Samsung UN55ES8000 LED LCD HDTV Review

Design

We were surprised, and skeptical, when we reviewed LG's 47LM6700 earlier this year and saw its sci-fi, futuristic build. It appears that Samsung has taken a step in a similar direction with the UN55ES8000. It's not out-of-this-world looking, really, but the stand is very non-traditional; one might call it contemporary.

The stand is very similar to LG's, except instead of one curved bar serving as a platform for the TV, the ES8000 series' stand is an open platform consisting of two adjoined metal branches. The panel itself is very thin and features a nigh invisible bezel, which serves as a sort of optical illusion, making the TV's screen look bigger than it is. The only noticeable break in the perfect rectangle created by the screen is directly on the top, where the imbedded camera and microphones rest, and directly on the bottom, where a gently glowing protrusion reads "Samsung."

It's a smart, if bold, design. We wonder how this TV will look in any room that isn't streamlined, minimalist, and modern--it certainly inspires a touch of awe, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. A wise man once said that a TV should disappear when it isn't on; we're thinking perhaps the ES8000 is more likely to outshine everything else in your living room or bedroom, even while it's off.

Whether it blends in or stands out is an individual quandary to be solved. We can say for certain that it's a sleek, attractive TV, and its price is reflected in its design.