Sony KD65X85K 65 inch TV: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Sony KD65X85K is a 65-inch 4K LED TV from Sony's 2022 X85K series line-up. Sony has long been a leader in consumer electronics and produces premium TVs to compete with the top brands like Samsung and LG. The X85K series sits in the upper mid-range of Sony's offerings, providing high-end features and performance at a more accessible price point compared to their top-of-the-line Z9 and A95 models. As a 2022 model, the KD65X85K comes equipped with the latest display technologies and smart TV capabilities. Key features include a 4K resolution LED display, full array LED backlighting with local dimming, the Google TV smart platform, advanced gaming features, and extensive connectivity options. With sleek minimalist styling and Sony's reputation for quality, the X85K aims to deliver an immersive viewing experience for movies, sports, gaming and more. This review will take a deeper look at the design, display performance, features and overall value offered by the 65-inch Sony KD65X85K 4K LED TV.

Design

The Sony KD65X85K has an attractive, minimalist design that will blend in nicely with most living room decors. The TV itself has slim bezels around the display that help keep the focus on the picture. The included stand has a wide, centrally-mounted pedestal design that provides sturdy support.

At 57" x 35" x 2.75" without the stand, this is a large TV but fairly average in depth compared to similar models. The included stand adds 9.25" of height. The TV is VESA mount compatible for those who want to wall mount.

One notable element of the design is the cable management system in the stand, which helps keep cords neatly organized and out of sight. Overall, the simple design with thin bezels and a slim profile gives this TV a sleek, modern aesthetic.

The design of the Sony KD65X85K contrasts nicely with other 65-inch TVs on the market, such as the TCL 65S450F. While the Sony has a minimalist look, the TCL model has thicker bezels and a more utilitarian design. The stand on the TCL is simple plastic legs on the edges rather than a central pedestal. This gives it a wider footprint that may not fit as cleanly on some TV stands.

The cable management system on the Sony is more advanced than on the TCL model. Overall, the Sony aims for a sleeker, more refined look while the TCL prioritizes function over form. For those wanting a TV that makes a design statement, the Sony is likely the better choice over the more budget-friendly but basic TCL model.

In terms of dimensions, the TCL 65S450F is slightly larger at 57.1" x 35.9" x 11.4" without stand and 12.6" high with stand. So it is deeper but not quite as wide as the Sony. The plastic legs on the TCL stand also give it a wider footprint. This further contrasts with the streamlined pedestal stand on the Sony model.

When wall mounted, the Sony's slimmer profile will stand out compared to the thicker TCL model. So if wall mounting is planned, the Sony has a neater, more integrated look. The minimal bezels help it blend into the wall versus the more prominent plastic edges on the TCL.

Overall, the design differences between these two 65-inch TVs reflect their pricing and target customer. The Sony aims for a premium, refined look befitting a higher-end model. Meanwhile the TCL focuses more on function over form at its lower price point. Consumers wanting robust design will gravitate to the Sony but budget buyers get decent quality with the TCL model.

Display Quality

The Sony KD65X85K has an impressive display with 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), which provides stunning clarity and detail. The TV utilizes Sony's XR Triluminos Pro color and XR Contrast Booster to produce vibrant, accurate colors and deep blacks.

With a native 120Hz refresh rate, action scenes and sports have smooth, blur-free motion. The TV also supports variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM) for optimized gaming performance when connected to a compatible device.

Brightness is excellent at over 700 nits for HDR content, making highlights really pop. The high contrast ratio exceeds 6000:1 for inky blacks adjacent to bright areas. Even in a well-lit room, images remain crisp and vivid on the screen.

Viewing angles are also very wide thanks to the VA panel. Color and contrast remain consistent even when viewing from the side at up to 70 degrees off-center. The anti-reflective coating helps minimize glare too. Overall, the X85K provides an immersive viewing experience with its top-notch display quality.

If you're looking for an even higher-end 65-inch Sony TV, check out the Sony XR65X90L. This flagship 4K LED TV delivers best-in-class picture performance powered by Sony's advanced XR Cognitive Processor. It features XR Contrast Booster 10 for incredible dynamic range with deep blacks and peak brightness exceeding 1000 nits. The XR Triluminos Pro color reproduction is also superb, producing natural, accurate colors. Gaming is enhanced by cutting-edge features like 4K 120fps, VRR, and ALLM. The XR65X90L utilizes Sony's Acoustic Multi-Audio sound system for immersive audio too. With its cognitive intelligence, masterful image processing, and future-ready capabilities, the XR65X90L represents the pinnacle of LED TV technology from Sony in 2022.

Sound Quality

The Sony KD65X85K comes equipped with great audio capabilities to provide an immersive listening experience. It has two 10W speakers that deliver robust and dynamic sound for all your entertainment needs. With 20W of total audio power, the TV can easily fill a room with clear audio even at high volumes without distortion.

For sound formats, the KD65X85K supports Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos decoding. Dolby Audio helps to create multi-dimensional sound by optimizing audio settings for the content being played. Dolby Atmos goes a step further and produces three-dimensional sound that seems to come at you from all directions. With surround sound capabilities, action movies and intense gaming scenes really come to life with seamless panning effects.

The speakers also utilize Sony's X-Balanced Speaker technology, which allows the TV to produce sound from a wider area. This gives it a more expansive soundstage compared to regular TV speakers. Voices come through clearly and the overall sound reproduction is very accurate and natural. Whether you're watching the evening news or the big game, the KD65X85K delivers an immersive audio experience.

Smart Features

The Sony KD65X85K runs on the Google TV operating system, providing access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and more. Google TV has a clean, intuitive interface that makes finding content easy. It supports voice control through Google Assistant, allowing you to launch apps, search for movies, adjust settings, and more using voice commands.

Some of the smart features include:

• Google TV OS - Simple home screen with personalized recommendations and search results. Integrated Google Assistant for voice control.

• Apps - Comes with popular pre-installed apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, Apple TV, and more. Google Play Store gives access to thousands of apps.

• Chromecast - Cast movies, shows, and music directly from your mobile device to the TV. Works with both Android and iOS.

• Works with Alexa - Use Amazon Alexa devices for hands-free voice control of TV functions.

• Apple AirPlay - Mirror content from Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Share photos, videos, music etc.

• Google Assistant - Quickly launch apps, search for entertainment, get answers, control smart home devices and more using your voice.

The Sony 65" X85K has a great smart TV platform that makes it easy to find and access content. Key features like Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and voice control give you multiple ways to control and interact with the TV.

Connectivity

The Sony X85K has excellent connectivity options for all of your entertainment needs.

HDMI

The X85K has 4 HDMI inputs, including 2 HDMI 2.1 ports. The HDMI 2.1 inputs allow you to connect next-gen gaming consoles and take advantage of advanced gaming features like 4K 120fps. The additional HDMI ports give you plenty of options to connect cable boxes, Blu-ray players, streaming devices and more.

USB

For easy access and playback of media files, the X85K has 3 USB ports. You can connect a hard drive, thumb drive or other USB device to play videos, music and photos in brilliant 4K.

WiFi & Bluetooth

Built-in WiFi (802.11ac) provides fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The TV also has Bluetooth 4.2, allowing you to pair wireless headphones, speakers or other accessories. Setup and connectivity are quick and easy.

Performance

The Sony KD65X85K features the powerful X1 4K HDR processor that delivers a crystal-clear 4K picture. The advanced processor uses object-based HDR remastering to detect and analyze objects individually for realistic depth and detailed textures.

In terms of speed, the television has a fast response time thanks to X-Motion Clarity technology. This inserts frames to minimize motion blur, resulting in smooth, fluid video with minimal lag. The Auto Mode also automatically adjusts settings to match the content, optimizing response time.

The Google TV interface is quick and responsive. The quad-core processor ensures smooth navigation and quick app launching. Even when multitasking and bouncing between apps, the interface remains speedy.

Overall, the fast processor and motion technologies allow the Sony X85K to deliver a responsive, lag-free viewing experience ideal for fast-action content like sports and gaming. The intuitive Google TV platform also impresses with its snappy performance.

Extra Features

Sony's X85K series comes loaded with features to elevate your viewing experience. One of the standout extras is Ambient optimization, which uses a light sensor to automatically adjust the picture based on your room's lighting conditions. This helps maintain ideal brightness and prevents glare.

For gaming, the TV has a dedicated Game Mode to reduce input lag. When enabled, latency is minimized to ensure responsive gameplay. The TV also supports variable refresh rate technologies like AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-SYNC Compatible for smooth visuals when console gaming. Auto low latency mode detects when a gaming device is connected and automatically switches to low latency settings too.

Along with gaming-centric additions, the X85K is equipped with Motionflow XR that uses black frame insertion to make fast action scenes look crisp. Reality Creation also upscales and refines content to near 4K quality.

Pros & Cons

Summary of Positives

• Impressive 4K HDR picture quality with deep blacks and accurate colors
• X1 processor delivers smooth motion and upscaling
• Acoustic Multi-Audio for immersive sound with two rear speakers
• Extensive smart TV platform with Google TV
• Low input lag for gaming
• Support for HDMI 2.1 features like 4K 120fps, VRR, and ALLM
• Hands-free voice controls with built-in Google Assistant
• Solid connectivity with 4 HDMI ports

Summary of Negatives

• Mediocre sound quality from the built-in speakers
• Lacks Dolby Vision support
• Prone to reflection and glare with non-matte display
• Only 60Hz native refresh rate
• Lacks advanced gaming features like FreeSync
• No USB ports on the side for easy access
• Small power brick integrated into the power cable

Conclusion

The Sony KD65X85K is an impressive 65-inch 4K LED TV that offers a lot for its price point. It has a sleek and minimalist design that will look great in any living room. The picture quality is excellent thanks to Sony's X1 4K HDR processor that helps upscale lower resolution content to near 4K quality. It also handles fast motion scenes very well with minimal blurring.

For audio, the KD65X85K includes Sony's X-Balanced Speakers which provide good stereo separation and dialogue clarity. The addition of Dolby Atmos support also helps create an immersive surround sound experience. The TV runs on Google's Android TV platform which gives you access to a wide selection of apps and streaming services. It also has built-in Chromecast and works with Google Assistant for hands-free voice controls.

When it comes to connectivity, this TV covers all the essentials with 4 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Gaming performance is solid thanks to the low input lag and Auto Game Mode. Extra features like Ambient Optimization and Voice Zoom help improve the viewing experience.

Overall, the Sony KD65X85K is an excellent mid-range 65-inch 4K TV that offers stellar picture quality, great sound, and a robust smart TV experience. It's easy to recommend for buyers looking for a big screen TV with lots of features without spending too much. The sleek design, vivid display, and multiple connectivity options make this a great choice for both movies and gaming.