Best Plasma for under $5000?? - Page 2 - Blu-ray Forum

Steelmaker · 07-31-2008, 12:59 PM

According to CNET, the Pioneer Kuros (not the elites) do not have many of the display settings that most HDTV's have such as color temperature. I guess this would be fine if colors were accurate out of the box but according to them, the colors are not accurate. They actually rate the Panasonic higher overall. They say while the Kuros do have better blacks when comparing them side by side, they say the difference is negligible and you're getting into a situation of diminishing returns when you consider how much more you spend for a Kuro. They say the colors on the Panasonic are better because you can tweak them as opposed to the Kuro. The elites DO have the color settings but you're talking about spending a lot more money when you could buy a Panny and still have plenty left over for other things.

Naka · 07-31-2008, 05:25 PM

Now I'm looking at the PRO-151FD 60" and wondering if its worth it to pay a little more now and get the bigger TV. I'm sitting about 8' away from the TV on average and can't sit further back than that since my couch is up against the wall. Is this too close? Would the 50" be better suited for 8'?

Would it be worth be buying the Elite from a local Best Buy even though it will take 3 weeks since I will have peace of mind that I'm getting it from a reputable dealer and that if I have problems I can always go back to them locally? Of course I'd have to pay full MSRP.

Ok talked to a guy at plasmabay.com and was wondering if anyone had any dealings with them good or bad? I'm thinking about purchasing the 50" elite from them and they have about a 7 - 10 day shipping time. I'm just wondering how such a big and expensive purchase like this would be to Hawaii.

MaleManGuy · 08-01-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naka

I'm looking at getting the Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD. Anyone with positive or negative comments about this TV? Other than the price! LOL

performance wise... you can't beat it... so don't even bother asking if you got the $ :-) Go get the Pro 111FD.

The Panasonic 850 is very close in comparison and quite a lot cheaper. I'd take a look at both.

SellmeyourDVD · 08-05-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

I'd go with a pio or panny 800/850u 50" 58" 65" 1080p 24fps 30,000 native contrast, you can't go wrong with either of those.

any pioneer will blow ALL of those pannys out of the water

theprophecy247 · 08-05-2008, 03:15 PM

pioneer for the best pq, panasonic for the best pq at a good $$

Blu Haze · 08-05-2008, 03:27 PM

How much are you investing in sound? Reciever and speakers? 1000 plus? Your spending 5000 on a TV you should be spending some on sound..

Dirk504 · 08-05-2008, 04:05 PM

I know Panasonics and Pioneers are really good plasmas, but Samsung plasmas aren't bad either. My picture is flawless and Blu Rays look magnificent on it.

As far as buying a Pioneer goes, have you tried searching Amazon?

Naka · 08-05-2008, 05:15 PM

Just took delivery last night of my brand new Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD. Now for the break-in and once thats done its getting ISF calibrated. I lucked out as a local dealer ordered 3 units and had an extra one so I grabbed it. Otherwise I'd have to wait 3 weeks for delivery.

William H Pratt · 11-23-2008, 07:48 PM

I'm saving for a Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD. The price at a local Hi-Fi/Video shop just dropped to $3700. I might go with the Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-101FD Moniter if the price drops to the same level.

naturephoto1 · 11-23-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William H Pratt

I'm saving for a Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD. The price at a local Hi-Fi/Video shop just dropped to $3700. I might go with the Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-101FD Moniter if the price drops to the same level.

I have the Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD 50" TV which I purchased for $4600 in July. Great performer. You will not be disappointed. With the price coming down on these, that would be my suggestion.

Rich

richard lichtenfelt · 11-23-2008, 08:12 PM

Most reviewers will tell you that the difference in pq between Panasonic and Pioneer is really not too noticeable unless they are doing a side by side comparision and then the Pioneer slightly wins.
If you are rich then go with the Pioneer just so you don't end up second guessing your decision down the road. If your finances are less than excessive get the Panasonic, never look back, and spend the saved money on a Denon receiver, or an Emotiva amp/receiver and some nice speakers like energy, or Aperion.

Julohan · 11-23-2008, 09:13 PM

I am a big fan with LG, you can't go wrong with them. I think Pioneer and Panasonics are really nice but, I think you are paying more just for the name.

coolmilo · 11-23-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

I have the Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD 50" TV which I purchased for $4600 in July. Great performer. You will not be disappointed. With the price coming down on these, that would be my suggestion.

Rich

I couldn't agree more. I just bought the Kuro Pro-111FD too and I am very satisfied and blown away by the performance of this plasma. I paid $3500 from Best Buy/Magnolia and so it was a good deal too.

I recommend looking for the same deal.

My_Two_Cents · 11-23-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julohan

I am a big fan with LG, you can't go wrong with them. I think Pioneer and Panasonics are really nice but, I think you are paying more just for the name.

Hardly....

Get a Kuro. Currently THE best display on the market. Hell, you can get the 6020 for $3800 on Amazon these days, and I think it's even cheaper (<$3000) at Sam's Club.

William H Pratt · 11-23-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

I have the Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD 50" TV which I purchased for $4600 in July. Great performer. You will not be disappointed. With the price coming down on these, that would be my suggestion.

Rich

I was originally going to buy a 46" Sony Z-series LCD until I spent 3 hrs looking at the Kuro Elite 111FD. It changed my mind in a hurry & that was when it still would have cost me $5000. The price drop will allow me to purchase a Salamander cabinet/stand for it.

fuwa · 11-24-2008, 04:27 PM

I bought the Pioneer Kuro Elite a few weeks ago at Best Buy and I am very happy with it.The price at Best Buy at the time was $5000. I came in one day and the price tag said $3500, so I bought it.

The last time I was at Best Buy the price tag said "$4000, was $5000".

DezNutz · 11-24-2008, 05:22 PM

I have a similiar question. I can get either the Panasonic TH-65PZ850U VIERA Plasma TV or the PIONEER PRO-151FD for under 5k, but not sure which one to get.

The pioneer plasma may be a slighty better picture, but the Panasonic is 5" larger with a decent pic as well.

Which one would you get if price was the same? 65" Panasonic 1080p or the 60" Pioneer KURO Pro 1080p?

dobyblue · 11-24-2008, 05:43 PM

At the same price point I would get myself 5" more screen size.
Unless I was going to watch it with the Kuro right beside it all the time, I can live with the slight difference in PQ for the extra size.

If I was an absolute nutter of a videophile (for me audio is the #1 factor for my enjoyment) I would go with the Kuro. I think only the most discerning folk amongst us would not be completely happy and satisfied with the top Viera's.

zombieking · 11-24-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naka

Ok I have a 5k budget and would like to get the biggest and best plasma that I can afford for under 5k. What are some suggestions? How is the Pioneer Kuro Elite series? I want something 1080p obviously with as many HDMI ports as possible.

You just answered your own thread. Get the Kuro. Pioneers are the best by far. That's a modest budget, wish I had 5K to throw away on a tv

fuwa · 11-24-2008, 06:06 PM

You get 5" more with the Panasonic but you also get picture flicker on 1080/24P that the Pioneer doesn't produce. I haven't observed this myself but I have read numerous reviews that state that this is unwatchable. I went with Pioneer. The Panasonic processes at 48 hz. while the Pioneer processes at 72 hz.

I would buy the smaller screen with the best picture quality and processing and just sit closer.

07-31-2008, 05:25 PM	#22
Naka Member Member since:Dec 2007	Now I'm looking at the PRO-151FD 60" and wondering if its worth it to pay a little more now and get the bigger TV. I'm sitting about 8' away from the TV on average and can't sit further back than that since my couch is up against the wall. Is this too close? Would the 50" be better suited for 8'? Would it be worth be buying the Elite from a local Best Buy even though it will take 3 weeks since I will have peace of mind that I'm getting it from a reputable dealer and that if I have problems I can always go back to them locally? Of course I'd have to pay full MSRP. Ok talked to a guy at plasmabay.com and was wondering if anyone had any dealings with them good or bad? I'm thinking about purchasing the 50" elite from them and they have about a 7 - 10 day shipping time. I'm just wondering how such a big and expensive purchase like this would be to Hawaii. Last edited by Naka; 08-01-2008 at 03:58 AM.

11-23-2008, 09:13 PM	#32
Julohan Member Member since:Nov 2007	lg I am a big fan with LG, you can't go wrong with them. I think Pioneer and Panasonics are really nice but, I think you are paying more just for the name.

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07-31-2008, 12:59 PM	#21
Steelmaker Blu-ray Duke Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Chattanooga, TN Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	According to CNET, the Pioneer Kuros (not the elites) do not have many of the display settings that most HDTV's have such as color temperature. I guess this would be fine if colors were accurate out of the box but according to them, the colors are not accurate. They actually rate the Panasonic higher overall. They say while the Kuros do have better blacks when comparing them side by side, they say the difference is negligible and you're getting into a situation of diminishing returns when you consider how much more you spend for a Kuro. They say the colors on the Panasonic are better because you can tweak them as opposed to the Kuro. The elites DO have the color settings but you're talking about spending a lot more money when you could buy a Panny and still have plenty left over for other things.

08-05-2008, 03:15 PM	#25
theprophecy247 Special Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Shadow Moses Islands Blu-ray collection:42 Blu-ray reviews:5	pioneer for the best pq, panasonic for the best pq at a good $$

08-05-2008, 03:27 PM	#26
Blu Haze Expert Member Member since:Mar 2008	How much are you investing in sound? Reciever and speakers? 1000 plus? Your spending 5000 on a TV you should be spending some on sound..

08-05-2008, 04:05 PM	#27
Dirk504 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2008 Home Theater Gallery:25 4K collection:152 Blu-ray collection:367 Blu-ray reviews:4	I know Panasonics and Pioneers are really good plasmas, but Samsung plasmas aren't bad either. My picture is flawless and Blu Rays look magnificent on it. As far as buying a Pioneer goes, have you tried searching Amazon?

08-05-2008, 05:15 PM	#28
Naka Member Member since:Dec 2007	Just took delivery last night of my brand new Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD. Now for the break-in and once thats done its getting ISF calibrated. I lucked out as a local dealer ordered 3 units and had an extra one so I grabbed it. Otherwise I'd have to wait 3 weeks for delivery.

11-23-2008, 07:48 PM	#29
William H Pratt Active Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Toledo, OH	I'm saving for a Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-111FD. The price at a local Hi-Fi/Video shop just dropped to $3700. I might go with the Pioneer Kuro Elite PRO-101FD Moniter if the price drops to the same level.

11-23-2008, 08:12 PM	#31
richard lichtenfelt Power Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:I'm not drunk, I'm just tired cause I been up all night drinking. Blu-ray reviews:3	Most reviewers will tell you that the difference in pq between Panasonic and Pioneer is really not too noticeable unless they are doing a side by side comparision and then the Pioneer slightly wins. If you are rich then go with the Pioneer just so you don't end up second guessing your decision down the road. If your finances are less than excessive get the Panasonic, never look back, and spend the saved money on a Denon receiver, or an Emotiva amp/receiver and some nice speakers like energy, or Aperion.

11-24-2008, 04:27 PM	#36
fuwa Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:11	I bought the Pioneer Kuro Elite a few weeks ago at Best Buy and I am very happy with it.The price at Best Buy at the time was $5000. I came in one day and the price tag said $3500, so I bought it. The last time I was at Best Buy the price tag said "$4000, was $5000".

11-24-2008, 05:22 PM	#37
DezNutz Expert Member Member since:Mar 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:24	I have a similiar question. I can get either the Panasonic TH-65PZ850U VIERA Plasma TV or the PIONEER PRO-151FD for under 5k, but not sure which one to get. The pioneer plasma may be a slighty better picture, but the Panasonic is 5" larger with a decent pic as well. Which one would you get if price was the same? 65" Panasonic 1080p or the 60" Pioneer KURO Pro 1080p?

11-24-2008, 05:43 PM	#38
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	At the same price point I would get myself 5" more screen size. Unless I was going to watch it with the Kuro right beside it all the time, I can live with the slight difference in PQ for the extra size. If I was an absolute nutter of a videophile (for me audio is the #1 factor for my enjoyment) I would go with the Kuro. I think only the most discerning folk amongst us would not be completely happy and satisfied with the top Viera's.

11-24-2008, 06:06 PM	#40
fuwa Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:11	You get 5" more with the Panasonic but you also get picture flicker on 1080/24P that the Pioneer doesn't produce. I haven't observed this myself but I have read numerous reviews that state that this is unwatchable. I went with Pioneer. The Panasonic processes at 48 hz. while the Pioneer processes at 72 hz. I would buy the smaller screen with the best picture quality and processing and just sit closer.

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