It boasts LG’s famous OLED display, as well as powerful hardware and innovative software. Is this the sweet spot in the LG TV range?
LG is renowned for its OLED panels, so much so that even its closest competitors use LG panels (hello, Sony Bravia).
The image quality of the LG OLED 55” CS television was always going to be top-notch, with vibrant colours and even decent anti-reflective properties. A TV, however, is more than just a screen to watch your favourite series on; it is an entire media experience.
Getting started
Your first interaction with a new TV is unboxing it. With larger TV’s this can be a bit tricky, and this 55” LG was no different, even though it’s also available in 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, and a massive 83” – that’s an incredible 2 metres!
When setting up, the wafer thin screen feels fragile to handle, and laying it down requires a fairly large surface. The base screws in easily, and being centrally positioned, does not take up much space. If you prefer to wall mount the CS 55”, you will have to buy a bracket.
Once the TV is stood up, plugged in, and switched on, it’s fairly easy to get going. Simply create an LG account and you’re good to go. Navigating the TV’s menu is an intuitive affair, thanks to LG’s webOS operating system.
Gaming
If gaming is your thing, the 55” CS must be on your shortlist when looking for a new TV. Features such as AMD’s FreeSync and Nvidia’s G-Sync both boast variable refresh rates and response times of 0,1 ms.
To maximise the image potential of new consoles, there is Dolby Atmos and VisionIQ, Dolby’s proprietary HDR format. As well as making games on newer consoles look great on screen, these systems also boost the image quality from older consoles.
Alongside all this is a tweakable gaming dashboard, and four 120 Hz HDMI ports.
Sound
The sound, as with most mid-range TV’s, is just about acceptable. It’s not tinny and loud enough for you to hear what’s going, but no one in our testing crew were impressed.
You can play around with the settings, which helps a bit, or you can just leave the sound set-up to the onboard AI. In either case, whether set-up by you or the AI, the sound will never blow you away.
Having said that, don’t be put off by the rather average standard audio quality. The screen is good enough to warrant buying this TV.
To address the problem of underwhelming sound, this TV is definitely best enjoyed with (at least) a soundbar. It is an additional expense, but at this (non premium) end of the market, it’s to be expected.
Verdict and rating
In conclusion, the LG 55” CS TV stands out in the mid-range market with its exceptional OLED picture quality and user-friendly webOS. Gamers will appreciate features like AMD FreeSync, Nvidia G-Sync, and Dolby VisionIQ.
While the built-in sound is adequate, adding a soundbar will enhance the experience. Overall, the LG 55” CS is an excellent choice for a high-quality, versatile television.
Its recommended retail price is R25 999 and it scores 4 out of 5.
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
