TV technology is leaping forward, making 'standard' OLED and QLED TVs seem almost quaint compared to the dazzling new entries of QD-OLED and MLA TVs. However, don't count out the underdog just yet! Especially when it comes to their less flashy cousin, the standard LCD TV. Without the fancy organic materials, Quantum Dots, or Mini LEDs, you might wonder if a traditional LCD TV could still compete in today's market.

Enter Sony's X90L, a shining example that proves innovation isn't just about new ingredients but how you use what you have. Sony has masterfully optimized what many considered a mature technology in its A80L OLED TV, and it's applying the same magic to breathe new life into standard LCD technology with its X90L model. This model stands as a testament to Sony's commitment to excellence across all types of television technology, including the often-overlooked LCD, solidifying its place in the competitive TV marketplace.

Discover the Perfect Fit for Your Home with the Sony X90L

Are you in the market for a stunning new TV but don't want to break the bank? Look no further than the 55-inch Sony X90L (aka the XR-55X90L) which is currently making waves for its remarkable quality and affordability. Priced at £1599 / $1300 / AU$2095, it offers an exceptional viewing experience without the hefty price tag of its sibling, the A80L OLED TV, which comes in at a higher £1999 / $1900 / AU$2995.

While past iterations of the X90 series were the go-to choice in more compact sizes, this 55-inch model marks the entry point to the X90L range. If your living space can handle it (and your budget allows), you can scale up to an immersive 98-inch display, ensuring there's a perfect size for every home.

Design Aesthetics of Sony's Latest TV Models

Sony's latest lineup, including the X90L model, opts for a classic design approach, maintaining a look that's familiar yet functional. The dimensions—standing at a robust 5.6cm in thickness and weighing around 17kg—highlight a design that prioritizes substance and quality. While the aesthetics might lean towards the understated, the engineering behind these models is anything but.

In keeping with Sony's tradition, the X90L TV features adjustable feet instead of the more common pedestal stand. This design choice not only offers versatility in placement, whether at the edges for a wider stance or near the center for compact spaces, but also cleverly accommodates a soundbar beneath the screen. However, it's worth noting the design implications for soundbar compatibility due to the feet's dimensions, limiting the width to about 100cm. This constraint might affect those considering broader models like the Sonos Arc, Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus, or even Sony's own HT-A7000. Nevertheless, this demonstrates Sony's commitment to a cohesive entertainment setup, ensuring that every element, from visual to auditory, is accounted for.

Discover the Future of Home Entertainment with Sony's Latest TV Innovations for 2023

Embark on an unmatched viewing experience with Sony's 2023 TV lineup, which, although still has just two HDMI 2.1 ports—with one doubling as an eARC port—you're ensured a seamless connection for your high-definition entertainment devices. While this configuration is perfect for singular gaming console setups, those with multiple devices might need to compromise on the exceptional 4K/120Hz refresh rate available. Furthermore, while Xbox aficionados can delight in Dolby Vision support, a lack of a dedicated gaming mode may affect response times during play.

In brighter news, the introduction of VRR and ALLM functionalities presents a beacon of hope for gamers, promising a more fluid and immersive gaming experience on the X90L. Although the awaited HGiG mode is not part of the package, the 'Perfect for PS5' feature ensures your HDR settings are automatically optimized, though a manual check could perfect the visual feast awaiting you.

Sony's dedication to cinematic excellence shines through with exclusive features like the Bravia Core service, offering unparalleled streaming quality, and enhancements in picture processing technology, standing testament to Sony's legacy in movie magic. The X90L strides ahead as the most affordable entry to wield the Cognitive Processor XR chip, boasting new features like the XR Clear Image, designed to elevate content quality through intelligent upscaling.

Advancements don't stop at software. The hardware sees a significant leap in the number of dimming zones, ensuring that contrast levels are more dynamic than ever, despite sticking with traditional LED technology. This innovation promises a marked improvement in visual depth and realism, especially when compared to its predecessors.

Steering through the smart features, Google TV returns with an enhanced interface, boasting improved responsiveness and personalized content recommendations, making for a more user-friendly experience. While it may not match the bespoke systems of its competitors in some aspects, the sheer variety of apps and format support, including the essentials like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more, ensure your entertainment needs are fully catered to.

With comprehensive HDR format support, encompassing HLG, HDR10, and Dolby Vision (though HDR10+ remains absent), Sony's TVs continue to lead in providing a superior HDR viewing experience. As we move forward, Sony's commitment to enhancing home entertainment through innovation remains steadfast, setting the stage for a truly immersive viewing experience.

Discover the Visual Marvel: The X90L's Picture Perfection

Diving into a visual feast with the Dolby Vision rendition of the It remake, the X90L TV brings scenes to life with outstanding brightness and clarity. Unlike what we've experienced with some of Sony's other models, its Dolby Vision Dark mode elegantly balances darkness with luminosity. This TV showcases brilliant highlights - notice the radiant clouds above the eerie Neibolt Street house. While its vibrant colors might trail behind those of leading OLEDs like the A80L and the LG C3, the X90L competes with an undeniable brightness edge.

Sony masterfully harmonizes this exceptional brightness with profound blacks for a picture that's both punchy and immersive. Meticulous detail retrieval in shadowy sequences further enriches the viewing experience. Even if the X90L's detail precision slightly lags behind our LG C3 sample, viewers are ensured a captivatingly full picture.

Of course, as a backlit marvel, the X90L showcases its prowess without aiming to mimic the OLED's pixel-by-pixel contrast. Yet, it excels with a remarkably uniform backlight, sidestepping the common LCD issues of uneven lighting. High-contrast scenes are rendered with minimal distraction, save for rare moments like a bright 'Replicant' text in a dark scene. Comparatively, the X90L outshines Samsung's QLEDs in maintaining a consistent image without the distracting fluctuation in backlighting.

The X90L also astounds with colors that appear strikingly natural across viewing modes, ensuring a cinematic authenticity with minimal adjustment needed. Incorporating a touch of Sony's Motionflow technology could enhance the visual flow, avoiding any unwanted distractions in fast-moving scenes.

Throughout our evaluation, the X90L impresses with its sharp, detailed imagery and its adept handling of upscaling non-4K content. Even classic shows receive a visually refreshing treatment, making every viewing a pleasure.

Despite its many strengths, the X90L acknowledges the inherent limitation of LCD technology with less-than-ideal viewing angles. However, it outperforms several LCD contenders, presenting a delightfully vibrant picture even when viewed from various angles, though OLEDs provide a more consistent viewing experience regardless of perspective.

Sound Excellence Tailored for Your Living Room

Though it lacks the actuator-based audio technology found in its OLED counterparts, the X90L backlit TV strives to deliver a captivating 'sound-from-picture' experience. Sony has ingeniously applied processing techniques to offset the absence, resulting in a sound that, while slightly less immediate and with a touch less fidelity than that of the A80L, remains impressively clear and engaging. Voices may carry a hint of artificiality, lacking the robustness and projection we crave, but the sonic landscape is far from disappointing.

The X90L's audio performance is commendably adapted to its design and price range. Opting for precision over the pursuit of unreachable depths, it avoids the pitfall of distortion while maintaining a respectable presence. It might not rival the LG C3 in sonic weight, but it stands its ground without succumbing to the strains of deep bass, showcasing a clarity that brings movies like Blade Runner 2049 to life with an impactful sound.

In terms of power, while it doesn't reach sky-high volumes, the X90L demonstrates a dynamic prowess that engages the audience, allowing the drama to unfold with an effective crescendo. And though it can't mirror the pinpoint sound localization of the A80L, it nevertheless crafts a spacious auditory experience, extending the boundaries of the scene far beyond the physical limits of the TV itself.

While the X90L offers a sound quality that exceeds expectations for a mid-range TV, enhancing your setup with a soundbar can elevate your auditory experience to new heights. A recommended addition would be the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), perfectly complementing the TV’s performance and ensuring that your living space is filled with rich, immersive sound.

Overview

While the Sony X90L might not catch your eye at first glance, its superb performance and meticulous design make it an absolute delight for movie lovers and TV enthusiasts alike. Perfect for those who are looking for top-notch quality without the hefty price tag of an OLED, such as the well-known A80L, this model stands out as an exceptional choice. Its ability to deliver a cinema-like experience right in the comfort of your living room makes it a fantastic purchase.