Sony's OLED A1E 4K Television Hits Store Shelves

Sony's OLED A1E 4K Television Hits Store Shelves​

Sony(April 14, 2017) One of the more exciting tech reveals at CES 2017 was Sony Electronics new A1E BRAVIA 4K OLED TV. Sony, which has staunchly navigated the HD and 4K television marketplace using various LCD technologies, announced its future OLED-based line late last year. Now, buyers have access to the television model in stores nationwide. This is certainly exciting news for enthusiasts looking for options beyond LG’s successful OLED sets, but it also introduces much needed competition in the segment that’s sure to lower prices and spawn innovation.

Using LG’s OLED panel technology, the A1E pairs LG’s panel with Sony’s exclusive image processor and one of the coolest audio delivery systems in television history. The “4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme” advanced image engine is designed to deliver improved color accuracy, support for HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision, and upconversion of non-HDR material via contrast optimization. It also delivers “Super Bit Mapping” which helps to smooth picture processing to eliminate banding and other nasty image artifacts.

The A1E’s speaker system is, unbelievably, the screen itself. Dubbed “Acoustic Surface Sound Technology,” Sony has taken advantage of the OLED’s backlight-less structure to allow the entire screen to resonate to create sound. Not only does this remove the need for bulky speakers, but it also helps to focus sound directionality from the screen. Low frequencies are created using a subwoofer hidden in the A1E’s easel support stand, which can be folded to the back of the television when wall mounted.

“With over 10 years of OLED experience Sony is pleased to introduce the BRAVIA OLED 4K HDR TV, its first large screen consumer OLED television,” said Kevin Brinkman, Director of Product Marketing, TV and Projectors, North America. “Our long experience with OLED technology, together with the new 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme, meant that this was the right time to return to the consumer OLED market. The A1E features a powerful mix of our exclusive image processing with a striking new design concept that is sure to make an impression in anyone’s home.”

The A1E's easel stand houses the television's subwoofer unit.The A1E’s Smart TV functionality is designed around Android TV, which delivers access to most of the typical streaming services in addition to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Starting mid spring, anyone who buys a new Sony Premium 4K HDR Ultra HD TV will receive a Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 4K movie to watch on Google Play and three months of access to Google Play Music.

The cost of the A1E is fairly competitive with available OLED models from LG. Introductory MSRP pricing is $4,999 for the 55-inch XBR-55A1E and $6,499 for the 65-inch XBR-65A1E. Pricing for the 77-inch XBR-77A1E will be released at a later date.

For more information visit Sony on the web.

 

[JimShaw]

From what I saw the bass is possibly in the stand and the higher frequencies are through the panel

 

[Robert Zohn]

Correct, the easel stand has the sub woofer built-in and the left/right actuators create the stereo sound waves.

Regarding the panel vibration, we have not experienced any vibration even when the volume is turned up to max. Not sure why that is happening on Best Buy's 55" A1E.

 

[Jon Liu]

Went to my local Best Buy to check out the A1E for myself. Fantastic looking Display. I really want to get the demo they were showing and check it out on my OLED.

As far as the panel coming from the sound, it was impressive; actually surprising just how good the sound was! I did notice panel vibration as well and that just slightly concerns me for reasons already stated and considered. It's only a slight vibration, but still, for people who might be using this TV without a soundbar or sound system, just how much can or will that affect the display's life?

I guess time will tell!

 

[Robert Zohn]

I can't get any of our A1E to vibrate. I've tried max volume and varied content.

 

[JimShaw]

There is another B.B. close by that should have the Sony on demo by the 7th. I'll stop by and see how that panel is doing in regards to vibration.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I can't get any of our A1E to vibrate. I've tried max volume and varied content.

Robert- what frequencies does the panel vs stand handle? It's not identified anywhere in the literature.

 

[Robert Zohn]

I don't know, but asked one of my Sony tech friends and will get back once he replies.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'm going to guess that the "bass module" stand handles quite a bit of the load...

 

[Robert Zohn]

Here's the exact cut and paste reply from Sony:

"While we don't list the exact crossover frequency, the panel reproduces over 90% of the sound you hear.

The system is full range but if the owner desires even more bass they can add an additional Subwoofer. The audio output jack on the back can be switched from Headphone to Subwoofer out in the TV's settings menu."

I did not know this and love the switchable Headphone/Sub out capability on the A1E.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Interesting... so the bass module probably handles (total guess...) 60Hz (possibly up to 100Hz) to 2000Hz... and the screen handles everything above?

Very interesting... I'd be curious to see a FR graph off the TV to see how low it goes.

Thanks for the info!

 

[JimShaw]

Found another Sony at a Best Buy a few miles from where I live.

It was a 65" sitting on a cabinet using the Sony built-in stand.

I found the remote and played with the set's volume. There was vibration and it was caused by the sub-woofer. When no base was heard in the audio, no vibration. When base was present, vibration.

Both sets that I have heard sat on Sony's built-in stand. Would there be a difference if the Sony was hanging????

By the way, that is one beautiful set.

.

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

I doubt that the vibration would cause a problem with the OLED itself, but connections are another matter over the long term.

 

[Robert Zohn]

Jim, thanks for checking this out and confirming.

We have several A1Es on the easel stands and one wall mounted in our showroom. I try them again with some content that has a low frequency base. I may not be able to reproduce it as my cabinets have thick tempered glass tops and one is wall mounted and I assume the easel that houses the sub woofer may be vibrating the counter top that passes to the screen as it sits on the table top. Just a guess.

 

[JimShaw]

Jim, thanks for checking this out and confirming.

We have several A1Es on the easel stands and one wall mounted in our showroom. I try them again with some content that has a low frequency base. I may not be able to reproduce it as my cabinets have thick tempered glass tops and one is wall mounted and I assume the easel that houses the sub woofer may be vibrating the counter top that passes to the screen as it sits on the table top. Just a guess.

That's a possibility. Both sets that I have played with have been on a wooden cabinet designed inexpensively to house components.

There is another B.B. that will hang it's 65" next week. I'll go an play with that set.


.

 

[typ44q]

I picked up the 65" A1E a few weeks ago and absolutely love it. I have mine wall mounted and do not really listen to the "built in" speakers but when I have I never noticed any weird vibrations as others are describing.
I thought I read somewhere that the sub gets deactivated when it is folded up in the wall mount position? If this is true (I could of imagined it) it could explain why I do not experience the vibration issue.

 

[JimShaw]

That is exactly what I have found. When the sub plays, there is a vibration felt on the panel

 

[typ44q]

Yes a slight vibration can be felt (if it is making sound, something HAS to be vibrating) but it is not visually noticeable when looking at the screen.

 

[mechman]

Man I'm jealous!

 

[Todd Anderson]

What a great concept...

Jim, when you say a vibration can be felt...are you also seeing it?

 

[JimShaw]

No. Have not seen it, only felt it.