Sony KD-65X9005B

Sony KD-65X9005B Review – Here it is: the 4K anomaly, with the price tag triple that of any other telly on test. Let’s overlook the cost for a minute and instead concentrate on exactly what that buys you. For starters, the images thrown across this 65-inch, 3840×2160 resolution screen are outstanding. They make fine use of Sony’s Triluminos colour processing and X-Reality Pro image engine, packing incredible detail and colour into every frame. With 800Hz motion handling, even the most explosive of action sequences never pose a problem, either. Of course, there’s not a lot of 4K content currently available to make full use of that detail.

Sony’s solution is to include a dedicated chip that handles upscaling HD to 2160p. Hooked up to a Sony PS4, the X9005B delivers astonishingly deep and detailed graphics and, unlike last year’s X9 model, it’s compatible with Netflix’s 4K streaming. House of Cards looks amazing and, with the on-demand telly king promising to film all its new and original shows in 4K, there’s more to come. As well as upgrading the visuals, this Sony set has also upped the sonic ante. Its unusual wedge-shaped design, with massive front-facing speakers is a step away from the flatscreen norm, but that extra space has allowed Sony’s engineers to enlarge the bass drivers, producing a 65W wall of sound with plenty of volume and bass.

There’s genuinely no need for a separate soundbar here. Web duties are still performed by Sony Entertainment Network, handing you access – for a small fee – to Movies and Music Unlimited, plus Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video. Catch-up content is a little more lacking, with BBC iPlayer still the only option. If you want the very best image quality and aren’t afraid to pay for it, this is the telly for you. However, with 4K content still limited, only the most gung-ho of early adopters will be enticed right now.

Pros

• 4K screen and excellent upscaling.
• Compatible with Netflix 4K streaming.
• Striking design

Cons

• Missing catch-up services.
• Troublesome Expense

Sony KD-65X9005B Specifications

• SCREEN 65-inch 2160p LCD
• TUNERS Freeview HD, satellite
• WEB TV Sony Entertainment Network, featuring Movies and Music Unlimited, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video
• AUDIO 65W (2x 12.5W + 2x 20W subs)
• 3D Active, 2x specs
• CONNECTIONS Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 4x HDMI, 3x USB, Scart, component, CI Slot, NFC
• HEIGHT 790mm
• DEPTH 950mm
• WIDTH 1490mm
• WEIGHT 45.9kg