Pioneer KRL-37V or Sony KDL-40Z4500 ?

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I've decided my next TV is between these two (size and spec correct). Ignoring the price, what would you go for and why?

I was impressed by the Sony in a recent test in a shop, but my tech friends tell me go for the Pioneer.

Thoughts please ??

 

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to choose between those same two sets. They're both excellent performers, and both produce a hugely likeable picture... I was impressed by both of them. One thing though is that I have only seen the Sony showing Blu-ray and not Freeview, so I don't know how it performs with standard-def content, whereas I have seen the Pioneer displaying both Blu-ray and Freeview content and left me well impressed with both. I know that I will have to go back to the stores and have another look. It's a shame that there doesn't seem to be a store that stocks both, so I can't do a side by side comparison. I'll just have to try and remember well.

Anyway, I feel maybe a little bit inclined to go for the Pioneer because I love the way it looks, and I was amazed by it's images from the first time I saw it. That said, I was very impressed when I first saw the Sony set too. And the Sony also looks cool - although I'm not really a fan of the 'midnight sky' paintjob which reminds me of some chocolate bar containing specs of biscuit or mint or something.

Another thing I have found is that the Sony set, like Sony sets in general, has quite a different picture; it seems quite cool and slightly unnatural, although I have always appreciated Sony's high-end sets for just having pictures that are different - a change - from plasma. The Pioneer has more of a warm quality to the image, and the picture is closer to that of a plasma. The Pioneer's picture also is very glossy, which is nice.

Please let me know which one you go for, and I'll do the same...

 

[Anonymous]

I've spoken to a couple of well respected tech mates of mine. One sells TV's and the other one installs them.

Both said Kuro, so that's where I'm going. To be honest I think this ultimately comes down to the chassis and looks, both are excellent sets, with the Pioneer just shading it.

 

[Anonymous]

I believe that Pioneer make the best TVs and I also believe that Plasma is the better technology. It is a shame that Pioneer Plasmas start at 50". Are they planning anything smaller soon?

I have previously recommended to friends to but the 42" Plasmas from Panasonic if they want smaller than 50" but are you saying that the Pioneer 37V is getting close to Plasma? How about for sport or action films?

Thanks, Rich

 

[Anonymous]

A question for the What HiFi team. The Sony 40Z4500 I think is 1500, the 40W4500 is 1,200, both 5 star rating. Given that you can actually buy the Pioneer 37V for £1000 (or less when shopping around) would it earn 5 stars at this price? Is it someway off their bigger Plasmas still?

 

[Anonymous]

Richard8:A question for the What HiFi team. The Sony 40Z4500 I think is 1500, the 40W4500 is 1,200, both 5 star rating. Given that you can actually buy the Pioneer 37V for £1000 (or less when shopping around) would it earn 5 stars at this price? Is it someway off their bigger Plasmas still?

Exactly the reason why I've just discounted the 4 stars verses 5 stars rating. Great Question.

 

[Mickgw]

From previous discussions, i'm pretty sure that the Sony is better than the Pioneer.

From what i remember i'm sure the backlight was'nt the best on the Pioneer, plus it was expensive, but as you say the price of the Pioneer has come down now.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Well, you can get the Sony for £900 or so now, so the playing field is more level. The wisdom of the testers is that if you're going to rely on the internal Freeview tuner for off-air viewing, then the Pioneer has an advantage in that area, but the Sony of course has a larger screen.

Not going to get into rerating, but both are very good sets for the money, and you should take a long hard look at both if you have around a grand to spend on a telly of this kind of size.