Sony X95L (XR-65X95L) in-depth review: Elevating home entertainment

Explore how Sony's new Mini LED TV sets a higher benchmark for visuals

Mini LED TV: Sony XR-65X95L
(Image: © What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet II)
last updated May 22, 2024

Verdict

Mini LED fuses with local dimming and Sony’s newest image processor for exceptional results

Pros

  • + Incredible contrast with Mini LED
  • + Vivid, perfectly balanced colours
  • + Clear, immersive sound quality

Cons

  • - Needs more bass
  • - No Dolby Vision for games
  • - Just two gaming HDMIs

Welcome to an electrifying new chapter in home entertainment, brought to you by Sony's innovative Mini LED TV line-up. Introducing the X95K, Sony's pioneering entry into the Mini LED realm, celebrated for its striking brightness and contrast capabilities per the expectations of Mini LED technology, as detailed here. Yet, with innovation comes challenge, as the X95K grappled with mastering light control, occasionally allowing bright on-screen objects to be haloed by unintended illumination.

The journey of refinement didn't stop there. Enter the X95L, Sony's latest Mini LED marvel, which not only promises to maintain the exceptional display qualities of its predecessor but also brings a revolutionary solution to the table—effortlessly conquering the halo effect that once posed a challenge. Our hands-on experience with the 65-inch X95L has proven that Sony has indeed elevated the viewing experience, ensuring crisp, flawless visuals every time.

Price

At £2199, the XR-65X95L might seem like a significant investment, but it positions itself as a remarkably competitive option in the high-end TV market. Imagine owning a 65-inch 4K television that combines cutting-edge Mini LED technology with Sony's top-tier local dimming, the groundbreaking Cognitive XR processor, and the vibrant Triluminos colour system. All these features package the XR-65X95L as not just a television, but a gateway to an unparalleled viewing experience.

When we look at the competition, Mini LED TVs and the latest QD-OLED and MLA OLED TVs from tech giants like Samsung and LG come with a heftier price tag. This makes Sony's offering a more attractive deal that doesn't skimp on quality or performance.

In the US market, this pricing strategy becomes even more enticing. The $2199 price tag for the 65X93L – Sony's Mini LED model available in the States – presents an excellent value when considering the exchange rates and market competition.

For those looking at larger options, Sony doesn’t hold back. You can step up your home cinema with 75-inch and 85-inch models from the X95L series, available at £3499 / $2999 and £4499 / $4500, respectively. It’s noteworthy to mention that the X95L range, as of now, isn’t available in Australia, where the Sony lineup peaks with the X90L series, which doesn’t feature the Mini LED technology.

Mini LED TV: Sony XR-65X95L
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Design Excellence

The X95L stands out not for flamboyant aesthetics but for its understated elegance, bringing a minimalist charm into your living space without overwhelming it. Its hefty build is not just for show; it hints at the top-notch quality behind its construction, promising an equally stellar display performance.

This television's design boldly prioritizes picture quality over ultra-thinness, a commitment evident from its slightly protruding back. This design choice might require additional consideration for wall mounting, but it's a small compromise for superior visual fidelity.

Opting for a traditional setup? The X95L comes with versatile black stands designed for stability and style. Whether you prefer a low-profile stance or elevated positioning to accommodate a soundbar, these stands offer both options without sacrificing the TV’s sleek look.

Features

Stepping into the limelight with its dazzling Mini LED technology, the X95L brings an unrivaled brightness and contrast control within its 65-inch screen. Mini LEDs, our little luminous heroes, pack the screen to offer a visual feast brighter and more controlled than ever before.

Diving deeper, the X95L's local dimming technology fine-tunes the brilliance of these Mini LEDs, tailoring the brightness across different parts of the image to deliver stunning contrast. With around 480 dimming zones, it's not just about the numbers but the magic you create with them.

At the helm of this visual odyssey is Sony's Cognitive Processor XR, a mastermind aiming to replicate a real-world visual experience by emphasizing the main subjects and sculpting a more three-dimensional outlook using object detection.

Gamers, rejoice! The X95L amplifies your gaming sessions with an exclusive onscreen menu that pops up to reveal valuable gaming insights and options. Enjoy lower input lag figures, supreme 4K/120Hz gaming, and VRR support, ensuring your gameplay is as smooth as silk.

For PlayStation 5 owners, the TV offers Auto HDR Tone Mapping and an Auto Genre Picture Mode, optimizing your gaming and viewing experience seamlessly. However, Dolby Vision gaming aficionados might have to navigate around a few limitations regarding input lag and VRR support.

Powered by Google TV, the X95L’s smart features promise an expansive content library and a streamlined interface, topped with unique Sony offerings like the Bravia Core streaming service, promising unparalleled 4K streaming quality.

Embrace the ultimate audio-visual experience with HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision support. Though HDR10+ might be missing from the party, the X95L makes up with its Acoustic Multi-Audio+ system, creating an immersive soundstage that elevates every scene.

As we venture into 2023, the X95L stands as a monument of Sony's ingenuity, offering both visual and auditory wonders, enforcing its reign as the flagship 65-inch LCD TV worth every acclaim.

Mini LED TV: Sony XR-65X95L
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet II)

Revolutionizing Viewing Experience with the Sony X95L TV

From the moment you power on the Sony X95L, it becomes evident that the TV is in a league of its own, particularly in mitigating the backlight haloing issue prevalent in previous models. This advancement propels the Sony Mini LED technology to unparalleled heights, posing a significant challenge to its Mini LED and OLED counterparts, irrespective of their price range.

The X95L gracefully handles the most challenging scenes known to trouble LED TVs with local dimming technologies, showcasing its prowess by maintaining clarity and precision. High Dynamic Range (HDR) scenes, which often expose weaknesses in LED TVs due to light 'bloom,' are rendered almost flawlessly, showcasing Sony's innovation in local dimming controls.

Sony's meticulous attention to detail is evident as it prevents any blooming effect from encroaching on the black spaces around widescreen movies, ensuring a distraction-free viewing experience. The X95L's ability to maintain perfect darkness in these areas is nothing short of impressive.

Furthermore, Sony has refined its approach to dimming bright objects against dark backgrounds, a subtle yet effective strategy that enhances the overall picture quality without sacrificing the television's dynamic range. This innovation contributes to a more consistent and intense viewing experience across a variety of scenes.

The X95L stands out not only for its ability to handle brightness with finesse but also for its vibrant color reproduction. It strikes a perfect balance, ensuring that bright images do not lead to washed-out colors but rather enhance the full spectrum of hues, contributing to a mesmerizing HDR experience.

Comparisons with flagship Mini LED TVs from other brands reveal that, while some may achieve higher brightness levels, the X95L offers a more nuanced light management, ensuring exceptional picture quality without the intrusive backlight blooming.

Color performance on the X95L is exemplary, showcasing a richness and vibrancy that rivals even the most expensive OLED displays. Sony's Triluminos technology continues to impress with its accurate color rendition, providing a level of detail and depth that enhances the overall 4K viewing experience.

The X95L also excels in motion handling, ensuring that even the most fast-paced scenes are displayed with clarity and fluidity, further elevating the immersive experience it offers to gamers and movie enthusiasts alike.

While no technology is without its challenges, the minor instances of blooming and clipping observed under extreme conditions do little to detract from the overall excellence of the X95L. Its price-to-performance ratio places it at the forefront of the Mini LED market, making it a tantalizing option for anyone in search of a premium television experience.

Discover the Harmony of Sight and Sound

Immerse yourself in the sophisticated blend of visual and auditory excellence with the 65X95L's Acoustic Multi-Audio system. It matches its stellar picture quality in refinement, though it carves its unique path in auditory impact.

Experience the warmth and detail of every scene and song. The system's nuanced approach ensures that every sound, from the densely layered tracks of blockbuster movies to the complex melodies of your favorite tunes, is delivered with precision. There’s an undeniable richness that makes even the highest trebles feel full-bodied yet perfectly balanced within an expansive soundstage that seems to extend far beyond the screen.

This acoustic marvel achieves a sense of directionality that enhances your viewing experience, making audio seem to emanate directly from specific on-screen actions, thanks to its innovative Frame Tweeter technology. However, it achieves this without the frontal projection of Sony’s Acoustic Surface technology found in their OLED TVs, offering a different but equally immersive sound experience.

The only slight hiccup in its acoustic performance is in the lower frequencies. The built-in subwoofers, while respectful of their limits, shy away from the deep, rumbling bass that gives action scenes their punch. But despite this, they manage to avoid unpleasant distortion, showing a subtle finesse in handling bass-heavy content.

Nonetheless, the 65X95L presents a beautifully balanced auditory journey, treating your ears with as much respect and consideration as your eyes. It's an experience that truly complements the cinematic spectacle of the visuals, offering an enveloping sensation that brings every moment to life.

Mini LED TV: Sony XR-65X95L
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Why the Sony X95L is a Must-Have for Your Entertainment Setup

Stepping into the realm of advanced screen technology, Sony's X95L model raises the bar. It showcases unparalleled light control, elevating the viewing experience by enhancing black levels, contrast, colour, and detail consistency. The seamless blend of cutting-edge features positions the Sony X95L not just as a technological marvel but as an outstanding value. Whether you're a movie buff, a sports fanatic, or someone who appreciates the finer details in visual presentations, the X95L is designed to impress.

With its remarkable performance, the Sony X95L exemplifies what it means to bring cinema-quality entertainment into the comfort of your home. Its ability to present visuals in striking detail and vibrant colours makes every viewing session an immersive experience. If you're in the market for a top-tier entertainment system that promises to invigorate your viewing sessions, look no further than the Sony X95L. It's not just a smart choice; it's an investment in unparalleled home entertainment.

Mini LED TV: Sony XR-65X95L
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet II)
Mini LED TV: Sony XR-65X95L
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Mini LED TV: Sony XR-65X95L
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet II)
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