Sharp 65EQ3EA

The Sharp 65EQ3EA is a big-screen QLED at an reasonably priced worth that’s a superb different to the likes of Samsung. It delivers pleasant image and sound and is backed up by Android TV for smarts. It’s near being a talented all-round performer at its worth level, had been it not for its lacklustre gaming abilities.

Introduction

QLED TVs are synonymous with Samsung, however they’re not the one firm that makes them. The Sharp 65EQ3EA hails from the identical DNA pool and is offered at a beautiful worth for a 65-inch display.

With Android smarts, Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR help and kitted-out sound system from Harman Kardon, the 65EQ3EA is a significantly completely different proposition from Samsung’s cheaper QLED TVs. Sharp has slowly been making a comeback into the TV market, so simply how a lot of a contender is the 65EQ3EA?

Design

• Built-in sound system
• Slim and neat design
• Common viewing angles

The Sharp 65EQ3EA is conceived of as an all-in-one TV, an image and sound combo like fellow Quantum Dot TV Sky Glass. That strategy informs the design whereby the world beneath the display is the place the Harman Kardon sound system resides, and the pedestal stand beneath that juts out in entrance makes including a sound system slightly reductive. Sharp’s pondering is that the sound system is nice sufficient by itself.

The general aesthetic is one which’s neat and slim with its aluminium-alloy development. The depth of the display is simply 61mm, which ought to make for a constructive impression when put in on a wall. Connections are side- and downward-facing.

Assembling the TV’s stand must be easy, however takes longer than anticipated in determining how the items come collectively.

However, the stand simply accommodates the 20kg weight of the display, whereas its central place additionally makes it simpler to position on TV racks and different AV furnishings. There’s additionally an EQ4 mannequin Sharp sells that’s the identical, however decked with a silver entrance grille throughout the inner speaker.

Utilizing a VA panel with a Direct LED backlight, it has a Quantum Dot filter to assist produce a variety of colors. Viewings from wider angles are common, because it solely takes a couple of steps off-axis for black ranges and colors to retreat.

Android TV interface

• Assist for main streaming apps through Android TV
• Freeview Play
• Packaged with two remotes

Android 11 is the OS of alternative, with Sharp deciding in opposition to Google TV UI for now. It’s a logical name, however Google TV’s UI is an enchancment in content material curation. Android TV’s predominant weak spot has at all times been that content material steered your means will not be all that non-public.

Nonetheless, the Residence display is neatly ordered, and the Play Retailer is house to many apps within the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Spotify, Lionsgate+, Discovery+, Deezer and Tidal. There’s no scarcity of leisure choices and no use so as to add a streaming stick. Freeview Play provides the UK catch-up and on demand apps comparable to iPlayer, ITVX or PBS America.

Google Stadia isn’t any extra, however Android bakes in Google Assistant voice management and Chromecast to stream content material to the TV.

Sharp ships the EQ3 with two remotes, one a extra conventional effort, the opposite with fewer buttons and built-in voice management activation. Each remotes really feel mild within the hand and responsive, the comfortable suggestions of presses acts as a pleasant interplay with the display.

Options

• Common efficiency for players
• eARC help for exterior sound programs

For players there’s auto low latency mode that units the TV in its most receptive (and quickest) state for gaming. Regardless of that the 65EQ3EA isn’t any Usain Bolt off the beginning line, with latency measured at 118ms in 4K and 50ms at 1080p in its sport mode. Informal players solely want apply with this Sharp.

Connections embrace 4 HDMI 2.1 (at 60Hz), with eARC situated on HDMI 1 that enables for pass-through of upper high quality audio from the TV to a soundbar/sound system. Two USB ports, mini composite CVBS + Audio enter, 3.5mm headphone jack, digital optical out, ethernet, antenna and satellite tv for pc inputs plus a microSD slot make up the remainder of the connections.

Image High quality

• Vibrant picture
• Blacks are just a little gray
• Reddish push to complexions in Dolby Imaginative and prescient

Samsung’s by no means been an enormous fan of Dolby Imaginative and prescient, which is why it’s refreshing to see it on this QLED. The purpose of Dolby’s HDR format is to help in producing as correct a illustration of content material as it might probably, although I’m unsure the Sharp’s Dolby Imaginative and prescient presentation is as correct because it might be.

There’s a crimson push to complexions, seen within the faces of characters in Stranger Issues or Disney Plus present Extraordinary. Whereas there’s, in some circumstances, a naturally reddish glow to those characters, the Sharp overly accentuates to the purpose the place it feels they’ve come again from a sunny vacation in Côte d’Azur.

That’s a minor slightly than main fault. Normally, Dolby Imaginative and prescient produces a assorted, vibrant, and contrasting image with Netflix’s Wednesday, particularly within the moments displaying the divide between Enid and Wednesday’s sides of their dorm room.

Precise distinction does look like missing, black ranges aren’t the firmest whether or not the TV is describing Wednesday’s darkish and moody apparel, or scenes set at night time. Colors do endure just a little vibrancy from the lower than strong black ranges, failing to correctly pop in opposition to them. However, in comparison with the Samsung UE65BU8000, the Sharp places in a extra assorted and punchier color efficiency.

The marginally washed-out blacks are probably a consequence of the Direct LED backlight with its array of LED lights unfold throughout the display that are at all times “on”. With out the dimming potential costlier TVs have in turning these LED lights off, black ranges can lack depth and solidity.

Peak brightness is respectable at 418 nits, however wanting giving HDR highlights and colors depth and punch. It’s a superb effort and requires much less must fiddle with the settings than Philips’ 65PUS8807. Dolby Imaginative and prescient aids a title comparable to Stranger Issues 4, as colors tackle a wealthy and vibrant tone in daylight scenes with saturated reds and blues.

You’ll wish to contemplate watching in Dolby Imaginative and prescient, although it may be a double-edged sword. Viewing Loss of life on the Nile on 4K Blu-ray in HDR10 in comparison with the Dolby Imaginative and prescient Disney+ model and whereas black ranges are firmer on the latter; complexions veer from vibrant to overly finished (Armie Hammer’s is simply too crimson), although a plus is that colors extra vibrantly conveyed, such because the crimson costume of Emma Mackey wears on the membership within the opening scene. There’s a greater sense of distinction with Dolby Imaginative and prescient however, curiously, much less element within the darker components of the nightclub scene. I’d advocate pushing Dolby Imaginative and prescient brightness to 55 to disclose extra element.

Additionally noticeable within the first episode of Stranger Issues 4^th season is the Sharp’s movement processing talents. Even with the MEMC setting at its lowest, it struggles just a little with quick whip pans, with even some slight noise and pixelation famous with blinking lights at first of the episode. Objects shifting previous characters may also trigger some instability. I don’t discover them to be huge points, however niggly ones to the purpose the place it’s preferable to show movement off.

The Sharp 65EQ3EA’s upscaling varies from superb to middling relying on what you’re watching. If it’s upscaled HD content material, then it’s of the “superb” customary. A Blu-ray of Spider-Man 3 presents a vibrant picture, with pleasing ranges of readability and element to textures, costuming, and units, just like the wonderful element of Peter’s “on a regular basis” swimsuit in addition to “work” swimsuit. Blacks aren’t the firmest, however are dealt with higher than with 4K HDR content material, and brightness is strong, white tones are vibrant sufficient to face out, with good ranges of distinction and black ranges within the movie’s darker moments.

Watch DVDs and the Sharp’s AQUOS UltraClear Video Processor evidently struggles with a scarcity of sharpness and noise seen in Sherlock Holmes: A Sport of Shadows. Edges are delicate and unclear which isn’t any shock, however colors are effectively dealt with although, pure in look. The identical will be stated of The Huge Lebowski on DVD, although there’s much less noise (however nonetheless loads of it) and a few reddish complexions. Keep away from watching something lower than HD decision and also you’ll be wonderful.

Sound High quality

• Sharp, clear efficiency
• Bass carries first rate weight
• Dolby and DTS help

I really feel I’ve come throughout as just a little harsh on the image, however it’s the Sharp 65EQ3EA’s Harman Kardon sound system that places in a powerful stint.

It workouts extra dynamism than costlier Samsung QLEDs do, delivering an enormous efficiency with Dolby Atmos or DTS content material and punchily expressive bass. Dialogue is persistently clear, near if not matching its place on display, although I discovered that whereas the Dialogue Enhancer characteristic does work, at its highest setting it does sound a tad much less pure and barely bassy.

Watching Spider-Man 3, there’s additionally some slight sibilance to Kirsten Dunst’s voice in some scenes, however general, I like how sharp and clear the system is, emphasising element in the direction of the highest of the frequency to convey out element in Christopher Younger’s rating or results, comparable to whizzing noise of the Goblin’s pumpkin bombs.

With Atmos content material, I’d advocate delving into the settings and taking part in with the Encompass Virtualizer characteristic. The college rally within the first episode of Stranger Issues 4 the place the soundstage is extra expansive, although turning it off does enable extra of a deal with voices – it’s a give or take proposition.

With onboard Dolby processing deactivated and DTS Digital:X enabled (it have to be manually finished), the Harman Kardon system produces a equally spectacular efficiency. Inglourious Basterds with the TrueBass characteristic provides higher management over the frequency vary and a extra balanced efficiency. Bass has weight, whereas there’s good dynamism to the music rating and sound results. This efficiency is significantly better than I’d have anticipated from a TV at this worth.

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