Sony A95L TV Review

Sony A95L Review: The Sony A95L TV, an excellence in the high-end television landscape, offers exceptional performance and an attractive design. Best choice among high-end TVs, combining advanced features and sophisticated aesthetics.

The Sony A95L TV is the best choice in the high-end TV landscape, combining excellent performance with an attractive design. Let’s explore this TV in more detail, also taking into account its gaming features, which also make it the best of the best TVs for PS5.

Sony A95L TV

The design of the Sony A95L TV is a perfect fusion of modern aesthetics and functionality. With sleek metal stands and a massive yet harmonious presence, this TV fits beautifully into contemporary environments, offering not only exceptional performance but also sophisticated aesthetics.

Under the hood, the TV packs impressive features, including a QD-OLED panel, the powerful X1 4K HDR image processor and an innovative dissipation system for enhanced maximum brightness. Connectivity is comprehensive, although only two HDMI ports support the full 48Gbps bandwidth, making them ideal for high-definition devices such as gaming consoles.

In terms of image quality, the Sony A95L stands out with much higher brightness than before, but only under certain conditions. The visual rendering is spectacular, and as always Cinema mode is preferable in most situations, although Sony has added a couple this year.

The sound quality is exceptional thanks to the Acoustic Surface Audio+ system, boosted by larger transducers that deliver punchy and penetrating sound. This TV can also act as a center speaker in advanced audio setups.

Software-wise, the Sony A95L uses Google TV, ensuring a fast and responsive experience, although there are some imperfections in the integration of Netflix, Prime Video, and other apps.

In addition, the TV offers a wide range of picture adjustment options and features dedicated to gaming, with incredibly low input lag.

For enthusiasts looking for the ultimate in technology and performance, the Sony A95L is a formidable choice. Its suitability as one of the best gaming TVs and as one of the best TVs overall confirms its versatility and the excellence that distinguishes it in the high-end television landscape.

Design

The design of the Sony A95L TV is a triumph of form and function. This TV not only stands out for its outstanding performance, but also for its eye-catching aesthetics. The 77-inch model has metal supports that are very nice to look at, and despite the massive lines (for an OLED) it will not be particularly invasive in the living room. As per Sony tradition, you can lift it just enough to place a soundbar. The minimalist yet sophisticated look of the A95L makes it a true work of art that blends seamlessly into contemporary settings.

Additionally, the attention to detail is evident in the choice of materials and the overall construction of the TV. The attention to design extends to the smallest details, such as the thin edges that maximize the screen area and the extremely discreet bezel, which highlights the quality of the images. The skilful use of materials reflects Sony’s commitment to creating products that are not only high-performance but also stylish.

In general, the Sony A95L is a pretty thick TV for an OLED, especially the 77-inch model, so much so that you might think it’s an LCD at first glance. On the other hand, it’s a huge TV, and maybe it doesn’t matter that it’s a “thin one”.

The feet require a lot of depth, so you’ll need a piece of furniture of at least 45 centimeters if you plan to get the 77 inches. Speaking of this issue, Sony has confirmed to us that the demand for large screens, over 65 inches, is also increasing in Italy – a figure also confirmed by other manufacturers.

Of course, not all of them are very high-end products like this, but the fact is that we Italians are buying bigger and bigger televisions.

The remote control has been slightly revised: it’s still made of aluminum, nice and comfortable, with a backlight. Sony has increased the number of dedicated app buttons to six, and revised the placement of the other buttons a bit. According to the Japanese company, the ergonomics have improved, thanks in part to some new features in the interface. That is something I am not sure I agree with.

The wrench button, the gear key, and the so-called “menu” all do different things. That’s not necessarily a very useful thing, and perhaps it’s not a consistent design choice with an advanced, modern TV like this.

The Sony A95L TV is an excellent synthesis of technology and style, with a presence that stands out in any environment. Its modern and sophisticated aesthetics mean that this TV is much more than just a device and transforms into a design element that can enrich any space in which it is placed.

Features of Sony A95L

Under the hood, the Sony A95L packs some notable features. There’s of course the QD-OLED panel, and there’s the X1 4K HDR image processor, which Sony has been using for three years now. But there is also a new dissipation system, which serves to achieve a higher maximum brightness and for longer.

And there is an additional processor, the MediaTek Pentonic 1000 (mt5897); it makes the whole system a little more responsive and snappy, but above all it intervenes in gaming sessions, to give an extra gear to HDR playback in video games. As with all Sony products, this one has also been made to offer the best when paired with a PS5, but even with an xBox or PC it will do wonders.

The Sony A95L (XR-65A95L) comes with four HDMI ports, but only two are HDMI 2.1 with a bandwidth of 48 Gbps. These HDMI 2.1 ports are ideal for connecting high-definition devices such as gaming consoles, 4K Blu-ray players, and more. They support features such as 4K at 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

There’s also an eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port, allowing you to stream high-resolution audio from compatible devices, such as soundbars or AV receivers, over an HDMI connection.

An optical port, two USB connections and other usual connections such as Ethernet, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi complete the picture. The connectivity is more than complete, but we would certainly have preferred to have four HDMI ports, as is the case on the better competing models.

Image Quality

At the heart of every TV is picture quality, and the Sony A95L doesn’t disappoint. But on the other hand, it is the top of the range of this brand, and like its other peers there are no image problems: both this model and its competitors are capable of generating the best image quality possible today among non-professional products.

The difference, if anything, is that Sonys don’t require any modification or advanced skills. This one, like others before it, as soon as it is turned on is already “almost” at its full potential. A professional calibration will only slightly improve an already unbelievable situation. At most, you’ll have to switch between picture modes (but there are only two to use), which isn’t complicated. I wish the same could be said about other brands, but unfortunately this is not (yet) the case.

So, already knowing that the image quality is the best possible, here are a few more details.

The TV reaches a very high peak brightness, up to about 2,000 nits. According to Sony, it’s twice as bright as last year’s Sony A95K. That might be true, but it’s only about small windows and in Vivid mode, which exists only to allow certain extreme values but then it’s almost unwatchable.

On the other hand, in Standard and Cinema mode, the brightness is comparable to that of the best OLED TVs, while remaining among the highest available. Great, but maybe Sony’s claim isn’t really super credible.

But what is the point of higher brightness? Particularly for two things: making the TV more visible even in very bright environments, and achieving “extreme” HDR performance. The first scenario is unlikely to concern private homes, where it is generally easy to close a curtain and get rid of annoying light. The second parameter is very subjective: thanks to perfect black and OLED technology, in fact, TVs like this do not need much extra light to produce spectacular HDR images. On the other hand, LCD models with Quantum Dot, especially those with mini LED backlighting, can “shoot” very high brightness levels and thus obtain more impactful HDR images, but the price to pay are halos, imperfect contrast and a non-absolute black.

That said, if maximum brightness is an important parameter for you, then perhaps you should consider an LCD product like the Sony X95L Review or Samsung QN95C Review.

Sure this A95L has impressive brightness in comparison to other OLEDs, and somehow it looks superior to its predecessor – but we couldn’t see them side-by-side so it’s hard to say definitively.

The A95L also solves a long-standing problem for users and calibrators. Unlike previous Sony TVs, where calibration settings had to be manually applied to each input, the A95L allows for global adjustments that can be applied to all inputs, simplifying the calibration process.

In the case of Dolby Vision content, with Infinity War, the experience was exceptional, with stunning colours and detailed reproduction of particles, shades and contrasts. We didn’t notice any artifacts or issues in the reproduction of margins and movements. Everything is state-of-the-art, as we expected.

Testing with Wonder Woman 1984 in Standard mode, the colors can appear slightly oversaturated (greens and blues in the first few minutes are a difficult challenge), but overall the calibration is good. Last year we already said that the Standard mode was “almost” usable for HDR content without the Dolby Vision standard; This year the situation is similar but if possible even better. Some may even prefer Standard mode to Cinematic mode, for content like this.

The problem of the initial green persists, but the blue of the sea is excellent. The panning pass from the drone is of high quality and you don’t notice any artifacts or other glitches, but the sharpness is perhaps a little excessive. The Standard mode has certainly improved, although I wouldn’t recommend it to an enthusiast.

Switching to Cinematic mode, the colours remain a bit intense, but overall the experience is better. The blue is perfect and there is no longer the problem of excessive sharpness; The green is still a bit “pushed”, but it is more natural. The complexion is impeccable. Movements remain fluid. So, Cinematic mode is recommended.

The upscaling, tried with Ghostbusters, works well. In standard mode, with precise rendering and well-defined edges. However, you may lose some detail at the edges of the images, but on older films this is not a significant problem. The sharpness isn’t excessive, resulting in an excellent result, but overall it’s similar to last year.

Switching to Cinematic mode, you’ll notice less intense colours, reduced brightness and an increase in ‘cinematic grain’; something that I personally appreciate a lot, but certainly the Standard mode does an excellent job in enhancing old and very old generation content, such as this jewel from now 40 years ago

However, the usual advice still applies: if you don’t want hassle, put the Cinema mode on and forget about the settings.

As always with Sonys, perhaps the biggest advantage is the fact that the TV is ready to deliver the best images from the first moment. The more experienced can always go and do precise calibrations, but the important thing is that as soon as you turn it on you will have a beautiful image, without having to do anything.

That’s a huge difference when you consider that with other brands, the colours are too bright or too dull, or there are artefacts, or motion handling is plagued by poorly managed motion blur. Generally, these are all solvable problems; Yes, but you have to slip into the options and go and touch items that not everyone understands well. With this Sony A95L you just plug it in, turn it on and enjoy the show. And that’s really no small thing.

New this year is, in the settings, the separation of the Motion Interpolation Control: The Motionflow menu now separates the motion tween control into two settings: “Smoothness Film” for low frame rate content, such as movies at 24 frames per second, and “Smoothness Camera” for higher frame rate content, such as 50 Hz or 60 Hz sports broadcasts. A small detail that will appeal (very much) to the most demanding spectators and lovers of technical details.

A similar statement can be made for the new Pro mode, which tries to recreate settings that theoretically require a lot of work with a single click. The idea is to get an image that is super faithful to the original, as close as possible to what you get with professional screens such as the Sony BVM X300 and X310; These are products used in film and television production, in post-production but also on set, considered capable of generating a perfect image – they are then used as a reference point and comparison for every other screen.

Sound Quality

We take it for granted that those who get such a TV will also have a nice sound system, or at least a high-end soundbar. If not, however, the Sony A95L is capable of exceptional audio performance, perhaps even better than the 2022 model – which is saying something because they were already outstanding. This is probably due to larger transducers, which make the sound more incisive and penetrating.

From a technological point of view, we are still looking at the Acoustic Surface Audio+ system, which Sony introduced three years ago. The effect is still impressive, and only the best Panasonics manage to create a sound superior to the top-of-the-line Sonic.

It definitely wouldn’t make sense to buy a low-end or mid-range soundbar with this TV, but on the other hand, who could think of. Instead, the Sony A95L, along with other 2023 Sony models, has such a high-performance sound system that Sony has seen fit to include it in an advanced installation.

In fact, the TV can be configured as a center speaker, when you only connect a soundbar or even something more complex, which also includes subwoofers and rear satellites. That might not sound like much, since the soundbar itself is underneath the TV after all. But I heard the A95L connected to a Sony HT-A5000, plus subwoofer and rear satellites: well, turning the center channel on or off is very audible. A fantastic feature that gives real added value to this TV and other models with the same function.

Sony A95L Software

Sony confirms its collaboration with Google and the use of Google TV. A more than acceptable choice, since it is probably the best operating system for televisions on the market. But it also means that there’s nothing new to tell: the system is fast and responsive, there are plenty of apps, and the home screen is well done. But there’s still some connection issues with Netflix and Prime Video, so when you’re searching for something, the software can’t always find all the content. The risk is to rent or buy something you already have in one of your subscriptions, which would be quite a hassle

Apart from Google’s work, Sony puts its own spin on it with all the options for image adjustment and other settings. There are so many voices to explore, enough to make you seasick. Thankfully, though, there’s also a quick menu, which is customizable and gives you instant access to the things that interest you most.

As you’d expect from a 2023 TV, the Sony A95L also has dedicated gaming options, with a dedicated interface that activates as soon as the TV “understands” that you’re playing. Demanding gamers will be able to adjust the depth of the black for the best visibility, activate the on-screen viewfinder, or control the HDR effect. And those who have a PS5, of course, will be able to get something extra.

One notable addition is the “professional” picture mode, which we alluded to above and which underlines Sony’s commitment to preserving content creators’ intent. This mode aligns with reference monitors widely used in post-production studios, offering accurate representation of content with SDR peak luminance close to the rec 709 lens.

Another innovation is the “calm viewing mode”, which is designed to create a relaxing atmosphere by reducing contrast and saturation. This mode is especially useful in the evening or when you want a quieter viewing experience. According to Sony, it’s ideal for children to watch TV before putting it to bed, but if that’s also the case for you, my advice is to turn it off before dinner and never turn it back on. They and you will sleep better.

Speaking of software, once again with the purchase of the Sony TV you get 10 Bravia Core credits plus a year’s subscription. The service does not have a very large catalog, but on the other hand here you will only find films of the highest quality; A level of quality that you don’t really find easily on other streaming platforms.

If you like Bravia Core, you can buy additional credits, which you can then spend on movies that will always be available in your personal library. Or you can extend your subscription

Gaming

Playing games on the Sony A95l is an amazing experience, with a host of features and enhancements tailored to gamers. In particular, the TV boasts incredibly low input lag of just 16 milliseconds at 60 frames per second and drops to just 8 milliseconds at 120 frames per second, ensuring lightning-fast responses to gaming action.

There are all the necessary functions, and there are software options that can be called up on the fly with a button on the remote control. You can also view two images, which is great because you no longer have to go from Youtube to the game to watch a tutorial, but you’ll have everything in view on the screen. In this case, the images are side by side and each one occupies half the screen: Sony therefore speaks of PaP, i.e. “Picture and Picture”, as opposed to the more traditional PiP, Picture in Picture. There are also presets to choose from depending on the type of game.

Speaking of having everything under control, there is no shortage of the option to reduce the size of the play area, which can be useful for those who choose one of the larger cuts.

There’s still the hassle of only having two full-band HDMI 2.1 ports, where other brands offer four. A retrograde and annoying choice on Sony’s part, which I hope I won’t have to comment on again next year.

The high peak brightness and colour accuracy make High Dynamic Range (HDR) gaming look stunning, and while support for Dolby Vision at 4K 120Hz wasn’t available at the time of testing, a future firmware update promises to enable this feature.

Speaking of Sony, it has decided that Dolby Vision for Gaming will be a gem available only to those who buy this top of the range. You can live without it, of course, but that’s certainly a shame.

Overall, the Sony A95l is a formidable choice for gamers too, although perhaps not the first on the list in this respect.

Conclusion

Sony A95L is a testament to Sony’s commitment to providing top-notch technology in the world of high-end TVs. It’s an expensive TV aimed at a discerning audience, and it doesn’t disappoint.

For those willing to pay the price, this is most likely the best TV of 2023 after the Sony A95L Review, just as the A95K was the best of 2022. Sony maintains its primacy, and can therefore afford to ask for rather high prices.

If you’re not looking for the absolute best, but you just need a TV that’s above average, a TV that “looks good but not an over-the-top thing”, then perhaps the price of the Sony A95L is hard to accept which you have read through this Sony A95L Review. Sony’s other OLEDs, such as the A80L, are also excellent products and will weigh a little less on your wallet.