Sharp BD200 Review
By
January 18th, 2009
Summary
The inexpensive BD200 and BD300 offer simulated surround sound with a finish to match Sharp's Aquos displays.
Though not likely the first name you think of when it comes to home audio, Sharp has expanded its speaker line with two new soundbars, an increasingly popular option for complementing HDTVs without the bulk and expense of a full home theater setup.
Sharp showed off the HT-SB300 and HT-SB200 at its sprawling CES booth. Though it was difficult to get a feel for sound quality in the booming central hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the bars sported compact designs that matched the glossy black finish of Sharp’s Aquos HDTVs to a tee. Both offer 34 watts of output through dual stereo speakers and built-in subs, but the higher-end SB300 adds a support for a number of different audio decoding formats, including DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, and Dolby Virtual Speaker, plus has output for a separate subwoofer.
Both models fall on the lower end of the soundbar price range, with the SB200 running for $250 and the SB300 for $300. The SB200 will be available by the end of the month, while the SB300 won’t be appearing until April.
Specs
The 34-watt Sound Bar combines advanced HDSS (high-definition sound standard) sound technology and SRS WOW HD Sound for a more natural listening experience and a deeper, more natural bass response. Both models feature adjustable Bass, Treble and Sub level options for a unique surround sound effect without rear channel speakers. The HT-SB300 adds digital audio decoding with DTS, Dolby® Digital and Dolby Pro Logic® II decoder, as well as Dolby Virtual Speaker to effectively simulate 5.1 channel surround sound. Dolby Virtual Speaker helps consumers transform their living room or bedroom into a surround-sound theater without stringing speaker wire throughout the room. The technology simulates a realistic 5.1-speaker surround sound environment without placing speakers in every corner of a room. The advanced Dolby Virtual Speaker technology then processes the sound to simulate the dynamics of a traditionally placed 5.1-speaker system.