Introduction

Recently, the Samsung 65″ 4k 120hz QLED I purchased after I completed my master’s degree finally bit the dust; I had nothing but issues with it, ranging from overheating to dead backlights. So, this time I figured I would spend a bit more and truly treat myself. I managed to find a Sony BRAVIA XR 85” Class X95K 4K HDR Mini LED TV with Google TV that was recently returned by an employee at Best Buy, so it was an open-box item at a fraction of the original MSRP of $5,499.99.

The experience so far has been nothing short of incredible.

The world of television technology is constantly evolving, and Sony has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. In 2022, they unveiled their offering, the Sony 85″ X95K Google TV; this mammoth-sized television combines Sony’s renowned picture quality with the Google TV platform, promising an immersive and seamless entertainment experience. In this review, we’ll delve into the features and performance of the Sony X95K, providing you with a comprehensive overview of what you can expect from this massive 85-inch wonder.

Features at a glance:

Cognitive Processor XR
Intelligent TV processing understands how humans see the real world to deliver intense contrast with deep blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors.

Mini LED Contrast
Thousands of Mini LEDs are controlled with absolute precision by XR Backlight Master Drive, delivering unprecedented contrast with deep blacks, natural colors, and maximum brightness.

TRILUMINOS Pro
Rediscover everything you watch with billions of accurate colors and see impressive picture quality that is natural and beautiful.

Movies included with BRAVIA CORE
Bring the cinematic experience home. Enjoy streaming high-quality 4K UHD quality movies included with the BRAVIA CORE app, exclusively on select Sony TVs.

Enhanced Entertainment with HDR and Dolby Vision
Experience immersive and engaging cinematic content as the creator intended with support for Dolby Vision4, IMAX Enhanced, and Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode.

Enhanced Viewing
Every seat in the room is the best seat in the room with wide viewing angles that preserves color from the side and an anti-reflective screen that reduces glare.

The anti-glare screen was a must in this specific room as there is a large window and a skylight nearby. On models without anti-glare, the picture quality was indeed better, but I would rather be able to actually see the TV than have a better display.

Perfect for PlayStation 5
Take your gaming to the next level with input lag as low as 8.5ms and BRAVIA XR exclusive features for the PlayStation 5 to improve gaming picture quality.

Features specified in HDMI 2.1
Get the advantage in high-performance gaming on BRAVIA XR TVs with HDMI 2.1 features such as 4K/120.

Acoustic Multi-Audio
With Acoustic Multi-Audio and Dolby Atmos support, hear true immersive audio with two sound positioning tweeters in addition to front-firing TV speakers and dual subwoofers.

The TV’s speakers are actually very rich with clear highs and lows, and the fact that you can run them at the same time with my soundbar/subwoofer, the sound stage that is created (after some tuning) is encompassing and pleasant.

XR Motion Clarity
See blur-free picture quality in fast-moving sports and action-packed movies.

XR 4K Upscaling
Bring back lost texture and detail and see all your content upscaled to 4K resolution.

Compatible with optional BRAVIA CAM
Video chat with friends and family, use gesture controls, and allow Ambient Optimization Pro to automatically adjust picture and sound according to your room environment.

(Best Buy, 2023)

Picture Quality

One of Sony’s most distinguishing features is its commitment to delivering exceptional picture quality, and the X95K is no exception. With an 85-inch 4K LED display, you can expect a visual feast that boasts vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details. Sony’s XR Picture Processor takes center stage, optimizing every scene for the best possible clarity, contrast, and motion handling. The X95K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, enhancing the viewing experience by providing stunning contrast and vibrant colors, especially when streaming content from platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime.

While this TV doesn’t have a gaming system or PC attached to it at the moment, the 120hz screen will come in handy once I build a new computer and use my current 5800x/3090 system in the living room (hidden in the cabinet to the lower-right of the TV in the image below).

The image produced from such a large screen is quite the sight to behold, and the quality looks better than any other display I have ever had.

The mount that was previously installed ended up not supporting the weight of the TV and soundbar, so we had to opt for a more expensive model; while this was unfortunate, the TV actually has tons of movement capabilities, allowing you to move the TV out farther from the wall (a significant amount), and rotate it for optimal viewing angles.

Design and Build

The X95K is designed with elegance and simplicity in mind. Its slim bezels and minimalistic stand give it a sleek and modern appearance that will complement any living room decor. While the TV’s size may be imposing, it remains surprisingly stylish and unobtrusive in its design. The build quality is top-notch, ensuring that your investment feels solid and durable. Coming in at 117.2 lbs., I would recommend getting some extra hands for the installation of this TV. While I do this kind of thing often, I decided to get this professionally set up and I couldn’t be happier with that decision after watching 3 grown men try to do it.

I do, however, love that the TV is quite heavy, as picking some TVs up can cause flexing and damage the screen (at least in my experience). With this device, the structure is sound, providing the sweet spot of having a thin TV and adequate structural materials/engineering. There does seem to be a lack of available USB ports, but I personally don’t use many anyway.

Performance and Connectivity

The Sony X95K is a powerhouse when it comes to performance; it is driven by Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR, which not only enhances picture quality but also improves sound quality. The TV supports Dolby Atmos for immersive audio, creating a theater-like experience in your own home. The X95K is packed with ports, including HDMI, USB, and Ethernet, ensuring that you have plenty of options for connecting your devices and peripherals.

The UI is quick and thoughtfully laid out, not suffering from some of the sluggish menus in the past few Roku-enabled devices I have had. I was worried about the heat this thing produces, but so far, the display just maintains a steady low warmth, even while pushing the processor a bit.

Remote Control

Sony includes a well-designed remote control that perfectly complements the Google TV experience. It features dedicated buttons for Google Assistant, Netflix, and YouTube, allowing you to access your favorite content with just a single press. The remote is comfortable to hold and easy to navigate, making it an essential part of the overall package.

Since I am a Google lover (Google phone, watch, email, hosting, advertising, etc.), the fact that this TV can connect with my other Google services and apps is quite nice. We also had to buy a new TV since the Samsung 65″ QLED 120hz that we were using in the basement literally died as soon as we brought the new Sony home; I swear the TV heard it was getting new competition. I opted for a cheaper TCL 65″ Class Q7 Q-Class QLED 144hz that I found a deal on, as I have had 3 TCL TVs at this point and none of them have had any issues. Now, since both of the new TVs come with Google TV, I can control everything from my phone. I may end up going with Google’s line of cameras at this house to really tie everything together, at least for the interior.

Final Thoughts

The 2022 Sony 85″ X95K Google TV is a remarkable combination of size, performance, and user-friendliness. Its exceptional picture quality, sleek design, Google TV integration, and powerful performance make it a top-tier option for those seeking a premium entertainment experience. While the price tag might be on the higher side, it’s a worthy investment for those who appreciate quality and want to enjoy the latest in television technology. Whether you’re a cinephile, a sports enthusiast, or a gaming aficionado, the X95K is ready to deliver an immersive and captivating experience.

In conclusion, the Sony X95K Google TV is a testament to Sony’s commitment to excellence in the world of television technology. If you’re in the market for a large, high-quality TV that offers a seamless and user-friendly smart TV experience, this model should be at the top of your list. While the newer model looks even better, the dramatic discount I was able to get really sold the deal. With the money saved, I will now turn my attention to this living room’s audio system and getting the mesh Wi-Fi node behind the TV hardwired to the patch panel in the basement, and then another cable running to the node on the top floor.

Source:

Best Buy, 2023. Retrieved 10/14/2023, from https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-85-class-bravia-xr-x95k-4k-hdr-mini-led-google-tv/6500883.p?skuId=6500883.