30 second exam
We think the Sony X4H series 950K TV (XH95 in the UK and X9500H in Australia) was tailor-made for us. It almost perfectly solves all the problems we've had with the less impressive Sony X950G / XG95, and it does so by delivering louder, clearer sound, while adding a number of clever UI tweaks that make the Image customization easier than ever. . It's just inches away from being one of the best TVs of its year, a title that's getting harder to earn as manufacturers churn out better processors and panels every few months. Unfortunately, that honor is deprived of two bad design decisions: a lack of HDMI 2.1 ports, and a new stand design that can make the screen a bit wobbly. Thankfully, the TV still has eARC for Dolby Atmos passthrough and the wall mounting avoids foot use entirely, so none of the issues are an absolute headache. While there are several cheaper TVs that offer similar performance, none have the X1 Ultimate processor, Dolby Vision support, and the latest version of Android TV. If you want all of the above and don't mind mounting it to the wall, the XH95/X950H is definitely hard to beat.
- Sony KD-55XH9505 (55-inch HDR) at Amazon for € 1,189.99
Price and release date
The Sony XH95 series (Sony XBR-X950H series in the US) is part of the 2020 Sony TV lineup that was partially unveiled at CES 2020 in January. It's not the most premium LCD-LED TV in the lineup, but it's the most premium TV within the reach of the regular TV shopper (read: non-millionaires). To that end, the Sony XH95/X950H starts at an affordable €999 / €1199 if you opt for the 49-inch screen size – a good option if you don't want to deal with the instability of 55-in 65-and-up versions. 75-inches, and it shoots up to $3,999 / £3,999 if you go for the surprisingly large 85-inch version. How does this compare to other 4K TVs from Samsung and LG? Well, it's actually about the same price as the Samsung Q80T and the LG Nano 90. We like the Sony a little better than the LG Nano series because of its more natural colors, excellent motion handling, and excellent scaling, but the This year's Samsung Q80 series offers some stiff competition and is worth checking out if you're on the fence.
(Image credit: Sony)
Integrated
Sony X950H / XH95 Specifications
(Image credit: Sony) Available screen sizes: 49-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch | 4K: Yes | HDR: Yes (HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG) | Panel technology: LED-LCD | Smart TV: Android TV | Curved: No | 3D: No | Inputs: four HDMI (all four HDMI 2.0 but one with eARC), two USB, RF tuner, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optical digital audio out Before we get too deep into the design, it's worth noting that the TV basically has two variations: one for the 55, 65 and 75-inch versions, and the other for the 49 and 85-inch versions. The biggest difference between them is that the latter uses last year's chassis and legs, while the former uses a new design that we'll describe, and critique a bit, below. If you're planning to buy a 49-inch or 85-inch version, check out our Sony XG95/X950G review to find out what to expect in terms of design and configuration, but everything else in this section applies to both TVs. In terms of what's similar across all models, there's the Full Array LED design that offers near-OLED black levels and reduced haloing, as well as the X1 Ultimate processor which we'll talk about a bit more in the performance section below. But let's focus on the chassis and frame of the 55-, 65-, and 75-inch models: Installing them is as easy as building the metal legs with a few screws, then sliding them into place in a wide-leg or narrow-leg configuration. This layout allows people with smaller entertainment centers to prop up the TV, which is useful for people who don't want their furniture to dictate which TV they buy. It's a great idea, but unfortunately the way Sony executes it causes the TV to wobble on its legs with a rather high center of gravity. This means it's easier than most other TVs to tip over and could be a real problem for people with running children. If you buy it, it's probably a better and safer idea to mount it on the wall. Flip the TV back and you will find the inputs and outputs on the screen. This includes four side-mounted HDMI 2.0 ports with HDCP 2.3 and HDMI-CEC, one of which supports eARC for Dolby Atmos audio pass-through. There are also a couple of USB ports for charging and connecting devices, an optical audio output, a 3,5mm audio jack, and an Ethernet port. For most people, the decision to go with HDMI 2.0 over the newer, upgradeable HDMI 2.1 isn't a big deal, but for gamers who want a variable refresh rate compatible TV with 4K at 120Hz, this TV I don't. I don't have it. Grief.
(Image credit: Google)
Smart TV (Android TV)
As in previous years, Sony TVs still use Android TV as their main smart platform. For some, it's an instant commitment, but honestly, Android TV has made a number of improvements over the years that have brought it closer than ever to LG's webOS smart platforms and Samsung's Tizen. One of the biggest changes here is that Android TV now offers pretty much every app from the other two, including HBO Max and Disney Plus, as well as regular staples like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. Sadly, you won't find Apple TV Plus here, but pretty much every other major streaming app is covered. In terms of speed, Android TV on the X950H/XH95 is pretty fast, especially if you primarily use it for Netflix. We went from standby to full 4K streaming in Dolby Vision in about 15-20 seconds, and with the right network speeds you should have no problem matching that. Without a doubt, though, the best feature for any hobby calibrator is the improved Image Settings menu that has visual representations of each option. Of course, most people know the difference between brightness, contrast, and color saturation, but having a detailed description with an image makes the system foolproof. As you'd expect with Google's Android TV platform, the Sony X950H/XH95 offers the Google Assistant and access to the Google Play Store, as well as a built-in Chromecast. There is now also out-of-the-box support for Apple Airplay 2, which is ideal for all iOS users looking for an Apple TV alternative. Smarter, faster, and easier to use than ever before, Android TV is slowly but steadily creeping closer to the top spot on our list of the best smart TV platforms.
(Image credit: Sony)
When it comes to performance, Sony TVs have always managed to achieve that natural look with flawless color accuracy without a hitch, and this year is no different. For most of our testing, we used the TV's custom preset which, without adjustments, is close to perfect. This is basically the ISF preset you'll find on other manufacturers' gear with a slightly dim glow, warm tint, and little motion processing. Basically, you can set it and forget it for almost any form of content. If you want something a little brighter or more vivid, you can use the standard picture mode with HDR Remaster for HD/SDR content to get that artificial touch, or turn the settings all the way up with the Vivid setting. You will see in the store shelf. Since the TV uses the same Sony X1 Ultimate processor as last year, you probably won't see a huge difference between this year's Sony X950H / XH95 and last year's Sony X950G / XG95, but Sony has included additional technology to extend the viewing angles. all models in this year's lineup instead of the only 75- and 85-inch versions that had it last year. Also added is a light sensor that can brighten when the TV detects sunlight or bright overhead lights, and automatically dim when set up for a late-night movie. Speaking of brightness, though, it's worth saying right away that the X950H/XH95 might not be as bright as some of the other LCD-LED TVs in its price range, especially when compared to the series. Samsung QLED or the Vizio P-Quantum X series. You're obviously getting the most out of this package with native 4K/HDR content that takes advantage of the full-array lighting design and beautiful Triluminous color rendering technology. With Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG supported, you should be spoiled for choice when it comes to content, although you won't find HDR10+ support here. That said, since 4K/HDR content isn't ubiquitous yet, you'll be happy to hear that Sony has tweaked its upscaling process yet, not that it really needs to. Like every other manufacturer, Sony uses object-based scaling based on a massive image library and some machine learning wizardry. In short, HD content looks pretty good, even if you never click on HDR Remaster, called Live Color in the settings, although we recommend giving it a try at least once to see what you're missing.
(Image credit: Sony)
Ring
The upgrades to Android TV and Sony's picture performance are great, but adding a second amplifier for the two main controllers on the back of the TV is a complete game changer. Last year the TV used a single amplifier for all four drivers (bottom left right and top left right) and made dialogue almost impossible to hear if the TV was placed in a large room. open. Adding a second amp for the speakers means dialogue is much, much clearer this time around, and while it's not just the soundbar's clarity levels, it's still a huge improvement. (If you really want the best sound experience, we recommend connecting a Dolby Atmos soundbar or AVR to your TV's HDMI 3 port for true spatial sound—trust us, it's worth the investment.) The other smaller change that's new for this year is the change from the almond-shaped X-Balanced speaker shape to the bottom speakers instead of the ovular one used last year. This helps disperse sound to give the TV a...