Sony52xbr10 or Samsung 55unb8500???

[kpkelley]

a v-series plasma from Panasonic or a Pioneer Kuro would at least match the picture quality of those sets(and IMO surpass them) and at a lower price.

The only concern with a plasma would be if the room it's going into has significant natural light with little light control.

What it all comes down to is which you prefer. I would suggest you look at both in a properly controlled environment, i.e. not Best Buy(Magnolia is ok), perhaps a local home video store if you can find one.