Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR5 HDTV LCD Reviewed

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

HTR Product Rating

Performance
4.5 Stars
Value
4 Stars
Overall
4.5 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

sony_bravia_kdl_46xbr5_LCD_HDTV.gifThe KDL-46XBR5 hails from Sony's highest-end 2007 line. This TV has a 46-inch screen size and a 1920 x 1080 resolution, and it's distinguished from the step-down XBR4 model by its piano-black frame and clear acrylic border. The thorough input panel includes three HDMI, two component video, and one PC input, plus an RF input to access the internal NTSC, ATSC, and Clear-QAM tuners. The HDMI inputs accept both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24, and the inclusion of an RS-232 port lets you integrate the TV into an advanced control system. The KDL-46XBR5 features Sony's Motionflow 120Hz technology, and the back-panel DMeX port allows you add modules like Sony's Internet Video Link.

Additional Resources
• Read more LCD HDTV reviews by HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore Blu-ray options in our Blu-ray Player Review section.

In addition to five picture modes and four color-temperature settings, the menu includes a ton of advanced image adjustments, including white-balance and gamma controls, plus two color-space options--one for more accurate colors and one for more saturated colors. There are four aspect-ratio options, and the TV can display 1080i/1080p signals with no overscan.

The two speakers blend subtly into the TV's side panels, and the audio menu includes treble, bass, and balance controls, as well as S-FORCE surround processing, Voice Zoom to improve dialogue clarity, Sound Booster to create a fuller sound, and Steady Sound to minimize level variations.

High Points
• The KDL-46XBR5 can be very bright, and it produces solidly deep blacks for a traditional LCD TV. The resulting image has nice depth and contrast.
• The TV offers natural color and excellent detail with high-definition sources.
• Motionflow 120Hz technology effectively reduces motion blur and judder in film sources, and it can render very smooth motion.

Low Points
• Motionflow isn't as effective with fast-moving scenes, and it can make film sources look unnaturally smooth, an effect that some people do not like.
• While the Sony's black level and black detail are good, they're not quite as deep as the best high-end panels on the market.

Conclusion
The KDL-46XBR5 is an all-around good performer that can deliver a very attractive image in either a bright or dark viewing environment. Plus, it has an elegant design and a healthy connection panel.

  • Comment on this article

Post a Comment

You are encouraged to post your comments using Facebook on HomeTheaterReview.com. Simply sign in to your Facebook account below and post away.

Featured Audio-Video News

Are AV Retailers To Blame For Lofty High End AV Prices?

Are AV Retailers To Blame For Lofty High End AV Prices? -

The audio video has been in a state of flux or some time, splitting sales up between specialty dealers, big box stores, and online sellers. However, the dealers may have had more to do with this than they think.

Latest LED HDTV Reviews

Sharp LC-70LE640U LED LCD HDTV Reviewed -

If one 70-inch LED HDTV wasn't enough for you, don't worry. Sharp has another one in the LC-70LE732U, and this new model picks up right where the last one left off, adding refined features.

Toshiba 65HT2U LCD HDTV Reviewed -

While the Toshiba 65HT2U LCD HDTV doesn't offer a lot of excess when it comes to features, it does offer up plenty of screen real estate. But will the performance measure up to that screen size?

Toshiba 47TL515U 3D LED LCD HDTV -

Toshiba continues to offer entries into the 3D HDTV marketplace, using both available technologies. The 47TL515U LED HDTV is a passive 3D HDTV television. Adrienne Maxwell puts it to the test to see how it measures up.

Home Theater Review's 2011 Best Of Awards -

For a third time, the editorial staff of Home Theater Review have examined the year's offerings in AV gear and decided what they deem to be the best in every category. Find out who is the best of the best.

Samsung UN46D6300 LED LCD HDTV Reviewed -

While Samsung's newest LED HDTV, the UN46D6300, doesn't feature 3D playback, it does have plenty of cool and stylish features. HomeTheaterReview.com reviewer Adrienne Maxwell evaluates those features.

Westinghouse VR-6025Z LCD HDTV Reviewed -

Despite the fact that the VR-6025Z LCD HDTV from Westinghouse Digital may be considered a budget television, it backs a 60-inch screen and several other features that Adrienne Maxwell reviews.

Westinghouse LD-4655VX LED LCD HDTV Reviewed -

Westinghouse Digital's LD-4655VX LED HDTV may be lean on features but it is also lean on price. Adrienne Maxwell takes a look to see how good those features included in the LD-4655VX are.

Sharp LC-52LE835U 3D LED LCD HDTV Reviewed -

While Sharp is offering the 52-inch LC-52LE835U LED HDTV at a reasonable price, especially given the television's 3D-capability, the company may still have some ground to make up.

LG Infinia 55LV5500 LED LCD HDTV Reviewed -

While LG's Infinia 55LV55000 LED LCD HDTV is now a 3D-capable display, the television does come packed with many of the most in-demand features in the modern consumer electronics marketplace.

Sony KDL-40EX620 LED LCD HDTV Reviewed -

One of Sony's mid-level entries into the company's 2011 line of HDTVs is the KDL-40EX620 LED HDTV. The television lacks a few premium features but still has many features to keep users satisfied.