Sony A95L XR55A95L 55"

Sony's QD-OLED panel is stunning once you fix the picture settings, and the audio is a revelation. But at this price, the out-of-box experience and value proposition are a letdown.

The Sony A95L is a QD-OLED masterpiece that delivers some of the most vibrant, lifelike colors we've ever seen on a TV. But it's also a perfect example of why you should never trust out-of-the-box settings. This 55-inch panel is a showcase for what Sony's Cognitive Processor XR can do when it's on its game, but a few baffling firmware decisions hold it back from total domination. If you're willing to roll up your sleeves and calibrate, you'll be rewarded with a jaw-dropping image. If you just want a TV that looks stunning right away, keep reading.

Two things surprised us. First, the audio is absurdly good. The built-in 2.2-channel, 60W speaker system landed in the 95th percentile of all TVs we've tested, delivering clear dialogue and genuine bass that embarrass most soundbars. That's a first. Second, the raw picture quality score came back at a very mediocre 36th percentile, which is nuts for a flagship QD-OLED. Out of the box, colors are overly punchy and motion smoothing is cranked up like a Best Buy demo reel. A quick trip into the settings fixes it, but at this price, you shouldn't have to do Sony's homework.

Prices swing wildly from $2,798 to $3,998 depending on the retailer. That's a $1,200 spread, so don't pay a cent over the low end. At $2,800, you're still shelling out a serious premium for Sony's processing and brand tax. Compared to the LG C5, which delivers 95% of the visual experience for several hundred less, the A95L is a tough sell unless you absolutely need the best built-in sound and upscaling.

The LG C5 Series OLED55C5PUA is the obvious rival. It's brighter in SDR, has lower input lag, and its WebOS interface feels snappier. The A95L fights back with quantum dot color that brings a richness the C5 can't touch, plus Sony's superior motion handling. If you game a lot or want the brightest HDR highlights, also consider Samsung's QN85D. That Neo QLED gets searingly bright and handles reflections like a champ, though you sacrifice true OLED blacks. For most living rooms, the A95L is the connoisseur's choice, but the C5 is the smarter buy.

If you want the best out-of-box picture without any tinkering, skip the A95L. Even at the low end of its price range, you're paying a premium for a TV that needs calibration to really shine. Instead, grab the LG C5 OLED or, if you're in a bright room, the Samsung QN85D.

The Sony A95L is a brilliant TV with the best built-in audio we've ever heard in a flat panel, and its QD-OLED panel paints one of the most beautiful pictures money can buy. But the out-of-box picture settings are a letdown, and the premium price over an LG C5 is hard to swallow. If you love tweaking settings and want peak color accuracy, it's exceptional. For everyone else, get the LG C5 and a standalone soundbar. You'll save cash and still be blown away.