When it debuted final 12 months, Sony’s A80K OLED tv scored pretty excessive all throughout the board. Although it was squarely in the midst of the pack of the corporate’s 2022 lineup, it had options and high quality that rivaled premium entries from different manufacturers.
This 12 months’s model, the A80L OLED, takes what labored beforehand and makes it even higher, with the tip outcome being a tv that surpassed my expectations and enhanced each single piece of content material I watched.
This is not the highest-end TV from Sony, however it’s not attempting to be. What the A80L OLED is although, is an higher mid-range TV that can particularly enchantment to house cinema followers and avid gamers. Here is why.
Specs
| Dimensions | 57.13 x 34 x 2.1 inches |
|---|---|
| Display screen Dimension | 55”, 65”, 77”, 83” |
| Decision | 3840 x 2160p |
| Excessive Dynamic Vary | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient |
| Readability Enhancement | XR 4K Upscalling Twin database processing XR Tremendous Decision |
| Video Processor | Cognitive Processor XR |
| Refresh Price | 120Hz |
| Audio | DTS Digital Encompass |
| HDMI Ports | 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
What’s new with this mannequin
The Sony A80L brings a processing improve to lower-resolution content material within the type of XR Clear Picture and a brand new hub that lets avid gamers tinker with show choices. Its audio efficiency is unbelievable, too.
1. XR Clear Picture is game-changing
On the video facet, each little bit of content material on the A80L was unbelievable. Decrease decision exhibits on YouTube TV have been upscaled to 4K in a sensible high quality, 4K or UltraHD content material on Netflix was stunning, and video games and Blu-Ray DVDs on the PlayStation 5 popped like I hadn’t seen earlier than.
Sony’s new XR Clear Picture know-how makes use of AI to provide immensely improved readability and sharpness whereas staying true to the supply materials. Designed to point out refined textures and particulars that might be missed with out it, this function actually shines on lower-resolution content material that is upscaled to 4K.
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I popped in a Blu-ray of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom to check out this function, and I used to be blown away by how pure every thing seemed. With my outdated TV set, the upscaling created an image that seemed “fairly” however pretty unnatural. The A80L gave Physician Jones new life whereas nonetheless preserving the Eighties grain and really feel.
2. A brand new gaming hub to rival opponents
Urgent the menu button whereas gaming opens up a row of helpful settings, like the choice to activate Variable Refresh Price (VRR), make the most of movement blur, change the black equalizer degree, and add a crosshair (with six totally different choices to select from).
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Customers may also change the display screen show dimension, an possibility I really discovered myself utilizing for video games after I wanted to see quite a lot of data directly like a well being bar, maps, stock, and many others. Most gaming monitors have these choices, as do different TV producers like LG and Samsung. It is a first for Sony, and it will get all of the necessities down.
3. Acoustic Floor Audo+ is healthier than ever
Whereas a great portion of OLED TVs wants a sound bar to provide an above-average audio expertise, the A80L does fairly nicely with its built-in audio. That is largely because of what Sony calls Acoustic Floor Audio+, a system that makes use of actuators and woofers to softly vibrate the display screen and create sound that comes from the display screen itself.
However past merely coming from the TV, sound comes from the realm the motion is going on on display screen, making issues course of extra easily in your mind.
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I maintain captions on for just about any content material I watch to ensure I do not miss any dialogue. However that is the primary TV in a very long time the place I’ve felt comfy sufficient to show these off and nonetheless really feel like I am catching each phrase.
The tv handles audio completely high quality by itself, however after I additionally paired it with the A5000 soundbar and speaker system, it was a near-theater-like expertise. That is a premium add-on, however one that you’re going to really feel very happy with.
What I might wish to see within the subsequent mannequin
1. Extra brightness from the highest finish
My regular television-watching atmosphere might be pretty brilliant. I am going to typically maintain my lounge curtains open simply to let in pure gentle or to regulate my youngsters taking part in within the entrance yard. Sadly, which means there’s continuously quite a lot of gentle coming straight on my tv display screen.
My first impression of this TV was that it had an exquisite image, however it really appeared rather less brilliant than my outdated set, a Black Friday large field retailer model buy.
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I haven’t got the tools to check, however a bit digging on-line confirmed that the tv delivers within the vary of 600-750 nits, lower than comparable TVs from Samsung and LG that obtain over 1,200 nits. That’s an enchancment over the A80K, however I might wish to see Sony match (or surpass) its competitors on this space subsequent 12 months.
2. Extra HDMI 2.1 ports
This actually is not a difficulty but for most individuals, however it could possibly be quickly. The A80L, like all Sony TVs, solely has two HDMI 2.1 ports — the newer, extra highly effective model. For a pleasant setup, a next-generation game console and a soundbar will take up these spots. However what about individuals with a number of online game techniques? New choices from LG and Samsung have 4 HDMI 2.1 helps, and Sony ought to observe go well with.
3. A warmth sink to present a bit extra longevity
Whereas heatsinks have been across the computing world for a while, they’re pretty new to televisions. A heatsink, which pulls warmth away from fancy electrical elements, not solely permits the panels to last more, it really permits the tv to have a brighter show. This is able to have been a pleasant improve for the A80L over its predecessor, particularly because the A90K had one.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The 65-inch Sony A80L mannequin I examined carries a price ticket of proper at $2,400. That is in keeping with the LG C3 OLED and a bit greater than the Samsung S90C, each of which have comparable specs, at the very least on the video entrance. However the addition of Sony’s cognitive processor and bolstered sound make this tv worthy of the marginally increased value among the many bunch.
Ought to I purchase one?
For those who’re trying to buy a “higher than finances” degree OLED that works immaculately proper out of the field, the A80L needs to be on the high of your record.
The one downsides are the brightness, which I used to be capable of mitigate with closed blinds, and the restricted HDMI 2.1 ports, which is an issue with future-proofing greater than anything. So if in case you have an unusually brilliant house you possibly can’t dim or you have got a number of next-gen online game consoles and a sound setup, you may wish to look elsewhere.
