Do not buy Samsung PN50B850 and PN50B860: they buzz LOUDLY
To all potential PN50B850/860 “thin” plasma buyers please be aware that the abnormally loud buzz exhibited by these sets is deemed “normal” by Samsung and no exchange or replacement will be performed. Buy a different brand.
The sets have been returned in droves to Best Buy and other retailers because of the buzzing noise they make. After working with Samsung case management for my particular set for many months they are now firmly committed to saying the level of buzz is normal for plasmas and this set. I can agree its normal for this set, but its at least 100x worse than every other plasma Ive owned (4). Yes they all buzz, but generally less than 6 INCHES away. Ive now had 4 different B850/B860 combinations and they all can be heard from 10 FEET. This range appears to have an inherent design fault.
If you do decide to get one, please remember to return it directly to the dealer you bought it from as Samsung will not be able to fix the “buzz” you are hearing. If you are a dealer this might not be the best set to stock. If the buzz does not bother you, then great – the set is wonderful apart from the buzz (really).
This is what I had to go through to get to the situation where I have a buzzing plasma that Samsung will not deal with (taken from by BBB complaint which Samsung waited the full duration of time to respond to, and said “tough”).
Samsung is unable to resolve an issue w/ several plasmas I have had from them from 6/15/09. Long version here. Summary: 6/15 I bought a PN50B850 from Best Buy. It started “buzzing” & I could hear it in another room when volume was on! I have owned 3 different plasma brands and this is 100x worse (not normal). Returned 1st TV to BB & the 2nd arrived on 7/2. 2nd TV had same issue, could hear the buzz 15′ away. Called SS who sent repair dealer (tvunlimited). Claimed “its normal”. I escalate it & SS contacted a different repair center. On 7/24/09 tech tries to replace board but has wrong model. On 8/3/09 tech replaces 3 boards but buzzing got WORSE. On 8/14/09, cnet SS rep arranges replacing 2nd set w/ upgraded model. Unfortunately buzz still there. I have already installed the $$$ SS mount so I see if I can live w/ buzz. On 10/25/09 I decide I can’t. Called SS & they send tech w/ new fix, but tv ALREADY has fix installed. No change to buzzing issue. Called support & told they need to call the service center to check that the problem was “unrepairable” & they’d call back. They didnt. I call a day later & told tvunlimited should have set up appointment w/ me. I call tvunlimited & they said no fix for problem, it’s “usual” on these sets. I call SS again on 11/3 & they say need to contact someone in “product” & will call back. No callback. I have now had 4 different versions of the same set. SS never call back when they say they would (4) & not addressing the problem. The buzz w/ these TVs seems inherent design fault (not typical for plasmas). Widely reported across the web. Even cnet thread I started had 3 people returning buzzing sets.
Jonathan
January 7th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
I recently purchased the same tv, and have experienced the same problems with the buzzing, its quite frustrating, because the tv is awesome…however the tv is over 2k and buzzes. I tried putting styrofoam blocks behind the tv however it didn’t seem to help, i would settle for 80% better like you experienced when placing the blocks behind the set. I am just wondering where exactly did you place your blocks?
January 18th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Is the buzzing thru the tv only and therefore do you think it will go away if hooked up to a surround sound external speakers?
January 25th, 2010 at 5:57 am
I enjoyed reading this
February 10th, 2010 at 7:40 am
Great information. Keep up the great work. I love Google.
February 21st, 2010 at 7:34 am
I have bought this same set and do notice the buzzing problem. It is noticable from within 15′ and is annoying. Two things that are helpful with this tv are 1. being more than 15′ away when watching the set and 2. hanging the set on the wall above your sitting position. If this is the case you will hardly notice the buzz. However, if you put this set on a stand at eye level and are within about 15′ this buzz is extremely annoying and disappointing in an investment like this. If I could get my money back I would buy another tv that doesn’t have this design flaw. Other than the buzz the tv is fantastic.
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Any news updates? What’s your sets current status?
Thanks for the info.
March 18th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Wow! nice of you to talk about this, I was seriously considering this big screen. It’s off my list now! Thanks a bunch.
April 21st, 2010 at 2:15 am
I was’nt sure I would like this site since it was about Do not buy Samsung PN50B850 and PN50B860: they buzz LOUDLY « Jonathans stuff but I was wrong and thought it was cool and found it on Bing . Thanks and I’ll be back as you update.
April 24th, 2010 at 3:43 am
I was about to buy Samsung PN50B850. When I bump into your post. I wonder is there a solution already to the buzzing of this tv? Does the styrofoam blocks works? Because I really want to own one of these. Any suggestions on what to buy instead?
June 17th, 2010 at 3:49 am
Ha!Hey!Hah!. That’s interesting. That’s the fourth time I’ve foundsomething like that. Cool.
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:35 am
HI about 4 months ago i purchased a samsung plasma 50 inch full high definition tv Model number PS50B550,it has cost me $1.950 and $450 for extra four year warrinty,after having the tv for two months i started noticing the buzzing noise coming from the back of the tv and the front i dont sit close to it ,i have tried putting a blanket on the wall moving my lounge so far away from it and every time i watch tv all i hear is buzzing as well as the programme i am watching i have had three different techniciand look at this they are all telling me this is normal ,i am so disgusted as it is going to take me three years to pay this tv off if there is ant way we can talk to help me try to fix this problem it would be so helpfull samsung do not care at all my email address is lindy.100@hotmail.com.au,please help going insane
August 19th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Great post