Sharp Q HT-SBW53121 Soundbar + HT-SPR52021 Rear Speakers Review

Sharp has been making important strides within the UK audio market with its Q sequence soundbars, and the HT-SBW53121 represents a formidable entry within the mid-range phase.

This 3.1.2 channel soundbar, when paired with the non-compulsory HT-SPR52021 wi-fi rear audio system, creates a formidable 5.1.4 {surround} sound system that goals to convey cinema-quality audio to your front room.

The Sharp Q sequence marks the corporate’s return to kind within the audio house, with merchandise that prioritise sound high quality over pointless good options. This strategy turns into significantly evident with the HT-SBW53121, which skips Wi-Fi connectivity and streaming apps in favour of specializing in what issues most: delivering nice audio efficiency at an affordable value.

What units this technique aside is its collaboration with Devialet, the French audio specialist famend for its premium audio system and acoustic engineering experience. This partnership brings skilled tuning to a consumer-friendly value level, promising to raise the audio expertise past what you’d usually count on from a soundbar on this class.

Sharp HT-SBW53121 Soundbar Specification

Sharp HT-SPR52021 Rear Speaker Specification

Different Sharp Q Fashions

Unboxing / Design / Construct High quality

The Sharp HT-SBW53121 arrives in a sizeable field, reflecting the soundbar’s beneficiant proportions and the inclusion of a decent-sized wi-fi subwoofer. The soundbar itself is completed in matte gray plastic, with a easy, useful design that ought to go well with most residing rooms. The entrance grille is metallic, offering some reassurance by way of sturdiness, whereas the remainder of the chassis is plastic. The unit feels strong, though it lacks the premium end seen in some higher-priced opponents.

The rear audio system are comparatively compact and unobtrusive. They share the identical understated design language because the soundbar, with a sensible construct that prioritises operate over kind. The subwoofer is massive and boxy, with a downward-firing driver and a ported enclosure. Whereas the supplies are usually not luxurious, the general development is sturdy and may stand up to common use.

Set Up

Establishing the soundbar is an easy course of, largely because of the truth that it lacks any community connectivity and good options.

You plug the cables into the fitting locations, and that’s about it.

For the {surround} sound audio system, it is advisable to pair them with the soundbar. To do that it is advisable to:

1. Be sure that all of the cables are securely linked and the soundbar is in STANDBY.
2. Press and maintain the PAIR button on the rear of the speaker for 3 seconds. The speaker will enter pairing mode, and the PAIR indicator will flash rapidly.
3. Press the facility button on the soundbar or on the distant management to modify the soundbar on.
4. Press the MENU button on the distant management, then use the directional management on the distant management to focus on <WLPAIR>. Press the play/pause button and wait for five seconds.
5. When the speaker is paired with the primary unit, the PAIR Indicator can be strong and the soundbar will show <PAIRED>.
6. If the PAIR indicator blinks, the wi-fi connection has failed. The soundbar will show <SPK NC>. Unplug the facility cable from the speaker after which reconnect the facility cable after 4 minutes. Repeat steps 1 to 4.

Options and Connectivity

The HT-SBW53121 affords a broad vary of connectivity choices, together with:

• 2 x HDMI inputs (plus HDMI-eARC output)
• Digital optical enter
• 3.5mm aux-in
• USB playback
• Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC and AAC+ codecs)
• HDMI-CEC for TV distant management

The HDMI-eARC performance is especially helpful for these utilizing newer TVs, because it helps higher-quality audio codecs and permits for synchronised energy and quantity management with the TV distant.

Audio decoding assist is beneficiant, together with Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X, DTS-HD, and DTS 5.1. For USB playback, the soundbar helps a broad vary of codecs: MP3, OGG, WAV, FLAC, AAC+, and ALAC.

Customers can regulate particular person bass and treble ranges with the distant, and the equaliser presets cowl a variety of eventualities, together with Film, Music, Sport, Sport, Voice, Night time, and a Customized mode.

The distant management is useful, with direct entry to sound modes, enter choice, and particular person adjustment for bass and treble. The on-unit controls are fundamental however ample for day-to-day use. The LED show offers clear suggestions however isn’t as discreet as some OLED options.

Audio Efficiency

Sound High quality

The HT-SBW53121 performs nicely and delivers a full-bodied sound with clear dialogue, punchy bass, and a convincing sense of house, particularly when paired with the rear audio system.

The three.1.2 {surround} sound has a left, proper, centre (3), a subwoofer (1) and two top channels (2).

The devoted centre channel ensures that voices stay intelligible even throughout busy motion scenes, and the up-firing drivers add top to the soundstage when enjoying Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content material.

The up-firing Atmos audio system are one thing you don’t see typically at this value level.

The subwoofer offers ample low-end presence, enhancing explosions and music with out overwhelming the midrange. Bass is tight quite than boomy, and whereas it might lack the sheer depth of bigger, costlier subs, it’s nicely built-in with the soundbar.

The rear audio system make a noticeable distinction to immersion, significantly with surround-encoded materials. Results transfer convincingly across the room, and the up-firing drivers contribute to a way of top, although the impact is extra delicate than in techniques with side-firing or ceiling audio system. The system performs nicely with each movies and music, though stereo music playback is much less participating than multi-channel content material.

Sound Modes and Customisation

The soundbar affords a number of EQ presets: Film, Music, Voice, Sport, Sport, Night time, Customized, and Off. Every mode subtly tweaks the frequency response to go well with totally different content material. The Film mode enhances {surround} results and bass, whereas Voice mode brings dialogue to the forefront. The Night time mode compresses dynamics for late-night viewing.

There’s additionally handbook adjustment for bass and treble, permitting customers to tailor the sound to their choice or room acoustics. The dearth of computerized room calibration is a limitation, however handbook adjustment is straightforward sufficient for many customers.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

Help for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is a key promoting level. The soundbar’s up-firing drivers create a way of verticality, with results akin to rain or helicopters showing to return from above. Whereas the impact isn’t as pronounced as with ceiling audio system, it provides an additional dimension to appropriate content material.

The system handles object-based audio nicely, with clean transitions between channels and a coherent soundstage. Nevertheless, the general impact relies on room form and ceiling top, and a few customers might discover the peak channels much less efficient in bigger or irregular areas.

Music Playback

Music playback is competent, with a balanced sound that avoids harshness at excessive volumes. The system helps a spread of audio codecs by way of USB, and Bluetooth streaming is secure and easy. Whereas the soundbar is optimised for movie and TV, it performs respectably with music, providing clear vocals and ample bass for many genres.

Worth and Various Choices

The Sharp HT-SBW53121 Soundbar is offered for £380, and the HT-SPR52021 Rear Audio system can be found for £219, making the overall for this technique £599.

The HT-SBW55121, the flagship mannequin, is available for £529 on Amazon.

Then, sitting under the mannequin I reviewed is the HT-SBW460 3.1 Soundbar priced at £279.

And under that’s the HT-SB700 at £169

Competing choices round this value level embody:

• Sonos Beam Gen 2 for £449 – Dolby Atmos good soundbar – In case you have been so as to add a subwoofer and {surround} audio system, the value could be considerably increased
• TCL S55HK for £399 – 220W 2.1 Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Subwoofer
• Panasonic SC-HTB600 for £399 – 360W 2.1 channel Dolby Atmos DTS:X Soundbar with Subwoofer
• Klipsch Flexus Core 200 for £399 – 185W 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar with no subwoofer
• Sony HTS2000 for £399 – 250W 3.1ch Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Soundbar with no subwoofer. Sony SA-SW3 subwoofer is £449, and the identical value for the SA-RS3S {surround} sound audio system
• Samsung HW-Q600C for £399 – 3.1.2ch Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Subwoofer
• Samsung HW-B650F for £349 – 37oW 3.1ch Soundbar with Subwoofer

 General

The Sharp Q HT-SBW53121 soundbar, paired with the HT-SPR52021 rear audio system, affords a convincing {surround} sound expertise at a aggressive value. 

I feel the dearth of good options has allowed Sharp to deal with the necessary stuff you want from a soundbar, the general audio high quality.

Sturdy factors embody the inclusion of a subwoofer, eArc, and the upwards-firing audio system for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content material. There are usually not many different techniques that supply this stage of audio options at this value level.

For customers looking for a no-nonsense house cinema improve with true 5.1.4 channel sound at a smart value, the Sharp HT-SBW53121 and HT-SPR52021 mixture is a wonderful selection. It’s not with out its compromises, but it surely delivers a stage of efficiency that may fulfill most movie and TV fans seeking to step up from their TV’s built-in audio system.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and good house gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to convey a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging life-style, health, and the newest tech traits.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Techniques Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many prime know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I purpose to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.

Final replace on 2025-07-05 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API