As the holiday shopping season approaches, we surveyed the AVS Forum members for the second in our series of “AVS Forum Recommends” with this week’s topic covering televisions—we’ll be looking at flat-panel LCD TVs.

We asked about favorite LCDs in a 42-to-50 inch diagonal screen size, so of course we also got plasma recommendations among the answers. You’ll have to wait a week to hear more about the plasmas, though. For this week, we’ll stick to LCDs.

Because they fall mostly into manufacturer series, and you mainly suggested TVs of 46 inches, that’s what we’re focusing on in our slideshow. And just like last week’s A/V receiver category featured many individual models but was dominated by one brand in particular—Onkyo—the AVSers really preferred Samsung among the 32 models listed.

Those surveyed went with the A650, or Series 6, Samsung the most, with more than 20-percent of the vote (just as with receivers, the question was asked open-ended). The next highest rated model received 10-percent, and five of the top nine recommended were Sammy’s.

From one AVS commenter: “I’ve seen the LN52A650 at a friend’s house and it’s a great TV. LCDs generally don’t come in 50”, most likely they are 52”. But if the LN52A650 is out of the range, get the 46. Great picture, color and deep blacks. Awesome TV.”

Sony’s excellent Bravia line also appeared several times in our top nine, which included a three-way tie for the No. 7 slot. The intriguing part about that one? It was support for Vizio’s XVT series, the only “budget” brand in the top nine. Olevia and Westinghouse, despite their attractive prices, only garnered one vote apiece. Value was a factor noted several times, but for the most part the main feature in the AVS picks was centered on picture quality—nothing but 1080p here.

Perhaps more eye-opening is that while AVSers doted over Samsung and Sony, there wasn’t much love for Sharp’s Aquos, whose TV advertising arguably puts it alongside Sony as the most recognizable LCD maker. Sharp only received three mentions, all for the 46SE94U.

So how did the AVSers do? Agree, disagree? Please let us know in comments below. Note that in our slideshows, rather than MSRP, we’ll tell you Amazon’s latest price for the models—and of course be on the lookout because they’re bound to be dropping even more in the coming weeks.

Click here to view the 9 Great LCD TVs.

About the Author:
Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!