samsung KS9500

9.5 

Design

Curved: Yes

The Samsung KS9500 has a great look. Its design is very simple, yet very sleek. The TV is really thin, lines are pure, metal parts boast a chrome finish and even its back have a nice textured dark-gray finish. It will definitely look good in any room.

Stand

The metal stand has a chrome finish. It goes quite deep against the back of the TV.

Footprint of the 55" TV stand: 33.9" x 15"

Back

Wall Mount : Vesa 400x400

In rare setups where the back of the TV is visible (TV in the middle of a room), the Samsung KS9500 will look great. A cover hides the One Connect box connection.

Borders

Borders : 0.39" (1.0 cm)

Borders are thin and sports a simple and elegant metal finish.

Thickness

Max Thickness : 2.6" (6.6 cm)

Everything's thin on the Samsung KS9500. Its maximum thickness, when viewed directly from the side, only appears larger because of the curved screen.

8.2 

Picture Quality

Picture quality of the Samsung KS9500 is impressive. Blacks are very deep and the uniformity is good. There is excellent wide color reproduction and a very high peak brightness. From low to high resolutions, details are always crisp. Deals with reflections very well, but unfortunately the picture quality diminishes when viewed from the side.

9.2 Contrast

Black 

: 0.015 cd/m²

White 

: 99.25 cd/m²

Contrast 

: 6663 : 1

Extremely deep and impressive blacks for an LED TV. Among the highest native contrast ratio we have ever measured.

9.8 Black Uniformity

Std. Dev. 

: 0.531 %

There is some faint cloud spots that can be seen on a totally black screen and the top edge of the screen is slightly more lit up than the rest of the screen. Overall though, the black uniformity of the Samsung KS9500 is among the best we have seen.

3.5 Local Dimming

Local Dimming 

: Yes

Backlight 

: Edge

Local dimming isn't that good. Full array backlight TVs can do much better. We used local dimming ('Smart LED') set at 'High' for this test and unfortunately, the dot in our video stayed pretty dimmed. In practice, more blooming can be seen than in our video. The blooming shape is a big vertical band.

8.2 Peak Brightness

Peak 2% Window 

: 1490 cd/m²

Peak 10% Window 

: 1468 cd/m²

Peak 25% Window 

: 984 cd/m²

Peak 50% Window 

: 542 cd/m²

Peak 100% Window 

: 543 cd/m²

Sustained 2% Window 

: 510 cd/m²

Sustained 10% Window 

: 513 cd/m²

Sustained 25% Window 

: 519 cd/m²

Sustained 50% Window 

: 536 cd/m²

Sustained 100% Window 

: 536 cd/m²

The brightest results we have seen so far. In this test, we used the 'High' setting for local dimming ('Smart LED') since it was able to brighten our 2% window the most. It went as high as 1490 cd/m². This mean bright highlights can get very, very bright. Good value for the 50% window too which mean the whole screen can also get pretty bright. Peak brightness works a little differently than on the Sony X930D. On the Samsung KS9500, on all window sizes, peak brightness will diminish after some time, but goes back up when something moves on the screen, like our mouse cursor. On regular materials, this mean brightness is more stable. Big blooming areas can be seen around some bright highlights though.
Update: Updated with sustained brightness.

7.7 Gray Uniformity

Std. Dev. 

: 3.258 %

DSE 

: 0.157 %

Very good for an LED TV. The edges of the screen are darker but the TV is free from any obvious banding issue. The dirty screen effect (DSE) isn't much of a problem for sports when camera pans over playing fields.

6.7 Viewing Angle

LCD Type 

: VA

Viewing Angle 

: 20 °

Like all VA LED TVs, the picture quality diminish at an angle. The blacks worsen and the colors shift. There is worse VA TVs than this one though but it is still a notable downside of this TV.

8.6 Pre Calibration

White Balance dE 

: 2.65

Color dE 

: 2.3659

Gamma 

: 2.11

No real issues before calibration except maybe for the blue which was a little prominent.

9.8 Post Calibration

White Balance dE 

: 0.28

Color dE 

: 0.3281

Gamma 

: 2.2

As for other Samsung TVs, calibration was a breeze and all issues were resolved. We ended up with very low white balance and color errors which is great

8.0 480p Input

Lower resolution content like DVDs maintain a well defined picture that looks good and not soft at all.

8.0 720p Input

Cable TV looks very good once upscaled on the KS9500.

9.0 1080p Input

Blu-rays looks very good and sharp.

10 4k Input

4k is really where the Samsung KS9500 shine though. Those who sit close enough to pick up all the little 4k details will enjoy the crisp picture this TV produce.

8.2 Color Gamut

Wide Color Gamut 

: Yes

DCI P3 xy 

: 92.31 %

DCI P3 uv 

: 95.53 %

Rec 2020 xy 

: 67.11 %

Rec 2020 uv 

: 73.92 %

Nice coverage of DCI P3 and Rec 2020. Colors are able to get a good deal more saturated when HDR content is playing compared to traditional Rec 709 content.

9.5 Gradient

Color Depth 

: 10 Bit

The Samsung KS9500 displayed a very smooth color gradient with no color banding or color gradations to be seen.

9.5 Reflections

Reflection 

: 0.5 %

Screen Finish 

: Glossy

Although the Samsung KS9500 has a glossy screen, its screen doesn't reflect a lot of lights. The curve also stretch the reflections so they appear wider but less harsh. Some little rainbow effects can be observed around bright objects but aren't that noticeable.

0 3D 

3D Type 

: No

2D to 3D 

: No

Pixels

8.6 

Motion

The Samsung KS9500 is great at handling motion. It has a bit of blur on fast moving objects but nothing very distracting. When playing movies from any source they appear smooth. Motion can be interpolated up to the native panel refresh rate of 120Hz.

8.0 Motion Blur

Response Time 

: 17.1 ms

Overshoot 
: 0.1 ms

Backlight 

: picture

Dark to bright transitions, like the 0% to 100%, take longer. This can be seen on our moving logo test, where the right edge of the logo appears darker. As a whole though, motion is good on the Samsung KS9500.

10 24p Playback

Judder-free 24p 

: Yes

Judder-free 24p via 60p 

: Yes

Judder-free 24p via 60i 

: Yes

The TV is able to detect and do the reverse 3:2 pulldown on all sources inluding 60i and 60p. For those two, we had to set 'Auto Motion Plus' to 'Custom' with both sliders to 0. This didn't add the soap opera effect.

10 Motion Interpolation

Motion Interpolation (30 fps):

Yes

Motion Interpolation (60 fps):

Yes

Motion interpolation ('Auto Motion Plus') can be enabled on all content. This will smooth out motion, but also add the soap opera effect (SOE). Low 'Custom' values will add smoothness without much of the SOE.

9.0 

Inputs

The input lag of the KS9500 is very low, which is great. It supports a wide range of resolutions and inputs. Text appears very clear when in 'PC' mode regardless of the background. Unfortunately it doesn't support a 120Hz signal.

9.2 Input Lag

1080p @ 60Hz 

: 20.5 ms

1080p With Interpolation 

: 120.7 ms

1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode 

: 112.9 ms

1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 

: 37.1 ms

4k @ 60Hz 

: 20.7 ms

4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 

: 37.2 ms

4k @ 60Hz + HDR 

: 20.6 ms

4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + HDR 

: 37.2 ms

Very fast 1080p input lag. All types of games feel responsive. Competitive gamers will like the benefit they get from that low input lag. 'Game' mode has to be selected from the 'Special viewing modes' under the 'Picture' menu to get the lowest input lag. When sending and HDR signal at 1080p resolution under game mode, the input lag is 22.6ms.

8.0 Supported Resolutions

1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 

: Yes

1080p @ 120Hz 

: No

4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4 

: Yes

4k @ 60Hz 

: Yes

4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 

: Yes

To enable 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4, turn on 'HDMI UHD Color' from the picture menu. For the other resolutions, 4:4:4 can be enabled only by enabling PC mode (on the list of inputs, hover the current input used and press up on the remote, then 'Edit' and select 'PC'). We have measured 37.1 ms of input lag under 'PC' mode. A curved screen is always nice when sitting up close on setups where the TV is used as PC monitor.

Side Inputs

Rear Inputs

Inputs are located on the required One Connect box.

Total Inputs

HDMI : 4

USB : 2

Digital Optical Audio Out : 1

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm : 0

Analog Audio Out RCA : 0

Component In : 0

Composite In : 0

Tuner (Cable/Ant) : 1

Ethernet : 1

DisplayPort : 0

IR In : 0

SD/SDHC : 0

Inputs Specifications

HDR10 

: Yes

Dolby Vision 

: No

5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital 

: Yes

5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS 

: Yes

5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital 

: Yes

5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS 

: Yes

HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwith : Yes

ARC : Yes (HDMI 4)

USB 3 : No

HDCP 2.2 : Yes

CEC : Yes

MHL : No

Variable Analog Audio Out : No

7.1 

Sound Quality

Compared to most TV, the Samsung KS9500 produce an acceptable sound. Anyone that care about sound would still like a sound bar better but those that doesn't have the space required for an external solution or doesn't want to create cluttered around the TV should be somewhat satisfied with the sound of this TV.

8.0 Frequency Response

Std. Dev. @ 75 

: 1.99 dB SPL

Std. Dev. @ 85 

: 2.76 dB SPL

Std. Dev. @ Max 

: 5.48 dB SPL

Max 

: 90.5 dB SPL

Low-end Cutoff 

: 60 Hz

Very good frequency response and low-end cutoff, especially for a TV. But maximum loudness could be better. The TV also seem to be producing compression and pumping near the maximum loudness.

5.3 Total Harmonic Distortion

Distortion @ 75 

: 0.019

Distortion @ 85 

: 0.191

Distortion @ Max 

: 0.168

Relatively high distortion. Although this TV doesn't produce audible aliasing, the harmonic distortion could be audible at times.

8.5 

Smart Features

Smart OS: Tizen (2016)

The revamped interface of the Tizen smart platform is a welcome improvement. It isn't as pretty as LG's WebOS smart platform but a step in the right direction. It is also very responsive on the Samsung KS9500 and provide the most popular apps. A Mini One Connect box come with this TV and offers enough inputs for most needs. The included remote works well too and can even work as a universal remote for devices connected to the TV.

Apps

The 2016 Tizen smart platform offer the most popular apps plus more. Navigation between the different apps menus is quick and straightforward. The different menus of the TV also look better than on the 2015 Samsung TVs.

TV Controls

A single button is found underneath the Samsung logo at the base of the TV. Simple commands can be performed like changing inputs, volume and turning the TV on and off. This button is easily accessible if the TV is wall-mounted, which is handy.

Remote

Remote : Smart

The remote is simple to use and feels good in hand. It can be a little hard to operate in the dark though since not all buttons have tactile feedback. It doesn't work as a pointer like some other Samsung remotes so text input can feel cumbersome at times.

In The Box

- Remote
- Batteries
- Wall mount adapters
- Mini One Connect box with cable
- Cable management accessories
- Manuals

Misc

Power Consumption : 53 W

Power Consumption (Max) : 141 W

Firmware : 1008

Differences between Sizes and Variants

We tested the 55" (UN55KS9500) version FA01. For the most part, we expect our review to be valid for the 65" version (UN65KS9500).

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Samsung KS9500 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.

Size	Model	US	Canada	UK	Warehouse	Warehouse long
55"	UN55KS9500	UN55KS9500FXZA	UN55KS9500FXZC	UE55KS9000	N/A	N/A
65"	UN65KS9500	UN65KS9500FXZA	UN65KS9500FXZC	UE65KS9000	UN65KS950D	UN65KS950DFXZA

Compared to other TVs

Top row, from left: Samsung KS8000 (UN55KS8000), Samsung KS9500 (UN55KS9500), Vizio P Series 2016 (P65-C1). Bottom: Samsung KS9000 (UN55KS9000), Sony X930D (XBR55X930D), LG EF9500 (55EF9500). Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

The Samsung KS9500 is the best LED TV we have reviewed so far for a mixed usage but there are cheaper and near as good TVs that are available which explains why we don't really recommend the KS9500