Sony Bravia XR A95K review: a QD-OLED to rival the Samsung S95B

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The Sony A95K is the first high-end smart TV from the Japanese giant to use a QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) panel, which promises improved brightness and unparalleled color fidelity. This is combined with the latest AI iteration of Sony’s XR Cognitive Processor and advanced XR OLED Contrast Pro technologies, for truly remarkable images.

The Bravia XR A95K Master Series, to give it its full title, also features the brand’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ smart sound system, which uses actuators to vibrate the glass panel, eliminating the need for conventional angled speakers. forward, and a supplied Bravia Cam. for video chats.

The panel sits on an innovative double bracket that can be used facing forward (allowing the set to sit close to a wall) or hidden behind. The screen is a bit deeper than some competitors, to accommodate those two sonic actuators.

But there are caveats, including the high price and providing just two 4K 120Hz capable HDMI inputs.

So can the A95K compete with the Samsung S95B? Let’s take a closer look…

Design features

• A slate design
• Google TV Smart TV
• Plug in the Bravia camera

The A95K looks casual and stylish, and the bezel and panel wrap are very thin. The screen width bracket offers two options, extending forward or backward. Sony calls the latter the front position style. The set tilts slightly, so ideally your AV unit should be quite low.

If you want the TV closer to a wall, you can opt for the Back Position style, which reserves the stand.

Steve May / Foundry

Decorating the back is the well-known checkerboard Sony plastic back panel. You’ll find four HDMI inputs here, two of which are 4K 120Hz compatible for use with Xbox or PlayStation 5. VRR and ALLM are also supported on these inputs and there’s also eARC.

In addition to its terrestrial antenna input, there are two satellite inputs for the Freesat (or generic satellite) tuner, a CI card slot, an optical digital audio output, two USB ports, an AV mini-socket and, more exceptionally, a high connection. center speaker. .

The latter is useful if you want to treat the TV audio system as the center speaker in a multi-channel setup.

The box also includes a pluggable Bravia Cam and microphone. A small dedicated bus at the top rear of the screen is provided for bolting.

The set comes with two remotes, a heavy button zapper and a slim remote with dedicated buttons for various streaming services including Bravia Core, Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video.

Steve May / Foundry

The smart hub is Google TV, a more overtly content-driven sibling of the Android operating system. It contains the usual content rails and recommendations. Terrestrial tasks are handled by YouView in the UK, which is starting to look rather tired.

The TV also supports Chromecast, Apple AirPlay and Apple Home Kit.

Image quality

• QD-OLED panel
• XR Cognitive Processor
• Dolby Vision HDR

The A95K’s images are as alluring as its industrial design. We’ve seen the brand’s impressive cognitive processor at work on other Sony models – it works by prioritizing the processing muscle over the parts of the image the human eye naturally gravitates to, but it has undoubtedly found its best expression here.

Native 4K images combine inherent sharpness and tonal gradations that look entirely naturalistic.

Sony offers a wide range of picture presets: Standard, Cinema, Game, Graphics, Photos, Vivid, and two Pro settings. I found the Standard and Cinema modes to be the most satisfying.

There’s also an Auto Picture mode which automatically selects what it assumes is the correct picture present, however, it only works on content from connected HDMI sources and it doesn’t always make the right decision.

The spectacular 4K nature documentary Chasing the Rains (a co-production between Sky, ARTE France and Canadian channel Love Nature), follows the exploits of an assortment of photogenic animals. Sony’s Auto Picture mastermind decided the appropriate preset here was Cinema. However, both Standard and Custom offered more subjective details.

Yet the location footage from northern Kenya was stunning regardless.

Steve May / Foundry

The A95K has a reassuring kinematics. The use of HDR in Dune may be understated, but it’s still a challenge for panel technology. The swirling sand clouds are presented without bands or abrupt posterization. There is no sense that the image is overloaded.

The A95K isn’t as bright as you might imagine, given what we’ve seen of Samsung’s implementation of QD-OLED self-emissive panel technology in the S95B.

I measured peak HDR brightness at 946 nits using a 10% window. It’s bright enough to deliver specular highlights on overpowered content at up to 1000 nits, which is indeed the general standard, but it’s not the best in class.

Unfortunately, the set doesn’t support Dolby Vision IQ or HDR10+. The Samsung S95B supports HDR10+ if that’s important to you.

Steve May / Foundry

Latency was measured at 16.6ms (1080p/60fps) in Game mode. That’s reasonable but not exceptional. The set will lack a dedicated gaming interface, which the brand will put directly on its second-generation QD-OLED, the upcoming A95L.

Sound quality

• Dolby Atmos
• Acoustic Surface Audio+
• Acoustic Center Sync

I am somewhat conflicted with the audio performance of the A95K. Sony’s Acoustics Surface Audio system has proven itself on the brand’s previous OLED TVs, but here reveals limitations.

It works by using a pair of actuators attached to the panel that vibrate to create sound, with two conventional subwoofers filling in the lower bass. The total output power is powerful 60W (2 x 20W + 2 x 10W).

The system is particularly good with speech intelligibility, and the crossover with low frequencies is largely transparent. Sound mode settings include Standard, Dialogue, Cinema, Music, Sports, and Dolby audio.

Steve May / Foundry

TV shows and movies sound great and follow the on-screen action well. The Illuminations Studio logo, which faces Minions: The Rise of Gru, features overt direction, as does the funky ’70s motorcycle chase that follows.

But when the mix gets really busy, the presentation gets sharper and clearer.

A final audio feature is Acoustic Center Sync. If you wish, you can use the TV sound system as the center channel in conjunction with a compatible Sony soundbar or home theater system.

Price and availability

Available now, the Sony A95K comes in two screen sizes, 55 and 65 inches (XR-55A95K, XR-65A95K). They are priced at £2,199 and £2,999 respectively from the Sony store. It’s also available on Amazon, Currys, John Lewis, AO, Box, Very, and Laptops Direct.

In the United States, the same two models are available for $2,799 and $3,499. You can also buy it from BestBuy.

Check out our table of the best TVs for more options as well as our full guide to Sony TVs.

Verdict

This first QD-OLED from Sony is a screen cracker. The new Dual Stand and ultra-thin bezel are a class above most flat screens, and its picture performance is exceptional. I like the liveliness of its colors and its striking contrast.

The 4K 120HZ supply is also welcome, although it wouldn’t be my first choice if I was looking for a premium OLED primarily for gaming. In the absence of a gaming interface, it’s much more of a home theater screen.

Google TV is a solid smart platform, with an excellent delivery of streaming services. In terms of value, the A95K faces stiff competition from the LG C3 and Samsung’s S95B.

Ultimately, the Sony A95K is easy to recommend if you can afford it, but with a few caveats.

Specifications

• 55 inches (65 inches also available)
• 4K QD-OLED display technology
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160
• HDMI: x4
• HDR support: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
• Google TV Smart Platform
• Surface Audio+ acoustics with Dolby Atmos support
• Dimensions: 1225(w) x 728(h) x 280(d)mm
• Weight: 21.2 kg