Sections
- Page 1 Samsung UE42F5000 Review
- Page 2 Picture Quality Review
- Page 3 Sound Quality and Verdict Review
Samsung UE42F5000: Sound Quality
The Samsung UE42F5000’s audio is a pleasant surprise by budget TV standards. While it doesn’t deliver any particularly dramatic dynamics, thanks to (actually quite sensible) limits imposed on its bass and treble responses, within this limited range it sounds clean, natural, well-rounded and passably powerful.
So while the sound might not be potent enough to greatly add to your sense of immersion in what you’re watching, nor does it follow the usual budget trend of sounding so feeble that it actually distracts you.
Other points to consider
With no Smart TV features to worry about, Samsung hasn’t bothered including one of the touchpad remote controls on offer higher up its range. This is understandable, though the small standard handset you do get is a bit crowded for comfortable use.
With its aggressive price and strong picture, the Samsung UE42F5000 has great potential as a gaming monitor. So it’s a relief to report that our tests for input lag gave results of just 34ms – a figure low enough not to have a significantly negative impact on your gameplay.
Should I buy a Samsung UE42F5000?
If you don’t care about having online Smart TV features, the UE42F5000 is a pretty stellar budget option. In fact, it’s hard to think of anything at the same price that can touch it in pure AV terms. Spending a bit more could get you the better design and slightly better pictures of the Sony KDL-40W653, but if £400 is your maximum, the UE42F5000 is pretty much in a class of its own.
Verdict
The UE42F5000 sacrifices online functionality in favour of giving you the highest picture quality bang for your minimal (£400!) buck.
How we test televisions
We test every TV we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Trusted Score
Score in detail
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Features 7
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Value 10
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Design 8
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2D Quality 8
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Sound Quality 7
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
