Samsung LN46A550 LCD HDTV
Samsung - LN46A550Release Date: Mar 2008
The SAMSUNG LN46A550 has a 30,000:1 contrast ratio for sharper and more realistic picture quality. And for those who want to watch sports events and action-packed movies like never before, a fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes. SAMSUNG LCD TVs turn your high-definition dreams into a definite, crystal-clear reality.
Average Expert Rating
Summary of User Reviews
Number of Reviews: 14Positive Reviews: 100%
Negative Reviews: 0%
Positive Review
Reviewed by: ryerye on 03-Apr-08
Strengths: Sharpness in picture quality,Small form factor,Good black levels,NEW REMOTE...yes!
Weaknesses: Speakers or sound,navigation software seems to introduce new limitations,Most likely a Samsung panel....unlike the clearance 65f series,small form factor? subjective....
Summary: Well I have had this TV for two weeks and it has been a long journey for me. I purchased a 65f first and noticed through various web sites that Samsung switched parts in the panels that resulted in a poor picture to the once highly rated 65f series. I took mine back and got this TV...the series 5... Pros semi clear panel is nice..not a lot of glare contrast ratio: 30,000 to 1 gives a lot of pop, however not twice as much as the 15,000 to 1 65f series. Black levels are nice, minimal back light clouding or leakage. Very sharp picture and good color Cons Speakers are very hollow sounding small form factor....doesn't look 46" big? the new menu software is not as good as the old version. However, it does respond better.Some options that were accessible in earlier tv version were more user friendly. Here are my settings: Mode: Movie contrast: 95 Brightness: 42 sharpness: 25 back light: 7-8 color: 51 R/G: 50/50 Black level: off Dynamic contrast: low color tone: Warm 1 gamma: 0/+1 color settings: don't mess with these unless you have some calibration software edge enhancement: ON flesh tone: +1
Positive Review
Reviewed by: vtek63 on 08-Apr-08
Strengths: picture quality, price, weight, power consumption
Weaknesses: built in speakers
Summary: this is an absolutely fantastic tv. the picture quality is stunning and the design is great. this tv is light for a 46" and draws very little power! i tested mine at about 89 watts in use. there are lots of inputs and lots of menu options to tweak :) the only small thing about this set is that the speakers are weak. the sound isn't the greatest in the world, but it is bareable. i don't think it would matter for most people however.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: trumani on 12-Apr-08
Strengths: - Screen not too reflective, and not too anti-reflective- Excellent Picture Quality- Many inputs- Light (compared to older samsung lcd)
Weaknesses: Speaker sound quality (can be ammended somewhat with some equilization techniques)- slight buzz from backlight
Summary: This is my first Flat Screen (previous set was a CRT HDTV), so I do not know how this compares to other screens (It's hard to compare when at another person's house). This unit came with no dead pixels, set up without a flaw (many inputs). Able to hook up my blue ray, xbox 360, receiver, and PC. PC image is sharp! Because it is lighter and comes with the base installed already, this may have cheaper shipping rates. I actually received free shipping while the previous version of this lcd (4661/4665) did not due to weight. Picture quality is great, and if there's no need for 120Hz (I found no need), it is a great set and I consider in the middle ground of price and quality. I love the fact that the screen is neither plasma type reflective, or matte type anti-reflective. It gives the best of both worlds, in my opinion. Unfortunately the audio quality is low (not sure how this compares to other units), and only when you're a few inches from the set, can you hear a slight buzz come from the backlight.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: hildil on 19-Apr-08
Strengths: great right out of the box, ease of use, and great picture
Weaknesses: none
Summary: i am really glad i bought this tv recommended by a friend. it lives up to the samsung reputation. fantastic picture, and ease of use. i highly recommend it to everyone
Positive Review
Reviewed by: docsr4u on 20-Apr-08
Strengths: Cost, Colors, contrast ratio
Weaknesses: if any speakers...
Summary: Absolutely pleased customer. Lets visit the various facets. 1. Size: Please go for the bigger size you can buy and your room can accomodate. Grainy pictures at close distances is a problem for SD (convetional analog) signals though.. 2. Gloss: Obviously choose LCD as didnt want back light glare on TV. The frame however is glossy and has its glare, the TV has a small amount of glare if U pay close attention. Better than many other TV's though. 3. Remote: Big buttons can be illuminated. Non universal except if you have all samsung products. Shdnt b a deciding factor. 4. Contrast ratio is great with accurate black reproduction. 5. BTW: OTA HD signals for more than 8 channels are easy to obtain. Once you see in HD, you cant watch regular SD TV. And yes, the regular TV signals are grainy in this TV. 6. Cost: Got it at Amazon. Wouldnt buy from anywhere else. 7. Sound: Its ok, have to use the equalizer function well. Anyway, mine is hooked upto 5.1 onkyo. And you shall need optical audio cable to get 5.1 ch from OTA signals. 8. You can buy auto mount and then be able to control the swivel function via remote. Cool feature if you shall hook it high up in an office for example. The floor mount ( comes attached) can also swivel upto 30 degress each side. 9. Weight: Not too heavy , shall 2 people to lift and place of course, but lighter than many other 46 TVs. 10. PIP: has PIP for 2 different sources eg TV and DVD/PC, Not 2 different channels at the same time. Overall, if you have been waiting to buy one, this is it. Obvious question remain: 1. 120 Hz: Is it neccessary. Good to have but I didnt find much of a help. Try it out at any of the wall and mortar stores. Also check at Samsung showroom at Columbus circle in NY or any other if local. 2. Sound: Got to have an audio system. 3. Will price drop further: Who knows..but most have waited long enough. Its the lowest currently since Super bowl and thought prices shall drop , it may take long time. Will update more later.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: kelly_jess on 23-Apr-08
Strengths: Clarity Sharpness
Weaknesses: Sound, Difficulty in calibrating the TV
Summary: This is an excellent TV, Its worth the money spent on it. I am still trying to calibrate the TV which is kind of hard. I guess once it is calibrated it should be really good. I see a lot of people telling it is beyond their expectations.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: daystar297 on 04-May-08
Strengths: Picture quality . . .Design
Weaknesses: Makes you not want to leave the house . . .
Summary: This was my first HDTV . . . and I ordered it sight unseen . . .based on the few available reviews at the time . . . and several comparisons with similarly priced and reviewed other brands. I was certainly not disappointed . . .Just want I wanted . . .And I'd recommend the LN46A550 to anyone considering a 46" HDTV . . .
Positive Review
Reviewed by: tommersyip on 14-Jul-08
Strengths: Picture Quality, Great Menus, Fast Analog and HD tuner.
Weaknesses: Sound is AWFUL.
Summary: So when I finally bit the bullet and bought this thing, I have to admit I was scared. This type of TV is still very expensive and is a big purchase.I always anythingdo tons of research before buying, I weighed all the options of going 120Hz or not, 52 inches or not and I settled on my initial choice from the beginning, the 46A550.Picture quality is great. The menus are awesome and let you completely tweak out the TV including the equalizer (which is very important on this set!).But after you do the initial setup and you are watching your first channel of programming, you are going to notice this TV's huge weakness - the sound is awful. Samsung stuck the speakers on this unit UNDER the TV, facing downwards, some how creating a supposed echo sound. Man - it does not work out of the box.I had to go to AVSforum.com and search the forums. After 15 min I found that someone spent a bit tweaking out their settings and I copied them. Greatly improved the sound but it still isn't great. Needless to say I had already known this before hand and planned on getting an external receiver and floorstanding speakers for this thing - no way am I watching BluRays with that sound.Otherwise, a great TV. People who buy these flat panels pretty much know the sound is going to be awful so it is acceptable. Seems like Samsung knows it is acceptable also and opted for sleek looks vs. good sound.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: soji_m on 16-Jul-08
Strengths: Picture ****EXCELLENT******
Weaknesses: Sound, need better speaker
Summary: Picture... picture... nothing else matter...picture.... Why do you need an LCD tv for? for good picture, then buy this TV. Do not go for 120Hz, not worth it. 60Hz is more than enough for anything......
Positive Review
Reviewed by: 19-Aug-08
Strengths: Nice TV with good features. To optical SPDIF audio output that outputs surround sound to home theater when receiving local digit broadcast.
Weaknesses: Extremely poor built-in speakers. Worse then my 13" $30 old tube TV. Can here conversation of the TV shows. Must use external stereo.
Summary: If you plan to use a home theater with this TV at all time, this is a good one. If you plan to use only the built-in speakers to watch TV, don't buy this TV.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: GSpointerdog on 23-Sep-08
Strengths: Picture brightness and rapid response time, 5 ms.
Weaknesses: Audio, but, see comment
Summary: My wife and I are very happy with the TV. Great picture and we have not even hooked it up to the HD box yet! Tweaked the higher audio freqs and that improves the sound. Our plan is to use external speakers so on board sound is not as important to us. Relatively light weight and low power consumption blows our old (dead) Sony CRT out of the water. This TV is nicer than we even hoped it would be. The buy was no mistake.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: 16-Oct-08
Strengths: Awesome Video
Weaknesses: Audio Sucks
Summary: I read the other reviews and they were spot on regarding strengths and weaknesses. I agree that sound is equal to other similar TV's but that does not make it enjoyable. Count on using an external aud
Positive Review
Reviewed by: osfans on 22-Oct-08
Strengths: Clear pic - that's what I wanted from the TV
Weaknesses: none
Summary: I've only had it for a couple of weeks but I can't take my eyes off of it. It took me a while to figure out that some channels are not HD but the ones that are are fantastic. I did call customer support and I spoke to someone (from the US and spoke English)immediately who helped me with a couple of questions.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: 26-Nov-08
Strengths: Picture quality on close up shots is amazing!
Weaknesses: At only 60Hz is an obvious weekness when viewing sports and wide angle shots.
Summary: I received this TV about a month ago. Picture is amazing when viewing sitcoms and other shows with low movement or narrow camera shots. When I watch football the picture isn't as sharp as I would wish especially when they have a shot zoomed out over the field. I guess I'm being too critical for the price but overall the picture is awesome. I'm not too worried about the speakers quality becuase I have it hooked up to surround sound. All in all you can't find a better picture for the price. My next tv will be 120Hz though.








