Sony 2024 Home Theater: Beyond the QD-OLED Wall and the Axisymmetric Bravia A9 or Miniled TV, or How to Play with Your Console
Through a whirlwind of demos across the sprawling Sony Pictures production lot, the event provided reviewers like me an unprecedented look behind the scenes, and behind the actual screens, of Sony’s new 2024 home theater creations. The highlight was Sony’s new flagship miniled TV, Bravia A9 and three other new televisions that represent a subtly different approach than last years lineup.
The Bravia 8 uses a regular panel rather than a QD-OLED panel. Sony says it’s 31 percent thinner than the A80L, and the company has slimmed the display’s bezels by 29 percent. The Bravia 8 includes all the same calibrated picture modes as the Bravia 9 and continues to be a strong choice for gaming with its 120Hz panel, automatic PS5 picture optimization, and game menu for quickly accessing settings. If you want to watch aTutorial while working through a level, Multi-view can now be used alongside your console input.
The company was always concerned about the details when it came to creator intent. All new TVs except for the entry-level Bravia 3 support a new mode, called Prime Video Calibrated Mode. The latter allows the TV to automatically optimize picture across movies, TV shows, and even live sports for the first time to present smoother action for, say, Monday Night Football.
The Bravia 9 retails for $3,299.99 — and that’s just for the 65-inch model. From there, it will go up in size to $7,9999.99 (75-inch) and $8,4999.99 (85-inch). For that money, you’re getting all the company’s bonus features like “X-Wide Angle” for consistent viewing angles and “X-Anti Reflection” to avoid unwanted visual distractions. The Bravia 9 also has an acoustic multi-audio system that can be used for more immersive surround sound. Sony’s built-in TV speakers are on another level compared to the mediocre drivers you often get from other brands — though you’re certainly paying through the nose for that quality.
You can combine any of these external speakers with a Bravia TV’s integrated sound, and Sony will make it all work well together by making sure each device is handling the best-suited frequency range.
And if you’re a fan of more private listening — or want to watch TV without disturbing others at night — the $299.99 Bravia Theater U neck speaker might have a unique appeal of its own. You can pair it with two devices at once, and a built-in mic allows for handling phone calls while you’re relaxing on the couch.
Tuning the LED TVs of HDR: What do we need to know about the A9, A9 and A95L techs? — Revisiting Sony’s LED TV Tech
The chief distinguished engineer of Sony, who has been working on high dynamic range technology, thinks that it is time to restart the technology. Speaking at Sony’s home theater spring showcase in March, Ogura was referring in part to the company’s latest LED TV tech, which Sony hopes will help reshape the future of HDR and bring viewers closer to the intent of creators.
I think the new system is confusing for buyers, with no easy way to distinguish between the two types of light. I was confused by the A7 mini LEDs and the A8-OLED TVs in one demonstration and I was expecting the step-down TVs to come after the A9. The A95L, meanwhile, seems adrift with no numeric connection.