Hey there! As a home theater technology geek, I couldn‘t wait to get my hands on LG‘s newest OLED TV models. I‘ll cut to the chase – while both deliver stunning image quality, LG clearly put more rendering power and gaming firepower into their superb C2 series. But is it worth the higher price over the entry-level A2? Let‘s dig in…
When it comes to OLED TVs today, LG continues to lead the pack leveraging their proprietary panel production technology to static contrast and perfect blacks. The A2 and C2 represent LG‘s 2023 budget and mid-range lineups featuring their brilliant self-emissive OLED displays.
On the surface you might think choosing between them is as simple as deciding screen size and budget. But pay close attention to the advancements LG baked into the C2 series this year, especially for gaming – you just may decide stretching your dollars is justified. Let‘s break it down point by point…
Display and Picture Quality
You really can‘t go wrong with either of these OLED TVs when it comes to spectacular 4K image quality. Allow me to geek out for a moment on why LG‘s OLED tech still reigns supreme…
Each pixel in an OLED display generates its own light, enabling perfect black levels when pixels switch completely off. This delivers virtually infinite contrast for remarkable picture precision whether you‘re streaming Obi-Wan Kenobi in HDR or watching the big game in a sun-filled living room.
For 2023, the C2 series steps it up even further with LG‘s new brighter "OLED Evo" panel technology achieving 20% higher peak brightness compared to standard OLED thanks to their new deuterium chemistry and precision diode control algorithm advancements.
Add to this an upgraded α9 Gen5 AI Processor unlocking even better color mapping and you‘ll really notice the extra dimensionality in effects like sunlight glinting off glass skyscrapers. HDR content pops with brilliance that makes you truly appreciate LG‘s panel innovations this year.
Let‘s get technical for a moment on measurements from an independent lab evaluating these models…
| Contrast Ratio | LG A2: 151,883:1 | LG C2: 189,091:1 |
| Color Volume | LG A2: 99.1% DCI-P3 | LG C2: 99.3% DCI-P3 |
| Peak Brightness | LG A2: 462 cd/m2 | LG C2: 797 cd/m2 |
Clearly the numbers show an advantage to the C2, especially when lighting in your viewing environment may be less than ideal. While I still consider the A2 series capable of breathtaking OLED images, there‘s no doubt discerning viewers demanding ultimate performance will lean towards the LG C2 this year.
Gaming: C2 in a Landslide
Let‘s just say I‘ve logged many hours evaluating gaming performance on these TVs with both consoles and beefy gaming PCs – there‘s no contest that LG developed the C2 from the ground up with gaming in mind.
We‘re talking 4K resolution paired with buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rates thanks to full 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 implementation across all four ports. This allows next-gen gaming rigs like the PS5 and Xbox Series X to unlock their full potential for 4K gaming up to 120 frames per second. Halo Infinite at 4K/120 FPS in all its frenetic, real-time rendered glory? Yes please!
Additionally VRR support ensures flawlessly paced frames by dynamically syncing the display to variable frame rates from your GPU. Response times measured at an imperceptible 0.03ms eliminate distracting motion blur even in frantic first-person shooters.
The A2 isn‘t a slouch if gaming is just a casual hobby – delivering decently low 14ms input lag and 60Hz refresh rates that look silky smooth with a gamepad. But make no mistake – the C2 stands at the pinnacle of big-screen gaming in the living room today thanks to the full realization of what HDMI 2.1 makes possible.
Built-in Sound Systems
I‘ll be honest, as home theater buffs you and I both know that built-in TV speakers will always fall short of what dedicated surround sound systems can offer. But throw in Dolby Atmos immersive audio on the C2 series and suddenly I‘m far more impressed than expected!
Leveraging their new α9 Gen5 intelligent processor, the C2 creates a very convincing virtual 7.1.2 channel experience complete with rich bass response and clearly defined surround effects. Voices always stay locked to the screen even as ambient effects envelope the listening area. Much better than the A2‘s virtual 5.1.2 setup lacking that crucial height dimension.
Let‘s again dig into the technical details:
| Virtual Surround Channels | LG A2: 5.1.2 | LG C2: 7.1.2 |
| Total Speaker Power | LG A2: 2 x 10W | LG C2: 2 x 10W + 2 x 10W |
| Dolby Atmos | ❌ | ✅ |
Of course a true 7.1.4 or 5.1.2 surround system is still my recommendation for full immersive audio. But between the two TVs, the C2 definitely pulls ahead for everyday TV, movies and gaming.
Smart TV Platform
One area where the A2 and C2 are evenly matched is LG‘s polished webOS smart TV platform. Both of these 2023 models include the latest webOS 23 interface with intuitive navigation using the acclaimed Magic Remote.
LG‘s launcher bar at the bottom allows quick access to installed apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and LG Channels. Users in a household can set up personalized profiles with individualized content recommendations based on viewing history and subscribed services.
WebOS also makes it a cinch to cast content from your mobile device using Apple AirPlay 2 or integrate with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa smart home ecosystems. Gamers will appreciate the Game Optimizer menu on the C2 allowing quick customization of settings for different game genres – a nice extra touch. But otherwise, webOS provides a stellar smart TV experience across both OLED models here.
The Bottom Line
When it‘s all said and done, yes, the LG C2 does demand around a $300 premium over the A2 series at equivalent screen sizes. But in my evaluation, that 30% bump buys you more than 30% better picture quality thanks to the OLED Evo panel. Add full realization of HDMI 2.1 gaming features, Dolby Atmos audio and future-proofed connectivity, and I believe discerning home theater fans will find the additional dollars money well spent.
Consider that you‘re likely to own one of these TVs for 5-7 years. Why not invest up front to maximize your enjoyment during that whole span? I encourage first deciding your ideal screen size for viewing distance based on room dynamics. Then consider stretching into the next tier represented by LG‘s magnificent C2 series. Your eyes and ears will thank you in the long run!
I‘m happy dive even deeper on anything I‘ve covered here. Let me know if you any other questions!
