How do you rate the value of a product that has limited competition in its market segment—even if the price is enough for a comfortable down payment on a house? You can’t, particularly if that product excels at what it does. Just how much of the Sony XBR-84X900’s outstanding performance—whether the source is 2K, 4K, or even 3D—is due to its native 4K, and how much can be credited to the extra margin the price gives for the designers to elevate every other aspect of the set’s design to a higher standard? We can’t say as yet for certain, but we can say that 4K certainly doesn’t hurt.
Yes, I would have preferred to spend several days with the set after calibration, as we usually do in our in-house reviews. Long-term viewing often turns up unexpected information that the eager flush of a first infatuation cannot. But the time I had was sufficient to raise covetousness to a steamy level, steamy enough to mandate a visit to a confessional ASAP. If only I had the space and the ready cash!
