For a fortnight, Sony entrusted us with the 95-inch Bravia XR X4J 65K HDR Full Array LED TV. This being from the 2021 range, it replaces the X950H, which was part of the flagship series of this range of televisions, winner of the CES 2021 Innovation Award. Nothing special about unpacking the product, but two people will be needed to handle it safely. It is of course possible to fix it to the wall via a VESA 300x300 fixing. Alternatively, two legs are provided, which install in three different positions: narrow (limiting clutter), center (limiting distraction) and offset. The latter, which we have chosen, allows the passage of a sound bar under the television or any other adjustment necessary to adapt to the interior decoration.
The TV is super flat. It is only 6.1 cm thick! In terms of its dimensions, it measures just under 40 cm with the feet, the border of the screen being only 0.9 cm (Seamless Edge design). Suffice to say that at a reasonable distance, it is difficult to see it.
Three 3.5 jack sockets are available: one for infrared control, one for video or audio, and one for headphones. An on/off button is present, to compensate for the potential loss of the remote control (but its position can be questionable, because you really have to look for it to find it). This is also where you can disable the TV's built-in microphone. On the HMDI side, there are four of them, including two 120Hz, one being ARC/eARC compatible. Finally, a cable/antenna socket, three USB ports, two 5V 500mA ports, a 5V 900mA port, a LAN port, an optical port and an RS-232C port in 3.5mm jack format complete the range of very generous connectors of this TV.
Equipped with Google TV 10, the setting of the television is done via the mobile. Although the use of a Google account is recommended, it is not essential, at least initially. Navigation is fluid and pleasant, compared to other interfaces such as Tizen or WebOS. The only regrettable, but all too common thing on TVs these days are ads that cannot be turned off. The remote control, we like it or we don't like it! I admit to having a preference for Samsung's Smart Remote. Even if the backlighting of the keys when they are taken in hand is very pleasant...
If you are a fan of numbers of all kinds or simply curious, I can only recommend RTINGS which always performs high quality tests (here). And if you want to calibrate the colors like a pro without having the equipment, it's here! I take this opportunity to slip in the presence of Calman Ready, which offers advanced calibration capabilities and the possibility of fine-tuning settings that are simply impossible with conventional image settings.
Needless to say, testing a product of this quality was real torture! Having to play on the Xbox Series X to admire the magnificent landscapes in 4K 120Hz.
Or even overdose on series on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Perfect timing for the new season of The Witcher, it would have been a shame to spoil the ending by not binge watching the entire second season of The Witcher from the day of release! It's even prettier with the Netflix Calibrated mode which offers studio quality content. The TV also offers Sony's exclusive streaming service, Bravia Core, which allows you to watch Sony Pictures movies in Blu-Ray equivalent quality (up to 80 Mbps streaming speed). Tough life for testers to have to review Spider-man: Far from Home,...
To address the least pleasant part first, the sound reproduction. But it is, from my point of view, valid for all televisions on the market. The sound remains correct but proves to be really too low when connecting a sound bar with a subwoofer or a high-end audio system. Still, Sony is making the effort, with Acoustic Multi-Audio technology that promises cinematic surround sound and precise sound positioning. As well as, of course, support for Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.
Now let's get to what's most important in a TV: the picture. It is beautiful, bright and faithful. On the technology side (I quote here for many the press release):
- Cognitive Processor XR: analyzes image and sound to optimize rendering thanks to an advanced system, based on cognitive intelligence.
- X-Wide Angle: Ensures color fidelity from any angle without loss of color or brightness.
- XR Triluminos Pro and XR Contrast Booster: impact blacks and brightness.
- XR Motion Clarity: Ensures smooth, bright, blur-free action.
- X-Anti Reflection: limits reflections on the screen.
- XR 4K Upscaling: Upscales 2K signals to near true 4K quality.
- Ambient Optimization: optimizes the quality of sound and image to its environment.
What more ? In fact, not much. Of course, we are on Full LED. For the blacks, we will not arrive at the quality of an OLED. Conversely, we avoid BurnIn problems. There are products that are excellent in some areas, and not so good in others. I will just say that this TV is very good in all areas, with a very modern minimalist design.
