MCT · 05-06-2009, 08:56 PM

yeah but its gonna be a little out of my price range. And by a little, I mean about $1500-$2000. Maybe I should wait til winter time and get one? Price should drop by then, right?

PVJAG · 05-07-2009, 06:59 PM

Well it looks like the sale is over. I drug my feet and missed out. I'm sure it will drop again soon enough, probably even lower..

HD 335 · 05-08-2009, 03:55 AM

It's $4,499.00 shipped on Amazon. Tax free if you live outside of New York and Oregon. I wish I didn't have my XBR4 so I could get this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbersbimbers

Also the a950 showed film judder in pan scenes while the XBR8 was smooth but maybe the a950 had it's 120hz off.

And you can't turn off 120hz, it's a refresh rate that's always on.

05-05-2009, 08:32 PM	#1
PVJAG Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:NYC Trading Score:100	Is the XBR8 Worth It? I've been putting money aside for my long awaited upgrade to my 46" XBR2. I've had my eye on the XBR8 and noticed it was on sale at Best Buy this week for $4,499. This still seems fairly high, but it's the first discount I've seen on them other than on Sony's website. Is the XBR8 worth the money? I was hoping to go with a 60" for my next HDTV so Sony's 52s are too small for me. 55" seems like a good compromise. When will Sony release the XBR8s successor? Is there any info on it yet? Thanks a bunch for any advice you may have to offer.

05-06-2009, 12:07 PM	#9
sokrman14 Special Member Member since:Mar 2006 Location:Omaha, NE Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:32 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Definitely worth it!!! And rumor has it the XBR9 will be a 52", not a 55" Last edited by sokrman14; 05-06-2009 at 12:26 PM.

05-06-2009, 03:25 PM	#11
timbersbimbers Banned Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray reviews:10	Love my KDL55XBR8 :) When I saw it at $4500 at Best Buy I jump at it. As I looked at the xbr8 next to Samsung's a950 side by side at Best Buy (many times over the past few months), I think the a950 did a better job of suppressing grain while the Sony brings out detail in dark areas better. Also the a950 showed film judder in pan scenes while the XBR8 was smooth but maybe the a950 had it's 120hz off. I notice colors on the a950 are brighter with more pop but I've read that is a chossen styling difference between Samsung & Sony. I guess brighter is not necessarily better if it is not accurate but it can look good (or bad). Totally love Sony's build quality

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
XBR 10 being discontinued.. XBR12>XBR8	LCD TVs	Petey2133	72	04-30-2010 01:52 AM
XBR8, XBR9 or XBR10. Why, or Why not?	LCD TVs	drvasek	11	11-24-2009 02:16 PM
Any Habs fans watching the game on an XBR8 tonight?	LCD TVs	blu-Is	0	10-08-2009 02:13 AM
I finally decided...XBR8	LCD TVs	blu-Is	14	10-04-2009 08:28 PM
Sony XBR8 or XBR7	LCD TVs	jizzle	37	11-21-2008 09:53 AM

05-05-2009, 10:01 PM	#3
PVJAG Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:NYC Trading Score:100	Thanks for the response. Anyone else have an opinion? Have you seen the 55 XBR8 cheaper than this? Thanks..

05-06-2009, 01:44 AM	#5
phish00 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2008 Location:New Jersey Home Theater Gallery:45 4K collection:117 Blu-ray collection:789 Prime collection:2	The XBR8 is definitely worth every penny I have other T.V.'S and you can not beat the picture quality on that the trilumious is the best technology that is out there. That is a excellent price on that t.v. if I didn't have the 52XBR4 I would get it.

05-06-2009, 01:47 AM	#6
phish00 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2008 Location:New Jersey Home Theater Gallery:45 4K collection:117 Blu-ray collection:789 Prime collection:2	The only place I have seen it cheaper I was at Wood berry outlets this weekend they had the t.v. for $3,999 which besides employee price is the best price I've seen it if you live in the New York area go up there.

05-06-2009, 11:48 AM	#7
cawgijoe Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Trading Score:1	It's definitely the best LCD out there right now. The price has dropped quite a bit. The real question is.....what does Sony have coming out with the same technology and at what price point?..........but that's always the case. The triluminous tech will filter down to other sets in the near future. I would say, if you have the money and the price is ok for you.....go for it.....you should be able to be happy with this set for years to come.

05-06-2009, 12:06 PM	#8
PVJAG Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:NYC Trading Score:100	Thanks for the vote of confidence guys. I think I may order on this week. All the Best Buys around me are out of stock..

05-06-2009, 03:50 PM	#12
MCT Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Nov 2008 Blu-ray collection:499 Blu-ray reviews: 8 Trading Score:1	I'm considering getting the 52'' 240HZ XBR7 model off Amazon, but I'm reading a couple of comments about "clouding" issues. Anyone care to explain what causes these effects, and if it's something I should take into consideration before purchasing a set?

05-06-2009, 08:56 PM	#14
MCT Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Nov 2008 Blu-ray collection:499 Blu-ray reviews: 8 Trading Score:1	yeah but its gonna be a little out of my price range. And by a little, I mean about $1500-$2000. Maybe I should wait til winter time and get one? Price should drop by then, right?

05-07-2009, 06:59 PM	#15
PVJAG Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:NYC Trading Score:100	Well it looks like the sale is over. I drug my feet and missed out. I'm sure it will drop again soon enough, probably even lower..

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals