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Quick Overview of the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is Sony’s premium 4K Blu-ray player, available at a reasonable price of $289 / £299 / around AU$481. It supports Dolby Vision HDR along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats, and it can handle various disc types, including SACD. Additionally, it comes with built-in Wi-Fi for streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video.
This Blu-ray player offers impressive picture quality that stands up to top competitors, featuring true-to-life textures, vibrant colors, and remarkable contrast. It also excels at upscaling standard Blu-rays and DVDs to enhance their visual quality. Although it may not capture film grain as well as its competitor, the Panasonic DP-UB820—which might matter to film enthusiasts—it remains a solid choice. When paired with a high-quality TV, it complements any home theater setup perfectly.
While the X800M2 may not provide as many features as the Panasonic DP-UB820 and doesn’t offer the same value as the slightly lower-priced Sony UBP-X700, it is still an excellent 4K Blu-ray player. When used with a top-notch OLED TV, you’ll likely be very satisfied.
Pricing & Release Date for the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player
- Release Date: May 2019
- Price: $289 / £299 (approximately AU$481)
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is the top-tier 4K Blu-ray player from Sony, positioned above the UBP-X700 model. It was initially launched in May 2019 at a price point of $299 / £350, competing directly with the Panasonic DP-UB820, their mid-range 4K Blu-ray player.
Years after its launch, the price of the X800M2 has mostly remained steady in the US, but discounts can happen occasionally. In the UK, availability is dwindling, with many units found only as pre-owned. Some places have seen a dramatic price increase, but I would advise purchasing it close to its original launch price.
Specifications of the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player
HDR Capability | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
Audio Capability | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS-HD |
Music Formats Supported | CD, Hi-res audio formats including DSD, ALAC, FLAC |
Connectivity Options | 2x HDMI outputs, coaxial digital audio output, Ethernet, USB (front) |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | 16.9 x 2.0 x 10.4 inches (430.0 x 50.0 x 265.0 mm) |
Weight | 8.4lbs / 3.8kg |
Review of Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player: Features
- Supports Dolby Vision HDR
- Can play SACDs
- Includes built-in Wi-Fi for streaming
The Sony X800M2 has extensive disc compatibility, handling 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, various DVD formats, CD, and even SACD—something many other high-end models, like the Panasonic UB9000, do not offer.
When it comes to HDR, the X800M2 supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, but it lacks HDR10+ support. In contrast, its competitor, the Panasonic DP-UB820, provides both Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
This player offers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (bitstream) capabilities, along with the ability to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio formats. High-resolution audio files also work through USB, supporting 24-bit and DSD (11.2 mHz) formats.
It comes equipped with two HDMI outputs, a coaxial digital audio output, a USB port for playback, and an Ethernet port. Built-in Wi-Fi allows streaming to popular services like Netflix and YouTube, with BBC iPlayer already available for UK users. While it lacks analogue audio outputs like the Panasonic DP-UB82, it does feature Bluetooth output for headphones. I tested this while watching La La Land, and the connection was stable with minimal delay.
The interface of the X800M2 is user-friendly and menus are easy to navigate. It offers various picture settings and multiple 4K upscaling options, along with audio presets for enhancing lower-resolution content. However, the interface appears somewhat plain and retains the outdated look of its more affordable sibling, the Sony UBP-X700.
A drawback carried over from the Sony UBP-X700 is the need to manually toggle Dolby Vision on and off for each disc. Unlike Panasonic players, it forces Dolby Vision regardless of the disc’s content when enabled.
Review of Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player: Performance
- Outstanding picture quality
- Effective upscaling capabilities
- Quick load times
In my tests, the X800M2 had a fast loading time, taking about 30 seconds from inserting a disc to the first logos appearing, which is 5-10 seconds quicker than the Panasonic DP-UB820, and a full 30 seconds faster than the Panasonic DP-UB150.
The player was connected to a Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV for testing.
Picture quality was impressive with the 4K Blu-ray of The Batman; black levels were rich and deep, with powerful contrast. Textures and details were lifelike, and Dolby Vision HDR added an extra visual boost. The same high quality was observed while watching Oppenheimer, where black and white scenes showcased a complete range of gray tones, resulting in a balanced and dynamic view.
Colors appeared vibrant. In the initial scene of La La Land (HDR10), the brightly colored outfits looked vivid yet natural. This was also true for a scene where Mia’s yellow dress contrasted sharply against a dark background, although I noted the X800M2 has a cooler color palette compared to my reference Panasonic DP-UB820.
The upscaling performance of the X800M2 was excellent. Watching the Blu-ray of The Batman, the image closely matched the 4K quality, with only slightly softer textures. The DVD of The Amazing Spider-Man, while not reaching 4K brightness, showed a significant improvement in picture clarity due to effective upscaling.
While the player generally produced accurate film reproduction, it did smooth out some film grain, which may be a consideration for purists. For instance, a scene from a Blu-ray of Thief contained a high level of film grain; while most of it was preserved, it appeared overly cleaned compared to the same disc played on the Panasonic DP-UB820. This occurred similarly with The Batman, which is intentionally grainy.
The X800M2 flawlessly handled Dolby Atmos soundtracks and CD playback was also trouble-free.
- Performance rating: 4.5 / 5
Review of Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player: Design
- Sturdy, premium design
- No front-panel display
- Inexpensive remote control
The X800M2 is built quite well for a mid-range player, featuring a solid metal and plastic chassis. Its design is sleek and minimal, though still adheres to the typical black look of many devices in this category.
Like its smaller sibling, the X700, the X800M2 does not include an alphanumeric LED display on the front, making it hard to see your current position in a movie or understand which screen or feature is active. It’s disappointing that such a high-end model from Sony lacks this common feature found in Panasonic players.
While the supplied remote is functional, it feels somewhat cheap. Although it’s better than the smaller remote given with the Sony X700, it still doesn’t match the ease of use found with Panasonic’s remotes for their 4K players.
Review of Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player: Value
- Excellent features and performance for its price
- The lower-end X700 offers more value
Prized at $289 / £299, the Sony UBP-X800M2 stands out as a commendable mid-range 4K Blu-ray player, albeit in a somewhat competitive category. It boasts impressive features like Wi-Fi for easy streaming, along with outstanding picture quality and quick response times. However, in the UK market, the Panasonic DP-UB820, which is similarly priced but offers enhanced HDR capabilities, could be a more suitable choice. In the US, the more affordable Sony X700 outshines the X800M2 in terms of overall value.
Is the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray player worth buying?
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Features | Includes Dolby Vision HDR support, Wi-Fi streaming capabilities, and plenty of audio and video settings, though some users find the menus and Dolby Vision options a bit frustrating. | 4.5/5 |
Performance | Outstanding picture quality and quick loading times. | 4.5/5 |
Design | Sturdy and high-quality design for the price, although it lacks an alphanumeric display. | 4/5 |
Value | Offers good value considering the features and performance, but the less expensive Sony UBP-X700 is a better overall value. | 4/5 |
Consider buying it if…
Avoid it if…
Also take a look at
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Sony UBP-X800M2 | Sony UBP-X700 | Panasonic DP-UB820 | Panasonic DP-UB150/154 |
Price | $289 / £299 (approximately AU$481) | $239/£219/AU$319 | $499/£349/AU$769 | $199/£149/AU$299 |
HDR support | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
Audio support | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS:HD MA | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X | Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS:HD MA |
Connectivity | 2x HDMI, 1x Coaxial digital output, 1x USB, 1x Ethernet | 2x HDMI, 1x USB, 1x optical output | 2x HDMI output (1 for audio, 1 for audio/video), Digital optical output, analogue LR audio output, analogue 7.1 channel audio output, Wi-Fi, LAN, 2x USB | 1x HDMI, 1x LAN, 1x USB (2.0) |
How I Evaluated the Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player
- Tested using various discs including 4K Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray, DVD, and CD
- Evaluated with a Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV
For my assessment of the Sony UBP-X800M2, I connected it to a Panasonic MZ1500 OLED, a TV that supports Dolby Vision HDR.
To evaluate the X800M2’s video and audio performance, I mainly utilized reference scenes from 4K Blu-rays, such as The Batman, La La Land, and Top Gun Maverick, among others.
I also used a selection of standard Blu-rays, including Thief, and DVDs such as The Amazing Spider-Man to examine the X800M2’s upscaling capabilities.
Additionally, I reviewed the X800M2’s video and audio settings, its menu functionality, and its streaming options.
