Review: LG OLED CX

LG offers a wide range of OLED screens, and among these, the C-Series has been among the most popular. Here you get full credit for specifications and image quality, a slightly finer design than the simpler B model, without having to pay the stiff price tag for the top models in the GX and WX series. This has made the C-Series a sought-after model in the high-end class.

This year’s model CX (or C10 as it can also be pronounced) has got a new screen size in the family. In addition to the LG OLED CX (OLED65CX6LA) that we are testing here, as well as the traditional 55 ”and 77” models, it is also available in a new and interesting 48 ”format. Thus, this series should be able to offer something for everyone!

Design

The LG OLED65CX does not deny itself in what we unpack it out of the box: This OLED TV is really jam-thin! Only about 6 millimeters at the thinnest, but of course a lot thicker where speakers and power supply are located. Here, the C-Series differs from the more expensive G-Series, which has a more even thickness and is tailored for wall mounting.

OLED65GX is more intended for standing on a piece of furniture, which it manages steadily with the help of a lead-heavy base in two parts, which is screwed to the bottom of the TV. When assembled, it creates a stylish look, where the screen is slightly reclined on the table. The foot also moves the weight distribution backwards, giving better space for a soundboard right in front of the TV.

Speaking of jam: Our test screen had a noticeable bend on the way through the media jungle. This is probably due only to a packing error or external stress on the trip, but only emphasizes that one should exercise some caution when handling OLED screens. In other words: Remember to get help from a friend when it is to be carried and unpacked!

Ease of use and features

OLED65CX comes with the latest version of LG’s operating system WebOS (5.0). This year’s version has received a slight facelift. The graphical user interface feels modern, clear and easy to operate – perhaps not as intuitive as Samsung’s Tizen system, but still close. The Magic Remote remote control has a gyro control and active mouse pointer that requires some getting used to, but eventually it becomes easy to navigate through the menus.

The app selection is very good: In addition to Netflix, you get access to HBO Nordic, Amazon Prime, Rakuten, and Apple TV +, among others. LG will also roll out the new Disney + app as soon as the service becomes available in the Nordics.

The TV also supports AirPlay and Homekit, which means it can display content from Apple iOS devices and be part of a Homekit-controlled smart home.

OLED65CX also boasts of supporting HDMI 2.1 – not just on one, but all four inputs! Thus, it is future-oriented and well-prepared for modern video sources. Next-generation game consoles such as Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X will be able to display 4K video at up to 120 frames per second, and then it’s nice with a TV that supports this.

Speaking of gaming, the LG OLED65CX will work great for this. The LG screen has a very low input layer, which we measured at about 12 milliseconds. It is also packed with gaming-friendly features such as AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, which ensure smooth and clean reproduction of various types of computer graphics.

Image quality

On the image front, the CX series uses the same OLED panel and image processing as more expensive LG models, including the powerful A9 gen 3 video processor. It uses advanced machine learning to continuously monitor and improve image quality. But LG also offers a number of more neutral image modes, including the new Filmmaker Mode which eliminates all unnecessary image processing.

OLED65CX is a perfect example of the many benefits of OLED TVs. The raisin in the sausage is, as usual, the bottomless black level! The dark parts of a film scene are simply carbon black, and that also contributes to the lighter details having a completely different “impact”.
Because each pixel also has its own color and light source, the LG screen achieves a razor-sharp, smooth and seamless image with tremendous contrast.

Without the need for backlighting or mirrors behind the screen, the light distribution is also very even. This is characterized by the fact that we can view the screen obliquely from the side without the color reproduction or the grayscale being affected by the viewing angle. The same cannot be said of the QLED competitor Q95T, which gets a more washed-out feel when we look at it from the side. This is important to keep in mind if you have a large, wide room with plenty of seating, or like to watch TV while sitting at the dining table.

Just like with the more expensive design model OLED65GX, we landed on the setting “Cinema Home” as our favorite picture mode. This is a nice setting that suits most things, with beautiful, neutral colors and smooth movements. The disadvantage of the cinema setting is that it is not particularly bright. Those who watch a lot of TV in daylight will probably prefer the standard or dynamic setting. Unfortunately, the OLED screen does not thrive as well with the brightness “at full speed”: The colors bleed into each other, and do not appear as intense and clear as they do in darker environments. Here, the QLED screen from Samsung has a clear advantage with its powerful taillight: Even with floodlit rooms and plenty of sunshine from the windows, it manages to maintain a bright and contrast-rich image.

Sound quality

The LG OLED65CX is equipped with a relatively standard sound system, with stereo speakers without any additional subwoofer on the back. However, it is equipped with advanced “AI” sound processing, plus individual sound modes for, among other things, cinema, sports and music. We found that the cinema setting sounded clear and strong, with good speech intelligibility and good fullness in the bass.

Most people will probably still want to connect the LG monitor to an external soundbar. In this way, it is nice that it supports HDMI eARC, and thus is able to send high-resolution audio signals (eg Dolby Atmos in TrueHD format) to a compatible audio board.

Conclusion

OLED65CX is among the more affordable OLED screens from LG’s 2020 range. Here you get the contrast-rich image quality that characterizes OLED, combined with state-of-the-art image processing, connections and other features. We are extra pleased with the wide format support (including Dolby Vision in picture and Dolby Atmos sound) and good connectivity with HDMI 2.1, which makes this a multi-compatible and future-oriented TV. The OLED screen still lacks a bit of light intensity compared to the QLED light cannons from Samsung, we would have liked to have seen LG develop a duller contrast filter for its screens. In a slightly darker environment, however, the OLED65CX is completely unique when it comes to black level and depth feeling. If you are looking for a TV for late nights with movies, series and game entertainment, this is a perfect choice!