Pioneer PDP-LX5090 review

Could this be the best 50" TV on the planet?

With 50-inch plasma TVs now available for well under a grand, how on earth can Pioneer justify this onyx-clad gogglebox's £2,500 price tag? By making it the best 50-inch TV ever, that's how.

Hand on heart, that's no exaggeration: the PDP-LX5090 kicks sand in the face of its rivals by delivering a picture that is near-perfect, especially if you're watching Blu-ray discs or some of the better quality hi-def material from Sky.

The black levels, always a strong point on Pioneer plasmas, are better than ever. Watch a murky movie like Hostel 2 or Sunshine in a totally dark room and you can barely see any light escape from the black parts of the picture. No other plasma we've seen can match that bottomless depth, and LCD TVs are totally incapable of getting even close.

But producing the blackest blacks is just the start of this telly's talents. Whites are also dazzlingly bright, giving it a massive contrast ratio, while colours are gloriously vibrant. Motion is handled adeptly, but it's not the strongest point: Philips' new LCDs offer less judder and crisper edges during movement.

Sound quality is classy, build quality top notch and connectivity above average (although an extra HDMI wouldn't have gone amiss), meaning the PDP-LX5090 is comfortably one of the best TVs we've ever seen. Now if we could only afford one...

Posted by Sam Kieldsen on 2008-08-05

User Comments

By stocky102000

6|01|2009 15:26

I have to agree with the initial review I just bought my 5090 as an upgrade to a 42" pioneer and this TV just blows everything out of the water by a country mile I have not seen any other TV even come close.

For those that are interested in this TV Pioneer are running a free 5 yr warranty offer when bought from one of their recommended dealers until 31/01/09 I got mine for £1800 with 5 yr warranty and its a steal at that.

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