Bottom Line

Sony’s XBR-52LX900 is a good-looking and fine-performing 2D TV that also displays 3D video. It offers a solid feature set and a wide range of streaming options, and it comes with two free pairs of not-too-dorky-looking 3D glasses — a high-value proposition when you consider that these things cost $150 each. The main thing that gives me reservations when it comes to the 52LX900 — aside from its unexceptional 3D performance — is its price. For this set’s $3,600 cost, you can get similar models from Sony and other makers with full-array LED backlights that should deliver images with deeper blacks and punchier contrast. And several other 3D-ready LCD and plasma TVs with even larger screen sizes sell for less than the 52LX900. But even with those caveats, I’d definitely say that Sony’s high-end 3D-ready set deserves a look — with or without 3D glasses.