To add to the point above: I actually disagree slightly with the idea that you gotta spend nearly the whole $2500 budget or stick to the big three brands to get that premium feel. I was looking at those same Sony models but ended up going with a value brand and I am genuinely so satisfied with the choice.

• You can get amazing tech like Mini-LED for way less cash. I went with the Hisense 75-Inch U8K Mini-LED 4K TV and it has been perfect for my bright living room. No complaints at all with the picture.
• Compatibility is the real killer tho. Make sure your current soundbar or receiver actually supports eARC or you will be stuck with crappy audio even on a $2k screen.
• Grab some certified cables like the Zeskit Maya 8K 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 Cable because old ones wont handle the bandwidth for 4K gaming and you will get black screens. Saved me over a thousand bucks and honestly... the picture quality is so close I dont think most people would even notice the difference. Definitely worth looking at the mid-tier options if you want to be practical!

Just picked up the Samsung S90F OLED - it's the best TV under $2,000 according to RTINGS with incredible picture quality. Been absolutely loving it! The S90F offers slightly better performance than the C5 for less than many of the best OLED TVs.

This ^

I’m totally on board with the advice about focusing on the installation and setup because honestly I ran into some massive headaches with my own rig last year!!! I mean I did all this research on picture quality but totally ignored the technical compatibility side of things until the unit was actually in my living room and I realized my old gear just couldn't handle the new standards. Here is what I basically learned from my mistake: - **Port Placement and Depth:** My current set has side-facing ports that actually hit the edge of my recessed cabinet which meant I couldn't use my high-end cables without risking port damage so I had to buy 90-degree adapters that ended up bottlenecking my signal anyway.
- **Bandwidth Handshakes:** I didn't realize my older receiver didn't support the latest HDCP standards and it caused constant blackouts when trying to push a full 4K signal with high frame rates wait no it was actually the eARC handshake that was the biggest pain to get synced.
- **Thermal Constraints:** These high-performance panels put out way more heat than my old one did and I didn't account for the airflow requirements in my furniture so it was thermal throttling and dimming the picture pretty much constantly until I cut some vent holes. Definitely check your cable clearances and AVR specs before you drop two grand on a panel tbh!

> I actually disagree slightly with the idea that you gotta spend nearly the whole $2500 budget or stick to the big three brands to get that premium feel. Quick reply while I have a sec! I love where this thread is going. We have seen suggestions ranging from reliable mid-range LEDs to value-king Mini-LEDs, but since you are looking for the absolute best picture quality with a $2500 ceiling, you should definitely consider moving into flagship OLED territory. Like someone mentioned, you dont necessarily have to spend it all, but the jump in performance is real. Here are my top picks for that budget:

• Sony BRAVIA XR A80L OLED 65 inch
• This is the gold standard for natural color and motion. The processing is fantastic for movies.
• LG G3 Series OLED 65 inch
• If you can find a deal, the MLA technology makes this one of the brightest and most vibrant OLEDs ever made. It is basically the king of contrast right now. Tbh, while value sets like the Hisense U8K Mini-LED 75 inch are amazing for the price, the high-end units offer much better upscaling for non-4K content. Ngl, once you see a properly calibrated G3, it is game over! The processing alone justifies the cost if you watch a lot of sports or older cinematic content.

Sony X90L works. Good picture, reliable. I paid $1900 last year, worth considering.

OLED's contrast ratio is killer. LG C2 might be the sweet spot; consider burn-in risks though!

Dude, $2500 is serious TV money! Instead of chasing the 'best,' consider diminishing returns. I grabbed a Sony 4K in 2020 for way less and it's STILL amazing. Picture's fantastic, zero issues. Unless you're a hardcore videophile, save some cash for car mods! Seriously, think about a slightly older model. You won't regret the extra $$ in your pocket!

Alright, dig this: Forget the hype! Seen too many 'deals' bust. Market's flooded. I'd lean towards LG. Their OLEDs consistently top reliability surveys, plus the picture is AMAZING. Had one for 5 years, still kicking! Skip the bells & whistles; focus on panel tech. You'll be happier long-term!

Be careful with mounting! Sony's X90L is great, but get pro install. Wall mounts can fail!

Instead of a new TV, have you considered calibrating your current one? DIY calibration tools exist, like the SpyderX Pro. Might save you money! But be careful, incorrect settings can worsen the picture. Maybe check YouTube tutorials first or consult a professional calibrator if unsure. It works for some, but depends on your needs.