Expert review of the Philips The Xtra 9308
Philips The Xtra 55PML9308 - Ambilight (2023)
- Small details on the screen are clearly visible thanks to the 4K UHD resolution.
- The built-in Bowers & Wilkins soundbar allows you to listen to a full sound.
- With the 3 Ambilight edges, you can light up your entire room to match the atmosphere of the movie.
- You can't find all streaming apps on Philips' own smart platform.
First impression of the Philips The Xtra 9308
The first thing I notice about the The Xtra 9308 is the large, built-in soundbar at the bottom. Even to this bezel is large, the TV stands firmly on a central stand.
Strong contrast thanks to Mini-LED
You can enjoy vibrant images on the TV thanks to the strong contrast. The Mini-LED backlight has over 100 small lights that light up or dim individually. I'm watching a video with light object on a dark background. The black parts are a deep black, and the light parts barely leak into the black. This means there's a minimal white blur around objects on a dark background. The Ambilight lighting colors the wall along with the screen. I find this creates a nice atmosphere and it's easier on my eyes.
Bright colors
Even though this TV doesn't have extra color filters like Quantum Dots have, the colors are surprisingly good. I'm watching nature footage of a mountainous area. Thanks to the 10-bit color depth, I can see a clear difference between the different bright hues of blue water. The different shades of green also splash off the TV.
Decent viewing angle
When I'm sitting next to the TV, I have a good viewing angle. I don't see much loss of contrast when I'm sitting at an angle, but the colors become blurrier when I'm completely next to it. This makes the viewing angle good, but not excellent.
Rich sound
The built-in Bowers & Wilkins soundbar sounds good when I turn on concerts. Thanks to the built-in subwoofer, I can listen to the low noises of the bass guitar and can feel the bass drum. This soundbar is suitable for standard use. If you want to completely immerse yourself in your series, we recommend a soundbar with surround speakers.
Conclusion
The Philips 9308 The Xtra TV is a complete package. The Ambilight is an atmospheric addition to your room. The coloring of the wall also ensures a viewing experience that's easier on the eyes. Thanks to Mini-LED, you can view vibrant and contrast-rich images. The colors are bright and extensive thanks to the 10-bit color depth. Thanks to the built-in soundbar with subwoofer, you can listen to full sound even without extra speakers. You can feel explosions in action movies, while you can hear the low sound of a bass guitar well.
