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Soniq U65ZX16A 65" 4K UHD Smart LED LCD TV - $599 @ JB Hi-Fi

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Soniq U65ZX16A 65" 4K UHD Smart LED LCD TV - $599 @ JB Hi-Fi
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stephendt on 21/04/2019 - 13:48 jbhifi.com.au (1887 clicks)
Last edited 21/04/2019 - 15:09 by 1 other user

Our old 42" TV gave up the ghost this week, and after a bit of searching I can't seem to find a better deal for a 65" 4K TV than this one at JB Hi-Fi. According to my quick phone call with the staff, JB Hi-Fi is running out the Soniq brand for their own replacement, so these units are going pretty cheap. My local store had heaps in stock so hopefully it's the same Australia wide.

Basic specs include:

UltraHD 3840x2160 resolution LED Backlight Panel
ACE-PRO advanced color engine, which makes image more fresh and brighter
Quad core Cortex -A7 1G processor, provides high performance computing to meet more advanced application requirements
4.4.4 Android operating system
Built-in Web Browser
Built-in WIFI comply with 802.11b/g/n standard
USB Host 2.0 or 3.0 for Multimedia Playing, HID device supported
Efficient energy saving mode
2x HDMI inputs

This particular unit is basically the same as the older UX16A model, but has better dedicated speakers on it, which are confirmed to be removable (Thanks Raynes!).

I've also been told that a firmware update and display settings tweaks are a must to get good image quality (something to do with the default sharpness settings makes it look rubbish) and that the built-in Android is a bit old and hopeless, so you're best off pairing it with a proper Android TV box unit or Chromecast IMO unless you have very basic needs. We already have a Xiaomi Mi Box and dedicated sound system, so I'm essentially using this as a glorified monitor, so it works perfect for me.

Edit: There are also 50" and 55" versions available for $399 and $449, respectively, but I haven't really looked into those: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/?q=Soniq

Electrical & Electronics 65inch LCD TV Soniq UHD TV

Related Stores

JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

closed Comments

  • Samsungnote10 on 21/04/2019 - 13:58
    +4

    Quality aside that must be the cheapest new 65" ever

  • [Deactivated] on 21/04/2019 - 14:03
    +1

    Only 2 hdmi ports!?

    • scuderiarmani on 21/04/2019 - 14:06
      +2

      Well they gotta cut costs somewhere…

      Im the end if you'd need more and have multiple devices you probably can afford the better TV so it's not justifiable in their eyes.

    • Spun on 21/04/2019 - 14:06
      +3

      I've only ever used 1 on my TV. Input from the receiver. For me, 2 is too many.

      • spoonmugen on 26/04/2019 - 15:43

        receiver

        google chromecast
        +bluray player
        +xbox/playstation/switch?

        many ppl have the need for 3…

        *clap for you getting away with 1 though…

    • stephendt on 21/04/2019 - 15:07

      I don't really get the fuss with this. I have my Mi Box and that's it. Got room for an Xbox if I really want. HDMI switches exist. What more do I really need? :)

  • Raynes on 21/04/2019 - 14:15
    +2

    Based on this picture from the Soniq website the speakers are removable.

    • stephendt on 21/04/2019 - 15:07

      Thank you, will update OP.

      • stephendt on 21/04/2019 - 17:04

        Update. I bought one. Can confirm, speakers are removable. Take the top 4 mounts off the TV first, then take the bottom 4 mounts off the speaker, remove the connector, and the fold back the bottom TV mounts. A little hard to describe without a picture, but it'll make sense if you see one.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 21/04/2019 - 14:22
    -1

    4.4.4 Android system?

    It is like back 3 years, not much up to date app can be installed

    • Raynes on 21/04/2019 - 14:51
      +2

      As per deal description;

      the built-in Android is a bit old and hopeless, so you're best off pairing it with a proper Android TV box unit or Chromecast

    • stephendt on 21/04/2019 - 15:12
      +1

      I honestly plan to just update the firmware and then permanently disconnect it from the network. It's an operating system I guess, not one I'd actually use. I've heard that the only real downside is that its a bit slow to start up, but I can live with that for the price.

      • Bargin Boy on 21/04/2019 - 15:36

        Slow to start up 30+ sec`s, channel change is painful as well.
        Channel 44 disappears regularly for me.

        • stephendt on 21/04/2019 - 15:38

          I have an external PVR running on TVHeadend, no issues there

  • sane on 21/04/2019 - 15:26
    +1

    Note, no HDR and quite high power usage. If that matters to you.

    • stephendt on 22/04/2019 - 00:18

      Power usage isn't that bad. It's rated at 185w. I haven't thrown it on my watt meter but it doesn't seem to get excessively hot.

  • proteus119 on 21/04/2019 - 15:49
    +6

    Got one yesterday, using the 5% discount code! Unfortunately there was no stock at my local stores, so I'll have to go and pick it up tomorrow from the warehouse! If anyone is interested, I can give you my 2 cents once I install it!

    • koolchamp81 on 21/04/2019 - 16:44

      Your 2 cents would be invaluable for others. So, why not share your experience mate?

    • Whatisthatvelvet on 21/04/2019 - 16:58

      Fire away when ya get it mate.

  • Geekomatic on 21/04/2019 - 17:39

    Good grief….how can the reviews at JB be so utterly different on this TV?

    Either some people are particularly susceptible to noticing blur, or there are huge disparities in build quality/panels?

    Have any of the good folks here got reviews on Soniq, in general? I know they're "cheap", but is the general consensus they're trash?

    • SporadicUser on 21/04/2019 - 21:22

      I have had a 1080p non-smart 50" Sonic for nearly 5 years that hasn't missed a beat and still does everything it's supposed to.

      Downside was dealing with Soniq to get it as replacement for a similarly-priced refurbished plasma that failed less than 2 weeks after purchase; that took a few months and too many emails.

      So long story short, TV is perfectly fine for what I use it for, and aligns with the expectations I had due to the price paid for it. Buying it through a retailer may negate the negative Soniq customer service issues I experienced.

    • AssociatedCarporium @ JB Hi-Fi on 21/04/2019 - 21:51

      The disparity you mention would also be influenced by some expecting a rolls Royce of a tv for the price of a Daewoo…and before you ask about this analogy… Yes Daewoo sucked bad enough for them to not bring card to AU anymore… back to this tv.. it's cheap. It's simple. It ain't gonna rock your socks off but for some it's plenty good enough on a budget just to watch free to air on something that replaces their 10+yr old tv.. but for this expecting too much, share your thoughts after you've returned it.

  • CVonC on 21/04/2019 - 19:31

    How's the refresh rate?

    • stephendt on 22/04/2019 - 00:16

      Running 4k 60hz here, no issues. Had to do a firmware update first though.

      • CVonC on 22/04/2019 - 00:19

        So it doesn't support 100Hz?

        • stephendt on 22/04/2019 - 12:13

          My Mi Box doesn't support 1080p 100hz. Probably doable via PC.

      • sapsec on 23/04/2019 - 13:03

        Hi Stephen,
        Referring my post below, did you have any drop in picture quality post update or issues with netflix or Youtube?

  • stephendt on 22/04/2019 - 00:25
    +20

    Alright guys, I got one of these today. First impressions:

    1. Damn, this thing is huge compared to my old 42". Nice. Colours are pretty good, 4K playback is very crisp. There's some weird motion blur going on but this can be disabled via the menu settings.
    2. Backlight bleeding and unevenness is pretty bad. Worse than my old Sanyo and TCL TVs. Almost to the point where I think there's something wrong with my unit. Whenever there's a mostly black background, it's pretty noticeable, and the only really annoying gripe I have about this TV. I'll get a pic later. Not really too noticeable on most scenes though.
    3. Speakers are removable, and is easily wall mountable. I didn't test the speakers, sorry, but they look OK.
    4. The Android 4.4 build in this unit is hilariously bad and unintuitive. Stock firmware won't do 4k 60hz, but this is fixed with an OTA update. Update the firmware and then disconnect it from the net. Android 4.4 is outdated and not particularly secure either.
    5. The built-in Wi-Fi is a complete joke. I was probably getting less than 1mbit trying to run an update, whilst my phone was getting 30mbit (2.4Ghz Wi-Fi). I had to plug in an ethernet cable to run the update.
    6. Overall, for the price it's a great display. Not using the DTV functions, basically a glorified monitor connected to my Mi Box, and for those purposes its great bang for buck. Will see what I can do about the backlight bleeding, would like to improve this.
    • mckayver on 22/04/2019 - 04:43

      Thanks for the review.

      • stephendt on 22/04/2019 - 22:00
        +1

        Update on the backlight bleeding. Mostly my fault. I cranked the brightness too high, and this made the backlighting pretty washed out. Dropping it back down to default (50) made it far less noticeable. It's not perfect, but I can't complain for the money.

    • sapsec on 23/04/2019 - 13:12

      Hi,
      If you go into details can you list the software version. Can you also check if Netflix works properly. How did you turn off motion blur? What are your picture settings?

  • JuliusSeizure82 on 23/04/2019 - 08:36

    Just wondering if anyone can give a gaming experience on this tv? I am looking at upgrading from a old Samsung LCD 42 inch to this which is about 10 years old. I hear a lot about input lag on these cheap UHD tv's but I am thinking its has to be better than what I have! Am looking at connecting my PS4 pro up to it.

  • sapsec on 23/04/2019 - 12:56
    +1

    Hi People,
    We purchased the 65-inch version without the speakers on the outside model No. S65UX16A yesterday. Amazing TV for the money however here is an extract of the problem I logged in regards to the TV. Waiting for a response and any feedback from you guys. Has anyone else experienced the following?

    TV Model: S65UX16A-AU Rev.B
    Hardware Version: ST628VXETC1A_LSC650FJ11_QT1E

    TV Details
    TV was purchased and set up 23/04/18. I was very impressed with the TV picture when it had the original firmware. I then went in and updated the firmware to:
    Software Name: SONIQ_CD-ST628VXETC1A_LSC650FJ11_QT1E-QG_SVN1734_LSC650FJ11_20180131.ZIP
    Software Version: Mosca V1.01
    Android Version: 4.4.4

    Issues
    1. Picture Quality Degradation Post Firmware Update - The picture quality has deteriorated and colors now seemed washed out.
    a. Would you suggest restoring the firmware to the old version, if so how is this done?
    b. What is this firmware fixing?
    2. Netflix – (Same issue pre and post firmware update - Also note I have removed and re-installed Netflix post the update)
    a. When connecting to Netflix a message appears ‘there is a newer version, would you like to update’ If I select yes the Netflix circle spins and keeps going, not resolving and no updates occur, have tried several times and have left it for 20 minutes or more, internet connection is good to the TV.
    b. If I select No to the update, the TV connect6s to Netflix and the message does not appear again on subsequent connections.
    c. When I sign into Netflix with my Netflix credentials, it connects, however, an error message appears on the top half of the Netflix screen, ‘Error Loading billboard’ Scrolling up and down to shows works for a whilst and then freezes.
    3. YouTube - (Same issue pre and post firmware update).
    a. Youtube works, however, I cannot enter my YouTube Account details – When I select the account box it flashes for a microsecond an entry screen and disappears.

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