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Sony's fixing the wrong panel problems while showing off its new 'RGB LED' backlight tech with outrageous colours and brightness

Sony's fixing the wrong panel problems while showing off its new 'RGB LED' backlight tech with outrageous colours and brightness

Yahoo16-03-2025

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Sony has taken the wraps off a new backlight tech for LCD panels known as RGB LED. In really simple terms, it's similar to existing mini-LED backlight tech, such as that offered by the BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX, but with coloured RGB lighting zones as opposed to monochrome blue LEDs moderated by a quantum dot layer. Sony claims the results include much wider colour rendering, plus increased brightness.
How much better? Sony says colour space coverage is increased to 90% Rec.2020, while peak brightness jumps up to 4000 nits, all while delivering improved viewing angles.
To put that into context, those kinds of numbers are similar to a professional video grading monitor costing tens of thousands of dollars. So, in at least some respects, this technology looks very impressive indeed. The colours are likely to be outrageous, as is the peak brightness and overall visual pop and punch. However, there is a catch.
According to FlatpanelsHD, the demo screen Sony showed off had 3,840 dimming zones. That's an increase over most existing mini-LED displays. Sony's current high-end 75-inch Bravia 9 TV has 2,800 dimming zones and the BenQ monitor mentioned above has 1,152 zones.
However, it still means that the display tech shares one dimming zone across 2,160 pixels on a 4K panel. In other words, if you want to light up just one pixel, you also have to drive a backlight zone covering another 2,159 pixels.
Of course, few image details are just one pixel. But a point of light like a star might be just tens of pixels, which is still much, much smaller than the 2,000-plus pixels of an RGB LED dimming zone.
Likewise, correctly rendering the edge of a bright object on a dark background requires per-pixel precision. So, this new tech does little to solve the basic lighting precision problem of mini-LED compared to a per-pixel technology like OLED.
The difference here is that instead of uniform white halos around small, bright details, the halo colour will vary according to the colour of the object being rendered. Sony says it has a new advanced backlight control chip to help compensate for the inherent shortcomings of low-resolution local dimming. But the fundamental issues remain.
How much all of this is a problem depends on both personal preference and the image being shown. For a really bright movie or game scene, something sunny and outdoor, this new panel tech will probably be utterly amazing. But for darker scenes, or images with a mix of very bright and very dark objects, it will retain major issues.
Of course, OLED tech has its own issues. The best current OLED monitor tech, such as the Dough Spectrum Black 32 OLED, can only hit a feeble 275 nits for full-screen brightness. And even next-gen OLED panel technology from LG and Samsung is only promising to increase that to around 400 nits, miles short of the thousands of nit mini-LED and indeed Sony's new RGB LED can achieve.
All of which means for the foreseeable future, there will be no single screen tech that excels everywhere. But given how bright and vivid mini-LED tech already is, I can't help feeling Sony is solving the wrong problem here. What backlit LCD panels need more than anything is more lighting precision, not even more outright punch.
Anyway, as for when you might see this new RGB LED tech in a screen you can buy, that's not totally clear. Sony says the technology will go into mass production later this year, so it will probably be in TVs some time in 2026. Whether it comes to PC monitors is another matter. But if it truly does offer clear advantages, you can probably expect something similar to appear in PC monitors before long.
Best CPU for gaming: Top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game first.

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Bose Vs. Sony: Which Headphones Are Best?
Bose Vs. Sony: Which Headphones Are Best?

Forbes

time2 hours ago

  • Forbes

Bose Vs. Sony: Which Headphones Are Best?

A good pair of headphones should accomplish three tasks: They should have stellar audio quality, exceptional active noise cancellation (ANC) and a long battery life to last through an international flight. Two of my favorite pairs of wireless headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Ultras and the Sony WH-1000XM6s, go toe to toe with these must-have features. But if you're stuck trying to decide between Bose versus Sony headphones, there are a few things to consider before you add them to your cart. I tested both pairs of headphones for at least three weeks to determine which pair is best. The short answer: It's complicated, and it truly comes down to what you're seeking to get out of your next pair of wireless headphones. Here are the standout features, and here's what can help you decide between Bose versus Sony headphones. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life: 24 hours (with ANC) | Drivers: 35mm | Weight: 9 ounces | Case: Hard case | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (up to two connections) | Wired connectivity: 2.5mm Best for: Skip if: Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life: 30 hours (with ANC) | Drivers: 30mm | Weight: 8.9 ounces | Case: Hard case | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (up to two connections) | Wired connectivity: 3.5mm Best for: Skip if: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are built of mostly plastic, and it's this plastic that's my main knock against the brand. For a flagship pair of headphones, the design feels a little cheap. That shouldn't sway die-hard audiophiles from this pair of headphones, though. The Bose QuietComfort Ultras are sturdy—I've taken them on multiple international flights, dropped them and more. I also don't use the bulky carry case because it's just another thing to haul on a plane. To date, they still look brand-new, so they're pretty darn sturdy. The design has plush, swappable leatherette ear pads that are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The longest flight I've taken this pair on was a 13-hour flight to Seoul, South Korea; I wore them most of that flight with my glasses on in comfort. I only wish that the design was a little less front and center and mechanical. While Bose prides itself on its audio quality (more on that in a second), it looks very utilitarian. While the Bose headphones have a design that feels more mechanical, Sony opted for a sleeker build. Bose places its branding front and center on each ear cup; you know that someone is wearing the Bose headphones. Sony keeps its branding more subtle, placing it just above the ear cup. I'm a huge fan, and it's a good design choice—the headphones look luxe. Another feature that Sony added back into the headphones' design from their predecessor, the WH-1000XM5s? A foldable design. The WH-1000XM5s couldn't fold into a more portable package; they could only flip the ear cups in and out. It's a necessary addition, and I'm glad Sony added it back in. When I initially unboxed them, I worried that the swappable ear cups—less plush than the Bose headphones I tested—might not be enough to wear for long periods of time. The headphones quickly proved me wrong. Glasses wearers may have some minor wear issues, but that's not my biggest design gripe: The midnight blue color I received shows my fingerprints and natural facial oils. It's easy to wipe it down, but I recommend opting for the Platinum Silver finish to reduce the dirt. If you had asked me even a couple of months ago which pair of headphones had the better sound quality, I would have said without hesitation: It's Bose. Now that the Sony WH-1000XM6s have launched, it's more complicated. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones have a rich audio quality, and it's partially why I named them the best wireless headphones you can buy right now. They can easily hit deep bass frequencies with ease on Ashnikko's and Kendrick Lamar's songs, and the audio balance in Remi Wolf's funk-infused 'Cinderella' and 'Photo ID' is simply lovely. Bose also stands out for its intuitive app. Don't expect dedicated EQ presets, as Bose doesn't offer any, but you can adjust bass, mids and trebles up and down six points to find a sound that suits you. The app also offers two other listening modes, Motion and Still. Motion puts you in the center of the action for a more immersive experience, while Still is built for when you're sitting at your desk. Turn your head to the left and right, and the music stays firmly in front of you for a concert-like sound. These come at the minor cost of audio quality, though. The Bose headphones also offer a slew of technologies to keep the audio quality consistent. Your headphones are only as good as the data transfer. These headphones include aptX Adaptive codec, which can dynamically transfer higher amounts of data, and thus higher-resolution audio quality; it's specifically for Android. The headphones also offer advanced audio coding (AAC), which essentially does what aptX does, only for Apple devices, so its audio quality is great across both Android and iOS devices. Whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5s couldn't match the Bose QuietComfort Ultras, the Sony WH-1000XM6s now rival the competition. Bose sounds more professionally balanced, or 'cinematic,' if you will, and can immerse you in the action with those modes; Sony focuses on putting you in the center of the action. 'Ma Meilleure Ennemie' and 'Sucker' from the Arcane soundtrack sound more like they're being performed live in my living room, and it's a boon to the listening experience. The headphones support LDAC, which is a sound codec that allows for more data transfer, and thus allows for a richer audio experience. They also support AAC, but not aptX Adaptive. That said, the Sony Sound Connect app is lackluster: It's not nearly as intuitive as the Bose app. Open it, and you can see Ambient Sound Control, which controls your ANC. You can also see what's called Listening Mode; this mode gives you two different sub-modes to turn your music into a background 'coffee shop' sound or cinema mode for movies. To be blunt, these modes are mediocre. You can choose from a handful of EQ presets, or you can create custom EQ if you prefer. You can do this by listening through a couple of different options to find your preferred balance. There are a slew of other features, like spatial audio, scene analyzers (which can analyze your environment and make audio adjustments on the fly) and listening habits, the latter of which can help you maintain safe listening levels, but they're sprinkled in hard-to-find spots. If you prefer a more lifelike experience to your listening, the Sony WH-1000XM6s should be your go-to. Just keep in mind that the app may be difficult for you to navigate at times. However, if you prefer more cinematic listening sessions, the Bose headphones are best for you. You really can't go wrong with either in terms of audio quality; both are rich and detailed. The Bose QuietComfort Ultras can last up to 24 hours on a single charge, but there are a few caveats to hit that number. For one, the Motion and Still immersive modes need to be off; using them drains more battery, to around 18 hours. If they get low on battery, a 15-minute charge gets 2.5 hours of music playback, which is significantly more time for less playback than Sony offers. The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones can last up to 30 hours—with ANC on. That's a massive difference that, if you tend to take long-haul flights or forget to charge your headphones, can make or break your listening experience. In the event you do forget to charge them, three minutes of charging can get three hours of music playback in a pinch. If you frequently forget to charge your headphones, pick up the Sony headphones. Both pairs of headphones offer stellar noise-cancellation technology, and both dive deeper so you can get the level of ANC that you prefer. Bose offers three different modes: Aware, which is a transparency mode so you can hear outside noises; Immersion, which turns on Still or Motion, depending on your preferences; and Quiet, which is the ANC mode. It's worth noting that while Quiet mode offers noise control, it's locked, so you can't change it. But you also shouldn't have to change it—the ANC is powerful enough that airplane engines sound whisper quiet, which is exactly what you want in a pair of noise-canceling headphones. In fact, these are currently my best noise-canceling headphones pick. Sony's WH-1000XM6s offers three modes, too: Off, which turns off the transparency and the noise-canceling modes; Ambient Sound, which is the transparency mode; and Noise Canceling, which activates the ANC. It's good enough for most needs, but I live next to not one but two elementary schools, and I look out onto a lovely park. When the children get out and play at the park, I can still hear some sounds slip past the ANC. It also couldn't compete against the New York City subway noise as trains whizzed by me. It's on par with Bose, but Bose slightly edges out the Sony WH-1000XM6s. If you value ANC above all else, Bose is the answer here, and you should opt for them. If you're considering the Bose versus Sony headphones, it boils down to a few features. Both have incredible audio quality that showcase a rich audio quality. Both are very comfortable, and both have a sturdy, durable build that should last for some time. If you tend to forget to charge your gear, the Sony headphones may be the better option: It's hard to put a price on that 30-hour battery life. And if you prefer a sleeker design, the Sony headphones are the best choice for you. However, if you want unparalleled ANC, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones should be your pick. There's also something to be said about using an intuitive app. I've found Bose's app easy to use in my two years of experience testing them as my main pair of travel headphones, and that's important when you're on the move. The Forbes Vetted team has published hundreds of tech and electronics guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research, including audio stories for all of your listening needs, like wireless headphones, wireless earbuds, outdoor speakers and more.

Hot deal: Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and get a free $30 gift card!
Hot deal: Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and get a free $30 gift card!

Android Authority

time5 hours ago

  • Android Authority

Hot deal: Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and get a free $30 gift card!

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones were just launched last month, so it makes sense we haven't seen any discounts yet. Add the fact that they are among the most sought-after headphones right now, and it makes sense that Sony needs no sales to sell them. Here's the first offer we've seen on them, but it isn't exactly a price cut. Instead, you are getting a free $30 gift card as a nice little incentive right now. Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 and get a $30 gift card for $448 ($31.99 off) This offer is available from Amazon. The sale applies to all color versions available, which include Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver. Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones with $30 gift card Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones with $30 gift card The next iteration of the best Sony headphones The Sony WH-1000XM6 is every bit a worthy successor to Sony's other ANC headphones as you'd hope. They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users. However, the lack of cutting-edge connection options might be an issue as the years go by. See price at Amazon Save $31.99 Limited Time Deal! It's always nice to write about first-time offers, especially for products as special as the Sony WH-1000XM6. Yes, this is the first time we've seen any sale on these headphones, and they are awesome cans. In fact, our experts at already listed this as the top pick on their list of the best headphones. That's for multiple reasons, as they excel in various departments. These offer a great overall experience. For starters, the sound quality is outstanding, and so is the ANC performance. If you want to enjoy your tunes in high quality with no distractions from external noise, very few will get close to competing with the Sony WH-1000XM6. We even loved the microphone, so these are great for calls, too. Of course, you'll also get plenty of great features. These include Bluetooth Multipoint, spatial audio, a 10-band equalizer, DSEE extreme, a volume limiter option, and more. Additionally, battery life is quite outstanding at 37 hours and 14 minutes on a full charge, based on SoundGuys' own tests. Not even out for a month, this is the best deal we've seen on the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. We don't expect them to really go on sale anytime soon, so this might be your chance to at least score a free $30 gift card.

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