Sony UBP-X800M2 Blu-ray Player Test

Sony UBP-X800M2 Blu-ray Player Test

We’ve tested the Sony BDP-S6700 blu-ray player before, and we were curious to know what we would discover at first hand testing the company’s other model.

Design & Build Quality

The Sony UBP-X800M2 features a distinctly square-shaped, utilitarian design, with a slightly rugged aesthetic. A glossy black stripe accentuates the front of the metal chassis, adding a subtle touch of refinement. Despite its minimalist silhouette, the build quality is excellent—the player feels rigid and stable, thanks to its robust metal housing.

This durable chassis is not just for show; it’s purpose-built to minimize vibrations and reduce electrical interference, both of which can negatively impact audio performance. The inclusion of a metal heatsink and a solid disc drive mechanism further underlines Sony’s focus on delivering a high-fidelity audiovisual experience.

However, the remote control leaves much to be desired. Made of lightweight plastic, it feels cheap and inconsistent with the premium feel of the main unit. For a device of this caliber, the remote seems like a missed opportunity in terms of design harmony and tactile satisfaction.

Features of the Sony UBP-X800M2

Playback Capabilities, Audio Formats & Connectivity

One of the standout upgrades of the Sony UBP-X800M2 over its predecessor is the support for Dolby Vision—a feature notably absent from the original X800. However, it’s important to note that Dolby Vision is not automatically detected; users must manually enable it, which may be inconvenient for those expecting plug-and-play functionality.

As expected from a modern 4K Blu-ray player, the X800M2 offers broad disc compatibility, including:

• 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays
• 3D Blu-rays
• HD Blu-rays
• DVDs
• Audio CDs

The X800M2 also excels in high-resolution audio playback, supporting formats such as DSD, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, WAV, and MP3. Sony’s proprietary DSEE HX (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) enhances compressed audio formats by restoring frequency range and dynamics, aiming to recreate the quality of the original studio recording.

In terms of video file playback, the player is compatible with a variety of formats via USB or network streaming, including XVID, WMV, AVCHD, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4. For immersive audio, the X800M2 can decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based formats, making it a solid component for any high-end home theater system.

Connectivity options are comprehensive:

• Ethernet port for wired streaming
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Front USB port for direct media playback

While streaming services are available, they are somewhat limited in comparison to dedicated media streamers, making this device more suitable for users who prioritize physical media and local file playback over app-based streaming.

Connectivity & Audio Output

On the rear panel, the Sony UBP-X800M2 includes dual HDMI outputs, allowing for separate video and audio transmission—ideal for connecting to older AV receivers or when seeking optimal audio quality. It also features a coaxial digital audio output for additional flexibility.

A key strength of the X800M2 is its Bluetooth functionality, which supports LDAC technology. Unlike standard Bluetooth, LDAC can transmit up to three times more data, resulting in significantly improved wireless audio quality when paired with compatible headphones or speakers.

Unlike some competitors—such as the Panasonic UB820—the X800M2 does not include a built-in multi-channel audio decoder and therefore lacks multi-channel analog outputs. For users with modern AV receivers, this omission is unlikely to be an issue, as digital HDMI outputs are the preferred standard for high-resolution multi-channel audio anyway.

A bigger problem, however, is that the Sony UBP-X800M2 does not support HDR10 + content. Of course, the lack of HDR10 + support doesn’t matter if your TV doesn’t support it either. Similar to the new Dolby Vision feature, if your TV doesn’t support Dolby Vision it doesn’t matter that your player doesn’t follow the trend either.

The Sony UBP-X800M2 offers 3 types of streaming applications: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

Test

Testing was performed in a relatively large movie room where a Sony projector was used to project the film. The sound quality of the home theatre system was provided by a Focal Chora speaker system and was paired with an Onkyo TX-SR393 amplifier. The acoustics of the room were quite good according to our measurements, thanks to the sound-absorbing acoustic panels, but for perfect sound, we recommended our client to place diffusers as well to balance the sound.

If you have a projector or low-brightness TV, you’ll be pleased to see that the X800M2 has the ability to convert HDR to SDR, so you can also enjoy the benefits of 4K Blu-ray extra resolution.

The player also has extra control options – including compatibility with Crestron, Savant and Control4 functions – and extra, custom installation-friendly connections such as IP control via Cat-5 or Wi-Fi, as well as an RS-232C, or a bidirectional control port and an IR input on the device.

Unfortunately, the player does not automatically recognise Dolby Vision discs. Therefore, you must manually select Dolby Vision “on” or “off”. By comparison, all other brands of 4K Blu-ray players that support Dolby Vision automatically detect whether you are inserting a Dolby Vision or HDR10 format disc.

If the TV sees the incoming content in Dolby Vision format, it adjusts the playback accordingly, causing problems such as over-accentuated skin colour, elevated black levels.

It transmits motion clearly and sharply, whether you’re watching a 24p movie on a disc or 50 / 60Hz streams from built-in applications.

Upscaling & HDR-to-SDR Conversion

The Sony UBP-X800M2 performs excellent upscaling of sub-4K content, particularly when playing HD Blu-ray discs. The scaled images are sharper and more detailed, yet remain clean and smooth, avoiding the common pitfall of introducing unwanted digital noise or edge artifacts.

While Sony’s upscaling is impressive, it falls just short of the Panasonic UB820, which offers a slightly more refined image in this regard. However, the difference is marginal and likely to go unnoticed by most viewers.

A more significant gap appears when comparing HDR-to-SDR conversion between the two players. Here, Panasonic clearly has the upper hand. The UB820 handles HDR tone mapping and color conversion with remarkable precision, ensuring natural-looking images on SDR displays. In contrast, the Sony X800M2 occasionally produces unnatural color tones, particularly in darker shades, making the conversion less accurate and potentially distracting in high-contrast scenes.

Sound Quality

In terms of audio performance, the Sony UBP-X800M2 is exceptional. Whether you’re listening to high-resolution music files or soundtracks from Blu-ray discs, the sound is clear, full-bodied, and emotionally engaging. The built-in DSEE HX (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) does a particularly impressive job at enhancing compressed digital audio, restoring depth, dynamics, and richness to near high-resolution levels.

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Conclusion

You may want to consider the Sony UBP-X800M2 if:

• You value outstanding 4K video performance, especially for HDR10 and HD Blu-ray playback
• You’re looking for a player with extensive disc and file format support
• You appreciate high-quality audio and want enhanced sound from compressed digital files

The UBP-X800M2 is a solid all-rounder that handles 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, standard Blu-rays, 3D discs, DVDs, and CDs with ease. Its support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, hi-res audio formats, and LDAC-enhanced Bluetooth makes it a compelling choice for audiophiles and home cinema fans alike.

However, if Dolby Vision auto-detection, HDR-to-SDR conversion, or HDR10+ playback are priorities, the Panasonic UB820 may be a better fit. It offers more advanced tone-mapping and conversion features, especially for mixed viewing environments and SDR displays.

Still, the Sony UBP-X800M2 impresses with its build quality, versatile playback options, and refined audio capabilities, making it a worthwhile investment for media enthusiasts who prefer performance over extras.