The only model currently offered in a 77in version, which is the model we had on test, the Bravia XR A80K is just below the Master Series in Sony’s sizable line-up and offers nearly the same features. One of the two entry-level OLEDs in Sony’s 2022 lineup is the A80K OLED. It is placed in front of the Sony A75K in Europe and behind the Sony A90K OLED and Sony A95K QD-OLED. It takes the place of the Sony A80J OLED starting in 2021 and is substantially the same as its predecessor.
The Sony Bravia XR OLED TV is the same as the previous model, with many of the same features. It supports variable refresh rate (VRR), HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, and the S-Center speaker input, which enables the use of the TV’s speakers as the Centre channel when a compatible Sony soundbar is connected. It is also compatible with the same Google TV smart platform and is offered in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 77-inch models like its predecessor. ..
Sony Bravia XR OLED A80K review: Design
The Sony Bravia A80K has a clean, minimalistic design known as One Slate that provides it a slim, premium, and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This TV blends well with any environment because to its symmetrical design, regardless of the theme, couch style, color, etc. Users of the magnetic stand can position it in one of three different ways, allowing them to decide whether they want the TV to sit flat against the surface or to provide some room for other peripherals like a speaker or set-top box.
The TV’s sides and stand are made of aluminum, which increases its lifespan and gives it a more upscale appearance. The stand is small, providing excellent stability. The TV can also be placed on a wall. Although the back is covered with plastic, the construction is of the highest calibre.
The TV has three HDMI ports with eARC support, two USB ports, and three HDMI ports overall. It’s a good option for gamers who want to play console games on a large screen because the HDMI ports also support HDMI 2.1.
Features
The new features in the new Sony A7R III camera increase peak brightness in highlights and deepen blacks automatically and scene-by-scene. The camera also has a wide color gamut panel that works with Sony’s XR Triluminos Pro feature and the Cognitive processor XR.
The A80K has four HDMI inputs, two of which support 4K 120Hz, have variable refresh rates (VRR), and have auto low latency modes (ALLM). In the US, the A80K also has an integrated ATSC 3.0 tuner. With 4K resolution video and Dolby Atmos audio available from stations broadcasting in the newest format, viewers can watch free over-the-air digital TV through these channels.
Performance
When it comes to video quality, it’s no surprise at all that certain native 4K Dolby Vision-assisted videos make the Sony seem its finest. It comes as only a little bit more of a surprise to learn that “its best” is generally really good. Or, at least, it is once you’ve adjusted the menu item called ‘motionflow’ to maintain plausible and fluid on-screen movement.
The A80K is a great screen for movies and video games. It has a rich, complex color scheme that manages to be both vibrant and realistic at the same time. Even though the A80K is not the brightest screen available, the black levels are predictably deep, have a lot of variation, and give the impression of having quite wide contrasts. The whites it produces are just as balanced and detailed as all the other tones it produces, yet they lack a slight but noticeable punch.
The A80K is a great TV for watching televised sports. The picture quality is excellent, and the on-screen motion can be adjusted to make it as satisfying as possible. The viewing angles are wide, which is great for watching sports from different angles. ..
The Sony A80K is a great gaming monitor, with input lag low enough for all but the most demanding games. That’s in “Game” mode, which only slightly coarsens the overall image in exchange for faster response times. Motion remains steady, and lighting also looks fantastic. ..
Picture quality
Our observations do not allow us to make a judgment on the A80K vs. A80J for 2021. There are minor variations here and there, with the A80K exhibiting superior color performance while the A80J is brighter. However, with real-world content, the differences won’t be clear unless you compare the two side by side. So we’ll call them equal in terms of overall quality.
The A80K is a great TV for anyone looking for an OLED with great performance. It has excellent upscaling abilities, stunning colours and gradients, great motion, and very low input lag. ..
The TV’s HDR performance was good, but not as good as we had hoped. The brightness was good, but the TV can go a little bit brighter than our measurements.
Sound quality
The Sony A80K series OLED TVs have an acoustic surface audio+ feature that includes five actuators that vibrate the TV to produce full-range sound, as well as two subwoofers for deeper bass. Other features include Voice Zoom for enhancing speech, 3D surround upscaling, and Acoustic Audio Calibration to adjust the sound output of the set to your viewing area.
We were impressed by how clear the speech was and how loud the speakers could get without sounding strained since we seldom ever rely on a TV’s built-in audio system these days while viewing movies. We also saw unique vertical and above effects emanating from the TV after switching to the Dolby Atmos sound option.
The built-in audio on the X80K is good for someone who doesn’t watch action movies or who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on a soundbar. ..
Sony Bravia XR OLED A80K review: Gaming
The Sony XR A80K is a great TV for watching content and playing games. It has excellent picture quality, so you can enjoy your favorite movies and games with the best possible experience.
The A80J is a great TV that has many features, but it doesn’t have ARC or 4K. The PS5 detects the A80k automatically and adjusts the HDR settings to match the TV.
Ports and Connectivity
Sony has been using two different port layouts, one with all ports facing sideways and the other with some facing sideways and the remainder looking downwards. The layout is identical to that of the Sony X90K. Sony’s decision to make this change is unknown, but it has occurred nonetheless.
The Samsung UN55JU7500 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV has a variety of ports and features to make it easy to connect your devices. The four HDMI ports allow you to connect all of your devices, the two USB ports allow you to power or connect external storage, the digital optical audio output allows older equipment that does not support HDMI connections to use HDMI connections, the composite video input is also an S-Center speaker input, and the Ethernet port allows you to connect wirelessly to your network. The RS-232C port allows you to control devices with a computer or a phone. The IR input lets you control devices with an IR remote.
This is a plus for Sony, as it means that users can easily transfer files and pictures to their TVs without having to worry about the old USB ports.
The A80K TV has two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which offers ARC/eARC functionality. If you want to use ARC/eARC features, you’ll need to use the other port.
Price and availability
The 55-inch Sony A80K we’re testing here is currently available and costs £1599 in the UK. Additionally, a 65-inch version is available for £2099, and a 77-inch model is available for £3499 for the utterly serious. These costs translate to $1599, $1999, and $2999 in America, respectively; once more, the US outperforms the UK.
Sony Bravia XR OLED A80K review: Conclusion
The Sony A80K is a great camera for movies because it displays deep blacks without any blooming in dark settings, and it is great for HDR because its brightness is high enough for the greatest HDR experience.
The LG OLED TV has a wide viewing angle and excellent reflection handling. It’s great for watching TV shows and excellent for sports in well-lit rooms, but it doesn’t get bright enough to significantly reduce glare. Additionally, it has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth support for variable refresh rate (VRR), a quick response time, and minimal input lag, making it excellent for gaming.
