LG B9 vs C9: Which One is The Best in Picture Quality

LG is the world’s leading producer of OLED televisions and screens. Looking into the popular LG series 9 from 2019, you will be amazed yet confused about which one to choose. On this article, we compare the LG C9 and LG B9, two 2019 models that are fairly comparable. Some of them, however, differ somewhat. Let’s find out.

LG 2019 series

LG released several OLED TVs in 2019. B9 and C9 OLEDs are two of them. Other TVs are Z9, R9, W9, E9. Z9 is an 8k OLED TV that only comes in the gigantic size of 88”. The R9 or ‘4k rollable 8K OLED TV’ has a spectacular design that you can ‘roll’ into a box and only supports 65”.

While comparing LG B9 vs C9, you will see the functions and features are quite similar. Some major differences between the LG B9 vs C9 lies in their processor and picture brightness.

LG B9 vs C9: How I rated the products

Fact 1 of 7: Design

 The LG B9 thickness is very thin compared to other sleek TVs. C9 is also thinner like the B9. the TV stand of B9 is made of plastic so the TV maybe a little unstable. the upper rear side is made of metal and the lower side is plastic. It has thin borders and overall the build quality is average but not outstanding.

Comparing B9 vs C9 OLED design, there are differences in sturdiness and stand width. LG C9 OLED has higher and premium quality. The stand width is very wide so the TV will not be shaky and you can place it on large tables. it comes with a cable management feature similar to B9. there shouldn’t be an issue with the C9 build quality.

For large rooms, you can choose the 77” LG OLED77B9PUA B9 OLED TV or the 77” OLED77C9PUB C9 OLED.  The 65” OLED65B9PUA B9 TV will also fit well in big rooms.  For medium-sized rooms, the LG 55” OLED55B9PUA  is a good choice.

 Winner: LG C9 OLED because of strong build and stability due to the stand.

Fact 2 of 7: Picture quality

Comparing LG B9 vs C9 image quality, the C9 and B9 have several similar features but they differ in terms of processor, brightness, and color.

Technology

The differences aren’t huge but are crucial to take into account. Both possess the OLED panel technology which is best for contrast ratio and brightness. It has wRGB pixel structure. This helps to produce accurate color and pure whites.

Processor

One of the major differences between LG B9 vs C9 OLED is their picture processor. the B9 uses α7 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor that was used in the 2018 line up and is also less powerful and premium compared to the LG C9 processor.

The C9 uses the new α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor that supports better color quality and raw image processing. The α7 isn’t so bad after all, as it has decent picture quality and AI features.

Resolution

LG B9 and C9 OLED TVs support 4k resolution with HDR. They support 1080p and 1440p resolution along with 4k at 60Hz. One of the main reasons to choose LG B9 or C9 is their compatibility with gaming consoles.

These models support 4k at 120Hz that is required for PS5 or Xbox Series X but only with HDMI 2.1 and with HDR enabled.

Color

Between LG B9 vs C9, both support similar color features but the B9 has True Color Accuracy whereas the C9 has True Color Accuracy Pro. While looking into settings, you will come across TruMotion. Comparing LG TruMotion smooth vs clear, the smooth setting will make the conversion to fast-pacing scenes easier and the clear setting will improve clarity in fast-moving scenes.

The ‘out of the box’ color accuracy of B9 isn’t very impressive but after calibration, the changes are noticeable and appraisable. The LG B9 color gamut is very good as it supports a broad range of colors and presents them with accuracy.  LG C9 also supports a broader color gamut which improves HDR content. It supports 98% color in the DCI P3 color space.

Comparing LG B9 vs C9 vs E9, the B9 has wide color volume and due to wRGB, the colors are vibrant and whites are purest. Both these models display a yellowish shade because of the color temperature which is 5502K and 5929k for B9 and C9 respectively. They fall below the standard value which is 6500K.

Between LG B9 vs C9 color accuracy, the C9 has better color accuracy than B9. Among LG B9 vs C9 vs E9, the B9 doesn’t have auto-calibration but the other two models have this feature. The accuracy of gray and black uniformity is excellent in both B9 and C9. While the black uniformity is perfect, the gray uniformity may display some DSE (dirty screen effect).

Comparing LG B9 vs C9 gradient handling, the C9 has a better gradient that can display accurate details than the B9. With the help of the Smooth Gradation feature, the C9 has minimized ‘banding’ in images which the B9 can’t do.

Contrast

Since these TVs have an OLED panel, the contrast ratio is Infinity:1. This means the colors are pure and the blacks are the deepest. So when you watch dark scenes in a dark room you will get a premium experience.

None of these models have a backlight so there is no local dimming. So both bright and dark scenes are displayed with perfection without any blooming.

Brightness

Comparing LG B9 vs C9, we see they differ in terms of brightness as well. the B9 and C9 have similar performance in the brightness of SDR content where the Real Scene value (~330) falls under the standard value which is >365. the brightness is average and you can use them in normal-bright rooms.

In the case of HDR brightness between LG B9 vs C9, the brightness of C9 is outstanding and that of B9 is decent.

View angle and reflection

LG B9 and C9 have very good viewing angles so you can watch the TV from different angles. If you scrutinize, then the C9 has a slightly better view angle because the brightness loss occurs at 70 °.

The reflection handling is excellent with a glossy screen finish. You can easily place it in a very bright room and it will effectively avoid glare.

Winner: LG C9 is the clear winner due to the high power processor, better color, and higher brightness.

Fact 3 of 7: Motion handling capability

 The motion handling of these models is almost similar. But the C9 is slightly better in terms of response time and VRR. Other than that, all features are similar.  The response time of B9 is lower than C9. Both have almost instantaneous response time with B9 being more responsive. However, this may arise a stutter that could annoy some people.

The refresh rate and input lag of both these TVs are almost similar. The input lag is low and it supports G-sync and ALLM. These models also support motion interpolation and variable refresh rate. Overall, you will get the best experience if you buy either of these TVs for gaming. Although these models display some stutter, they can deliver judder-free content.

Winner: Tie. Both these TVs have similar performance while handling motion or in gaming content.

Fact 4: Artificial Intelligence features:

 The LG voice recognition allows you to talk in a normal tone on your LG magic remote. With the help of LG AI ThinQ technology, the TVs have built-in Google Assistant. This allows you to control Google Assistant supported smart devices throughout the house.

Winner: Tie

Fact 5 of 7: Sound quality

The difference between LG B9 vs C9 sound quality is subtle. They have similar performance and factors but vary in distortion. The frequency response is average so don’t expect deep bass. These TVs produce crystal clear dialogs and can get quite loud.

They differ in terms of distortion where the C9 produces higher distortion compared to B9. So the C9 may not deliver pure and clear audio especially at maximum SPL where the value is 3.477 which doesn’t lie within the standard range of < 0.1.

Winner: Although both have similar performance, the B9 wins in terms of distortion.

Fact 5 of 7: Smart features

LG TVs comes with webOS that supports the most popular content and apps. The user interface is smooth but some apps may take time to open. It comes with ads and there is no way to remove them. They both support HDR content on Netflix and YouTube.

Winner: Tie

Fact 6 of 7: Connectivity

LG C9 and B9 come with basic and important ports. Along with that, they support HDMI 2.1 which is needed to connect the gaming console. You can connect the soundbar with this TV if you want. The Quick Media Streaming (QMS) will help to match resolution with framerate.

These models support Bluetooth for wireless connectivity along with wireless sound systems and Apple AirPlay 2.

Winner: Tie

Fact 7 of 7: Remote &voice assistant

The LG TVs come with the LG Magic Motion remote control which has good quality, easy to hold and press. It has two dedication buttons for Netflix and Prime video. It has a scroll wheel so you can use the remote like a mouse pointer.

You can use the remote control as a universal remote to control other devices. You can also buy an LG remote separately in case you lost the original one. And you can also use voice commands with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control the TV.

Winner: Tie

Which one is best for what: At a glance

Now that you know the features in detail, let’s figure out which TV is best in which use case. Overall, these are best for mixed usage but in some specific use cases, the LG C9 outperforms the B9.

Alternative Option

LG CX

The LG CX OLED and its predecessor, the LG C9 OLED, have a lot in common in terms of performance. Gray homogeneity and viewing angles are better on the C9, though this might be due to panel variances. Although the CX has superior built-in speakers and the black frame insertion works at 120Hz, there is some motion duplication. The LG CX OLED outperforms the LG B9 OLED by a little margin. The CX can get brighter in HDR and it has much better out-of-the-box color accuracy.

Product Differentiors

Between LG B9 vs C9, the C9 is costlier and the differences aren’t many. One of the reasons to choose C9 over B9 is its premium build, powerful processor and higher brightness is SDR and HDR content.

There are more similarities between LG B9 vs C9 than differences. The C9 TV has excellent image quality with minimized noise and excellent color presentation. Both B9 and C9 may suffer from burn-in if you watch TV shows or sports for a long time. Another reason to choose C9 is its excellent gradient handling and gray uniformity.

B9 is also a good choice if you want to save some bucks. Both these models are futureproofed as they support 4k@120Hz at HDMI 2.1 port. So gamers will love this TV to use with PS5. They have excellent motion handling and support AI features. While watching fast-moving scenes, you will not notice any blur.

Comparing LG B9 vs C9, we see they have similar performance in terms of audio, motion, gaming features, and Smart TV features. The LG TV OS is excellent to have if you want to cut the cord and enjoy different content online. The remote control and support of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa make it easier to control the TV.

Parting words

LG B9 and C9 have a super slim design with OLED panel technology.  Both are excellent for mixed usage and they use Artificial Intelligence to improve performance. Comparing LG B9 vs C9, we see the C9 has higher brightness, color accuracy, and evenness of color. If you want to scrutinize, then C9 is worth buying over B9.

On the other hand, if you are an average user who simply wants to enjoy watching movies on large screens, then the B9 is perfect for you. Both these TVs have wide view angle and better reflection handling. The blacks are purest so you can place them in dark or bright rooms. But if you sre totally into premium picture quality and home theater experience, LG C9 should be number one choice.

Author’s Pick: LG C9

FAQs

What is YCbCr vs RGB in OLED?

YCbCr and RGB are used in color decoder where the decoder will convert the YCbCr to the native or original RGB signal. Comparing YCbCr vs RGB in OLED, we see YCbCr consists of a brightness signal and a couple of chromas. Whereas RGB consists of red, green, and blue signals.

Things that are digital are RGB whereas things like TVshows, movies are YCbCr. Devices like RF tuners, DVD/Blu-ray disk players, and cable and satellite set-top boxes use YCbCr format digital video signals. Then the color decoder converts the YCbCr into RGB.\

How to calibrate SDR settings in LG B9 OLED?

If you look into the setting for SDR, you will see different picture modes. If you want the best image, then select ‘ISF Expert (Dark Room)’ as picture mode. Experts recommend adjusting the Color to ‘50’, Contrast to ’85’, Tint to ‘0’, and Sharpness to ’10’.

How to adjust gaming settings in LG C9 OLED?

Follow these settings in the gaming section:

• Go to the ‘Additional Settings’ and turn on the Instant Game Response.
• If you are doing games in HDR, then turn on the Ultra HD Deep Color.

Naheed Nazneen TuLi

Network Engineer and Tech Journalist. Read More…