Manufacture

Form follows function: Pioneer follows this design motto to the letter. The KRP-500 exudes timeless elegance. The plasma panel is a deep black, not the lackluster gray you'll see with many competitors, and the super-slim casing measures just 6.4 cm deep, compared to the usual 10.

The KRP-500 appears classy and svelte, whereas other sets with such an impressive 50-inch screen seem bulky. The CRTs of yesterday are positively paunchy compared to this living room weight-watcher. The black, high-gloss frame reinforces this set's sporty impression. The frame's top and bottom are slightly slimmer than the sides: This nifty optical trick makes the set appear less bulky.

The KRP-500 will turn heads in any room, but its breezy design means it's never intrusive, complementing any decor from minimalist-modern to oak-clad rustic. Actually, it's a shame its looks are no longer visible when the TV is in its element: The darkened home-theater.

The scrupulous manufacturing matches the TV's price tag: It looks every bit as expensive as it is. The high-gloss, black-lacquer finish is its only downfall. A finish like this picks up dust like moths to a flame, and every fingerprint will show like that of a wanted criminal.

The Pioneer KRP-500 comes in standard black, but white and champagne are available for an extra 180 GBP. We recommend the black model for a dark home-theater - the lighter-colored casings only reduce the impression of contrast - even one as masterful as the Pioneer's.