SONY KD 55A1 2

Remember the kid at school who was just good at stuff? Sailed through exams, made every sports team and was annoyingly likeable? That kid is the Sony KD-55A1. If you were expecting this 4K OLED debut to come with first-time nerves, think again.

1 Straight edge

Sony’s never been one to shy away from bold design, and it’s really gone to town on the wow factor with the A1. There’s no stand here – the screen plonks straight down on top of your TV rack, so all there is facing you is the picture and its barely-there bezel. This does mean it sits on a bit of a lean – about 5° if you’re measuring – but from the front, it’s barely noticeable.

2 Part of the process

Sony is using a panel from LG in the A1. Combined with Sony’s own processing skills, the picture is an absolute treat: vivid colours are masterfully balanced with bountiful amounts of detail. Landscapes have a real sense of depth and dimension to them, while textures in hair and clothing look as crisp and insightful as if they were there in front of you.

3 Good vibrations

So does the A1’s vibrating screen tech actually work? Amazingly, it’s the absolute business. The sound comes directly at you from the screen, tying together picture and audio seamlessly. But it’s also weighty and spacious, with the ability to go really loud without sounding pushed. Big action scenes can sound a little congested, but for TV sound this is as good as you can hear.

4 Search and deploy

Sony’s turned to Android TV for its smart TV system again. This used to be an Achilles’ heel, but the app selection is better than ever before and has been bolstered by the inclusion of Youview as the set’s built-in TV offering. But with Sony, Google and Youview all in charge of little bits of the interface, navigating isn’t the most homogenous of experiences.

Screen 55in 3840x2160 OLED with HDR OS Android 6.0 Connectivity HDMI (x4), optical out, Ethernet, Wi-fi Dimensions 711x1228x86mm, 25 kg Stuff says ★★★★★ Sony’s 4K OLED debut is a stunnin set with a truly outstandin picture, oreous desin and reat sound

The A1’s HD upscaling really proves its class. It’s still a hugely insightful picture, with sharp outlines and no discernible noise.