I have been holding out on buying my tv for a while, waiting for prices to drop. I am currently using an old 27" crt, so I can't wait to upgrade. It looks like the time has come.

I had originally been eyeing the 50" Kuro, but since then had decided on the Samsung PN58A650, since it had the 58" screen and had gotten really good reviews. But today, best buy just dropped the price on the Kuro PDP-5020FD to an amazing $2,299.99 from $3500. The 58" Samsung has also dropped to a pretty decent $2,999.99.

I am leaning towards the Kuro at this point since it is so much cheaper and I have read good things about the picture quality. I do have a concern though, as some have mentioned that it buzzes and can be heard if the sound is not turned up pretty loud. Is this an issue?

I currently live in an apartment, and the couch is about 6-8 feet from the tv, if that. Will the 50" be enough?

So, what would you go with? If I go with the Kuro, I will probably go ahead and get it this weekend, since I don't think the price will get much lower and they are probably clearing their stock out. If I go with the Samsung, I will probably hold off a month or two, maybe longer.

I'm a big movie fan, and have a ps3 mostly for bluray, but also a little gaming. Which tv will be best for this set up?

Thanks for any help.

I, too, was torn between the plasma Kuro and the LCD Samsung. I decided on the Samsung and have been very, very satisfied. I have also heard that Pioneer is getting out of the TV business and this also played into my decision. By the way, Panasonic makes and excellent plasma as does Samsung.

But today, best buy just dropped the price on the Kuro PDP-5020FD to an amazing $2,299.99 from $3500. The 58" Samsung has also dropped to a pretty decent $2,999.99.

If I had to choose at that pricing, without question, I would say "neither", and get the Pioneer Kuro 60" KRP-600M instead. It is cheaper than the price you list for the 58" Samsung.

However, I should note that you can find both the 5020 and the Samsung cheaper than what you have listed. Check forum sponsors. Even so, I'd still probably go with the KRP-600M instead though.

If I had to choose at that pricing, without question, I would say "neither", and get the Pioneer Kuro 60" KRP-600M instead. It is cheaper than the price you list for the 58" Samsung.

However, I should note that you can find both the 5020 and the Samsung cheaper than what you have listed. Check forum sponsors. Even so, I'd still probably go with the KRP-600M instead though.

Unfortunately, Best Buy does not carry the Tv you mentioned. I really want to buy local rather than online just so I can switch out the set or return it if I have any issues. I know I can get the sets cheaper online, but I would rather spend a little more and buy locally.

How do the KRP-600M and KRP-500M models compare to the Kuro I mentioned? Are they newer models or something? I have not heard of them before.

Unfortunately, Best Buy does not carry the Tv you mentioned. I really want to buy local rather than online just so I can switch out the set or return it if I have any issues. I know I can get the sets cheaper online, but I would rather spend a little more and buy locally.

Understood. The only thing I would disagree with is the "little more" part. You'll be paying many hundreds more (up to $1000, depending on which 58" model you are talking about) for that Samsung. 5020 pricing on the other hand is probably only a couple hundred more.

How do the KRP-600M and KRP-500M models compare to the Kuro I mentioned? Are they newer models or something? I have not heard of them before.

See this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1126267

I have been holding out on buying my tv for a while, waiting for prices to drop. I am currently using an old 27" crt, so I can't wait to upgrade. It looks like the time has come.

I had originally been eyeing the 50" Kuro, but since then had decided on the Samsung PN58A650, since it had the 58" screen and had gotten really good reviews. But today, best buy just dropped the price on the Kuro PDP-5020FD to an amazing $2,299.99 from $3500. The 58" Samsung has also dropped to a pretty decent $2,999.99.

I am leaning towards the Kuro at this point since it is so much cheaper and I have read good things about the picture quality. I do have a concern though, as some have mentioned that it buzzes and can be heard if the sound is not turned up pretty loud. Is this an issue?

I currently live in an apartment, and the couch is about 6-8 feet from the tv, if that. Will the 50" be enough?

So, what would you go with? If I go with the Kuro, I will probably go ahead and get it this weekend, since I don't think the price will get much lower and they are probably clearing their stock out. If I go with the Samsung, I will probably hold off a month or two, maybe longer.

I'm a big movie fan, and have a ps3 mostly for bluray, but also a little gaming. Which tv will be best for this set up?

Thanks for any help.

Let me make a suggestion. You stated that you would like to buy locally. Do you live near a Costco? If you do, go to the Costco website and look at the price of the 5020. It's $300 cheaper than the "amazing" price at best buy. Now you do have to be a member($50)and shipping costs $99(if they don't have it at a local store). So even if you had to get it from their website, you are still getting it for $150 less than BB. It would be the best of both worlds for you. You get the advantages of an online purchase(if it's not in the local store)and you have the security of having a local store to go to in case of a problem. If you don't know about Costco, it doesn't get any better when it comes to being a reliable retailer. They have a 90 day return policy, 3 times that of BB.

As far as Samsung goes, reliablility is always a consideration you must factor in on any purchasing decision, IMO.

Between the two, the Pioneer seems to be the better choice for you. While the colors aren't as accurate, they'll pop a lot more and I'm sure the difference will be barely noticeable once you get everything dialed in. Also, the Pioneer is generally a more reliable set.

I think the biggest thing you mentioned is that you'll be sitting 6-8 feet away. At that distance, the 50" will be MASSIVE. Unless you have a larger room to accommodate the size, 58" is overkill. If you do go that large, do be sure to have your optometrist on speed dial.

If I were you, I would get a 60" KURO!

If I were you, I would get a 60" KURO!

That set runs $4,849.99, way more than I want to spend.

5020 imo

Pioneer's blacks & reliability > Sammy's colors & plasma quality.

Between the two, the Pioneer seems to be the better choice for you. While the colors aren't as accurate, they'll pop a lot more and I'm sure the difference will be barely noticeable once you get everything dialed in. Also, the Pioneer is generally a more reliable set.

I think the biggest thing you mentioned is that you'll be sitting 6-8 feet away. At that distance, the 50" will be MASSIVE. Unless you have a larger room to accommodate the size, 58" is overkill. If you do go that large, do be sure to have your optometrist on speed dial.


I was going to mention the viewing distance, especially if it was 6 feet. You would see every imperfection known to man on a 58" display from that distance. The only thing that stopped me was that you can never really get too big of a screen, for the real video junkie. After a while everything seems to be too small.

The natural colors, details and larger screen makes Sammy the best choice.

That said, your heart seems set on a kuro so you should get what you really want! :cool:

As the only person so far who voted for the Sammy, I will say that the number regret people have after getting a new set is that they should have gotten a bigger one.

I was thinking about the same question. I figured that the Pio with stand and speakers cost more than the Samsung, and even allows professional calibration of the Samsung.

On top of that you get 8 more inches of screen, and that is never a bad thing :)

I have to note that I'm comming from a 2006 model 50 inch LG HD Ready. So I will be better off with either..

Fortunaly I have some time left untill I pull the trigger because I'm planning some where around july. This may even give me other options and also a better price. But currently the Samsung has (IMO) the best price/performace ratio...

Wow, that is a terrible price on the Samsung at Best Buy.

the 5020 will be long gone by july

Between the two, the Pioneer seems to be the better choice for you. While the colors aren't as accurate, they'll pop a lot more and I'm sure the difference will be barely noticeable once you get everything dialed in. Also, the Pioneer is generally a more reliable set.

I think the biggest thing you mentioned is that you'll be sitting 6-8 feet away. At that distance, the 50" will be MASSIVE. Unless you have a larger room to accommodate the size, 58" is overkill. If you do go that large, do be sure to have your optometrist on speed dial.

While bigger is almost always better, not so from 6-8 feet away. I wish I had a 58" but I view at 12-15 feet away. 50" is more than enough from your distance. Save money and scoop up the Kuro while you still can.

Wow, that is a terrible price on the Samsung at Best Buy.


Stin is right about the price on the Samsung.

I paid less than that in July last year!

I voted for the Sammy but in reality from 6' 50" is plenty and a kuro is a kuro, but I do love Sammys size and colors. If you're considering on buying local try to deal with them as that price is about $700 high.

From that seating distance the Kuro would be a very wise choice IMO.

I went from a 34" Sony CRT (XBR960) to a 50" Kuro 5080 and the size increase was very satisfying (7ft seating distance).

In this case bigger isnt always better. The black levels alone will be considerably better on the Kuro.

I voted for the Sammy but in reality from 6' 50" is plenty and a kuro is a kuro, but I do love Sammys size and colors. If you're considering on buying local try to deal with them as that price is about $700 high.

6-8 Feeting for 50 inch is about the maxium, anything over 8 feet, a 50 will get small.

From that seating distance the Kuro would be a very wise choice IMO.

I went from a 34" Sony CRT (XBR960) to a 50" Kuro 5080 and the size increase was very satisfying (7ft seating distance).

In this case bigger isnt always better. The black levels alone will be considerably better on the Kuro.

Blacks are not everything.

Go sit in front of each of the displays you are looking at from the same distance you will be watching, and decide for yourself. There are fan boys here for every manufacturer as well as some who don't like certain brands so it is going to be really hard to get unbiased opinions. Good luck with what ever you decide.

I want to upgrade to a plasma myself. The front edge of my couch is 8 feet away from my current tv. (a samsung dlp) Do you guys think that a 60in. might be too big? Should I go with a 50in. instead?

I want to upgrade to a plasma myself. The front edge of my couch is 8 feet away from my current tv. (a samsung dlp) Do you guys think that a 60in. might be too big? Should I go with a 50in. instead?

Not to big when I sit that close, and I have a little better than 20/20 vision.:D

6-8 Feeting for 50 inch is about the maxium, anything over 8 feet, a 50 will get small.

Blacks are not everything.

well put

Blacks are not everything.

Depends who you ask and what you look for in overall picture quality.

That set runs $4,849.99, way more than I want to spend.The 60" Pioneer Kuro KRP-600M (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1102574), which is essentially the Kuro PDP-6020FD without the built-in speakers or tuner, costs approximately $3000 from the forum sponsors (all offer it for about the same price). In fact, the 600M is better in some ways, as it offers picture control settings, 2.5" depth, and an anti-glare coating only available on the Elite models.

On a $3000 budget, the Kuro KRP-600M is the display to buy unless you require built-in speakers, tuner, and/or stand. Add-on speakers and stand are available for several hundred dollars each. If you intend to mount your plasma on the wall and already have your own speakers, it's an excellent value.

Not to big when I sit that close, and I have a little better than 20/20 vision.:D

A 50 is fine for watching HDTV at that distance but it's when you pop in a movie thats not in a 16x9 ratio that the TV starts to appear to look small.

The differences between these two sets will only be noticed if you have them side by side.

I'd go for the 58"

A 50 is fine for watching HDTV at that distance but it's when you pop in a movie thats not in a 16x9 ratio that the TV starts to appear to look small.


Definitely, as I had a Pio 5070 before the 151 and my seating are is from 6' to 10'.

I have had both & the Pioneer 5020 is what I kept.