View Full Version : Sony vs Samsung
I have received some comments regarding Sony and Samsung lately that I would like to run by the readers of this forum. After reading your commentary for the last couple of weeks, I wish I could get you all in one big room and just talk.
I guess I could be classified as a Sony fan, because given a choice between Sony and another brand, I would usually buy Sony even if it costs a bit more. Its more than just features and performance, the fit and finish and quality of the components is usually obvious.
And yet, on quite a few occasions during the last two weeks, as I browsed the TV depts of my local stores, I have heard the salesman say, "Well you know you are paying for the Sony name", inferring that the price was higher because it was a Sony, but the set we were comparing it to was just as good. Well to me it is more than just the name. It is the experience that I've had with the brand, and I'm willing to pay a bit more to get that quality.
However, these comments have made me start questioning my brand dedication. Has there been a decline in Sony quality? Is their fit and finish degrading? Are the competitive products just as good? Maybe you guys can fill me in on what you have found.
Then last night, we were having dinner with an engineer friend and I started discussing the components I was thinking of buying. I was taken by surprise when he recommended Samsung for both the HDTV monitor and the receiver.
Then today, in Best Buy, I was discussing the display on a Sony KP-43Ht20 with the salesman, observing that it wasn't as bright as the Samsung it was next to. The salesman said "well you can't compare it with a Samsung. There's no way you can compare a Sony with a Samsung, with Sony you are paying for the name"
Well whoa Nellie!!! What's going on here? When did Sony become a second-class manufacturer? And then again, when did Samsung become a premier name? I've always thought of Samsung as the provider of the more economical monitor and TV.
So tell me, my electronic officianados, what do you make of all this? I had made my mind up and was ready to buy that 43 inch Sony, but must now start looking at Samsung sets, which I hadn't even considered before. I would appreciate getting comments from some Sony and Samsung owners.
Just a few weeks ago, I purchased a Samsung TSL3294HF (same as 3295 Tantus) Dynaflat HDTV, (32") PIP and it rocks. I got a GREAT price on it, and the picture is superior to my in laws' 36" Sony Wega (non HD) that they paid TWICE as much for.
Sears sells my model for $1300, but I picked it up BRAND NEW on Ebay (of all places) for $760. (yes, you read that right) The guy was local, so I picked it up. No tax, no delivery charge, no obnoxious punk trying to talk me into an extended warranty.
Judge for yourself, but my experience shows the Samsung TVs have a better picture, better features, and at a far better price.
Check out reviews at audioreview.com
http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_126296_2727crx.aspx
Thanks for the input, Klen. I'm glad I didn't rush into this purchase now.
Went to your audioreview site too and found some 5 star reviews for your TV. One in particular was similar to my experience...
"I was all ready to buy a Sony Wega 32" HDTV and was just trying to get the best price, when I saw this Samsung unit side by side with the Sony at Sears. The Samsung picture was every bit as clear, and was even brighter than the Sony. The best part was the $600 lower price tag."
I appreciated your comment about the obnoxious sales guy too. Some of these guys are awfully full of themselves. Unfortunately a lot of what they have to say is wrong, but unless you've done your own research, you would believe them. The one I spoke to didn't know about the 18 different DTV formats, and was really pushing the widescreen sets, which is not my choice for a number of reasons. Maybe they get more commission on the widescreens or are under the gun to move them. I don't know what happens behind the scenes at BB, but I know they have their own agenda when recommending sets.
Getting back to your observation. I read it to my wife this morning and she reminded me that she told me a week ago that the Samsung had a better picture. Looks like I'll have another "I told you so" to carry around.
BTW thanks for the E-Bay tip. I'll check it out.
Wooger
08-12-2002, 03:42 PM
BEWARE:
Somewhere in here (not sure where) someone mentioned that certain manufacturers sent their TVs out with the picture brighter than you would want it to run daily (due to burn-in issues... see the other threads regarding this). So MAYBE the Samsung looked brighter, but unless both were set at the same 'neutral' settings... well, anyway, just trying to warn you that maybe things are not as they seem.
I too am a Sony freak. I come from the TV industry and we always used Sony monitors for reference. And I KNOW Sony ships their broadcast monitors at true zero reference. I would have to guess that all Sony equipment is shipped as such also. Now, Samsung... I dunno. Maybe. Maybe not.
Personally, I say... use your own eyes. Whatever looks best to you is what you want. If Samsung looks nice and sharp and bright and that's what you like, get it! Of course, check the 'net for any service issues and how durable it is, and maybe compare for things like auto-alignment (my Sony has this feature, and it is nice) and other such items... don't get a set with Y-Pb-Pr components in and your DVD player is R-G-B component... stuff like that. But all else being equal, go cheaper. Why not.
...or, if you are like me and trust your visuals to Sony, buy Sony. I tend to go toward whoever is the market ruler... ie: Soundblaster audio cards for my CPU, HP Printer for my printer, JBL speakers for my sub-woofer, MonsterCable for the cords, etc. Usually when you think of a certain product, a certain manufacturer pops into your head. For TVs, it is Sony (for me).
Just my .02¢
Good advice Wooger. Don't know why I am taking so much time for this purchase. Too many decisions to make and too much research to do to make an informed decision I guess.
Anyway, I went back to that BB store and saw the most amazing thing.
That same Sony KP-43HT20 had the best picture in that big wall of HDTVs!!! (Now that's just my opinion, but in my opinion that set went from worst to best overnight)
I guess somebody who knew what they were doing made an adjustment or put it back to the factory settings. I'm concluding that they are both well designed sets. What I learned is that it is probably a good decision to have a periodic checkup on whatever you buy, no matter what it is.
Well I've been reading a lot of good Samsung reviews and a lot of good Sony reviews too. I don't understand that salesman's comment, but he WAS very opinionated. Today's salesman also favored Samsung but not as much. He also said that they don't work on commission so there was no reason for them to recommend one brand or the other except their personal opinion.
I know... I read the commission discussion on another thread... Caveat Emptor and just rock on. Thanks for your posts
one thing that I did notice about my Samsung: the factory settings out of the box were way off. After some tweaking, the picture is simply amazing.
I didn't mean to start a Sony vs. Samsung war here. I was just chiming in to say that my experience might help you decide. They are both very good brands, and Sony has been known as a good brand for a longer time. When I first started looking into Samsung, my first thought was also "DO I REALLY WANT A SUMSUNG TV???" "What will my friends think? Who the hell is Samsung?" After extensive web research and talking to local dealers here that carry them, I went with it. All I can say is that I am extremely happy with my choice. I figured I could buy the HD receiver with the money that I saved, and still have some left over.
You need to decide for yourself. You will be the one paying for it and watching it. Don't rush into it. The longer you wait, the more you will get for your money.
Wooger
08-13-2002, 09:04 AM
BTW, Samsung is one of the "Up-and-comers" of electronics. I forget which of my numerous magazines I read this in, but the basis of it is that Samsung has always been the elite electronics manufacturer in China among the natives there. The way Sony is in Japan. But Sony managed to get good reviews and somehow managed to become 'the elite' outside of their own country, where Samsung has HAD a reputation for putting out cheap but usable crap. Which, if you look overall at both, is weird, as Sony makes TONS of crap stuff too. However, when it comes to certain areas (video, cameras) Sony rocks. I would give Samsung the benefit of the doubt considering they have as much (or more) pull than Sony.
darkmeth
08-14-2002, 08:48 PM
Greetings, I too found myself in your dilema about six months ago when I was ready to take the plunge and dive into the wonderful world of HD. I too found that Samsung had a couple of sets out that were loaded and for the price they were a steal compared to the Sony sets. Finally I opted to go with the Samsung hcl552w 55 inch 16x9 HD monitor. With the ongoing battle regarding the dvi standard and etc, I opted to get this set without the built in HD decoder. The picture is awesome to say the least with regular cable since it upconverts analog to progressive. I recently added the HD cable box from timewarner and WOW what a difference! It's tv the way it was meant to be seen! I havent been able to view a live broadcast in HD yet because I don't have the over the air decoder but i'm anxious to check it out. All in all, I can't complain, I really think I got more than my moneys worth with my purchase. Hope this helps..
Thanks for the info on Samsung and the testimonials too. I just wasn't able to find (in the stores I visited) Samsungs in the form factor and with the features I wanted. But I did specifically ask to see Samsungs. The 50+ Samsungs did look great but are too large for my viewing area. At first I was looking at 36 inch direct-view sets, but couldn't resist going just a bit larger, settling on a the Sony KP43HT20. (The width is only 38 inches) projection TV.
I'm very pleased with the Sony so far. (I've had it almost an entire day). But based on what I've read here and what I've seen, I will have to recommend both manufacturers in any future discussions. From my personal experience, I think that Best Buy salesman was pretty narrow-minded as well as having some personality problems.
BTW, I've started a thread in the Sony forum, to record my findings on the KP43HT20, as I add components to it.
