About.com Rating

Sharp is well-known for its extensive line of LCD TVs, but they also have an audio product line that include compact home theater audio systems. The HT-SL77 is an audio system that combines very thin profile speakers that can be combined into a sound bar or used as two separate speakers, with a wireless subwoofer this intended to provide better sound for TV viewing. However, an innovative design concept doesn't always translate into great performance.


For more details, keep reading this review. After reading the review, also check out my close-up photos of the Sharp HT-SL77 Sound Bar Home Theater System.

Sharp HT-SL77 Product Overview

Features of the HT-SL77 Main Unit:

1. Power Output: 35 WPC x 2 (measured from 200hz to 20kHz, 3 ohms, 1% THD - FTC Standard)

2. Inputs: One HDMI and one analog stereo audio input (via RCA to 3.5mm adapter).

3. Output: One HDMI (Audio Return Channel-Enabled).

NOTE: HDMI input and output support up to 1080p resolution (both 2D and 3D) video pass-through.

4. Audio Input Compatibility:PCM (via HDMI) or analog only.

5. Additional Audio Decoding and Processing: None

6. Wireless Transmission: 2.4 GHz Band

7. Dimensions: 7-13/16 inches(W) x 1-3/16(H) x 8-1/16(D).

8. Weight: 2.2 lbs

Features of the HT-SL77's speaker system include:

1. Drivers: Four 14/16 x 4 1/2 inch drivers per speaker section (8 total for entire sound bar).

2. Frequency Response: 100Hz to 20kHz (+0 db - +5db)

3. Speaker Dimensions (sound bar configuration): Varies depending on which sound bar cover joints used.

4. Speaker Dimensions (separated with stand configuration): Varies depending on height mounting option used.

5. Weight: Varies depending on speaker setup option used.

Features of the Wireless Subwoofer unit of the Sharp HT-SL77 include:

1. Driver:Bass-reflex design with 6-15/16 inch side firing driver augmented by a front mounted port.

2. Power Output: 100 watts (4 ohms, 1% THD)

3. Frequency Response: 30-100Hz (-3db to +0db)

4. Wireless Transmission Frequency: 2.4GHz.

5. Wireless Range: 32 feet - line of sight

6. Subwoofer Dimensions: 4-1/2 inches(W) x 16-5/8 inches(H) x 12-1/16 inches(D)

7. Subwoofer Weight: 10.36 pounds.

8. Suggested System Price: $449.99.

Additional components used in this review:

Blu-ray Disc Player:OPPO BDP-93.

DVD Player:OPPO DV-980H.

TV/Monitor:Westinghouse LVM-37w3.

Software Used

Blu-ray Discs:Battleship, Ben Hur, Cowboys and Aliens, Jaws, Jurassic Park Trilogy, Megamind, Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

Standard DVDs:The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Lord of Rings Trilogy, Master and Commander, Outlander, U571, and V For Vendetta.

CDs: Al Stewart - Sparks of Ancient Light, Beatles - LOVE, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Joshua Bell - Bernstein - West Side Story Suite, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture, HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me, Sade - Soldier of Love.

Set-Up

When opening the box containing the Sharp HT-SL77 system, there is a lot to unpack. In addition to the main unit, sound bar (which is split into two sections), and wireless subwoofer, there is an abundance of accessories provided to accommodate multiple setup options, including sound bar cover joints that allow users to lengthen the sound bar to be complement TVs of different screen sizes, as well as both table and floor stands, and even wall mounting hardware for both the sound bar and main unit. For a more detailed look at everything that comes in the HT-SL77 package, check out a photo with additional explanation.

Also for more detailed look at how the sound bar can configured, check out this photo

If you opt to not use the sound bar option, you can use the two-speaker setup configuration, check out this photo example of this type of setup

After deciding on what speaker configuration to use, use the provided color-coded speaker wire to connect them to the main control unit.

Next, place the subwoofer on the floor, preferably to the left or right of the TV/sound bar location, but since the subwoofer is wireless, you can place it anywhere in your room (up to a distance of 32 feet) - provided there are not physical obstructions between the subwoofer and the main control unit - and the subwoofer can be plugged into AC power.

Now it is time to connect your source devices. You have two options. To use the HDMI connection option, you need to make sure that your TV is HDMI-CEC enabled. This is required in order for the HT-SL77 to be controlled by the TV (the HT-SL77 is not provided with its own remote control) and to pass digital audio (PCM-only) and video signals from an HDMI-connected source device through to the TV.

Also, if your TV is Audio Return Channel-enabled, you can opt to connect your source devices to the TV directly and the TV will send audio out back through the HDMI cable connected between the TV and the main unit.

If your TV is not HDMI-CEC compatible, you can opt to connect the audio output of source device or TV to the main unit using the analog audio connection option (cables are provided). For external source devices, such as Blu-ray Disc or DVD player, you would simply connect the their HDMI output to the TV directly for the video, and then turn the TV sound down so that you can using the HT-SL77 as your primary audio listening source.

To check to see if the subwoofer/main unit link is working, turn on a source device and play a CD or DVD that has lots of bass and see if the wireless subwoofer responds. If it does, you are all set - If it doesn't, press the "pairing button" on the main unit and the subwoofer (for more specifics - consult the setup and troubleshooting sections of the user manual).

Once you have confirmed that your speaker(s) and subwoofer are producing sound (turn on your source and/or TV) you are set to go.

Performance

The first thing that I noticed when listening to the HT-SL77 is that although it was better than listening to the TV's built-in speakers, the improvement is not as dramatic as I have encountered with other sound bar or 2.1 channel home theater systems.

When watching Blu-ray or DVD movies, the overall sound texture is sort of muffled with not much detail. Dialog and vocals lack depth, and music and sound effects lack sparkle in the high frequencies. Also, the subwoofer, even though adding low frequencies into the mix that built-in TV speakers can't, there is very little real punch when it is needed.

Using the sound bar configuration, the soundfield opened up with a wider image - which was enhanced when extending the length of the sound bar using the provided cover joints, but that didn't overcome the lack of good sound quality.

On the other hand, when using the two speaker setup option, I did find that the sound quality did improve a little, as the speaker stands provide added physical stability, and the vertical speaker configuration seemed to help sound dispersion, but still, the overall impression was lackluster.

In addition, the playback quality of standard audio CDs was inconsistent, which was a definite disappointment. Although some of the CDs I tested played back with similar results I heard with DVDs and Blu-ray discs, on several CDs the sound was actually distorted, even at low and moderate volume levels, especially in the higher and lower bass frequencies. This was especially evident with cuts from the Nora Jones disc Come Away With Me, and Sade's Soldier of Love, which are discs I have been using with almost all of may home theater audio and speaker reviews of late.

Final Take

The Sharp HT-SL77 Sound Bar Home Theater System is definitely a mixed bag. On the one hand, I have to give Sharp kudos for an innovative design concept that not only provides flexible installation options, but all the accessories to implement those options are included in the box.

On the other hand, although the system looks good, its audio performance is definitely not up to par with some of the similarly-priced sound bar-type systems in this price range I have heard.

It is also important to note that no remote control is provided - remote commands can only be performed if using the HT-SL77 with an HDMI-CEC capable TV (via the TV's remote control). If your TV is not HDMI-CEC capable, the only way to change the volume settings is at the unit.

For a further look at the Sharp HT-SL77, check out my supplementary Photo Profile.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.