Home > Consumer Reviews > Samsung LN52B550 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color
Samsung LN52B550 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color
See it at Amazon.com for $1,317.00Average Customer Rating
(5.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
Great TV---end your TV search here!
(5 out of 5) by Rob on Apr 21, 2009 (Cincinnati)I researched the purchase of this TV for over six months- far more than I ever researched even a vehicle purchase. I've had it for approx 2 weeks now and am very impressed. I was originally planning to purchase the 44in model but eventually changed my mind and purchased the 52 in model.
The only feature I was worried about not having was the 120 hz. I went to an electronics store and viewed both 60 and 120 hz side by side and could not tell the difference- the 60 hz is plenty fast for me.
Many people complained about the sound quality of last year's model. Unfortunately I have no pertinent information to add here as I am utilizing a surround sound system.
You will not regret purchasing this TV
The only feature I was worried about not having was the 120 hz. I went to an electronics store and viewed both 60 and 120 hz side by side and could not tell the difference- the 60 hz is plenty fast for me.
Many people complained about the sound quality of last year's model. Unfortunately I have no pertinent information to add here as I am utilizing a surround sound system.
You will not regret purchasing this TV
35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
I agree with Rob
(5 out of 5) by Karen on Apr 29, 2009 (Houston)I agree totally with what the reviewer Rob said about this TV. I also bought the 52 inch after considering the 46 inch and am very, very satisfied. We replaced a Panasonic big screen with this Samsung and are so glad we did. The Panasonic died after 5 years, and I hated it from the moment we bought it. This Samsung is so much better a TV. The quality of the picture is outstanding and the color also. I, like Rob, cannot compare the sound because we also are connected to a surround sound system. We shopped for about six months also before buying this one, and in the stores with different brands side by side, the only other TV that came anywhere close to the Samsung's picture was the Sony Bravia. According to Consumer Reports, the Samsung is the one to buy...the Sony was second on the list, so we went with the Samsung. Since all of the TV's in our house have decided to die all at one time, we will definitely be buying more Samsungs in the near future.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
Sound is just fine
(5 out of 5) by Freedom First on Jun 3, 2009Just wanted to comment on the sound for this TV because that seems to be the weak point in so many of the Samsung LCD reviews. I think the sound quality is just fine. This model does not have the built-in subwoofer available with the 700 series, but the sound is still quite adequate. I'm sure that any type of enhanced audio system will greatly improve the sound, but don't be too concerned about what the TV itself provides. I was expecting the sound to be tinny, weak, etc. but I don't find that to be the case at all.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Great TV
(4 out of 5) by Todd on May 28, 2009 (Vero Beach, FL)I purchased this TV in May, 2009 and shopped it for several months. I did side-by-side in store (Best Buy) comparisons with the LG and Sony and they were not even close to this set. I too couldn't tell the difference between the 60 Mhz and 120 Mhz refresh rate. In fact, I found out from comcast that they do not have a cable box that supports 120 Mhz yet. The picture is just incredible.
The only negative comment I can make is the sound. I purchased a sound bar which was well worth the upgrade.
The only negative comment I can make is the sound. I purchased a sound bar which was well worth the upgrade.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Very good picture, with a litte bit of tweaking
(5 out of 5) by Sean U on Jun 29, 2009 (New York, NY)I received this tv as a warranty replacement for a 56" dlp. I was initially not happy to be getting a smaller screen, and I was not looking to own an lcd. My fears were unfounded, as the B550 is turning out to be an excellent set.
I have been tweaking the settings on this set using the HFCR software and a Spyder2. I'm not an expert... I just like tweaking to get as good a picture as I can out of the set. The grayscale tracking on the tv is excellent (once adjusted), and it can be controlled very well through the standard user settings (the gain and offset settings in the advanced menu).
The out of the box settings on the set are almost blinding, and on the cool side. Turn the backlight down to 4, set the mode to "Movie" and turn off all of the picture enhancements. The results after tweaking in the user settings and service menu have been *excellent*.
Info is very sparse about the 550 series. You can find lots of technical info here : [...]
In case anyone is looking for panel information, my set has a code of SS02.
I recently purchased a Blu-ray player, and the picture on the B550 is amazing.
The only downside I can come up with is that the contrast will drop as you move too far off center. The colors remain accurate, but a "haze" develops as you pass 45 degrees. The stand does allow the set to be turned, which makes this a non-issue for me, but if you are mounting the set on a wall, it may be a bigger issue.
I was very nervous about getting a 5-series Samsung. Don't worry if the 6 or 7's are out of your price range... the 5 series seems to be very capable of providing a great picture.
I have been tweaking the settings on this set using the HFCR software and a Spyder2. I'm not an expert... I just like tweaking to get as good a picture as I can out of the set. The grayscale tracking on the tv is excellent (once adjusted), and it can be controlled very well through the standard user settings (the gain and offset settings in the advanced menu).
The out of the box settings on the set are almost blinding, and on the cool side. Turn the backlight down to 4, set the mode to "Movie" and turn off all of the picture enhancements. The results after tweaking in the user settings and service menu have been *excellent*.
Info is very sparse about the 550 series. You can find lots of technical info here : [...]
In case anyone is looking for panel information, my set has a code of SS02.
I recently purchased a Blu-ray player, and the picture on the B550 is amazing.
The only downside I can come up with is that the contrast will drop as you move too far off center. The colors remain accurate, but a "haze" develops as you pass 45 degrees. The stand does allow the set to be turned, which makes this a non-issue for me, but if you are mounting the set on a wall, it may be a bigger issue.
I was very nervous about getting a 5-series Samsung. Don't worry if the 6 or 7's are out of your price range... the 5 series seems to be very capable of providing a great picture.