Sony KDL-55W805C prices and specs

FOR

• Superlative picture quality
• Space-saving design
• Content-rich smart TV system
• Good auto picture optimisation

AGAINST

• Slightly flimsy build quality
• Android TV isn't great
• Not cheap for HD
• Average sonics

The 55W805C's design iseye-catchingly slim, and the picture quality it produces is eye-catchinglybrilliant - full of contrast, colour and clarity.
Some aspects of its smart TV system work well too.
The 55W805C's slimness proves a hurdle to really convincing sound quality, andAndroid TV proves to be something of a mess.
The set costs a lot for a non-4K TV too, though its specification elsewherejust about justifies the price.
So long as you don't see yourself being fussed about 4K for the next few years,the 55W805C is a compelling TV.
Its engagingly slim form plays host to a long list of features that includeseverything the TV needs to produce one of the finest pictures I've seen from anHD TV. It's well connected too, and while Android TV turns out to be a bit of achore it's still got plenty of smart TV appeal.

For

+ Crisp, detailed and vibrant picture

+ Strong, deep blacks

+ Good smart features

+ Sleek and sturdy build

+ Good connectivity and easy to use

Against

- Black scenes can swallow finer detail

- Colour balance could be more natural

- Standard def is quite noisy

The KDL-55W805C gives a crisp, glossy picture. All the shimmering colours in Jupiter Ascending on Blu-ray look vivid and rich, with layers of fine detail bursting out. The bright colours of the planets and shining structures pop against the deep, inky black of space – it’s quite dramatic. The Sony screen’s luscious blacks are impressive too, drawing you further into a scene.

The Sony TV is sleek and slim, with a thin sliver of bezel surrounding the 55in screen. The build is sturdy despite its elegant frame, standing firmly on a similarly sleek, metal stand which slots in neatly under the TV.
It’s not slim all the way – the back end bulges at the bottom to house the KDL-55W805C’s connections, including four HDMI inputs, three USB ports, and an optical output. Freeview HD and satellite tuners are also provided.

The Sony’s 55in screen is the biggest draw here. You could easily buy a 4K resolution screen for less (the Panasonic TX-40CX680B at £700, for instance) but you would be sacrificing the benefits of having a large, vibrant screen.
The KDL-55W805C may not be perfect, but it’s an engaging, inviting screen that is well worth a look.

Pros

•  Beautiful picture quality
•  Exceptionally space-saving design
•  Content-rich smart system

Cons

•  Android TV system doesn't impress
•  Very average audio
•  Not cheap considering it's not 4K

The 55W805C is a strikingly good screen for gaming. Input lag measures around 20ms when using the TV’s Game mode, which means it won’t be to blame for any gaming disasters you may suffer. Also, it’s great to see that the Game setting really does turn off all the picture processing for you; it doesn’t try to sneakily leave on some settings like others do.

If 4K isn’t for you, and you’re prepared to consider adding an external audio system at some point, the 55W805C’s picture quality is just about as good as HD will likely ever get.