Verdict
A affordable and soundbar from Sharp that tick all the needful boxes in damage of performance for its price . If the inflow of tawdry , compact Atmos soundbars are n’t of involvement , and you ’re instead looking for a simpler experience , and give your television set mind a boost for a broken damage , then the Sharp comes recommended .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
These days , it ’s possible toupgrade your TV ’s soundwithout spending a fortune , and Sharp ’s HT - SBW202 is a soundbar that take care to deliver on exactly that promise .
With noDolby AtmosorDTS :X , Sharp ’s soundbar is n’t a complex one to wrap your head around . If you have a television set that ’s 40 - inch or big , and are in need of an audio boost , then you may want to give Sharp ’s HT - SBW202 a closer look .
Design
Like an electrician fare round to fix your boiler , the HT - SBW202 is here to do a line of work and that job only . It is n’t much of a smasher ; its compounding of grey and lustrelessness black plastic will baby-sit beneath a telecasting without grabbing the limelight , which is perfectly ok .
It ’s long at 988 mm , and slim and svelte , too , so will easy slot below a video . The rounded edges and curve pattern give it a neat appearance , although the lustrelessness black finish can draw in smudges .
The front expanse of the measure is embrace by a metal grille , while around the back is a break up arena for link ; at either side you ’ll ascertain ingredient for attaching the bar onto a paries . On the right - hand border are four button : power , volume up / down and source selection , in grammatical case the remote disappears down the back of your settle .
The 4 - digit light-emitting diode display is positioned above the logo in the middle of the soundbar , but the compounding of the lattice and the display ’s small size make it deceivingly catchy to read from a seated billet . It ’s dimmable in case it ’s a distraction .
The wireless subwoofer is small , and in terms of positioning , placing it to the side of the stripe will make the most sense ; the rear port involve plump it in front of a wall provides the best basso performance . Like the bar , the sub ’s finish does draw a few fingerprints that accrue over meter . There ’s a “ pair ” push button to connect the bar and hero ; although they should connect automatically when paired for the first time .
The ergonomically shaped remote control is a simple one to operate , with playback buttons located on the D - pad in its centre , plus dominance over bass and twofold frequencies , EQ adjustment , a Mute button , Bluetooth , germ selection and , of course , top executive . The D - pad has a squeamish click to its surgery , while the other buttons offer more push button . Overall , it ’s a simple design and a simple user experience , too , delivering as small inconvenience as potential .
Features
Connectivity covers all the usual point : HDMI ARCand digital optic input for connection to a TV ; the AUX - in can be used to tie in a headphone , or as analogue legacy connection to an older television . The USB porthole can be used either to update the bar or for audio playback , with drives up to 32 GB supported . Wirelessly , there’sBluetooth 4.2for pour from a mobile machine . Switching between the rootage is wanton via the remote , and HDMI CEC support signify that the television receiver remote can be used to control the Browning automatic rifle ’s volume .
As a strictly stereo gimmick with its two full - range speaker unit ( the subwoofer makes this a 2.1 organization ) , there ’s no Dolby Atmos or support for any other immersive audio . Sharp still sell theHT - SBW800if you ’re looking for a more affordable Atmos setup . I ’ve managed to wreak Dolby and DTS soundtracks so there should n’t be an issue for basic soundtrack compatibility .
There ’s a selection of equalizer modes , although in a slenderly unhelpful manner , the proficient specs bear on to them as News , Movie and Music , while the manual and stripe itself lists them as EQ1 , EQ2 and EQ3 . Presumably , EQ1 is News , EQ2 is Movie , and so on , but that ’s something that should be made a little decipherable . The 4th EQ modality is a Custom one , and when that ’s engaged the bass and treble levels can be change via the remote control .
Sound Quality
public presentation - wise , the Sharp is a placid and unsophisticated performer that well improves on any budget TV with which it ’s matched .
Dialogue is replicate naturally and there ’s more weightiness to its output . Compared toToshiba ’s UK31 , the Sharp ’s presentation of Marvel ’s Shang Chi easy outperforms the Toshiba , delivering more garishness and strength afforded to puncher , actual freshwater bass , and a better horse sense of depth to the soundstage .
restrained and loud second of dialogue and activity are treated as such , and the soundstage is n’t as cramped as you ’d find on a TV ; the music soundtrack benefit from the tumid sound , since it is n’t competing with other element . Compared to acheap TV , the Sharp offer a much better balance .
correct the bass and treble levels has a flimsy effect – a little more sharpness and rivet on dialogue with the latter , some more free weight and thumping to low frequencies with the former ; but the adjustments feel minor rather than possess any great consequence on what ’s heard .
In terms of weighing machine , the Sharp perform better with the volume tug up some more ; its active range – that difference of opinion between the blue and highest auditory sensation – becomes more pronounced . It did help to add together more excitement watching Dune , utilising the bar ’s 200W of power to decorous effect in some of big , more dramatic action moments . fight to Georgia home boy intensity with Blade Runner 2049 , there are no artefacts in handling bass , just a piffling distortion with high frequencies and some racket , but it fit itself well . If anything , the Sharp could do with being able to go a bit louder .
particular levels are assured in Le Mans 66 ( or Ford vs Ferrari , for American reader ) during the Willow Springs airstream . The squeal of the tyres , the throttly and raspy roar of the locomotive engine , mechanical gear shifts and sound of the dirt being recoil up are all handled convincingly well . In addition , there ’s ripe balance achieved between maintain all these effects and euphony without overwhelming dialogue .
Add to that in effect trailing and panning of motorcar and objects as they move across screen , arrangement of voices that match their descent peak , and a decent amount of height to the soundfield – the plane that Matt Damon ’s Shelby flies before announcing the Ford tidy sum does palpate as if it zooms above the television – and the Sharp is a very self-colored all - rotund movement at this monetary value . If there ’s a complaint , it ’s that there is n’t a whole circle of breadth beyond the soundbar ’s proportion , and sound are n’t projected towards the watcher . As a result , smaller rooms might become the Sharp well and help it fill up the space .
Streaming medicine over Bluetooth , the Sharp is better than expected for its price . It ’s a bit quiet initially , but crank up the volume shows what it ’s equal to of : adept vocal clarity , adequate bass and balance enough sound when dally Daft Punk ’s Around the World . What it does n’t quite communicate as well is the get-up-and-go or sea bass depth of some caterpillar tread , but that is n’t an entirely unexpected development when Bluetooth is in the mix .
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Should you buy it?
£ 160 is cheap but not so cheap that you might have a few suspicion about the sound or build quality . The Sharp puts in a self-coloured carrying out on both counts , and as such , it will be a good partner for any cheap TV .
For Atmos you ’ll involve to go up a few more rungs on the soundbar ladder , with Denon ’s DHT - S517 available for around double the toll if you’re able to jump out that far .
Final Thoughts
If opine of as a box - tick off physical exertion for a cheap soundbar then the Sharp HT - SBW202 ticks all the boxes it need to . It ’s simple to use , has all the link you ’d take , and it offers an audible improvement over a TV .
At £ 160 , the expense is n’t too great either . For those simply look to give their TV ’s audio a hike , to gain a more cinematic experience from what they watch , this is a very competent and solid movement from Sharp .
Trusted Score
How we test
We try out every soundbar we review thoroughly over an extended period of clock time . We utilise manufacture standard test to compare features decent . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , take over money to refresh a product .
retrieve out more about how we test in ourethics insurance .
FAQs
We ’d recommend position the sub to the side of the subwoofer , with a wall behind it to help reinforce the basso levels .
Full Specs
