0308wv25 Sharp allin1

12/6/2003

3:55 pm

Page 106

SHARP SD-AT1000H

1-bit amp/speaker combi

Bit below-par

Sharps latest amp/speaker package boasts 1-bit digital amplification and a highly enticing 380 price tag. But can it excite David Smith?
At the rear are colour-coded speaker sockets. We like this touch because it takes some of the hassle out of setting up the system and will be especially welcomed by home cinema newbies. Digital audio inputs come in both electrical and optical flavours, enabling you to connect your DVD deck for home cinema fun. There are also three sets of stereo audio inputs along with a set of outputs and a subwoofer preout. The presence of an RDS-equipped tuner is given away by the antenna sockets. The satellite speakers are bigger than most. Although having a small footprint they stand tall at 251mm (except for the centre, which lies long, if you see what we mean). The front three boxes all house a pair of 80mm full-range drivers and weigh a substantial 1.5kg. The satellites are identical in size, but only have one of the 80mm drivers and weigh just 0.9kg. This is a better specification than the SD-AT50DVH (where all the speakers had a single 80mm driver), but its not ideal for a home cinema speaker system to have unmatched speakers front and back. The subwoofer has a magnetically shielded 160mm woofer and weighs 6.3kg. Its relatively light because amplification duties are carried out by the main unit. Speaking of which, the quoted output of 6 x 100W seems very optimistic. Its hard to believe that these plastic satellite speakers can handle such a load.
Cluttered with tiny buttons and a pain to use
The amp pumps out 6 x 100W
Back in our June 02 issue we raved about Sharps first 1-bit all-in-one system, the delightful SD-AT100H. This stunning system garnered a Best Buy award despite its hefty 1,000 price tag. Less than a year later we got the 550 SD-AT50DVH. Although a less impressive performer, this was still a great looker. We were, therefore, positively slavering with anticipation when Sharps latest 1-bit system, the SD-AT1000H, hit our test bench. It may not include a DVD deck, but this amp/5.1 speaker system is yours for a highly alluring 380.

OPERATION

Setup is a cinch. The colour-coded cables (which are generous in length, to say the least) make it easy to get the package connected and youre soon on to the simple process of tweaking output to your tastes. You can adjust speaker delay settings between 0.1m and 9m for all speakers, allowing you to tailor them to an unusually shaped room. Speaker output can be set from 6dB to +6dB for the satellites and -10dB to +10dB for the sub. Strangely, although the sats are sensibly set to 0dB, the subwoofer comes out of the box at +6dB. As overly enthusiastic subs are a

DESCRIPTION

The AT1000Hs main unit is fairly attractive but doesnt match the AT100Hs overall flair. However, the large volume knob bang in the centre is a very classy touch. Elsewhere, there are a few minuscule controls to the right, a neat display to the left and a 1-bit logo which glows blue on the extreme right.

Colour-coded speaker sockets ease the setup process
106 August 2003 s WHAT VIDEO WIDESCREEN ENTERTAINMENT

3:56 pm

Page 107

Specification

FEATURES Amp: Dolby Digital/DTS/Dolby Pro-Logic II decoding; 6 x 100W amplification; AM/FM RDS tuner; speaker delay setting; speaker level setting; Movie, Music, Night, Standard & Surround modes; test tone; remote control Front and centre: 2 x 80mm full-range cones; magnetically shielded. Satellite: 80mm full-range cone Subwoofer: 160mm woofer; magnetically shielded SOCKETS Front: headphone minijack Rear: one optical digital input; one electrical digital input; three stereo audio inputs; one stereo audio output; AM/FM antennae inputs DIMENSIONS Amp: 430(w) x 67(h) x 324(d)mm Satellites: 105(w) x 251(h) x 125(d)mm Subwoofer: 240(w) x 408(h) x 306(d)mm CONTACT Sharp 2333 www.sharp.co.uk
common problem with all-in-ones this is a questionable decision. A test-tone generator is on hand to let you check your adjustments. Once set up this system can deliver Dolby Digital, DTS and Pro-Logic II soundtracks, depending what you feed it with. A smattering of sound modes includes Movie, Standard, Music, Night and Surround. Pure stereo sources can be listened to in Stereo mode, with sound routed only through the front stereo pair and the subwoofer. In this mode bass frequencies can also be enhanced. This simplicity of operation means that you can quickly get on with watching movies and listening to CDs. But before we get onto that, a quick word about the remote. As is becoming increasingly common, this zapper carries buttons for a range of items, including VCR, DVD player and TV. The result is a very cluttered design with a load of buttons you just dont need.
was used for the main testing sequence, with backup from Saving Private Ryans awesome beach-landing scene. Sadly, the AT1000H does not deliver. The first impression is of a horribly boomy subwoofer channel running roughshod over the rest of the soundstage. At high volume levels this quickly becomes very irritating.
The satellite speakers do a fairly good job at low volume
Trimming subwoofer output down from that ridiculously high factory setting does help. When the bass output is put back in its place the soundstage becomes more coherent, but the subwoofer still throws out low frequencies in a rather uncontrolled manner. The shuddering explosions on Omaha Beach are intended to be overwhelming, but this
system struggles to get down to the really rumbling depths. The satellite speakers do a fairly good job at low volumes and sound effects are well steered by the amp section, but crank up the volume and they really struggle. This makes the 6 x 100W power output a waste of time. If you hooked up higher-grade speakers to the main unit you would no doubt reap rewards, but that is hardly the point with a system such as this.

What we think

WHATS GOOD Ease of use WHATS BAD Unconvincing sound SOUND. FEATURES. EASE OF USE VALUE.77777.77777.77777.77777

Also consider.

SAMSUNG HT-DM150 Delivers better sound and includes a DVD deck, all for just 350 Reviewed Feb 03 SHARP SD-AT100H The original Sharp 1-bit system and still the best. Well worth the asking price of 1,000 Reviewed June 02

CONCLUSION

Theres no doubt that 380 is a snip for a 1-bit amp and speaker combi, but the SD-AT1000Hs middling performance makes you wonder where all the cutting-edge technology has gone. In short, this is neither as good-looking, nor as capable as its predecessors. We can only hope that Sharp rediscovers its past form with its next 1-bit offering s

PERFORMANCE

A spanking (no, we wont make the obvious joke) copy of Goldmember

Verdict 77777

Good price but distinctly average performance
August 2003 s WHAT VIDEO WIDESCREEN ENTERTAINMENT 107