Sony XBR9 Series | KDL52XBR9, KDL46XBR9, KDL40XBR9 & KDL32XBR9

Posted in Sony KDL-XBR9 Series, Sony LCD

The Sony KDL-XBR9 Series is the company’s flagship line up of LCD televisions in 2009, and offers some massive performance improvements and lots of new and innovative features over its predecessors the KDL-XBR8 and KDL-XBR7. One thing to note is that when you compare the Sony XBR9 vs. XBR8 & XBR7 that it is a little confusing. It would seem that the XBR9 is a direct upgrade to the KDLXBR8, however the Bravia XBR8 hdtvs used LED technology and as such the KDLXBR9 series should be looked at as the progression of the KDLXBR7 units.

The Sony Bravia XBR9 series is available in 4 sizes: The 52-inch KDL52XBR9 LCD, 46-inch KDL46XBR9 LCD, 40-inch KDL40XBR9 LCD, and the 32-inch KDL32XBR9 LCD. There are no significant differences when comparing the XBR9 series line up besides the viewing size & weight.

Compare Sony XBR9 vs Z5100 vs W5100 vs V5100 vs S5100

Taking a look at how the KDL-XBR9 stacks up and compares versus the other 2009 Bravia line ups in Sony HDTV arsenal, it’s easy to get confused among all the minor and more insignificant differences… Below are the more major and deal breaking differences between the series from most expensive to least.

Compare Sony XBR9 vs. Z5100 (slight downgrade)

• Very similar to each other. Main difference is the back-lighting technology and panel (WCG-CCFL) used in the XBR9 which displays a much more rich and deep range of colors, which when compared to the more standard Bravia Z5100 series results in noticeable picture quality increase on the more expensive units. The XBR9 lineup also features more options with 52″ KDL-52XBR9, 46″ KDL-46XBR9, 40″ KDL-40XBR9 and 32″ KDL-32XBR9 where the Z-Series only has the 3 larger options available.

Compare Sony Z5100 vs W5100 (slight downgrade)

• On top of lacking the improved backlight found on the XBR9, the Bravia W5100 series loses the ‘MotionFlow’ 240Hz technology found on the two superior models. It has the now standard 120Hz refresh rate and will result in more image distortions and ‘noise’ especially during intense and fast moving action.

Compare Sony W5100 vs V5100 (noticeable downgrade)

• Missing out on the above things, the Bravia V5100 series also loses out on picture quality over the above 3 with less specifications and a downgraded set of imaging technologies and engine. It also lacks all the internet capabilities and features found on the above series and offers shoppers a much simpler and thus cheaper option to experience still a very strong performing HDTV without the latest in media & internet bells and whistles.

Compare Sony v5100 vs s5100 (noticeable downgrade)

• An entry level FullHD 1080p unit, the KDLS5100 will save those not asking much from their television a lot of money. Comparing the S5100 to the above, you lose an HDMI port on the connectivity front and go from the 120Hz found on the W and V series down to 60Hz (resulting in more image judder and noise) among some more minor downgrades resulting in a slightly lower picture quality.