Sony KD-55XH9505 Review, Unlocking a Cinematic Experience at Home
by Samuel Kalenga on Sep 08, 2024
A Deep Dive into the Features of the Sony KD-55XH9505
Latest 4K technology This latest image signal processor from Sony will transform and enhance every pixel to create the ultimate 4K viewing experience:
- 55-inch 4K HDR Display With picture quality more detailed than 1080p, images are delivered with striking, pin-sharp clarity and detail while the High Dynamic Range (HDR) signal capability of this TV nudges the contrast ratio even further, bringing greater depth to your favourite movies and TV shows with incredibly vibrant whites and stunningly deep blacks.The KD-55XH9505 takes your living room and turns it into a cinematic haven.
- Full Array LED Backlight: this type of backlighting – the latest in Sony HD TV technology – is what makes the KD-55XH9505 so different. What it does is it’s actually using groups of LEDs, which are dimmable separately. So they can actually darken each LED area separately, and that in turn means that the black level is deeper, but also the whites can be brighter and you actually get more of the detailing, nuances of an image where you have extremes of light and dark. That’s what the Full Array LED backlight achieves, and so if you watch a movie – in fact this is one of the reasons why contrast and shadow details are very successful in movies – it’s actually more impactful and a more engaging viewing.
- Android TV Operating System: The Android TV operating system gives you easy access to movies, TV shows, and more, right out of the box. The KD-55XH9505 provides one-stop access to your favourite streaming apps, games, and more. Browse your favourite series and movies through streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Hulu, and enjoy a universe of apps downloadable from the Google Play store. Through Android TV’s Google account integration, you can personalise your viewing experience, and easily find the content you love.
- Supports Dolby Vision HDR : Visual fidelity is further enhanced in the KD-55XH9505. It supports the latest visual technology in the world, the Dolby Vision HDR grant Dolby vision enhances the fidelity of every pixel and is the most creative and visionary HDR technology in the world. It uses dynamic imaging to enhance every pixel for every frame. For each film frame, Dolby Vision analyzes picture settings and dynamically adjusts to achieve optimal clarity, contrast, and colour in every scene. A stunning backdrop sets the stage for your scene, with astonishing levels of contrast, colour, and brightness that brings new depth, detail, and vividness to life on the screen. In filmmakers’ hands, Dolby Vision lets them bring entertainment to life as never before.
- Dolby Atmos Sound: Enjoy theatre-quality sound that fills the room and flows above you with Dolby Atmos. This innovative Dolby theatre-sound, which reproduces three-dimensional sound like a typical commercial theatre system, reproduces clear, realistic and three-dimensional sound that flows around the whole area, creating an immersive entertainment environment filled with clear sound of objects, people and animals in the on-screen action, and full tension of the music.You can relive your favourite films and television shows with crisp clear sounds in their most realistic form. The KD-55XH9505 can create a complete home theatre in your living room.
- Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Voice Control: Google voice control built-in. Use your voice for voice search. Approved by Amazon and works the same way as the Amazon Echo (embedded) speaker. The KD-55XH9505, supports both Google assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control, giving you a huge advantage in voice control. The KD-55XH9505 supports both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control, allowing you to control TV, set-top boxes, Internet search, music control, smart home control, and turn on your TV with your voice.
Picture Quality: A Visual Feast for the Eyes
But when it comes to picture quality, the Sony KD-55XH9505 reigns supreme. It delivers a spectacular viewing experience, thanks to a combination of 4K resolution and Full Array LED backlight. Everything on screen almost appears to stand out in high relief, with images clearly outlined by the backlights on the LED display. Colours are vivid and accurate, with a showcases every single hue with unparalleled intensity, lending every scene an endless vitality. Deep blacks also helps produce excellent contrast to make darker scenes more vibrant and detailed.
The experience of seeing dark parts of an image stand out, silhouetting people and objects, is what makes movies captivating and draws you into the scene. Deep blacks allow you to see the details beyond just being able to see shapes, contributing to the perception of reality within the image. The KD-55XH9505 definitely nails deep blacks and makes a lot of black scenes truly deliver eye-popping images.
Sound: A Cinematic Audio Experience That Transforms Your Living Room
For example, the Sony KD-55XH9505 has a Dolby Atmos sound system, which helps you ‘enjoy stunning audio from movies and games at home’. The integrated speakers pump out solid dialogue and a broad soundstage, so you can get drawn into a film like never before: every explosion, every affectionate whisper, every theatrical swell of directional music sucks you into the action. A built-in subwoofer kicks out punchy bass too, so you can hear every action-cruise-missile-return – basically any space-action explosion mashup.
Smart Features: A World of Entertainment at Your Fingertips
Enter Android TV, and the possibilities of the KD-55XH9505 open up in front of you. The system is intuitive and straightforward, and it offers simple ways to find the content that matters to you. Stream movies and series from set-top apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube and many more.
The Google Play Store provides you with a virtually unlimited catalogue of apps for all your favourite games and productivity needs. The KD-55XH9505 begins to look less like a TV set, and more like a gateway to a world of entertainment, information and connectivity. Voice control by Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa also makes it easier for you to use, just by speaking the commands you want and have the right TV guide displayed or your favourite show up without touching the remote controller.
Design and Build Quality: A Symphony of Style and Durability
The Sony KD-55XH9505 gives an ultra modern feel. The elegant design allows the television to envelope into your life by fitting around your home décor, which is what I want from all my televisions. The minimalistic feel of the thin bezels perfectly showcases the screen in a way that gives the most viewable space while augmenting the viewing experience. Build quality is as solid as you would expect from Sony with a strong and sturdy stand, the premium feel truly encapsulates the Sony way forward feel and enforces the commitment to the product. The KD-55XH9505 gives you the feeling that this television is your centrepiece and should be. The sleek new design offers a true winner on all platforms and gives a real presence to your living room. Photograph courtesy SonyPros and Cons: A Balanced Perspective
Pros
- Exceptional picture quality with 4K resolution and HDR support, including Dolby Vision
- Full Array LED backlight for enhanced contrast and local dimming
- Dolby Atmos sound system for immersive audio experiences Android TV OS with a broad assortment of streaming apps and access to the Google Play store.
- Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control for hands-free convenience
- Sleek and modern design with premium build quality
Cons
- Noise-cancelling technology could be improved again, especially for listeners who want serious sonics.
- Price might be an issue in this case, given the premium KD-55XH9505 class.
Conclusion: The Sony KD-55XH9505: A Triumph in the 4K HDR Arena
The Sony KD-55XH9505 is a phenomenal television. Picture quality is unparalleled, while the sound features an exciting spatialisation element, and the smart features are comprehensive and intuitive to use. This one ticks all of the visual, audio and smart boxes, making it a premium 4K HDR television that does it all. The only caveat to the outstanding performance seen with the KD-55XH9505 lies with its sound quality – which, while exciting and spatialised, isn’t quite as impactful as either the Sony whiz-bang onscreen visuals or the deep, rich bass of the competitors.
The price is another consideration for some, but given all the aspects of the KD-55XH9505’s overall performance and features, this premium television truly is a choice worth considering if you’re looking to improve your home cinema experience. This is a television that can bring your living room to the cinema. Is there a better television to be had right now for someone seeking the best possible picture quality, the best possible audio, and the clearest possible and intuitive interface? Has there ever been, and will there ever be again? If you are asking those questions, the Sony KD-55XH9505 is the TV for you, and a home-entertainment experience that you will come to cherish for years.