I don't usually comment, but I've been a fan for awhile and I'm happy with these picks as well. I got last yr's model of Hisense U7H for under $500 through costco and that exact vizio soundbar! I would do it again in a heartbeat. Best bang for buck and loving every moment of it.
Love the switch up on videos. This is great. Especially when I may be willing to spend a lot on certain technology but your friends just don’t the same way. This is excellent.
I'd love ot see a video about building a great system over time. Like what amazing expandable components to buy over time. I've always wanted like an old school entertainment room and it would be a fun series to do like TVs vs projectors and the pros and cons of different all-in-one systems vs receiver based systems etc. I know that's been done by other channels and maybe y'all have done it. But a new series in the new space would be tight.
Caleb I've enjoyed watching your Videos for many years now. I love the way you present information. In some magical way this can relate to all viewers from "nit nerds" to every day consumer while keeping the videos short, concise and entertaining. A true talent!
Such a great feeling to watch this video 7 months later and having bought the exact TV you recommend at the time of this video. Bought the Hisense U7K as my first TV and am so amazed. Funnily enough I only see this video 7 months later. What won me over was the IMAX Enhanced mode. That is so freaking cool. Plus it supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS X, you name it. The biggest bang for buck for sure
Thank Caleb. The dollars per enjoyment hour really does give me pause on what TV I should buy. I've been humming and hawwing about what to buy for a while now and going for the best possible TV I can afford just seems like the best choice when you put it that way
Seeing some of the comments… I also think it would be nice to see you cover a higher budget around $2,500 or $3,000 and maybe even a $5,000? Thank you for doing this! Really enjoy watching your content.
I wanted to get a new TV and sound bar during the Black Friday sales. The combo I wanted was still out of my budget. Started to consider downgrading either TV or soundbar or both, but in the end decided to just get the TV I wanted (Sony A80L 65”) without the soundbar. So happy I decided to delay the soundbar purchase and get the TV I wanted instead. I’m sure more sales will come along soon or better soundbars or audio solutions would come next year
I recently purchased a 65" Sony X90L for my 90-year-old father-in-law. It was on sale for $899, which I regarded as a good value, esp. as it was his $$. I considered the Hisense U7 and U8, but the reliability of those Chinese brands seems murky and I didn't want him to worry about repair hassles
Just dont fool yourself. X90l is an average TV. VA - FALD with 40k contrast ratio and mid brightness. The U8K destroys that TV in every aspect including picture quality. It is brighter and have far better contrast ratio (160K). U8K is twice as bright as the X90L (2100 nits v 900 nits) in a 10% windows and has less blooming thanks its 1000+ LD zones (X90L has 88 lol). So yeah. You made a bad choice. Just accept it.
Hi Caleb, your comment at the end of the video about TV size brought back a memory of when I was shopping for a TV. The salesman (Iknow they say things to make you spend more money) said something that struck me as being the truth. He said "I have been doing this job for years and no-one has ever come back to the store and said that the TV they bought is too big"
Thanks for the helpful advice. I followed your general guideline with a couple changes, I went with a 65" TCL Q7 , the Yamaha YAS-209 soundbar, and a Sony UHD Blu Ray player with enough left out of a grand to buy lunch.
Basically did this 2 years ago for my Man Cave. TCL 55R646 - buggy when first purchased. A couple software updates later, ZERO COMPLAINTS. Vizio M512A-H6 - bought on sale for like $350. Solid performance, easy setup. Then…I added a PS5 and the Series X. Oops
As always great video, Caleb! Home Entertainment at a reasonable value has always been a challenge to me. And it really can get to an obsession to optimize your gear step by step. That's the way it went for me in purchasing the best TV to fulfill my needs by having the best price performance. After years of shifting up my expectations in picture quality, which caused the purchasing of a new TV every 2 - 3 years, I finally took the step up to a 77" LG OLED, which turned out to be more expensive as I planned. But the joy this OLED brings to our living room can't be outweighed with money. It was worth every Euro!
Great video, as always, Caleb. Stuff like this is awesome to have on hand when helping family/friends who may not be as well versed in The Community as us true AV Nerds (TM)! We're really in a golden age of display tech and home entertainment in general. For a grand, just as you show, you can get multiple combos of setups for pennies a day. I don't miss my 483 lines of NTSC broadcast on my 26" CRT. Don't get me wrong...I'm glad I lived to see that tech as well. It makes me appreciate today's just that much more, but I definitely wouldn't want to go back. Thank you!
@@LeezahB Yes ma'am, we're all good. Picking up some extra shifts at the ER over the coming weeks, so hopefully an OLED is in the not too distant future! Hope you're doing well, too!
I’d vote for a separate video on budget stereo gear building. Not everyone, me included, use their tvs for stereo listening. So many new products from streamers, cd players and dedicated stereo receivers to showcase.
Super helpful! Suggest doing the same thing at $2k and $3k budgets. Been watching for awhile as I am looking to replace my 11 yo 55" TV and soundbar. Thx!
It’s so true. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said the same thing to my clients. Somebody asked me if spending $500 more for an OLED is worth it over the X90L. I told him think about how much you make an hour and how quickly you make $500. Then think about letting that small amount of time and money take away from a 7-10 year experience.
In my case, on Black Friday I got the 55” u7 to upgrade from a 49” but it was to big. But there really isn’t many good options at under 50”! Ended up getting the 48” A2 and really love it. If I already didn’t have a sound system, and sticking with the $1000 budget i’d personally get the Yamaha all in 1 home theater system. I know for your average person they would want to deal with an actual receiver and wiring, but in my case that’s perfectly fine
It's interesting that you mentioned a turntable. I have one, and one of the biggest problems I have is with furniture. You can't just put most turntables inside of a TV stand because you have to be able to access them from the top and open the lid. An easy, space-saving solution to this would be to build pullout drawers in a TV stand, but it's extremely rare to see this. The best speakers many people have these days are used for TV and connected to A/V receivers, so it makes sense if you have a turntable, you should integrate it into your home theater. But space is my biggest problem. I also have two NAS boxes (primary and backup) and a bunch of physical media discs to store. It would be great if I could find a TV stand that works for all this stuff. I am a renter, and I don't want to mount my TV on the wall.
This was the kind of video I have been waiting for from you. Yes, looking at a Hisense 65er on next tv for living room area, renter so limited space. Really, really want a turntable to add to my system...hoping for some recommendations but didn't see any in description. We use 2 alexa studios and sub for our sound system (quote un quote). So hit me up, is it even possible to run a turntable to TV and eArc back to the Fire Stick for sound? And, which turntable is recommended? Btw, my daughter is now really into albums/vinyl would love to grab her a better one than the cheap one she has now.....really wish I kept my parents old cabinet stereo from the 60's.
What about the Vizio m series m512E-K6? Watched the video on the other one you reviewed.. thought I bought it but I bought the slightly more expensive one. Also it ships sooner than the one you recommended.. also I’m at 2:34 so if I’m commenting for no point then dang it.
Just ordered the U6K in 75" for $650, no sales tax and free shipping. Should be here next week! Hope its as good as everyone says...its like a no brainer...75 inches of magnificent screen for $650...yes please. I have no desire or need for a 120hz screen or a brighter picture, so the U7k took a back seat. I don't use my TV for gaming. My 8 year old Vizio 60" just has too many issues....never again Vizio. Dont let me down Hisense!
Vizio M AIO soundbar for $144 or the V 5.1 for $150 is solid value. The Vizio M 5.1.2 for ~ $300 is a great deal. A 55 inch U7K for ~ $500. Save a little extra for govee or phillips lighting and speaker stands. Walmart had the Roku Ultra for $34. Thats an insane deal.
@@loudryka 'decent receiver for $400' is an oxymoron statement dude unless you don't really care or know about sound quality. Instead Samsung Q990B/C soundbar would be a great value, its Dolby Atmos performance is stunning at that price point (below $1k). Get one and you can thank me later ;)
Great content, as always. This is great for someone starting out, but personally I am in a spot of where and what to upgrade. I have a JVC X35 (rs46) I got for $200 last year, butiss the HDR and I find myself down grading from 150in to 55in TCL 6 series 2016. I know a system consists of a lot more than this, but to list my entire set up here would be a bit much. I do have an avr 5.1 system. This is probably too extensive to get into for each person's specific set up.
An intriguing choice of topic given the survey answer ! Since most homes in the U.S would choose a 65” screen , your $1000 seems to realistically only allow for a 55” and as someone who’s about to upgrade from a 55” to a 65” I can’t but wonder would a screen size rather than a monetary amount be a better option ? I note also no part of the budget was allocated to wall brackets nor HDMI cables all of which I will need since my old Sony isn’t the only thing needing upgrading 🤪 Re your product list… I assume you only get a financial benefit from sales in the USA and not over seas ? You guys are so so lucky having a store like Best Buy , the stores in the uk are laughable compared to a Best Buy.
My Samsung HLS-6767WX DLP 61-inch TV finally died! 18 years I've cherished this TV and worth the $4500 price tag I paid in 2005. I've been watching your video content for a bit now, I'm excited to move forward in my new purchase of a new TV and surround sound. Thanks for all the great info... it's helped me out immensely!
I reckon there're many viewers who might not have heard of that model or even born by then or old enough to register that model ever existed, lol. Those were the times of quality products. Don't think today's TVs would last that long.
@Sas-wk9lj I agree with your reply. Those were the days... pay 35 dollars if your lamp went out and be good for another 5 years. Thanks for making me feel like a dinosaur lol... cheers to a good life and TV's that can last past 8 years!
Great video. Realistic scenarios. One thing I think you should have mentioned is buying used, and doing your homework. Working in the tech/telecom industry has shown me that people are way too quick to spend money on things without knowing the first thing about them, how to use them, how to hook it up, or what to do when something doesn't work. We need to slow down and do our due diligence. Less money on our local Feel Squad, and more time combing Reddit threads or Marketplace/Craigslist.
Can you do a comparison of the VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Premium Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Bluetooth, Wireless Subwoofer and Alexa Compatibility, M51ax-J6, 2022 Model vs. the Klipsch Cinema 400 Sound Bar + 8Inch Wireless Subwoofer with HDMIARC,Black (Which would you pick)
Based upon your previous recommendation, I picked up the 55” Hisense U7K on a Black Friday deal for $478 and could not be happier! The picture is amazing, black levels are excellent, and colors are superb! I am also super pleased because, unlike other TVs that I’ve owned, it supports Dolby Atmos, pass-through via HDMI, so I can take advantage of all the functions that my Apple TV offers. This TV is far superior to anything I’ve owned or seen in this price range! Also, one unexpected benefit is that, even though my old TV supposedly fully supported various surroundsound formats, the sound simply sounds better coming out of my home theater system using this TV. I didn’t do a side-by-side comparison, so maybe some of it in my head, but it really does seem to be all around a much better TV in every way.
What does it really even mean 'it's far superior than any othr tv in this price range'. Either it's a great TV or it isn't, either you like it or you don't, how does price play any role here in your liking the TV, unless you're fooling yourself to justify your expenditure
@@Sas-wk9lj I’m talking about the value proposition for people who are on a budget. If I have a $500 budget, I want to get the best performing TV in that budget. Same thing if I have $1000 budget. It’s a pretty simple concept. I’m suggesting is this particular TV outperforms anything I’ve ever owned, and I don’t feel compelled to spend a lot of money on a TV, so I’m pretty happy with it. I don’t need to justify anything.
@@wynkoop2000 I hear you. My only objection is to add that 'in this price range' is where I find it annoying in general. Ex. you have a chair or a sofa and it gives you the comfort in seating as per your liking. From where does 'in this price range' even become a remote factor in your finding comfort in sitting on it? If a product is good, it's just good for what 'it is' for its intrinsic quality and not because of comparison basis. Having that 'value for money' conceptual gain is and should be a secondary thing.
@@wynkoop2000 You see it's kind of condescending to say it is good 'in this price range'. As if you're implying there was more to be desired in terms of quality but I don't resent that because I got what I paid for! Absolutely not, this is where we are cheating ourselves or they are making fool of us to believe that we should be contented with the slightly inferior quality 'at the price we paid' and that we could have got better than this if we could afford the $1500 price range model. Instead of what should have been a normal regular thing to get a quality product in return on budget (relative term) price, you feel like a winner that you got lucky there yo win some kind of jackpot, just like we feel rewarded if we can get 3 years of warranty at the price of one, lol. While, it should have been the regular thing to offer 5 years of warranty if the product was really built off quality.
@@Sas-wk9lj I hope this isn’t offensive, but I find you much more condescending than what I said. Telling someone else how they should think is very condescending. Having said that, I don’t think it’s intentional. I get what you’re saying, and you’re entitled to your own way of thinking.
Great video Caleb! I’ve been struggling with this issue myself because a friend wants me to help him with picking a new tv. I’ll share this video with him because I’ve got him to be a fan of yours too now at this point. I was recommending the 65” C3 over the 75” X90L even though he knows I prefer Sony visuals (a bit suspicious of you saying you’d take the Hisense in this vid my fellow Sony fan 🤨😉). But the C3 still looks really good and it’s got that next level inky oled cherry on top. Plus it’s got the higher number of hdmi 2.1 ports (which he complains about) and it’s still got the magic remote he’s use to. Yet like the example in this vid maybe he’s just gonna get it home and regret it not being bigger if he hasn’t (same example smaller room and really doesn’t need the bigger size just mentally might want it). Now I can just send him this video and it can be on him, thank you so much! Huge fan for years now (tho not a nit nerd), watch most of your videos (digging the new studio) and always using you as my gold standard for reviews. As well as great entertainment (the “god I feel so dumb” at the end 😅☺️) over the years too. Happy holidays to you and yours friend.
Caleb,I am spending about 1000.00 on a tv , want a 65 inch. I get so aggravated when watching movies and the surrounding in the movie are dark because of the type of movie it is, that I can not see anything on the picture except dark . I can’t make out the people or any background. Can you recommend a tv that has more light on dark movies ?
Hi...got a soundbar (ht s5000 sony atmos), nvidia shield which i used to upgrade my 2017 sony lcd. What would you recommend? I dont need upscaling , atmos, good os (shield does all this). So the question is...what is the tv that offers best picture quality (and gaming 120-144) without throwing any money in sound or the other features...
Hi Caleb, thanks for your great info on your videos including this. Been an avid fan for quite a while now. Just a question. What is the tv you will recommend between 85-100inch tv? It will be wall mounted and in a bright room. Thanks. Looking to pair the tv with a wall mounted soundbar.
I really liked the video and thought it was very informative. Can you make one for a $2000 budget or how about for a bedroom setup? I'm in the process of updating my TVs in the house to be all 4K tvs. I have a 10 year old Sony 5.1 surround sound box system in my bedroom. I was thinking of upgrading to a soundbar surround system. I was thinking about the Sony A5000 with their sub and wireless surround speakers. I also thought the Sonos setup too, but ran out of money for this year. The system won't be used that much, but it will be paired with a Sony 65' 900H. I wanted to go with the soundbar option to clean up the look of my current system.
Great video! I just bought the Hisense 75” U6K for $650 on Black Friday and I love it for a 60HZ tv. The Vizio 5.1.2 soundbar is worth it too. The Dual Stereo Mode is a must have feature👌🏽
Whereas the U8K averages around 1,500 nits of brightness, the U6K averages around 500 nits-that's in line with what you can get from other TVs at this price level, but it's obviously a big step down from the brightness of a more premium model.
HEY CALEB! I have the U8K 55" in my bedroom. Yes, the sound is good but I want much more and I thought a matching Hisense Soundbar/Sub/Surrounds would be great but i'm torn between the AX5120G or the Vizio M512a-H6. Pass-through of TrueHD and Dolby Vision is extremely important and so is DTS:X.
After careful research and your past review I decided to buy my first Hisense U7K 55 inch and their dolby 3.1.2 sound bar during Black Friday for my small game room. Overall it’s a decent budget tv and it’s very bright as advertised. I have my PS5 connected to it and it’s a very good for gaming. But I wouldn’t recommend it as your main TV because the viewing angle is not the very good.
I have the JBL 3.1 sound bar and subwoofer and I can't seem to find a good review on it. I'm upgrading my TV to the LG c3 and just want to know if my sound bar is good or if I need to upgrade. Please help
This show matches my current budget, in fact I just recently bought the samsung hw-q60b to replace another samsung sound bar I bought 15 years ago with 7 series 46" 3d television, don't remember those model numbers though. Currently I looking to get a good 40" TV for the bedroom that is 120hz and bled. Any ideas there.
Hi! I've been binging your videos in prep for spending some big $$ at least for me. One thing I haven't been able to figure out is if it's ok to place a soundbar (atmos) behind a TV. I will have the TV mounted on the fireplace mantel via a retractable mount to place it at eye level when in use but then it will be in front of the soundbar. I was considering the Vizio 5.1 recommendation so not sure if that would pair well with the Sony A80L I've been obsessing over or if getting the Sony soundbar 5.1 will be worth the money since it has some proprietary pairing advantages with the A80L? Also, my viewing distance is only 6-7ft. I worry that a 77" is too big?
How would you spend $2k on audio alone? That's my dilemma. I have a Samsung q990, but I hate it. Dialogue is too quiet while action sounds are way too loud. Only thing that helps is night mode, but then no subwoofer.
Any know how well the Samsung HW-Q60C or Klipsch Cinema 400 work for PS5/Xbox Series X systems?? I unfortunately don’t have the space for something like the Vizio on my tv stand so I’m hoping the Samsung or Klipsch would do a great job while saving space & money!
Off subject but have you heard any buzz about IMAIF (?) a "new" sound format samsung and google are collaborating on.suposedly a alternative to atmos? Just wondering,btw fun vid as always,interesting subject.
Gee, exactly what the home entertainment marketplace needs, yet another format. 🫣 Anyone here remember the ‘70s quadraphonic wars, or maybe tales from their gramps about them?
Just buy things in stages. Start with tv. Then a good streaming box and a quality 4K player. Then a quality receiver and great stereo speakers. Then a sub. Then a center channel and rears. Then some atmos speakers and 2 more channels if you need it. I’m just not into soundbars. Nothing replaces a great receiver and good speakers
Great video! Typically, not actually a great TH-cam performer, as people drone out - but I prefer this down to Earth videos, especially when talking about spending money. Before COVID hit, my family, friends, and even my girlfriend (now wife) gave me flack for how much I spent on my TV, speakers, and set-top-boxes. During the periods of mandatory and advised confinement, all avoiding talking about it 🙂 I really think people spend WAY TOO MUCH on their car, which they might spend 1 hour in; than on their couch + TV + speakers, which from a dollar / hour is quite a better performer.
People, spend too much not only on cars, but also on smartphones, smartwatches, holiday packaged tours, health spa, girlfriends and expensive gifts, yoga lessons, real estate, interior decoration, throwing party and what not.
@DigitalTrends, I was thinking about getting two Echo studios and an Amazon subwoofer for my bedroom. Do you think it’ll be a good choice plus it’ll give me that Dolby surround sound? Thank you.
If $500 is your budget for sound, I just got the Vizio p-series elevate and it absolutely pounds. It’s in my bedroom and I can’t believe the sound it puts out.
My new TCL QM8, when tap power button it turn off in standby mode. When hold down power button it shut off tv completely. Is it ok to only put in standby mode everyday or do I need to shut it off completely too?
With over 50 years of experience in A/V consumer electronics my advice is save up and buy the best you can afford one item at a time. This way you won't be wanting to upgrade for a while. There is nothing wrong with buying used gear that is in full working order and mint codition. If it was my money i would avoid entry level products, you will quickly regret buying them they only give you a hint of how good the higher end ones are. Start with a well respected TV, ie not one from China, then as funds permit buy a good surround system either a soundbar or seperates if you can accomodate them, just ensure that you can live with how they sound. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither can a good A/V system, take your time and avoid impulse buys just because they are on an offer.
Hey Caleb, a little off topic but I gotta try. I have a C2 and paired it with the q990c via earc. If I run it through the soundbar Dolby atmos does not come up on the tv but if I run it directly to the tv it does. As far as I know everything is enabled on both devices. Any insight here?
This is a great idea! Would love to see a HT setup with a 3k, 5k, etc budget as well
Don’t forget the 2k budget
why not 10k, 20k 50k 100k, he'd be more than happy to fulfil your wi$h lololol
I don't usually comment, but I've been a fan for awhile and I'm happy with these picks as well. I got last yr's model of Hisense U7H for under $500 through costco and that exact vizio soundbar! I would do it again in a heartbeat. Best bang for buck and loving every moment of it.
Not currently a Costco member, if you don’t mind, how did you get it for so cheap from there? Are they always that cheap?
Love the switch up on videos. This is great. Especially when I may be willing to spend a lot on certain technology but your friends just don’t the same way. This is excellent.
I'd love ot see a video about building a great system over time. Like what amazing expandable components to buy over time. I've always wanted like an old school entertainment room and it would be a fun series to do like TVs vs projectors and the pros and cons of different all-in-one systems vs receiver based systems etc. I know that's been done by other channels and maybe y'all have done it. But a new series in the new space would be tight.
I love your content so much Caleb. I am always so excited when I see you have a new video out. Great job as always my man
This is saying a lot. This may have been your best video yet. At least for me. Exactly the information I've been looking for! Thanks!
Caleb I've enjoyed watching your Videos for many years now. I love the way you present information. In some magical way this can relate to all viewers from "nit nerds" to every day consumer while keeping the videos short, concise and entertaining. A true talent!
Such a great feeling to watch this video 7 months later and having bought the exact TV you recommend at the time of this video.
Bought the Hisense U7K as my first TV and am so amazed. Funnily enough I only see this video 7 months later. What won me over was the IMAX Enhanced mode. That is so freaking cool. Plus it supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS X, you name it. The biggest bang for buck for sure
Thank Caleb. The dollars per enjoyment hour really does give me pause on what TV I should buy. I've been humming and hawwing about what to buy for a while now and going for the best possible TV I can afford just seems like the best choice when you put it that way
Seeing some of the comments… I also think it would be nice to see you cover a higher budget around $2,500 or $3,000 and maybe even a $5,000? Thank you for doing this! Really enjoy watching your content.
Why no $50k, $100k....he'd be more than happy to fulfil your wi$h, lolololo
Very fun Round-Up for budget home theater systems. I really like these! 🥰
I wanted to get a new TV and sound bar during the Black Friday sales. The combo I wanted was still out of my budget. Started to consider downgrading either TV or soundbar or both, but in the end decided to just get the TV I wanted (Sony A80L 65”) without the soundbar. So happy I decided to delay the soundbar purchase and get the TV I wanted instead. I’m sure more sales will come along soon or better soundbars or audio solutions would come next year
I recently purchased a 65" Sony X90L for my 90-year-old father-in-law. It was on sale for $899, which I regarded as a good value, esp. as it was his $$. I considered the Hisense U7 and U8, but the reliability of those Chinese brands seems murky and I didn't want him to worry about repair hassles
Just dont fool yourself. X90l is an average TV. VA - FALD with 40k contrast ratio and mid brightness. The U8K destroys that TV in every aspect including picture quality. It is brighter and have far better contrast ratio (160K). U8K is twice as bright as the X90L (2100 nits v 900 nits) in a 10% windows and has less blooming thanks its 1000+ LD zones (X90L has 88 lol). So yeah. You made a bad choice. Just accept it.
@@LaskaiTamas23 Wow. You typed all that just to be jerk to a stranger on the internet.
@@markiep8477 And he typed all that to justify his purchase, namely, an average TV for 900. He paid for the brand not for the picture quality.
I appreciate having more info. Thanks
Hi Caleb, your comment at the end of the video about TV size brought back a memory of when I was shopping for a TV. The salesman (Iknow they say things to make you spend more money) said something that struck me as being the truth. He said "I have been doing this job for years and no-one has ever come back to the store and said that the TV they bought is too big"
Thanks for the helpful advice. I followed your general guideline with a couple changes, I went with a 65" TCL Q7 , the Yamaha YAS-209 soundbar, and a Sony UHD Blu Ray player with enough left out of a grand to buy lunch.
Basically did this 2 years ago for my Man Cave.
TCL 55R646 - buggy when first purchased. A couple software updates later, ZERO COMPLAINTS.
Vizio M512A-H6 - bought on sale for like $350. Solid performance, easy setup.
Then…I added a PS5 and the Series X. Oops
It’s a little older but my Vizio P series 85” is amazing! Bought on Caleb’s recommendation a few years ago!
As always great video, Caleb! Home Entertainment at a reasonable value has always been a challenge to me. And it really can get to an obsession to optimize your gear step by step. That's the way it went for me in purchasing the best TV to fulfill my needs by having the best price performance. After years of shifting up my expectations in picture quality, which caused the purchasing of a new TV every 2 - 3 years, I finally took the step up to a 77" LG OLED, which turned out to be more expensive as I planned. But the joy this OLED brings to our living room can't be outweighed with money. It was worth every Euro!
💙 I have the S95B with phillip hue lights and it's awesome. I want to upgrade to the Sony HT A9 surround next to complete my game room
I just got the tcl QM8 thanks to your review. And I freaking love it. Movie mode = 🔥, streaming = 🔥, PS5 gaming = 🔥 🤯
Great video, as always, Caleb. Stuff like this is awesome to have on hand when helping family/friends who may not be as well versed in The Community as us true AV Nerds (TM)! We're really in a golden age of display tech and home entertainment in general. For a grand, just as you show, you can get multiple combos of setups for pennies a day. I don't miss my 483 lines of NTSC broadcast on my 26" CRT. Don't get me wrong...I'm glad I lived to see that tech as well. It makes me appreciate today's just that much more, but I definitely wouldn't want to go back. Thank you!
Love this post Ryan!! Hope you are doing well!😀
@@LeezahB Yes ma'am, we're all good. Picking up some extra shifts at the ER over the coming weeks, so hopefully an OLED is in the not too distant future! Hope you're doing well, too!
@@ryanbaker7404 Hope you get it soon!!🥰
I’d vote for a separate video on budget stereo gear building. Not everyone, me included, use their tvs for stereo listening. So many new products from streamers, cd players and dedicated stereo receivers to showcase.
I'm always a fan of these "How much tech can we get with this budget" style videos. I'd like to see a video of what you could get with a $2000 budget.
He'd be happy to sell you junk worth $4k, $10k and so on😂
Thoughts on the HT-A700, SR5's rears and the SW5 sub?
Super helpful! Suggest doing the same thing at $2k and $3k budgets. Been watching for awhile as I am looking to replace my 11 yo 55" TV and soundbar. Thx!
It’s so true. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said the same thing to my clients. Somebody asked me if spending $500 more for an OLED is worth it over the X90L. I told him think about how much you make an hour and how quickly you make $500. Then think about letting that small amount of time and money take away from a 7-10 year experience.
Loved the video! Learned a lot!
So helpful!! My wife really liked it
In my case, on Black Friday I got the 55” u7 to upgrade from a 49” but it was to big.
But there really isn’t many good options at under 50”!
Ended up getting the 48” A2 and really love it.
If I already didn’t have a sound system, and sticking with the $1000 budget i’d personally get the Yamaha all in 1 home theater system.
I know for your average person they would want to deal with an actual receiver and wiring, but in my case that’s perfectly fine
Great video C. I think budget segments are fun, and the opportunities are endless. Cool stuff. 👍🤪🏳️🌈
I like this, thanks for making the effort for those of us with limited budgets 👍🏼
He helps you 'create budget for the TV that you didn't need in the first place' 🤣
Great video. Loved the system building ideas.
With careful planning and some DIY spirit, you can build a fantastic home theater experience under $1000
50 inch is more than enough for my small condo living space. I'm 6 ft from my couch to the tv and it looks plenty large.
Very helpful!! Thank you, Caleb!
Love your reviews Caleb, how about a video on whether it's worth buying that bargain TV before Xmas or waiting for the January sale? ❤
It's interesting that you mentioned a turntable. I have one, and one of the biggest problems I have is with furniture. You can't just put most turntables inside of a TV stand because you have to be able to access them from the top and open the lid. An easy, space-saving solution to this would be to build pullout drawers in a TV stand, but it's extremely rare to see this. The best speakers many people have these days are used for TV and connected to A/V receivers, so it makes sense if you have a turntable, you should integrate it into your home theater. But space is my biggest problem.
I also have two NAS boxes (primary and backup) and a bunch of physical media discs to store. It would be great if I could find a TV stand that works for all this stuff. I am a renter, and I don't want to mount my TV on the wall.
This was the kind of video I have been waiting for from you. Yes, looking at a Hisense 65er on next tv for living room area, renter so limited space.
Really, really want a turntable to add to my system...hoping for some recommendations but didn't see any in description.
We use 2 alexa studios and sub for our sound system (quote un quote).
So hit me up, is it even possible to run a turntable to TV and eArc back to the Fire Stick for sound? And, which turntable is recommended? Btw, my daughter is now really into albums/vinyl would love to grab her a better one than the cheap one she has now.....really wish I kept my parents old cabinet stereo from the 60's.
What about the Vizio m series m512E-K6? Watched the video on the other one you reviewed.. thought I bought it but I bought the slightly more expensive one. Also it ships sooner than the one you recommended.. also I’m at 2:34 so if I’m commenting for no point then dang it.
Wondering why the soundbar recommendation was the old version? Is the M512a-H6 better than the newer M513e-K6?
I have the 65u8k and I love it
I got that vizio sound bar for $350 Black Friday time 2022. Great purchase
Please do a surround system at different budget options
Excellent as always. Thanks.
Just ordered the U6K in 75" for $650, no sales tax and free shipping. Should be here next week! Hope its as good as everyone says...its like a no brainer...75 inches of magnificent screen for $650...yes please. I have no desire or need for a 120hz screen or a brighter picture, so the U7k took a back seat. I don't use my TV for gaming. My 8 year old Vizio 60" just has too many issues....never again Vizio. Dont let me down Hisense!
Just bought a 65 inch QM8. Absolutely size up, huge regret because the itch for a new tv didn’t go away.
Vizio M AIO soundbar for $144 or the V 5.1 for $150 is solid value. The Vizio M 5.1.2 for ~ $300 is a great deal. A 55 inch U7K for ~ $500. Save a little extra for govee or phillips lighting and speaker stands. Walmart had the Roku Ultra for $34. Thats an insane deal.
My U7K its increíble and I have a Yamaha RX-V465, I know it isn't Dolby Atmos but the sound and image is increíble
I would love to see a $1k budget for just theater sound system. Receiver + speakers only
that's too ambitious demand, isn't it?
@@Sas-wk9lj definitely not. You can get a decent 7.2 receiver for $400. Then $600 is enough for a beginner 5.1 setup
@@loudryka 'decent receiver for $400' is an oxymoron statement dude unless you don't really care or know about sound quality. Instead Samsung Q990B/C soundbar would be a great value, its Dolby Atmos performance is stunning at that price point (below $1k). Get one and you can thank me later ;)
Is the 2.1 version of that Vizio sound bar any good? I don’t need the full surround sound and don’t want the bookshelves.
Thank you for this video! More like this, Please
Great content, as always.
This is great for someone starting out, but personally I am in a spot of where and what to upgrade. I have a JVC X35 (rs46) I got for $200 last year, butiss the HDR and I find myself down grading from 150in to 55in TCL 6 series 2016. I know a system consists of a lot more than this, but to list my entire set up here would be a bit much. I do have an avr 5.1 system.
This is probably too extensive to get into for each person's specific set up.
If you have a Sony TV, the HT-A7000 is unbeatable
An intriguing choice of topic given the survey answer !
Since most homes in the U.S would choose a 65” screen , your $1000 seems to realistically only allow for a 55” and as someone who’s about to upgrade from a 55” to a 65” I can’t but wonder would a screen size rather than a monetary amount be a better option ? I note also no part of the budget was allocated to wall brackets nor HDMI cables all of which I will need since my old Sony isn’t the only thing needing upgrading 🤪
Re your product list… I assume you only get a financial benefit from sales in the USA and not over seas ? You guys are so so lucky having a store like Best Buy , the stores in the uk are laughable compared to a Best Buy.
What do you think of this model LG - 86” Class UQ75 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV
My Samsung HLS-6767WX DLP 61-inch TV finally died! 18 years I've cherished this TV and worth the $4500 price tag I paid in 2005. I've been watching your video content for a bit now, I'm excited to move forward in my new purchase of a new TV and surround sound. Thanks for all the great info... it's helped me out immensely!
I reckon there're many viewers who might not have heard of that model or even born by then or old enough to register that model ever existed, lol. Those were the times of quality products. Don't think today's TVs would last that long.
@Sas-wk9lj I agree with your reply. Those were the days... pay 35 dollars if your lamp went out and be good for another 5 years. Thanks for making me feel like a dinosaur lol... cheers to a good life and TV's that can last past 8 years!
@@ghostshellakira That makes two of us ( dinosaur that is) 🤣
Very helpful video. In fact I would like to see the best Walmart TV, and best smaller size TV like 50" and below.
Great video. Realistic scenarios. One thing I think you should have mentioned is buying used, and doing your homework.
Working in the tech/telecom industry has shown me that people are way too quick to spend money on things without knowing the first thing about them, how to use them, how to hook it up, or what to do when something doesn't work.
We need to slow down and do our due diligence. Less money on our local Feel Squad, and more time combing Reddit threads or Marketplace/Craigslist.
Can you do a comparison of the VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Premium Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Bluetooth, Wireless Subwoofer and Alexa Compatibility, M51ax-J6, 2022 Model vs. the Klipsch Cinema 400 Sound Bar + 8Inch Wireless Subwoofer with HDMIARC,Black
(Which would you pick)
Based upon your previous recommendation, I picked up the 55” Hisense U7K on a Black Friday deal for $478 and could not be happier! The picture is amazing, black levels are excellent, and colors are superb! I am also super pleased because, unlike other TVs that I’ve owned, it supports Dolby Atmos, pass-through via HDMI, so I can take advantage of all the functions that my Apple TV offers. This TV is far superior to anything I’ve owned or seen in this price range! Also, one unexpected benefit is that, even though my old TV supposedly fully supported various surroundsound formats, the sound simply sounds better coming out of my home theater system using this TV. I didn’t do a side-by-side comparison, so maybe some of it in my head, but it really does seem to be all around a much better TV in every way.
What does it really even mean 'it's far superior than any othr tv in this price range'. Either it's a great TV or it isn't, either you like it or you don't, how does price play any role here in your liking the TV, unless you're fooling yourself to justify your expenditure
@@Sas-wk9lj I’m talking about the value proposition for people who are on a budget. If I have a $500 budget, I want to get the best performing TV in that budget. Same thing if I have $1000 budget. It’s a pretty simple concept. I’m suggesting is this particular TV outperforms anything I’ve ever owned, and I don’t feel compelled to spend a lot of money on a TV, so I’m pretty happy with it. I don’t need to justify anything.
@@wynkoop2000 I hear you. My only objection is to add that 'in this price range' is where I find it annoying in general. Ex. you have a chair or a sofa and it gives you the comfort in seating as per your liking. From where does 'in this price range' even become a remote factor in your finding comfort in sitting on it? If a product is good, it's just good for what 'it is' for its intrinsic quality and not because of comparison basis. Having that 'value for money' conceptual gain is and should be a secondary thing.
@@wynkoop2000 You see it's kind of condescending to say it is good 'in this price range'. As if you're implying there was more to be desired in terms of quality but I don't resent that because I got what I paid for! Absolutely not, this is where we are cheating ourselves or they are making fool of us to believe that we should be contented with the slightly inferior quality 'at the price we paid' and that we could have got better than this if we could afford the $1500 price range model. Instead of what should have been a normal regular thing to get a quality product in return on budget (relative term) price, you feel like a winner that you got lucky there yo win some kind of jackpot, just like we feel rewarded if we can get 3 years of warranty at the price of one, lol. While, it should have been the regular thing to offer 5 years of warranty if the product was really built off quality.
@@Sas-wk9lj I hope this isn’t offensive, but I find you much more condescending than what I said. Telling someone else how they should think is very condescending. Having said that, I don’t think it’s intentional. I get what you’re saying, and you’re entitled to your own way of thinking.
Great video Caleb! I’ve been struggling with this issue myself because a friend wants me to help him with picking a new tv. I’ll share this video with him because I’ve got him to be a fan of yours too now at this point. I was recommending the 65” C3 over the 75” X90L even though he knows I prefer Sony visuals (a bit suspicious of you saying you’d take the Hisense in this vid my fellow Sony fan 🤨😉). But the C3 still looks really good and it’s got that next level inky oled cherry on top. Plus it’s got the higher number of hdmi 2.1 ports (which he complains about) and it’s still got the magic remote he’s use to. Yet like the example in this vid maybe he’s just gonna get it home and regret it not being bigger if he hasn’t (same example smaller room and really doesn’t need the bigger size just mentally might want it). Now I can just send him this video and it can be on him, thank you so much! Huge fan for years now (tho not a nit nerd), watch most of your videos (digging the new studio) and always using you as my gold standard for reviews. As well as great entertainment (the “god I feel so dumb” at the end 😅☺️) over the years too. Happy holidays to you and yours friend.
Caleb, how about the Sony 55” Bravia XR X90L and the Visio M512a-H6…..would this be a good setup?. I know I’m over 1000.00 -but I like Sony. Thanks
What about earbuds? Esp. If you live in an apartment.
Not earbuds but the Skullcandy Crusher Evo definitely does the job for movies and whatnot.
I got my 55” Hisense U7K at Black Friday for $415 ☺️ so I guess it was a mega insane value
I wish this video was out before i bought my last TV! My main living room TV i bought on a budget and does the job but i dont enjoy it a ton.
Caleb,I am spending about 1000.00 on a tv , want a 65 inch. I get so aggravated when watching movies and the surrounding in the movie are dark because of the type of movie it is, that I can not see anything on the picture except dark . I can’t make out the people or any background. Can you recommend a tv that has more light on dark movies ?
Hi...got a soundbar (ht s5000 sony atmos), nvidia shield which i used to upgrade my 2017 sony lcd. What would you recommend? I dont need upscaling , atmos, good os (shield does all this).
So the question is...what is the tv that offers best picture quality (and gaming 120-144) without throwing any money in sound or the other features...
U7km vs Sony x90k?? I can get the Sony open box for the almost the same price as the Hisense here in Canada.
Hi Caleb, thanks for your great info on your videos including this. Been an avid fan for quite a while now.
Just a question. What is the tv you will recommend between 85-100inch tv?
It will be wall mounted and in a bright room.
Thanks.
Looking to pair the tv with a wall mounted soundbar.
I really liked the video and thought it was very informative. Can you make one for a $2000 budget or how about for a bedroom setup? I'm in the process of updating my TVs in the house to be all 4K tvs. I have a 10 year old Sony 5.1 surround sound box system in my bedroom. I was thinking of upgrading to a soundbar surround system. I was thinking about the Sony A5000 with their sub and wireless surround speakers. I also thought the Sonos setup too, but ran out of money for this year. The system won't be used that much, but it will be paired with a Sony 65' 900H. I wanted to go with the soundbar option to clean up the look of my current system.
Great video! I just bought the Hisense 75” U6K for $650 on Black Friday and I love it for a 60HZ tv.
The Vizio 5.1.2 soundbar is worth it too. The Dual Stereo Mode is a must have feature👌🏽
Whereas the U8K averages around 1,500 nits of brightness, the U6K averages around 500 nits-that's in line with what you can get from other TVs at this price level, but it's obviously a big step down from the brightness of a more premium model.
@@lycanhd I would love to get the U8K or even the U7K but it was out of my budget for Black Friday shopping. Maybe next year 🤞🏽
@@Kelbywithdat75" is rather large, but what size was your last TV?
HEY CALEB! I have the U8K 55" in my bedroom. Yes, the sound is good but I want much more and I thought a matching Hisense Soundbar/Sub/Surrounds would be great but i'm torn between the AX5120G or the Vizio M512a-H6. Pass-through of TrueHD and Dolby Vision is extremely important and so is DTS:X.
After careful research and your past review I decided to buy my first Hisense U7K 55 inch and their dolby 3.1.2 sound bar during Black Friday for my small game room. Overall it’s a decent budget tv and it’s very bright as advertised. I have my PS5 connected to it and it’s a very good for gaming. But I wouldn’t recommend it as your main TV because the viewing angle is not the very good.
I have the JBL 3.1 sound bar and subwoofer and I can't seem to find a good review on it. I'm upgrading my TV to the LG c3 and just want to know if my sound bar is good or if I need to upgrade. Please help
what about the tcl c805 in us i think 755 as a tv
This show matches my current budget, in fact I just recently bought the samsung hw-q60b to replace another samsung sound bar I bought 15 years ago with 7 series 46" 3d television, don't remember those model numbers though. Currently I looking to get a good 40" TV for the bedroom that is 120hz and bled. Any ideas there.
U7k isn't sold in my area😢
U8k 65" & Hisense u5120g soundbar works fine for me
Yes sir thank you
What's the best soundbar under £120? Dolby would be a bonus
55” U7K $479 during Black Friday. Sold out quick everywhere.
Hi! I've been binging your videos in prep for spending some big $$ at least for me. One thing I haven't been able to figure out is if it's ok to place a soundbar (atmos) behind a TV. I will have the TV mounted on the fireplace mantel via a retractable mount to place it at eye level when in use but then it will be in front of the soundbar. I was considering the Vizio 5.1 recommendation so not sure if that would pair well with the Sony A80L I've been obsessing over or if getting the Sony soundbar 5.1 will be worth the money since it has some proprietary pairing advantages with the A80L?
Also, my viewing distance is only 6-7ft. I worry that a 77" is too big?
How would you spend $2k on audio alone? That's my dilemma. I have a Samsung q990, but I hate it. Dialogue is too quiet while action sounds are way too loud. Only thing that helps is night mode, but then no subwoofer.
Any know how well the Samsung HW-Q60C or Klipsch Cinema 400 work for PS5/Xbox Series X systems??
I unfortunately don’t have the space for something like the Vizio on my tv stand so I’m hoping the Samsung or Klipsch would do a great job while saving space & money!
Off subject but have you heard any buzz about IMAIF (?) a "new" sound format samsung and google are collaborating on.suposedly a alternative to atmos? Just wondering,btw fun vid as always,interesting subject.
Gee, exactly what the home entertainment marketplace needs, yet another format. 🫣
Anyone here remember the ‘70s quadraphonic wars, or maybe tales from their gramps about them?
Yes thanks
I also sit about 7ft away from my 65" X90L 😂. First few days it felt like i was in a theater, upgrade ld from 49" X900E
Just buy things in stages. Start with tv. Then a good streaming box and a quality 4K player. Then a quality receiver and great stereo speakers. Then a sub. Then a center channel and rears. Then some atmos speakers and 2 more channels if you need it. I’m just not into soundbars. Nothing replaces a great receiver and good speakers
Great recommendations, caleb. Now i just need $1000.
Great video!
Typically, not actually a great TH-cam performer, as people drone out - but I prefer this down to Earth videos, especially when talking about spending money.
Before COVID hit, my family, friends, and even my girlfriend (now wife) gave me flack for how much I spent on my TV, speakers, and set-top-boxes.
During the periods of mandatory and advised confinement, all avoiding talking about it 🙂
I really think people spend WAY TOO MUCH on their car, which they might spend 1 hour in; than on their couch + TV + speakers, which from a dollar / hour is quite a better performer.
People, spend too much not only on cars, but also on smartphones, smartwatches, holiday packaged tours, health spa, girlfriends and expensive gifts, yoga lessons, real estate, interior decoration, throwing party and what not.
@DigitalTrends, I was thinking about getting two Echo studios and an Amazon subwoofer for my bedroom.
Do you think it’ll be a good choice plus it’ll give me that Dolby surround sound?
Thank you.
Do you recommend a Hisense over a TCL? I'm hearing alot of Quality control issues with the Hisense.
If $500 is your budget for sound, I just got the Vizio p-series elevate and it absolutely pounds. It’s in my bedroom and I can’t believe the sound it puts out.
? Apple HomePod /2 mini or Vizio all in one
Can anyone speak for Hisense’s longevity?
Is the U7 75inch better than the Q7 75 inch?
My new TCL QM8, when tap power button it turn off in standby mode. When hold down power button it shut off tv completely. Is it ok to only put in standby mode everyday or do I need to shut it off completely too?
With over 50 years of experience in A/V consumer electronics my advice is save up
and buy the best you can afford one item at a time.
This way you won't be wanting to upgrade for a while.
There is nothing wrong with buying used gear that is in full working order and mint codition.
If it was my money i would avoid entry level products, you will quickly regret buying them
they only give you a hint of how good the higher end ones are.
Start with a well respected TV, ie not one from China, then as funds permit buy a good surround system
either a soundbar or seperates if you can accomodate them, just ensure that you can live with how they
sound.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither can a good A/V system, take your time and avoid impulse buys
just because they are on an offer.
Hey Caleb, a little off topic but I gotta try. I have a C2 and paired it with the q990c via earc. If I run it through the soundbar Dolby atmos does not come up on the tv but if I run it directly to the tv it does. As far as I know everything is enabled on both devices. Any insight here?
Bye the way, great show!
TCL 55c735 and samsung Q600c 👍