Sharp ANPR1000H

Designed primarily as a TV stand and home theatre rack, the Sharp ANPR100H also has a built in amplifier, integrated stereo speakers, and twin subwoofers hidden in the stand. It provides a good option for users looking for an all-in-one home entertainment stand and audio system, however the lack of support for surround speakers will dampen its popularity with some people.

When setting up the system, the first thing you notice is its weight. At almost 50kg, it's not easy to manoeuvre without help. However, this does mean that it's fantastically sturdy and is easily able to support the weight of a large television.

The rack is designed to complement Sharp's AQUOS range of LCD televisions, and features a smooth piano black fascia, with a central control point and screen. It would look great teamed with a black TV. The face of the unit has four buttons for power, volume and input source. It's simple to set up, as most of the unit is already assembled and only requires the glass and metal tabletop to be attached.

The rear panel features three different stereo analog audio inputs, as well as two digital optical inputs, one co-axial port and an FM antenna connection. Switching between these is a simple task using the remote or the front panel. The remote also has the functionality to control TVs from a wide range of manufacturers.

Sound quality from the system is warm and rich, with enough treble to sound clean and balanced. Playing different musical styles on the standard sound setting, we found that they all sounded energetic and were easy to listen to. Acoustic music was a favourite in our tests, with guitar and bass notes reproduced flawlessly.

Sharp has decided to include two subwoofers with the ANPR1000H, one built into each leg of the stand. The concept behind dual subwoofers is solid, with the arrangement designed to make it difficult to identify the source of the lower bass sounds, as well as allowing for a wider range of room configurations and shapes. The twin subwoofers can lead to the music sometimes being overpowered by lower bass, though thankfully there is a dedicated menu option allowing for the volume to be increased or decreased relative to the other speakers.

We did notice that although the unit is marketed as a home cinema rack, it is only offered in a stereo configuration, with no ability to amplify rear or centre speakers. To do this you would need to purchase a separate amplifier, negating the need for the integrated one in the rack.

When playing stereo sound from a CD player through the analog inputs we were given plenty of distinctive setup options. Sharp has included Dolby's 'Audistry' enhancement technology, allowing for lower bass enrichment, and a virtual 5.1 sound effect. This works well and it gives a distinctly wider, more enveloping feel, to stereo music in playback. Sharp's own audio tweaking modes are also included, with options for Cinema, News, Music and Sport, as well as a Night mode that limits the bass and treble volume.

As a home theatre rack, the ANPR1000H is a great choice. It's sturdy, and looks great when paired with the AQUOS range of TVs or any other model with a shiny piano black finish. The in-built speakers are of a high standard, and the subwoofers have enough power for a strong kick. It doesn't support surround sound, but it is great for stereo music fans and casual movie watchers.