Recommended

LG OLED55B8 Review: OLED for all!

LG has released a 4K HDR OLED TV for the masses – John Archer discovers if a less-powerful processor leads to a less impressive picture performance

AV Info

55in 4K HDR OLED TV

LG’s entry-level OLED TV for 2018

Peers: LG OLED55C8; Samsung 55Q8DN; Sony 55XF9005

FOR THE PAST few years. LG has pursued a policy of giving every OLED TV series in any given year’s range more or less the same picture quality. For 2018, though, it’s trying something different. Its entry-level B8 TVs use a less powerful processor than C8.

This £ saving could make the OLED55B8 a genuine game-changer. Provided its cost-saving measures haven’t seriously impacted its performance.

The TV doesn’t look cheap. It boasts OLED’s extreme slimness around its top edges, and its ’single layer’ front is gorgeous. The set widens towards its bottom edge to accommodate speakers, tuners and processors, but it still looks ridiculously opulent for a mid-price model. There are two OLED55B8 design iterations. The B8PLA I’m auditioning is sold at Currys, and uses an angled-down, neckless metal-plate stand. The more widely available B8SLC option uses a small neck attached to a boomerang- style stand.

Tuner inputs for both Freeview HD and Freesat HD join the TV’s quartet of HDMIs (all v2.0) and trio of USB ports.

Use Ethernet or Wifi to sample the set’s network features, accessed through LG’s slick, attractive and straightforward webOS platform. Streaming video services support 4K and HDR where available. Smart features engage nicely with LG’s new voice recognition system, too.

B for B grade?

The OLED55B8’s pictures, it turns out. aren’t as good as those of the C8 series.

The star of the show, as usual with OLED. is black level. There’s no hint of general greyness, and bright objects that stand out against darkness appear without seemingly a pixel of light ’leakage’.

What’s more, the intensity of such standout HDR image elements is phenomenal since, unlike LCD technology, there’s no need for the OLED55B8 to dim bright highlights to preserve black level uniformity.

Colours look rich and pure, but also balanced and natural. There’s a decent amount of tonal subtlety on show in gorgeously lush Darkest Hour (Ultra HD Blu-ray) sequences such as those in Buckingham Palace. But there’s also more consistency than LCD TVs can muster with trickily-lit environments such as Churchill’s war committee meetings.

SPECIFICATIONS

3D: No 4K: Yes. 3,840 x 2,160 HDR: Yes. HDR10; Dolby Vision; HLG TUNER: Yes. Freeview HD; Freesat HD CONNECTIONS: 4 x HDMI inputs; 3 x USBs; Ethernet SOUND (CLAIMED): 40 W (2.2 configuration) BRIGHTNESS (CLAIMED): N/A CONTRAST RATIO (CLAIMED): N/A DIMENSIONS (OFF STAND): 1,228(w) x 707(h) x 47(d)mm WEIGHT (OFF STAND): 16.3kg

FEATURES: Built-in Wi-Fi; USB multimedia playback; Alpha 7 processor; ThinQ AI smart system; voice control; webOS smart system, Dolby Atmos sound decoding; Bluetooth

Note the B8 is available with two stand options

The OLED55B8 handles standard dynamic range content beautifully too, and video gamers will love that it only takes around 20ms to render its pictures.

So where do the B8’s pictures fall short of the C8? It’s not as good at upscaling sub-4K sources, for starters. Results look softer and less detailed. Its motion handling is marginally less natural too, and its colour handling isn’t as precise or consistent.

Finally, very dark areas can look slightly noisier on the B8, and its pictures aren’t as bright. A measured figure of 680 nits on a 10 per cent white HDR window is a substantial 120 nits or so down from the C8 range. This is arguably the single most compelling reason to find that £ more. Punchier OLED displays have hit the market this year, and the B8 feels like a bit of a step back.

The TV’s audio is unexpectedly good.

The mid-range is open, dynamic and clean, and the soundstage is detailed and spreads way beyond the screen, both vertically and horizontally, particularly if you’re playing something that takes advantage of the B8’s integrated Dolby Atmos decoding.

The only catch is that the sound tends to compress rather than swell when meaty action scenes kick in.

Hard to resist

The OLED55B8 is a great – and arguably overdue – idea by LG, introducing its premium display technology to a wider audience.

Yes, there are reasons to spend £ more on the C8 55-incher, but any TV that still delivers as many of OLED’s picture strengths while costing so little (relatively speaking…) is hard to resist

HCC VERDICT

9 Total Score
Recommended LG OLED55B8 Review

Although not as good as LG’s step-up range, the B8 remains a fantastic way for more people to embrace the joys of 4K OLED.

Add your review

See also TOP Televisions

and The best OLED TV deals 2022: get an awesome OLED at the lowest price

7Review earns Amazon affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases. You can support the site directly via Paypal donations ☕. Thank you!
We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

7Review
Logo