Sharp has been making significant strides in the UK audio market with its Q series soundbars, and the HT-SBW53121 represents an impressive entry in the mid-range segment.
This 3.1.2 channel soundbar, when paired with the optional HT-SPR52021 wireless rear speakers, creates an impressive 5.1.4 surround sound system that aims to bring cinema-quality audio to your living room.
The Sharp Q series marks the company’s return to form in the audio space, with products that prioritise sound quality over unnecessary smart features. This approach becomes particularly evident with the HT-SBW53121, which skips Wi-Fi connectivity and streaming apps in favour of focusing on what matters most: delivering great audio performance at a reasonable price.
What sets this system apart is its collaboration with Devialet, the French audio specialist renowned for its premium speakers and acoustic engineering expertise. This partnership brings professional tuning to a consumer-friendly price point, promising to elevate the audio experience beyond what you’d typically expect from a soundbar in this category.
Sharp HT-SBW53121 Soundbar Specification
Category Feature Sharp Q HT-SBW53121 Soundbar
Physical Dimensions Soundbar Length 100 cm
Unit Size (W x H x D) 1000 x 75 x 125 mm
Unit Weight 4.5 kg
Subwoofer Size (W x H x D) 240 x 448 x 240 mm
Subwoofer Weight 6.9 kg
Audio Features Equaliser Modes Movie, Music, Voice, Sport, Game, Night, Custom, Off
Audio Channels 3.1.2 (5.1.4 when paired with HT-SPR52021)
Speaker Configuration 4 x 40x90mm (Front Right/Left/Centre x2), 2 x 2.5″ Up-firing, 1 x 6.5″ Subwoofer
Speaker Power (Max) 550 W
Measured Output Power RMS 182 W (4 x 18W + 2 x 15W + 1 x 80W Subwoofer)
Sound Settings Individual Bass and Treble adjustment via remote
Audio Decoders Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, DTS:X, DTS-HD, DTS 5.1
Supported Audio Formats (USB) MP3, OGG, WAV, FLAC, AAC+, ALAC
3D Sound Processing Dolby Surround Virtualiser
DTS:X Support Yes
Room Calibration Manual adjustment
Connectivity 3.5mm Aux-in / Line-in Yes
4K UHD Pass-Through Yes
USB x1
Bluetooth Yes (Version 5.3)
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP
Bluetooth Codecs SBC, AAC+
HDMI Input x2
HDMI-CEC Yes
HDMI-eARC Yes
Digital Optical Audio Input Yes
Control via TV Remote (HDMI-CEC) Yes
Operation Remote Control Yes
Direct Keys on Unit Yes
Source Indicator White LED alphanumeric segment display
Power Specifications Power Requirements AC 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz
Power Consumption 102 W (42W Soundbar + 60W Subwoofer)
Standby Power Consumption <0.5 W
Plug Type Power adapter with Type C (EU 2 pin) and G (UK 3 pin) inserts
Auto Standby Timer Yes
AC Operated Yes
External AC Adapter Yes
Sharp HT-SPR52021 Rear Speaker Specification
Category Feature Sharp HT-SPR52021
Audio Features Audio Channels 2.0.2
Speaker Configuration 1 x 2.75″ + 1 x 2.5″ (x2)
Speaker Power (Max) 200 W
Measured Output Power RMS 66 W (2 x 18W + 2 x 15W)
Room Calibration Manual adjustment
Power Specifications Power Requirements AC 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz
Power Consumption 25 W (x2)
Standby Power Consumption <0.2 W
Plug Type CE/BS Plug
AC Operated Yes
Other Sharp Q Models
Model Channels Peak Power Key Features
HT‑SBW55121 5.1.2 650 W Dolby Atmos & DTS:X, Devialet tuned, up-firing + side speakers, HDMI eARC, wireless sub
HT‑SBW53121 3.1.2 550 W Dolby Atmos & DTS:X, Devialet tuned, up-firing speakers, HDMI eARC, wireless sub
HT‑SB700 2.0.2 140 W Dolby Atmos, compact design, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 5.3, USB audio playback
HT‑SBW460 3.1 440 W Centre channel, Dolby Atmos, wireless sub, HDMI ARC, 4K passthrough (2x HDMI in), EQ presets
HT‑SB110 2 90 W HDMI ARC, optical input, Bluetooth, wall-mountable, remote included
HT‑SB107 2 90 W HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 4.2, USB playback, compact design, remote included
HT‑SB100K 2 75 W HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.1, USB playback, optical + aux-in, slim design
Unboxing / Design / Build Quality
The Sharp HT-SBW53121 arrives in a sizeable box, reflecting the soundbar’s generous proportions and the inclusion of a decent-sized wireless subwoofer. The soundbar itself is finished in matte grey plastic, with a simple, functional design that should suit most living rooms. The front grille is metal, providing some reassurance in terms of durability, while the rest of the chassis is plastic. The unit feels solid, although it lacks the premium finish seen in some higher-priced competitors.
The rear speakers are relatively compact and unobtrusive. They share the same understated design language as the soundbar, with a practical build that prioritises function over form. The subwoofer is large and boxy, with a downward-firing driver and a ported enclosure. While the materials are not luxurious, the overall construction is sturdy and should withstand regular use.
Set Up
Setting up the soundbar is a straightforward process, largely due to the fact that it lacks any network connectivity and smart features.
You plug the cables into the right places, and that’s about it.
For the surround sound speakers, you need to pair them with the soundbar. To do this you need to:
Ensure that all the cables are securely connected and the soundbar is in STANDBY.
Press and hold the PAIR button on the rear of the speaker for 3 seconds. The speaker will enter pairing mode, and the PAIR indicator will flash quickly.
Press the power button on the soundbar or on the remote control to switch the soundbar on.
Press the MENU button on the remote control, then use the directional control on the remote control to highlight
When the speaker is paired with the main unit, the PAIR Indicator will be solid and the soundbar will display
If the PAIR indicator blinks, the wireless connection has failed. The soundbar will display
Features and Connectivity
The HT-SBW53121 offers a broad range of connectivity options, including:
2 x HDMI inputs (plus HDMI-eARC output)
Digital optical input
3.5mm aux-in
USB playback
Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC and AAC+ codecs)
HDMI-CEC for TV remote control
Audio decoding support is generous, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X, DTS-HD, and DTS 5.1. For USB playback, the soundbar supports a broad range of formats: MP3, OGG, WAV, FLAC, AAC+, and ALAC.
Users can adjust individual bass and treble levels with the remote, and the equaliser presets cover a wide range of scenarios, including Movie, Music, Sport, Game, Voice, Night, and a Custom mode.
The remote control is functional, with direct access to sound modes, input selection, and individual adjustment for bass and treble. The on-unit controls are basic but sufficient for day-to-day use. The LED display provides clear feedback but is not as discreet as some OLED alternatives.
Audio Performance
The HT-SBW53121 performs well and delivers a full-bodied sound with clear dialogue, punchy bass, and a convincing sense of space, especially when paired with the rear speakers.
The 3.1.2 surround sound has a left, right, centre (3), a subwoofer (1) and two height channels (2).
The dedicated centre channel ensures that voices remain intelligible even during busy action scenes, and the up-firing drivers add height to the soundstage when playing Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content.
The up-firing Atmos speakers are something you don’t see often at this price point.
The subwoofer provides ample low-end presence, enhancing explosions and music without overwhelming the midrange. Bass is tight rather than boomy, and while it may lack the sheer depth of larger, more expensive subs, it is well integrated with the soundbar.
The rear speakers make a noticeable difference to immersion, particularly with surround-encoded material. Effects move convincingly around the room, and the up-firing drivers contribute to a sense of height, though the effect is more subtle than in systems with side-firing or ceiling speakers. The system performs well with both films and music, although stereo music playback is less engaging than multi-channel content.
Sound Modes and Customisation
The soundbar offers several EQ presets: Movie, Music, Voice, Sport, Game, Night, Custom, and Off. Each mode subtly tweaks the frequency response to suit different content. The Movie mode enhances surround effects and bass, while Voice mode brings dialogue to the forefront. The Night mode compresses dynamics for late-night viewing.
There is also manual adjustment for bass and treble, allowing users to tailor the sound to their preference or room acoustics. The lack of automatic room calibration is a limitation, but manual adjustment is simple enough for most users.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is a key selling point. The soundbar’s up-firing drivers create a sense of verticality, with effects such as rain or helicopters appearing to come from above. While the effect is not as pronounced as with ceiling speakers, it adds an extra dimension to compatible content.
The system handles object-based audio well, with smooth transitions between channels and a coherent soundstage. However, the overall effect is dependent on room shape and ceiling height, and some users may find the height channels less effective in larger or irregular spaces.
Music Playback
Music playback is competent, with a balanced sound that avoids harshness at high volumes. The system supports a range of audio formats via USB, and Bluetooth streaming is stable and straightforward. While the soundbar is optimised for film and TV, it performs respectably with music, offering clear vocals and sufficient bass for most genres.
Price and Alternative Options
The Sharp HT-SBW53121 Soundbar is available for £380, and the HT-SPR52021 Rear Speakers are available for £219, making the total for this system £599.
The HT-SBW55121, the flagship model, is available for £529 on Amazon.
Then, sitting below the model I reviewed is the HT-SBW460 3.1 Soundbar priced at £279.
And below that is the HT-SB700 at £169
Competing options around this price point include:
Sonos Beam Gen 2 for £449 – Dolby Atmos smart soundbar – If you were to add a subwoofer and surround speakers, the price would be significantly higher
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 without a subwoofer. Sony SA-SW3 subwoofer is £449, and the same price for the SA-RS3S surround sound speakers
Samsung HW-Q600C for £399 – 3.1.2ch Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Subwoofer
Samsung HW-B650F for £349 – 370W 3.1ch Soundbar with Subwoofer
Overall
The Sharp Q HT-SBW53121 soundbar, paired with the HT-SPR52021 rear speakers, offers a convincing surround sound experience at a competitive price. I think the lack of smart features has allowed Sharp to focus on the important things you need from a soundbar, the overall audio quality.
Strong points include the inclusion of a subwoofer, eArc, and the upwards-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content. There are not many other systems that offer this level of audio features at this price point.
For users seeking a no-nonsense home cinema upgrade with true 5.1.4 channel sound at a sensible price, the Sharp HT-SBW53121 and HT-SPR52021 combination is an excellent choice. It is not without its compromises, but it delivers a level of performance that will satisfy most film and TV enthusiasts looking to step up from their TV’s built-in speakers.
