Sony KD65X80K 65 inch TV: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Sony X80K is a 65-inch 4K LED TV that was released in 2022 as an entry in Sony's budget-friendly X80K series. This model provides a solid smart TV experience and decent overall performance at an affordable price point.

The 65-inch X80K has a minimalist design with thin bezels surrounding the display. It features Sony's X1 4K HDR image processor for upscaling HD content and enhancing color, contrast and clarity. The Google TV platform provides access to popular streaming apps and support for voice commands.

For connectivity, the X80K includes 4 HDMI ports as well as USB, Ethernet and WiFi capabilities. The TV also has a standard 60Hz refresh rate and 10W + 10W stereo speakers.

Overall, the 65-inch Sony X80K is a good option for shoppers seeking a budget-friendly big screen TV with competent smart features and dependable performance. It makes some sacrifices compared to pricier models but still delivers decent 4K picture quality and usability.

Design

The Sony KD65X80K has an attractive, minimalist design that will blend nicely into any living room. This 65-inch TV has an ultra-thin profile, with the panel measuring just 2.7 inches thick. The bezels surrounding the display are slim and unobtrusive, making the large screen seem even bigger.

Sony calls the design of the X80K their "Flush Surface" style, with the aim of reducing distractions during viewing. The TV is designed to sit directly against the wall, thanks to a centralized cable management system that keeps cords neatly hidden. The two feet stands are set wide apart for stability on a media console. While not the absolute thinnest display, the streamlined profile and tiny bezels give a sleek, contemporary look.

The minimalist aesthetic of the Sony KD65X80K allows it to blend into modern decor seamlessly. Compared to some competing models, like the LG 65UQ7570PUJ, the Sony has thinner bezels and a slimmer overall profile. LG's 65-inch 4K TV has a slightly thicker 2.9 inch depth and more pronounced plastic casing around the panel. The X80K's razor thin bezels almost seem to dissolve into the picture itself. This gives a more immersive, cinematic viewing experience.

In addition to the thin profile and tiny bezels, Sony uses high quality materials on the X80K for a premium feel. The TV is framed in aluminum with a textured finish on the back panel. The stands have a brushed metal look that complements modern decor well. The LG 65UQ7570PUJ has more of a standard plastic construction that can't match the luxurious aluminum and metal accents of the Sony model.

When viewed from the side, the slimness of the Sony X80K is striking. The top and side bezels blend into the wall, leaving just the vivid 4K picture. The minimalist style places the focus squarely on the entertainment, without thick borders or a bulky frame competing for attention. The LG competitor has a boxier design that sticks out further when wall mounted. For customers wanting their new TV to make a sleek statement, the barely-there bezels of the KD65X80K make a bolder impression.

Easy cable management also contributes to the clean, seamless look of the X80K. Inputs face sideways for access from either side, with a covered channel to neatly guide wires to the centralized input section. Cords are hidden from view, preventing a messy tangle of cables from disrupting the minimalist aesthetic. The LG also has side-facing inputs but lacks the convenient cable management system of the Sony model.

With dimensions of 57.1 x 33.1 x 2.7 inches without the stand attached, the KD65X80K has an appropriately sized footprint for a 65-inch 4K TV. The minimalist stands are spaced widely at 44 inches to provide stability on furniture. Weighing 38.8 pounds without the stands, it is reasonably lightweight for its size. The LG competitor is a bit heavier at 44.1 pounds.

Overall, the pared back, minimalist appearance of the Sony X80K 65-inch TV will appeal to design conscious customers. The ultra-slim panel with barely visible bezels creates an enticing, immersive viewing experience. Paired with the premium aluminum and metal finish, it is a cutting edge TV that makes a bold statement in any living room.

Display Quality

The Sony KD65X80K has an impressive display with excellent picture quality. The 65-inch screen uses a 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) LCD panel to provide four times the resolution of Full HD. This level of detail makes images look incredibly sharp and lifelike.

The TV supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) including HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision. This allows it to produce a wider range of colors and brighter highlights for more realistic images. HDR content looks stunning on the KD65X80K with vivid, accurate colors and improved contrast between the brightest whites and deepest blacks.

The X80K uses Sony's XR Contrast Booster technology for better local dimming. This helps deepen blacks and make highlights really pop. The panel is also able to get very bright, hitting around 700 nits peak brightness on HDR content. This all adds up to an extremely high-quality viewing experience whether you're watching movies, TV shows, sports or gaming.

While the Sony KD65X80K offers a fantastic 4K HDR display, some shoppers may want to also consider the LG 65UQ7570PUJ. This 65-inch 4K TV from LG also provides excellent picture quality and features. It uses LG's a7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K to optimize the image, while supporting HDR formats like Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10 Pro. The panel has full array local dimming for deep blacks, and gets very bright with around 800 nits peak brightness. Gamers will appreciate the 120Hz native refresh rate, ALLM and VRR support. The smart TV platform is webOS which gives access to all the popular streaming apps. Overall the LG 65UQ7570PUJ is a great option for those wanting premium 4K visuals from an LG display.

When comparing the Sony X80K versus the LG UQ7570, both perform admirably as high-end 65-inch 4K TVs. The Sony model may have a slight edge for movies with better local dimming and contrast. But the LG counters with gaming features like VRR and a faster refresh rate. Each TV runs on the manufacturer's own smart platform, offering broad app support. So it comes down to which brand you prefer between stellar Japanese and South Korean tech giants.

For shoppers seeking top-tier 4K TV tech like OLED or QLED, more expensive options are available. However, the Sony X80K and LG UQ7570 represent more affordable high-performance 4K TVs. With excellent picture quality, sleek minimalist designs and robust smart TV features, either model makes a fantastic addition for cinematic viewing and gaming.

Smart TV Features

The Sony X80K runs Google's Android TV platform, giving you access to Google's wide selection of apps and services. The Google TV interface is clean and intuitive, allowing you to easily browse and search for content across various apps and subscriptions.

Some of the key apps available include Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, and more. So you'll have access to most of the major streaming platforms. Google TV also makes recommendations based on your viewing history and subscriptions to surface content you'll likely be interested in.

Voice search is another handy feature, enabling you to quickly find movies, shows, actors etc just by speaking into the remote. This makes navigation very fast compared to typing searches.

Overall the Sony X80K provides a smooth, customizable smart TV experience through Google's operating system. The platform is frequently updated too, so you can expect new features and optimizations on a regular basis.

Audio Quality

The Sony KD65X80K has decent audio quality for a mid-range 65-inch TV. It features a 2-channel speaker system with a total output of 20W.

While the audio is clear, it lacks bass and can sound a bit thin at high volumes. The speakers are downward firing, which reflects sound off the surface below for better audio dispersion. However, there's no support for Dolby Atmos or DTS audio formats.

Overall, the built-in speakers are fine for regular TV watching. But for an immersive home theater experience, you'll want to pair the TV with a soundbar or speaker system. The audio jack and HDMI ARC port allow you to easily connect external audio devices.

Ports and Connectivity

The Sony KD65X80K offers a solid selection of ports and connectivity options. On the back of the TV you'll find:

• 4 HDMI ports - The 4 HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3. This allows you to connect 4K 120Hz devices as well as the latest gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

• 2 USB ports - There are 2 USB ports, one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0, for connecting external devices like hard drives or flash drives.

• Ethernet - There is an Ethernet port for connecting to wired internet if needed.

• WiFi - The TV has built-in WiFi supporting the latest WiFi 6 standard. Connectivity was stable when testing and provided fast internet speeds.

• Bluetooth - Bluetooth 4.2 allows you to pair wireless headphones, speakers or other accessories with the TV.

The Sony X80K checks all the right boxes when it comes to connectivity. With HDMI 2.1, USB 3.0, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 4.2, you'll be able to connect all your devices and accessories without issue. The HDMI 2.1 ports are great for gamers looking to take advantage of 4K 120Hz on the latest consoles or graphics cards. Overall the connectivity options on this TV should satisfy most users.

Remote Control

The X80K comes with Sony's standard remote control that has a slim and minimalist design. The remote is comfortable to hold with either your left or right hand due to its symmetrical shape.

Some noteworthy aspects about the remote:

• It has dedicated buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. This makes it easy to quickly launch these apps.

• There is a built-in microphone to enable voice control. You can press the mic button and speak commands to navigate the TV's interface, search for content, change settings, etc. The voice recognition works very well.

• Volume and channel rockers are present near the top of the remote for easy control while watching TV. There are also dedicated buttons for input selection and quick access to settings.

• The remote lacks any playback control buttons. So if you want to pause, fast forward, etc, you'll need to use the directional pad which is less convenient.

• It uses IR to communicate with the TV instead of Bluetooth. This means you need direct line-of-sight and can't control it without pointing at the TV.

Overall, the remote included with the X80K covers the basics well. The addition of voice control via the microphone button adds convenience. But the lack of playback buttons and no Bluetooth support are disadvantages compared to some other models.

Performance

The Sony KD65X80K delivers excellent overall performance for its price range.

Picture Quality

The 4K resolution panel produces crisp, detailed images with accurate colors. It handles upsampling lower resolution content well. The X1 4K HDR processor does an admirable job of upscaling and optimizing picture quality.

While not at OLED levels, the VA panel produces deep blacks due to the high native contrast ratio. It displays rich, inky blacks in dark room viewing. Shadow details remain visible in dark scenes.

The out-of-the-box color accuracy is also very good. Colors appear natural and vibrant after some simple calibration. The panel covers over 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.

Motion Handling

The native 120Hz panel combined with Sony's Motionflow XR technology provides smooth, judder-free motion. Fast action scenes in movies, sports, and games look fluid without much blurring or ghosting effects.

The low input lag of under 20ms also ensures a responsive gaming experience with little lag.

HDR Brightness

With a peak brightness over 700 nits, the X80K delivers a satisfying HDR experience. While it can't reach the same spectacular highlights as QLED panels, the brightness is more than enough for impactful HDR in both dark and bright rooms.

It supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision formats. Tone-mapping adjusts well to prevent clipping in highlights and shadows. Overall HDR performance exceeds expectations for its class.

Who It's For

The Sony X80K is a great option for budget-minded buyers or those looking for a TV in the 65-inch range for a small or medium-sized room.

With its affordable price point, the X80K fits well for shoppers who want a big-screen 4K TV but don't necessarily need top-end features or performance. It provides good overall picture quality and smart capabilities without breaking the bank.

At this size, the X80K is well-suited for living rooms, dens, bedrooms, or other environments where you'll be sitting within 8-10 feet of the screen. It's not designed for large open concept spaces or home theater setups where viewers are further away.

For casual TV watchers who want a simple smart platform, this Sony delivers. It's not ideal for videophiles or those who want more advanced gaming performance. But for streaming, cable/satellite, and modest gaming needs, it hits the mark as a budget-friendly big screen option.

Overall, the X80K appeals to buyers looking for an affordable and decent quality 65-inch TV for their smaller household spaces. It brings good value without all the extras found on premium models.

Verdict

The Sony KD65X80K is an excellent 65-inch 4K LED TV that delivers impressive picture quality, smooth performance, and great smart features at a reasonable price point. Here's a quick rundown of the main pros and cons:

Pros

• Excellent 4K picture quality with vibrant, accurate colors and deep blacks
• Impressive upscaling of HD content
• Bright, uniform screen with wide viewing angles
• Smooth, fast response thanks to X1 4K HDR processor
• Google TV provides intuitive smart TV experience
• Works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control
• Solid audio with Dolby Atmos support

Cons

• Mediocre native contrast ratio
• Only 60Hz refresh rate may bother gamers
• Lacks more advanced gaming features like VRR
• Only 2 HDMI ports

Overall, the Sony X80K series delivers stellar 4K picture, smooth smart TV features, and a thoughtful design at an affordable price for 65 inches. For most buyers looking for a mid-range 65-inch 4K TV, the X80K is easy to recommend. It lacks some bells and whistles found on premium models, but nails the core essentials of a high-quality 4K viewing experience.