## Sony Bravia X80L Review: A Near-Perfect TV With Two Big Flaws
The Sony Bravia X80L is a popular choice for TV enthusiasts. It’s a mini-LED TV that, while still expensive, comes in at a lower price point than the flagship Bravia X90L. And because it’s a Sony, we naturally expect greatness. In many ways, it delivers. But the X80L is also a curious TV. I’ve never reviewed a TV that aced so many tests but still left me hesitant to give an unqualified recommendation.
The X80L is a significant upgrade over last year’s Sony X90L in almost every way. While it doesn’t quite match the aggressive performance of the top-of-the-line X90L, it’s still an incredible TV. However, the number of people I’d recommend the X80L to is surprisingly small. Let’s delve into the details to understand why.
Setting Up and Daily Use
Right out of the box, the X80L wins points for its easy setup. The feet are adjustable in both width and height, and they simply slot into place without requiring any screws. While you’ll need to adjust screws for higher placement to accommodate soundbars, most users can get the TV up and running quickly and easily.
The X80L looks and feels premium, exuding a sense of quality. The user interface is super easy to navigate. Sony has built a custom UI that sits over Google TV, and it’s currently my favorite amongst TV manufacturers (although, to be fair, I haven’t had a chance to try the new Panasonics yet). While Sony’s UI is undoubtedly better than the competition, it’s not perfect. The remote, while looking different thanks to its use of Sony’s SORPLAS recycled plastics material, isn’t backlit or rechargeable like the X90L. It’s a small detail, but worth noting.
Connectivity and Sound Quality
Sony doesn’t manufacture its own system on a chip (SOC), but it does program the chips with its proprietary technology. This means the X80L only boasts two HDMI 2.1 inputs, one of which is the eARC port. While this won’t be a problem for most viewers, it could pose a challenge for gamers wanting to connect both the latest Xbox and PlayStation or a gaming PC. This limitation is due to the SOC, not Sony’s design decisions, so don’t blame Sony for it!
The X80L’s sound quality earns a solid thumbs up. It delivers crystal clear sound with good balance and decent fidelity. While bass and presence could be a bit stronger, the clear voice intelligibility is a major win. It’s not quite as impressive as some of the Hisense TVs, but it’s still a respectable performance. The sound quality isn’t good enough to warrant using Sony’s acoustic center sync with the Bravia Theater Quad system. The Theater Quad’s phantom center is impressive, and the TV’s speakers will only detract from the overall experience.
Picture Quality: Pros and Cons
The X80L excels in picture quality, offering vibrant, accurate colors and stunning clarity. It’s a significant improvement over the Hisense U8 and TCL QM8, and it surpasses the Samsung Q90D in several aspects. Here’s a breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses:
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Brightness:
The X80L’s brightness is truly impressive. While it may not measure as high as the Hisense U8 or TCL QM8, the perceived brightness is on par with those TVs, delivering a truly stunning viewing experience. But remember, this requires proper setup.*
Contrast:
The backlight control is excellent. While there’s occasional minor haloing around moving objects, it’s only noticeable during close inspection. Most viewers will be completely unaware of this minor imperfection. The X80L surpasses most of its mini-LED competition for real-world viewing, even with fewer zones.*
Color:
The X80L shines in color accuracy, both in SDR and HDR. It’s a true champion, earning top marks for its performance.*
Motion:
Sony is a leader in motion processing, with smooth and crisp movement. LG is a close competitor, and Panasonic is quickly catching up.*
Upscaling:
The X80L’s upscaling and low bitrate content clean-up are some of the best in the market. LG is a close contender, but Sony truly excels in this area.*
Gaming:
The X80L delivers an excellent gaming experience, even for casual gamers like myself. While I don’t care about 144Hz, the VRR feature is a nice bonus, and the 4K/60 gameplay is smooth and immersive.The Cons: Off-Angle Viewing and Reflection Handling
Unfortunately, the X80L has two major flaws that significantly hinder its overall appeal:
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Off-Angle Performance:
The X80L’s off-angle viewing is a significant disappointment, especially for a TV at this price point. Samsung has developed some truly impressive off-angle viewing technology, and it’s disappointing that Sony hasn’t implemented similar features in the X80L. The limited availability of ADS Pro panels, which offer superior off-angle viewing, in larger sizes could be a factor, but Sony could still implement an off-angle improvement filter to mitigate this issue. If you have a large screen and a narrow seating arrangement, this may not be a concern, but for viewers sitting on the sides of a large sectional sofa in a spacious living room, the picture quality will degrade significantly. It’s a major disappointment that limits the X80L’s versatility.*
Reflection Handling:
The anti-glare, anti-reflection treatment on the X80L is perplexing. It’s clear that some kind of treatment is in place, but it’s not very effective. Any illuminated objects behind the viewer, even those that aren’t direct light sources, will be reflected on the screen during medium to dark scenes. While the TV can get bright enough to combat ambient light, it’s not ideal for daytime viewing in a living room with light coming in from behind. It makes the X80L feel less like a daytime TV and more like a dark mirror.Final Verdict: A Great TV With Limitations
The X80L’s off-angle viewing and reflection handling are serious setbacks for a TV at this price point. It’s incredibly frustrating, considering the TV excels in nearly every other aspect, delivering a truly top-notch viewing experience. Overall, the X80L is a very good TV, offering stunning picture quality and an easy-to-use interface. It’s undoubtedly a step forward for Sony and delivers a truly enjoyable viewing experience. However, its limitations make it less ideal for typical living rooms, especially those with larger seating arrangements or windows behind the TV. If you have a dedicated entertainment space with controlled lighting, the X80L could be a fantastic choice. But for most viewers, its limitations may make it a less attractive option, especially considering the price.
The X80L is a fantastic TV that’s nearly perfect, but those two drawbacks keep it from being a universally recommended choice. If you’re looking for a TV with stunning picture quality and you’re willing to accept some compromises, the X80L could be a good fit. But if you’re looking for a TV that excels in every aspect and can be placed in almost any room, you might need to consider other options.