Entered CNET Catalog: 12/23/2005
SKU: SD-SP10
Manufacturer: Sharp Electronics
Manufacturer description
Welcome to the realm of 1-Bit audio, where sound takes on a whole new dimension. Sharp's cutting-edge audio technology lets you get more out of your home theater experience. Whether it’s a movie moment of whispered intimacy or a room-quaking action sequence, 1-Bit technology brings the sound to you with unsurpassed realism. In addition to the Sharp 1-Bit technology, Sharp also designed a revolutionary 2.1 Channel Home Theater System that simulates 5.1 Channel Surround Sound from just one speaker box. Now you don't have to set up rear speakers and worry about how to hide the speaker wires. With Sharp's SD-SP10 2.1 Channel Home Theater System, you can easily set it up in any room of the house in just minutes. Enjoy home theater sound without the complicated process of setting up multiple speakers and components.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 07/26/2006
The Sharp SD-SP10 is a two-part, satellite/subwoofer system. The speaker houses all of the amplifier channels and system processing electronics. It measures 4.1 inches high by 17 inches wide by 10.75 deep and looks like any number of center-channel speakers we've tested over the years. But closer inspection reveals this is no ordinary design. First, a yellow/orange LED readout behind the speaker's metal grille displays volume level, subwoofer volume level, surround mode, mute, or the selected source. On top of that, small green LEDs indicate various processing choices such as Dolby Digital, Dolby Virtual Speaker, and DTS, as well as the Audistry suite of sonic options. These include Sound Space spatial enhancement, Natural Bass low-end booster, a mono-to-stereo synthesizer for older movies, and Intelligent Volume, that boosts quiet sounds and lowers louder ones for late night listening. Unlike most 5.1-channel home-theater systems, the SD-SP10 requires absolutely no setup adjustments or fine tuning--it's a true plug-and-play system.
The speaker is magnetically shielded, and while we didn't experience any problems with the speaker affecting the picture on our direct-view TV, the SD-SP10's users' manual mentions that interference may occur; if it does, you obviously need to shift the speaker away from your TV. It's worth noting that the two-channel speaker has a pair of 2.5-inch woofers and 2-inch tweeters; each channel is powered by a 35-watt digital amplifier. The speaker also houses a 70-watt amplifier for the included subwoofer.
The matching, solidly built, medium-density fiberboard subwoofer weighs 12.6 pounds. It's a mere 4.5 inches wide, but it's 16.5 inches high and 17.1 deep. Its bass level is adjustable over a wide range of settings via the remote, and we found it easy to tweak the sub on the fly when we changed discs. The subwoofer is not magnetically shielded, so you need to position it at least two or three feet away from the TV.
Connectivity is above average for this type of system. You get three stereo RCA analog inputs and three digital audio inputs: two optical and one coaxial. The subwoofer high-level output is intended for use with the included sub, but there's also an RCA subwoofer output that offers an upgrade path if you want to use another brand's powered sub. Hookup is extremely simple: just connect the analog or digital audio output from your audio source to the speaker's back panel and you're done. Thanks to the SD-SP10's ample range of jacks and onboard processing, you don't need a separate A/V receiver, though you can certainly use one if you choose; the system is essentially a home-theater-in-a-speaker. You can connect directly from your DVD player, VCR, cable/satellite box, and so forth.
As with every virtual-surround system we've tested--with the exception of the Yamaha YSP-800 ($800)--the SD-SP10's surround effect is at its best only for listeners seated directly in front of the speaker. Move over to the left or right and the sound space collapses, and all you'll hear is the sound coming from the one speaker. That said, the Audistry processing really worked wonders on the sound of the King Kong DVD. The wide and deep soundstage let us forget we were listening to a single speaker, and that skinny sub generated authoritative bass. Dynamic range and visceral impact were the equal of most entry-level home-theater-in-a-box systems. Dialog was clear and fairly natural. And for the most part, the SD-SP10 didn't fall prey to the artifacts--an irritating hollow or echoey quality--we experienced with other virtual-surround speaker systems.
We're also pleased to note the Sharp SD-SP10's sound was almost as enjoyable with CDs--and that's a rare accomplishment for a virtual-surround speaker, regardless of cost. We credit some of that quality to Sharp's athletic subwoofer, which goes deep and offers pretty decent definition. Overindulge with too much volume and yes, the sub will distort, but that's par for the $350-speaker-system course. However, at more moderate volume levels, the speaker's stereo spread on the Raconteurs' new CD, Broken Boy Soldiers was impressive. We didn't have any other virtual-surround speakers on hand for direct A-B comparisons, but we'd rate the SD-SP10's musical abilities at least on a par with those of models from Soundmatters and Yamaha. Significantly, those competitors cost more--more than double in the case of the Yamaha--and they leave it up to you to supply the subwoofer.
User opinions
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User Rating: 
8/10
A cheap alternative to boost your TVs sound.
Pros: Easy to use. Independent bass control. Nice sound.
Cons: The main unit is a bit bulky. Voices can sound a bit muddy. Notoriously difficult to find.
Once I turned it on, I was pretty happy with what I heard. Once my elation wore off though, I realized that the actors' voices were a bit muddy. While the system does increase the soundspace and adds some nice base, it does so at a cost to your highs and midtones. I'm sure there are some folks out there who could live with it the way it is. I, on the otherhand, was having trouble enjoying it. I need to hear what the actors say and I like everything to be crisp.
I did find a solution which any audiophile would disagree with. I use the volume on my TV for voices and highs and I use the SD-SP10 to increase the soundstage and for adding base. At first this was hugely problematic as I could not get the two to mesh and the actors' voices would be full of echo. Then I realized I had my TV set to virutual surround. It was as if the TV was in a battle with the SD-SP10. Once I set my TV to normal stereo, everything sounded great. Now that I have both the TV and SD-SP10 configured to my Harmony One Remote, my Home Entertainment System is a snap to use.
As everyone says, it will not give you true surround sound. I have yet to hear anything that sounds like it is coming from behind me. It does add oomph to your movies with modestly nice bass and opening up the soundstage. This thing is very hard to find. If you can't get your hands on one, try a Sony HTCT-100. I heard one in the store and it sounded great.
User Rating: 
7/10
SD-SP10 surround +7
Pros: Great sound when sitting directly in from the speaker.
Cons: Poor sound when not sitting directly in from of SD-SP10
User Rating: 8/10
Worth the hunt
Pros: Small, compact rooms will come alive
Cons: subwoofer isn't as powerful
User Rating: 
2/10
Can't find item to purchase
Pros: great reviews
Cons: Can't purchase
Rating is only because after 5 hrs of research the system is unavailable. Probably should pull rating
I was just advised that this model is no longer available and has no replacement model.
I apologize for the inconvenience.
Thanks,
Kristy Varan
Sharp Electronics Corp
Customer Assistance Center
User Rating: 
9/10
Perfect for my small home!
Pros: Size, Great quality, Great sound.
Cons: It came only in silver.
User Rating: 8/10
Good value in a compact 1.1 system
Pros: sounds good, easy connect, lots of I/O, compact
Cons: it's not 5.1
The first thing one has to understand is that while there are noticeable surround f/x, 5.1 this is not. In fact, how much surround you get will likely depend greatly on placement and the shape of your listening room. Really though, to an extent the same can be said of 5.1.
My placement, which can't be easily changed, means that I get pretty decent surround on the right and little on the left. The sound quality itself is good and the slim sub cranks out the bass surprisingly well. I tried hooking up my AR 12" powered sub in place of the one that comes with the Sharp, but it offered no apparent improvement.
The unit has plenty of connections, 3 digital (2 toslink, 1 s/pdif) and 3 analog. I did use a couple of the analogs for a while, but now I'm using only the digitals, which results in an overall better sound.
Ease of use is about as easy as it gets. There's some sound pre-sets or you can mix and match. The remote is small-to-medium size, light, and also easy to use. You can power the unit on and off with it.
If you -must- have true 5.1, look elsewhere, but if you have space considerations or don't want wires everywhere, then at around $330 including shipping, the Sharp is a lot of bang for the buck.
User Rating: 9/10
Great Sound
Pros: Price, small size, crisp sound & deep bass
Cons: Limited surround outside the center seating
User Rating: 
5/10
Great sound, but not surround
Pros: Price, size, ease of connection
Cons: Imperceptable surround
However, as a simple speaker upgrade, this unit is excellent. Very clear, crisp audio and strong, deep bass. I just wish it sounded the way I expected.
I probably would have returned this unit, but I had to have a friend in another state buy it at a military base (it is not yet available to the general public), and the cost and effort of taking it back is too difficult.
User Rating: 9/10
Great little system...
Pros: Awesome design; Great sound; Low price
Cons: Must sit in front of the device to enjoy true surround sound
for $310 and I am very happy with it. My living room is very small and I wanted to avoid running any cables to install 5 speaker surround system. I couldn't be happier with my choice. Sharp has replaced my old VCR and fits beautifully under my Samsung HDTV. I just finished watching "Da Vinci Code" and couldn't believe the sound quality.
User Rating: 5/10
Not available to public
Pros: sounds great
Cons: can't buy it to see
