Saturday, April 29, 2023

The best TV I've ever had! (Review - LG 65" Class UN9000 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV)

"An amazing piece of technology I'm proud to say is the best TV I've ever owned." 


My review of the LG 65" Class UN9000 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV - NOW AVAILABLE!


A Jonathan Black Observation




I wanted to update my TV last year and during Black Friday I happened to see this little gem on special at Best Buy. Lucky for me because it's the perfect size I was looking for, has a crystal clear and customizable picture with 4k resolution, LED backlit (very important for optimnal quality), a7 Gen 3 Al Processor 4K, Cinema HDR with Dolby Vision IQ + Dolby Atmos, 120hz REFRESH RATE (for smoother, more immersive gameplay), built in webOS 5.0+ LG ThinQ Al with Magic Remote and native Bluetooth 5.0 and a ton of other specs that sing a sirens song to the tech junkies out there, but equate to a full immersive home theater experience along with high quality, low-lag gaming built into the design. 




The 65" screen beautifully filters through various viewing modes for picture quality from cinematic to gaming and directors view to the numerous audio output options that includes Dolby Atmos spatial audio, DTX surround sound and the ability to use dual connection via Bluetooth for further enhancing your immersive sound by allowing the TV to play the audio via its own internal speakers (which for a television is very impressive and a true Dolby Atmos output) along with a Bluetooth device of your choice. I usually connect my Google Nest Audio speaker pair while also utilizing the eARC port connection through my LG-3.1 Channel Soundbar with Virtual:X + Wireless Subwoofer equipped with DTS and Dolby integration. I managed to also get this great find on special to round out my home theater audio quality. 






So by utilizing the dual play feature I'm essentially able to produce Dolby sound via the television itself, the HDMI attached soundbar via the eARC port AND my set of Google Nest Audio speakers to round out the spatial audio and create a complete 3D surround sound experience my inner child would have killed for.



As if the picture and sound options weren't enough, the TV comes equipped with its own webOS, internal Bluetooth 5.0 and can integrate with your smart home of choice. If you can tell...mine is Google Assistant. It all rounds out nicely in the Google Home app and I can easily navigate the system with the provided LG magic remote that literally deserves the name magic because it does everything except create the content itself. 




I can also equally operate the virtual remote feature from my Google PIXEL 6 PRO hyper settings or via the LG ThinQ app. I do have a 4K Google TV dongle and a Chromecast (2nd Gen) plugged into a couple of the HDMI ports just because I had them previously and sometimes I enjoy the user interface that Google TV provides. As for the Chromecast, honestly, it's one of those gadgets that if you know what you're doing there is literally no end to the potential uses so I highly recommend having at least one in the house. 


I like to integrate mine into a speaker group for a whole home audio streaming experience via my favorite music service, Spotify, streaming content or geeking out on my PS5. (This is the only way-other than the eARC soundbar I can currently integrate external sound sources for output via the PS5 since it's designed not to connect to external Bluetooth speakers. Thank you, Sony. But, with this little trick or a pair of Dolby Atmos capable earbuds (such as the LG TONE Free True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds T90 - Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds with Dolby Atmos) make for crisp sound on the native 3D audio built in to the interface).




Sidenote - if using earbuds and you want a true level of sound as it was meant to be heard, make sure to review the specs on the pair you're purchasing. Spatial Audio technology itself along with Dolby Atmos offer an incredible level of audio integration. However, the added feature for head tracking included in various earbud models they're rolling out with will give you a sound quality that will make you truly feel that you are right in the middle of the action. 





I honestly can't say enough good things about this TV. It has more settings, options and choices than I have probably even discovered in the past 3 to 4 months that I've owned it. LG integrates a user friendly homepage to download your favorite apps as well as their own built-in app store, shopping network and LG channels - a live TV option with over 400 plus channels that ultimately mimics a Pluto TV type concept.


LG knew what they were doing in calling this a smart TV as you literally need nothing else besides the TV itself to have a great audio visual experience - whatever that may look like for you. I chose to add in the sound bar with subwoofer simply because I'm an audio nut and music/sound is something close to my heart that rounds out the entire experience.




The set is built for top quality. I've had no issues and experienced a seamless integration with Google Home, my pixel phone, tablet and other devices. My Husband is an iPhone user (bless his heart) and can just as easily utilize the built-in Airplay feature to screen mirror his phone or media contents to stream direct to the TV. I have not hooked it up to a hardwired land-based ethernet connection and currently have it connected via my TP-Link Deco AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System(Deco XE75 Pro). I have not had a problem with the connection on Wi-Fi or the quality of streaming. Gaming is an insane experience, highlighting crisp graphics, high refresh rate, customizable picture and sound that makes you feel you're getting the full experience Sony intended on their new PS5 system both in visual and audio. 





The backlit LED screen is 65" which is perfect for a nice size living room home theater and on a side note, this television is specifically the only one on the market currently with a 120 hz refresh rate designed for high speed, no-lag gaming that sits in this particular price range. 


This LG set retails around $700 and I luckily snagged it for $499 during Black Friday as well as getting 10% cash back and a 0% interest rate by utilizing the Best Buy Citi Rewards Credit Card - a stroke of genius that I highly recommend as well -- especially if you're looking to finance those more expensive items and would like time to pay it off without accruing interest at these insane inflated rates. 





All in all, it's the best TV I've ever had and I have always thought very highly of LG. I used to enjoy their mobile phones, particularly the Stylo line, however, we all know how that story ends and I'm happier now as the Official-Unofficial Google Guy and die hard Pixel Superfan. I absolutely 100% recommend this TV to anyone looking for an upgrade or who enjoys premium gaming experiences while on a budget. 


It is backed with a one-year manufacturer warranty. Expandable coverage can be purchased via Best Buy or your chosen retailer. Both the television and the app are equipped with 24/7 tech support via LG that can be reached from their website, mobile app or via text/SMS help desk. I have contacted support a couple times but only to inquire about other products. 


I have not had a reason to inquire for any mechanical issues from the set or other related products but I will say they are quick to respond and eager to help. Don't be afraid to ask for a discount code if purchasing direct from the LG website. 

They will give you one in the chat. 





I will be separately reviewing the sound bar (and the earbuds)which I also recommend. However, I will say the internal speakers on the TV set are very impressive and better quality than I would have thought and come with Dolby Atmos level audio as well. I have to say this is the perfect TV set for anyone that enjoys the best quality entertainment on the market while still being able to budget accordingly. 


As the eternal die hard deal hunter and bargain seeking junkie, I did tons of homework and research on different brands and models available that are comparable on the market today and I have to say this is the best line of specs, features and a quality build, reputation and warranty that money can buy for this level of technology. 





Feel free to do your own shop around, but if you're anyone that knows me or follows my content, you'll trust me when I say I've done the leg work for you on this one. To sum up, 10 out of 10. The best TV I've ever had. I highly recommend the LG 65" Class UN9000 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV. You won't be let down on this one. 


I purchased blindly without seeing and hearing it set up in person and I'm actually glad I did. It's a wonderful thing to still be able to find yourself pleasantly surprised by a piece of technology nowadays. This is one I won't forget and thanks to the durable construction, it's a quality piece that I will be enjoying for years to come without a need to upgrade anytime soon.


As always, this has been


A Jonathan Black Observation

#AJBO #BasikBlack #BasikBucks #BasikBranding #LG #DolbyAtmos #DolbyDTX #Sony #PS5 #Google #GoogleAssistant #GoogleHome #GoogleNest #BestBuy


*Affiliate Disclosure: I only recommend products I would and have used myself. All opinions expressed here are my own. However, this blog may contain affiliate links that - at no cost to you - I may earn a small commission.