Custom Install professional Dave Slater, the man behind award-winning installation company DSE Digital, has described Pioneer’s decision to withdraw from the TV market as ‘another great shock to the CI industry.’
Speaking to HCC, Salter says: ‘For as long as I can remember, we at DSE Group have installed Pioneer’s plasmas. The latest Kuros look stunning with black levels which have surpassed any other manufacturer - so why is Pioneer pulling out of the plasma market? I'll tell you why, the consumer is confused when it comes to price over quality.’
He continues: ’ As a pro I can see the Pioneer is streets ahead, but it costs over £1500 for a full HD screen over a Panasonic or Samsung; they sell for half the price. After all we are in a credit crunch so consumers are looking for a good deal and when you can buy a branded 50 inch screen for £600 why would you shop around. Quality is now being overlooked and we are putting up with second best, what a shame.’
While Dave says he likes ‘some of the Panasonic and Samsung screens’, he would always spec a Pioneer for personal use: ‘I currently have two of the lovely flat screens displaying my HD content with the utmost clarity.’
He concludes: ‘Farewell Pioneer! Your screens will be missed by the true custom installer looking for the ultimate screen that looks sexy and delivers the goods.’
Read Dave Slater’s new pro custom installer column, The Insider, only in Home Cinema Choice magazine.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited
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In the latest Home Cinema Choice:
laser tv better for less money
Si.mon (not verified) - 19 February 2009 - 6:24pmYou think they have been scared off by the laser tv supposedly better quality at half the production cost,cant wait to see one
Farewell Kuro
Mark W. (not verified) - 20 February 2009 - 11:21amI feel I’ve grown up with Pioneer as a company that clearly understood there were customers who appreciated and demanded higher performance but at still attainable prices. It’s almost like I’ve lost a member of the family.
I selfishly hope that some of the other manufacturers now see a gap in the market and choose to step up to the more quality oriented plate. It will be great if this happens (credit crunch permitting), but I strongly suspect the demise of Kuro has set up a very clear ‘keep out’ sign for other mainstream manufacturers .
I really can’t believe I wont have the choice of Pioneer for my next screen…
Very sad.
Farewell Kuro
DaveCheltenham (not verified) - 21 February 2009 - 12:27pmDavid - With the deepest respect, I understand the quest for the highest quality but to use the excuse that the consumer is confused I believe misses the point.
For your business, and my experience with specifying and installing high end Hi-Fi systems many years ago, I suspect clients do not have the price or value for money uppermost but what is considered the best quality money can buy whether appreciated or not. For some, it’s what their friends have or think.
I have a non Kuro Pioneer plasma which is excellent but yes, in a darkened room, the black level could be better and is not as good as current Panasonics. At reasonable/normal lighting levels, the difference is of course less obvious.
Consumers interested in a high quality viewing or sound do try to get expert help but often the price for that small increase in performance at the higher end is prohibitive and understandably so for many people. In addition, when they do, it is sometimes very difficult for them. I went to a Pioneer Local Kuro demonstration some months ago but they were not show off to their best advantage. The brightness was set too high (presumably as this was better in daylight) and the best source was a juddery Blue Ray picture followed by a very poor display of BBC HD.
I look forward to seeing your recommendations post Kuro.
kuros demise
jason hurst (not verified) - 22 April 2009 - 10:38pmthe gap left was already filled sometime ago by bang and olufsen
you talk of black levels, and screen adjustment these were not
pioneered by pioneer, but by the boffs at bang and olufsen.
its alwyas sad to see a favourite model come off the shelves, and your right its like losing a family member but there will always be something better around the corner whether its pioneer (again) or toshiba. its not the end of the world.
I am just relieved i managed to bag!
Guy Webster (not verified) - 24 April 2009 - 2:59pmI have just been through hell trying to lay my hands on a krp500A!Eventually found a seven oaks with one because the customer had changed his mind! (fool) The market for these quality screens is strong. Pioneer must be crazy to stop producing them. BTW i have also just bought the lx71 AV an the 71 Blue ray player. The B&W 685 cinema speakers are on order and I am bursting to try it all out!!!
farewell to kuro
Alan Smithee (not verified) - 29 July 2009 - 7:38pmkuros are going because of price for a 5090 tv speakers and stand are extra a total £3000 a panasonic hd £600 stand speakers included is a kuro 5 times better and there not the best looking compared to phillips or a samsung i can afford one luckily enough but i am going to get a 42inch panasonic for £1200 might not be as good but its good enough for me
Pioneer are best
Andy Day (not verified) - 20 September 2009 - 10:51amYou get what you pay for. Phillips and Samsung are not even in the same league when it comes to quality and looks. I know I considered all the other options before buying a Pioneer. I nearly went for a Phillips and the only reason I didn't was style and build quality.