60 Inch Televisions
Vizio also offers the same TV in 70 inches for another grand, model E701i-A3. Again, that's one of the lowest prices anywhere for a 70-inch TV. Both of these sets compete directly against Sharp's value-priced LC-LE640U series.
In addition, Vizio launched three new models in its step-up M series, one at 55 inches and two at 65. Aside from screen size their specifications seem similar to the 60- and 70-inch E models, so at first blush the E models seem like the superior bargain. One of the two new M-series 65-inchers, model M3D651SV, has passive 3D Vizio calls "Theater 3D".
Here's the full rundown in order of screen size.
M550VSE (55-inch, $949)
E601i-A3 (60-inch, $999)
M650VSE (65-inch, $1,499)
M3D651SV (65-inch, 3D, $1,699)
E701i-A3 (70-inch, $1,999)
I have the 60-inch, $999 E601i-A3 in the lab now, so expect a full review soon. It lacks the edge-lit local dimming of the M3D0KD I reviewed earlier so I don't expect it to reach that level of picture quality, but it could rival that of our reigning favorite 60-inch LED value, the Sharp LC-LE640U. In the 60-inch range both also have to compete against the likes of the excellent Panasonic TC-P60U50 plasma -- although that last is a "dumb" TV.
Vizio will also send us the M3D651SV for review in the next few weeks.
