Sony XR-65A80L – Review

Sony has made it a priority to offer every type of TV technology to ensure everyone can find something they like and the Sony XR-65A80L uses a regular OLED panel rather than the Quantum Dot OLED system. This has made it a more affordable option for fans of home cinema.

Design

At first glance, you will not find the 65A80L to be the most glamorous TV, but its trim rear and slim frame does give it elegance. Most importantly, it has outstanding build quality, which is better than most OLED models in the market. The screen and its frame seem to be on the same place, which further gives a minimalistic touch and there are two ultra-slim feet provided that can be added under the screen’s corners. You can also choose to attach the feet in other ways.

Another reason the 65A80L is so minimalist is because it does not have regular speakers like other premium TVs. Instead, it uses Acoustic Surface Pro technology, which means the screens functions as the speakers too. It comes with two remote control options; there is a ‘smart’ remote that has built-in Google Assistant mic and buttons for popular streaming services and a smaller remote with the usual buttons, but no direct app buttons or mic.

Features

The Sony XR-65A80L boasts Sony’s Cognitive XR processor, which produces natural, gorgeously refined and lifelike pictures. It is also useful in accurate color mapping and also enhances the contrast capabilities. Like other mid-range TVs from Sony, it supports Dolby Vision, HLG HDR and HDR10 formats, but not the HDR10+ format. But, the TV does come with some rare endorsements, such as Netflix Calibrated and IMAX Enhanced.

The Google TV platform delivers smart features on the 65A80L and Sony has also added some apps separately. Connectivity is also good for a mid-range TV. It comes with four HDMI ports, but only two are capable of supporting the gaming features of 4K/120Hz, auto latency mode switching and variable refresh rates.

The TV also comes with game-friendly features, such as a Game Menu and Game mode. Sony has also added Perfect for PlayStation 5 features. The Acoustic Surface Technology’s inclusion means that actuators vibrate the screen for producing the sound of the TV.

Picture and Sound Quality

As compared to other OLED TVs in the market, the 65A80L is not the brightest one, but this does not mean it is a poor TV. In fact, it is actually spectacular, given that it is a midrange device. It offers an outstanding amount of detail that you are unlikely to find on other TVs. Even Samsung devices are struggling in this respect. While colors may not have the same volume as that of premium TVs, but their subtlety is extremely appealing. The TV has an immersive quality that can bring you superb joy when you are watching something.

There are very few TVs capable of producing the kind of sound Sony’s OLEDs do. The sound stage has a lot more directness and immersive intensity, yet it remains open and warm. This makes it easy on the ears and dialogue also remains clean.