๐ Product review
๐ Product review
Expand Hide
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for those who prioritize upscaling non-4K content, HDR format support, motion handling, and high-resolution audio formats. It offers advanced audio processing and upscaling capabilities, including DSEE HX upscaling, and supports object-oriented audio tracks and eARC for higher-bandwidth audio return channel.
It also has a dedicated audio-only HDMI port, a coaxial S/PDIF output, and a USB port for local media playback, making it a more versatile choice for audiophiles who want a detailed and nuanced sound quality. Additionally, it has a more customizable interface and can play almost any disc and file format, making it a better option for those with a wider range of disc formats in their collection.
The Sony UBP-X700M is better for those who want a reliable and consistent image quality, immersive audio formats, and a fast internet connection. It offers good upscaling performance, excellent color accuracy and contrast, and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it a good choice for those who want a more three-dimensional soundstage and an immersive audio experience.
It also has dual-band Wi-Fi capabilities and Ethernet capabilities, allowing for a stable and potentially faster internet connection compared to Wi-Fi. Additionally, it has a more extensive app selection, including Hulu and YouTube TV, and built-in voice control capabilities through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, making it a convenient option for those who want to control their entertainment system with their voice.
It is also a good option for those who want to play media files from a USB drive.
Table of contents (click on an item)
Picture quality
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for upscaling non-4K content, HDR format support, and motion handling, while the Sony UBP-X700M is better for reliable and consistent image quality across all sources.
Click to jump to the Picture quality comparison
Audio quality
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for high-resolution audio formats, while the Sony UBP-X700M is better for immersive audio formats.
Click to jump to the Audio quality comparison
Connectivity
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for connectivity options and high-quality audio streaming, while the Sony UBP-X700M is better for a reliable and fast internet connection and streaming online content.
Click to jump to the Connectivity comparison
User interface
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for advanced users who prioritize a customizable interface, while the Sony UBP-X700M is better for users who need access to a wider range of streaming services and prefer a plug-and-play experience.
Click to jump to the User interface comparison
Disc compatibility
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for disc compatibility with a wider range of formats, while the Sony UBP-X700M is better for Ultra HD and 3D Blu-ray discs and has good error correction capabilities.
Click to jump to the Disc compatibility comparison
Additional features
The Sony UBP-X700M is better for those who want additional streaming options and built-in voice control, while the Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for those who only need basic streaming services and have a compatible smart speaker.
Click to jump to the Additional features comparison
Picture quality
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for those who prioritize upscaling non-4K content, as it has a slight edge in upscaling quality, particularly for HD Blu-ray discs. It can enhance the quality of non-4K content, making it look closer to true 4K resolution. It is also better for those who prioritize HDR format support, as it supports HLG and Dolby Vision HDR formats, which allows for even more accurate color reproduction.
Additionally, it is better for those who prioritize motion handling, as it can easily outperform other competing models and deliver motion perfectly.
The Sony UBP-X700M is better for those who want a reliable and consistent image quality, regardless of the source material. It offers good upscaling performance, adding some extra detail and sharpness to non-4K content. It also offers excellent color accuracy and contrast, with HDR10 support that allows for a wide range of colors and contrast.
While it may not be the best option for those who prioritize motion handling, it is still likely to provide a smooth and clear viewing experience for fast-paced scenes.
Overall, both players offer excellent picture quality, but the Sony UBP-X800M2 may be better for those who prioritize upscaling, HDR format support, and motion handling, while the Sony UBP-X700M may be better for those who prioritize reliable and consistent image quality across all sources.
Audio quality
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for those who prioritize high-resolution audio formats, as it supports a wider range of formats and has a higher quality audio DAC. It also has advanced audio processing and upscaling capabilities, including DSEE HX upscaling, which can improve the sound quality of non-high-resolution formats.
Additionally, it supports object-oriented audio tracks and eARC for higher-bandwidth audio return channel. This makes it a more versatile choice for audiophiles who want a detailed and nuanced sound quality.
The Sony UBP-X700M is better for those who prioritize immersive audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as it supports a variety of these formats. It also has good sound quality and offers some level of audio processing and upscaling for non-high-resolution formats. This makes it a good choice for those who want a more three-dimensional soundstage and an immersive audio experience.
Overall, both players offer advanced audio capabilities and are excellent choices for those who want to enjoy high-quality audio at home. The choice between the two may depend on individual preferences and priorities when it comes to audio quality, but the Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for high-resolution audio formats and the Sony UBP-X700M is better for immersive audio formats.
Connectivity
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for connectivity options as it has a dedicated audio-only HDMI port, a coaxial S/PDIF output, and a USB port for local media playback, which the Sony UBP-X700M does not have. It also supports Bluetooth audio output with Sony's LDAC headroom extension, allowing for higher quality audio streaming through Bluetooth.
The X800M2 can accept 4K signals with HDR through Wi-Fi, while there is no information on whether the X700M can do the same. It is a great option for those who want advanced connectivity options and high-quality audio streaming.
The Sony UBP-X700M is better for those who want a reliable and fast internet connection as it has dual-band Wi-Fi capabilities and Ethernet capabilities, allowing for a stable and potentially faster internet connection compared to Wi-Fi. It can be connected to a home network and access online content, as well as receive software updates to keep the player up-to-date with the latest features and fixes.
It is a great option for those who want to stream their favorite movies and TV shows from popular services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, among others.
User interface
The Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for users who prioritize a clean and customizable interface. Its minimalistic design and extensive settings menu allow for a high level of control and customization, making it ideal for advanced users who want to fine-tune their viewing experience. On the other hand, the Sony UBP-X700M is better for users who need access to a wider range of streaming services.
Its slightly more extensive app selection, including Hulu and YouTube TV, may be a deciding factor for users who rely heavily on these services. Overall, both the Sony UBP-X800M2 and UBP-X700M have intuitive user interfaces that are easy to navigate. The choice between the two devices ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs.
Disc compatibility
According to expert reviews, the Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for disc compatibility if the user has a wider range of disc formats in their collection, as it supports DVD-Audio and other disc formats in addition to DVD, Blu-ray, CD, and SACD. It may also be more forgiving with damaged discs due to its ability to play almost any disc and file format.
However, it is not region-free and can only play discs from the region in which it was purchased.
On the other hand, the Sony UBP-X700M is better for disc compatibility if the user primarily has Ultra HD Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray discs in their collection. It also has good error correction capabilities, making it better for handling scratched or damaged discs. However, it can only play Region A/1 Blu-ray discs and Region 1 DVDs, limiting its compatibility with region-specific discs.
Overall, the choice between the two players depends on the user's specific needs and disc collection. If the user has a wider range of disc formats and wants more forgiving disc compatibility, the Sony UBP-X800M2 may be the better option. If the user primarily has Ultra HD Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray discs and wants better error correction capabilities, the Sony UBP-X700M may be the better option.
Additional features
The Sony UBP-X700M is better for those who want a Blu-ray player with additional streaming options such as Hulu and Spotify, as well as built-in voice control capabilities through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It is also a good option for those who want to play media files from a USB drive.
On the other hand, the Sony UBP-X800M2 is better for those who only need basic streaming services and already have a compatible smart speaker or other device for voice control. It also has a more versatile USB port that can accommodate different types of USB drives. Overall, the Sony UBP-X700M is a more convenient and versatile option for those who want a more streamlined home entertainment setup, while the Sony UBP-X800M2 is a more basic but still high-quality option for those who don't need additional features.
Experts recommend Sony UBP-X800M2 more than Sony UBP-X700M
As of 5 Jul 2024, experts prefer Sony UBP-X800M2 over Sony UBP-X700M, but both Blu-ray Players have solid expert endorsem*nts.
As per this month's meta ranking, Sony UBP-X800M2 received 5 recommendations: from Fix the Photo (25 Jun 2024), The Techlounge (7 Jan 2023) The Master Switch (3 May 2021) and 2 others. By contrast, Sony UBP-X700M received only 2 recommendations from Crutchfield (20 Nov 2023) and Digital Trends (23 Mar 2024).
Rank | Change | Price | Blu-ray Player | Fix the Photo | The Techlounge | Crutchfield | Wirecutter | The Master Switch | What Hi-Fi | IndieWire | TopTenReviews | CNET | Digital Trends |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | - | $298 | The Sony UBP-X800M2 is a high-quality Blu-ray player that delivers exceptional picture and audio quality, with excellent HDR support, multi-channel audio output, and versatile connectivity options. | 2 | 1 | - | - | 7 | - | 4 | - | - | 2 |
9 | +1 | $258 | The Sony UBP-X700M Blu-ray player is a versatile and reliable media player that offers excellent picture and audio quality, a variety of connectivity options, and supports Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD, and SACD formats, making it a great choice for those with a diverse collection of discs. | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
Curious to see this month's entire Blu-ray Players ranking? It's here
Endorsem*nt summary:
- On 23 Mar 2024
Digital Trends ranked Sony UBP-X700M as #1 and Sony UBP-X800M2 as #2
Rank Blu-ray Player Comment #1outof5 Sony UBP-X700M The best overall Blu-ray player
#2outof5 Sony UBP-X800M2 The best Blu-ray player for music
... ... ... Source: www.digitaltrends.com
- On 20 Nov 2023
Crutchfield ranked Sony UBP-X700M as #2
Rank Blu-ray Player Comment ... ... ... #2outof4 Sony UBP-X700M Best budget 4K Blu-ray player
... ... ... Source: www.crutchfield.com
- On 25 Jun 2024
Fix the Photo ranked Sony UBP-X800M2 as #2
Rank Blu-ray Player Comment ... ... ... #2outof11 Sony UBP-X800M2 Virtually Silent
... ... ... Source: fixthephoto.com
- On 7 Jan 2023
The Techlounge ranked Sony UBP-X800M2 as #1
Rank Blu-ray Player Comment #1outof7 Sony UBP-X800M2 Amazing Video And Audio In One
... ... ... Source: www.thetechlounge.com
- On 3 May 2021
The Master Switch ranked Sony UBP-X800M2 as #7
Rank Blu-ray Player Comment ... ... ... #7outof15 Sony UBP-X800M2 Best of the Rest
... ... ... Source: www.themasterswitch.com
- On 18 Nov 2021
IndieWire ranked Sony UBP-X800M2 as #4
Rank Blu-ray Player ... ... #4outof5 Sony UBP-X800M2 ... ... Source: www.indiewire.com
After counting and adding up the 68 expert endorsem*nts of the July rankings, Sony UBP-X800M2 outranks Sony UBP-X700M. This is not to say that Sony UBP-X700M is a bad option. Like Sony UBP-X800M2, it is recommended by experts, but less.
MetaRanking Common points from expert reviews summarized.
As can be seen below, Sony UBP-X800M2 outranks Sony UBP-X700M by 7 positions. This indicates that, as of 5 Jul 2024, Sony UBP-X800M2 is more critically acclaimed than Sony UBP-X700M.
Rank | Change | Price | Blu-ray Player | Fix the Photo | The Techlounge | Crutchfield | Wirecutter | The Master Switch | What Hi-Fi | IndieWire | TopTenReviews | CNET | Digital Trends |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | - | $420 | The Panasonic UB820 is a highly recommended Blu-ray player with exceptional picture quality, good audio capabilities, a variety of connectivity options, and additional features like streaming services and voice control. | - | 7 | 1 | 1 | 12 | - | 3 | 2 | - | 3 |
2 | - | $298 | The Sony UBP-X800M2 is a high-quality Blu-ray player that delivers exceptional picture and audio quality, with excellent HDR support, multi-channel audio output, and versatile connectivity options. | 2 | 1 | - | - | 7 | - | 4 | - | - | 2 |
3 | - | Check price | The Xbox Series X is a top-notch gaming console with excellent picture and audio quality, smooth gameplay, and a comprehensive range of connectivity options, making it a great choice for gamers and entertainment enthusiasts. | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | - | - | 6 | 3 | 4 |
4 | - | $194 | The Sony UBP-X700 is a highly rated and versatile 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player that offers excellent upscaling, HDR support, multi-format disc playback, and a range of connectivity options and streaming services. | 7 | - | - | - | 6 | 3 | - | - | 1 | - |
Show all rows |
Expert Reviews There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. Below are their opinions.
Expert reviews [3]
87
Total expert reviews: 3
- with a score: 3
- without a score: 0
Highest score by TechHive | 90 |
Average score based on 3 reviews | 87 |
Lowest score by Digital Trends | 80 |
Score distribution:
80-100 | |
60-80 | |
40-60 | |
20-40 | |
0-20 | |
Expert reviews [14]
86
Total expert reviews: 14
- with a score: 11
- without a score: 3
Highest score by What Hi-Fi | 100 |
Average score based on 14 reviews | 86 |
Lowest score by Trusted Reviews | 70 |
Score distribution:
80-100 | |
60-80 | |
40-60 | |
20-40 | |
0-20 | |
From Seller:
- See the unrivalled visual clarity of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
- Play almost any disc and file format including DVDs
- Stunning picture with 4K upscaling up to 60p
- Listen to music from multiple formats
- Dual HDMI outputs for A/V separation and clearer sound
- Read more
From Seller:
- Bring the theater home: See the unrivaled visual clarity and detail of 4K UHD Blu-ray while watching your favorite content from the comfort of home
- Smart Functionality: With fast, stable built-in Wi-Fi, you can wirelessly access your favorite streaming apps and services including Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime & various others.
- Read more
Video Reviews Most popular unboxing/review videos.
SONY UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray Player Review & Setup | Sony's Best!
Review by SpareChange
Very popular! 516K views!
Play video review
Sony UBP-X800M2 Five Month Review | Best 4K Blu Ray Player 2019??
Review by Techno Dad
Popular! 46K views!
Play video review
Sony UBP-X800M2 4K UHD Player Unboxing & Setup
Review by Techno Dad
Popular! 71K views!
Play video review