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  • The Picture

  • The Looks

  • The Verdict

  • The Picture
  • The Looks
  • The Verdict

This mammoth display is the spiritual successor to two other Sony 4Ks TV: the X950B and the X900B from last year. The X940C borrows the full-array local dimming tech from the former, and the side-mounted speaker design from the latter.

What's new here is Sony's re-tooled "Triluminos" quantum dot color. The X940C absolutely decimates those other two TVs in terms of color production, if what we saw in Sony's booth is anything to go by. There's also a new upscaling engine, called the 4K Processor X1, which according to Sony improves upon all resolutions, not just 1080p.

While Sony hasn't announced pricing for this hefty hunk of TV, we're guessing it's going to be extremely expensive thanks to its impressive specs and mammoth size. Not everyone is going to love the look of those big speakers, but there's some really awesome tech at work here—maybe awesome enough to make you look past them.

The Picture

Contrast? Check. Color? Quantum check.

Checking out all the new TVs at CES is a blast, but it's not always the best way to objectively analyze a TV's potential: You have no control over the content or lighting on the show floor, after all.

But from what I know about the tech packed into the X940C, I can confirm—with almost 100% certainty—that it's going to be one of the best-looking 4K TVs available this year. After all, it wields a fierce combination of local dimming and quantum dot color.

Sony XBR-75X940C

The X940C combines full-array local dimming and vivid quantum dot color to impressive results.

Last year, Sony's X950B—its flagship 4K with local dimming—won our Best of Year award for 4K LED LCD televisions. The local dimming was a huge part of that, allowing the TV to create brilliantly bright whites and beautifully deep blacks.

If the X940C wants to look as good as last year's option, it'll need a ton of local dimming zones.

It's not widely known by the general public, but the number of local dimming "zones" behind the screen has an awful lot to do with how effective it is. If the X940C wants to look as good as last year's model, it'll need a very high zone count, which will undoubtedly add to the price.

On the other hand, Sony's already done a lot of the R&D on backlight arrays, so maybe we'll see some savings on that front. Last year's full-array model had none of the ugly "blooming" associated with a low-zone-count TV, so we can only assume that the X940C will look just as polished.

Sony XBR-75X940C local dimming

Notice the absolute black level at the corner of the screen and between those... whatever those things are. This is local-dimming at work.

In terms of color, the X940C should prove to be one of the most vivid, color-capable Sony TVs in years. Sure, quantum dot technology is a big buzzword at CES this year, but it's no gimmick. The quantum-level nano-crystals emit far, far more color than standard LCDs, and it's not something you need a perfectly calibrated home theater setup to see and enjoy.

The X940C should prove to be one of the most vivid, color-capable Sony TVs in years.

Naturally, any show-floor TV needs to be approached like a wounded wolf—carefully. Sony creates and produces most of the content on display, so it's not like we've seen any real movie or TV footage, or anything that made use of the TV's new "4K Processor X1" or motion capability.

It's safe to assume, however, that the TV's resolution retention during motion and upscaling efficacy will at least be as good as the X950B from last year—a TV that greatly impressed us. We're most excited to see if Sony's claim that the new upscaler redresses and enhances sub-1080p content is true, because that would be awesome.

Sony XBR-75X940C quantum dot color

The X940C's quantum dot enhanced color is very vivid and saturated looking, even on the well-lit show floor.

The Looks

Yes, we know... the speakers are unusual. Get it out of your system.

Let me make one thing clear: I like how this TV's gigantic side-mounted speakers look.

Granted, most people who buy a huge, expensive TV like this one are going to probably have their own audio solution already, and it's understandable if you think the speakers are ugly, over-the-top, or flat-out unnecessary. But don't rain on my parade, okay?

Sony XBR-75X940C speakers

The X940C wields big side-mounted speakers with built-in woofers and tweeters. Last year, opinions on the attractiveness of this addition were mixed.

The X940C recycles Sony's aggressive "Wedge" design from last year, which means the TV tapers from fatter to slimmer, bottom to top. The added space allows the side-mounted speaker sub-woofers to vibrate enough to produce deeper bass. While we haven't listened to the X940C's speakers away from the busy show floor, we did check them out last year. We don't lab-test TV speaker sound, but on a subjective level they absolutely destroyed your typical stock 20w TV speakers.

As for features, the X940C is fully equipped to manage the oncoming 4K content revolution. (Please be oncoming, pretty please.) We haven't seen full production connectivity options yet, but we do know that the X940C should deliver HDMI inputs capable of 4K at 60Hz, and be equipped to handle the necessary HEVC/H.265 codecs.

Sony XBR-75X940C Wedge design

The X940C's "Wedge" design means it is fatter at the bottom and slimmer at the top. Aw yeah.

Sadly, we've yet to go hands-on with Sony's new Android TV platform, which the X940C will use. We may update this review with further information and impressions later in the week, but in the meantime, Android Authority has posted their take. Be sure to check it out if you're super curious.

We can say that the new Android TV smart platform will probably be a huge improvement over Sony's previous smart efforts, if only because it won't be so heavily geared towards proprietary Sony content.

Sony XBR-65X940C caltrop feet

The X940C's Y-shaped metal prong caltrop feet can be installed all the way to either side of the screen or more towards the middle.

The Verdict

You'll probably pay a lot, but it's all quality.

Huge, tech-heavy, and beautiful-looking, the 75-inch X940C looks to be one of the most promising options in 2015, even if it breaks the bank.

When the 65-inch X950B hit the market, it was over $8,000. This one is 10 inches bigger and equipped with quantum color, so don't be surprised if the price cracks the five-digit barrier.

To Sony's credit, last year's full-array iteration was one of the best 4K TVs we've ever seen; the X940C is a larger version of that, with a better upscaler, better color, and potentially better local dimming.

Over the past year, 4K TVs have gained serious momentum. The X940C is a tried-and-true, second-gen sort of product that consumers can rely on, and that alone makes it worth keeping a close eye on.

Meet the tester

Lee Neikirk

Lee Neikirk

Former Editor, Home Theater

@Koanshark

Lee was Reviewed's point person for most television and home theater products from 2012 until early 2022. Lee received Level II certification in TV calibration from the Imaging Science Foundation in 2013. As Editor of the Home Theater vertical, Lee oversaw reviews of TVs, monitors, soundbars, and Bluetooth speakers. He also reviewed headphones, and has a background in music performance.

See all of Lee Neikirk's reviews

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