Sony BRAVIA KDL-X3500 Series LCD TV (40",46",52") Expert Reviews

We're always pleased to see a TV that breaks the monotony of shiny black boxes and predictable looks, so when we unboxed the Sony Bravia KDL-40X3500 there was an audible sigh of relief. This is no ordinary 40-inch 1080p LCD, at least not from an aest...

Design; sound quality; ease of use; HDMI CEC works well

Backlight seems too bright, and gives dark images a blue tint; not as many inputs as you might expect on a high-end TV; not the most detailed image

Although it doesn't have the sharpest image or the deepest blacks, this TV is still a powerhouse of performance when considered as a whole. Both the picture and sound will please most potential owners and the design will sell it to people who want so...

Homer Simpson's home town of Springfield's motto is: A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man. There must be a glut of noble spirit at Sony

Its considerable 76kg bulk having been wrestled from its enormous flight case by an entire team of wheezing reviewers, the Sony simply dominates one of our larger viewing rooms with its presence

Sony already offered the best Full HD TV of 2007 with the 40X2000. The new 40X3500 is even better and display of SD sources has improved. It's the new reference for the end of 2007 and early 2008.

The Sony KDL40X3500 perpetuates the distinctive "floating glass" design that we have seen on the X2000. The screen is framed by a brushed gunmetal grey bezel which incorporates a pair of finely perforated speaker grilles at the sides. Mimicking the appear...

100Hz motion works without introducing nasty interpolation artifacts, Excellent blacks and shadow detail

Average video processing,

Due to excellent blacks and shadow detail, accurate colours, exquisite high-def resolution and above all motion interpolation that works, Sony KDL40X3500 is the best (picture-wise) LCD TV I've tested so far.

Homer Simpson's home town of Springfield's motto is: A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man. There must be a glut of noble spirit at Sony

Pricey; backlighting issues; narrow viewing angle

Detailed, colourful, stable and huge images; impressive sound, too

Sony's 'W4000 has shifted the goalposts and the 'X3500, though a great TV, no longer does enough to justify its hefty price tag

Massive; no better than its cheaper sibling

Stunningly detailed, clean and tonally balanced pictures, particularly from DVD; classy looks and great build; open sonic performance

Nearly flawless, and certainly fabulous, a top introduction to the Bravia range - if you can afford it, it's a must-see set

Can struggle with motion-smearing; pricey

Sony styling; dream to use; wonderfully smooth, clean and three-dimensional images; great Freeview tuner

Homer Simpson's home town of Springfield's motto is: A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man. There must be a glut of noble spirit at Sony

Detailed, colourful, stable and huge images; impressive sound, too

Pricey; backlighting issues; narrow viewing angle

Sony's 'W4000 has shifted the goalposts and the 'X3500, though a great TV, no longer does enough to justify its hefty price tag

Stunningly detailed, clean and tonally balanced pictures, particularly from DVD; classy looks and great build; open sonic performance

Massive; no better than its cheaper sibling

Nearly flawless, and certainly fabulous, a top introduction to the Bravia range - if you can afford it, it's a must-see set

Sony styling; dream to use; wonderfully smooth, clean and three-dimensional images; great Freeview tuner

Can struggle with motion-smearing; pricey