Sharp FN2 Series TV Review. The Sharp FN2 Series is something of a return to form for the venerable TV brand, offering more elegance than you may expect for the price.
Although it doesn’t perform to the highest standards, that isn’t really the point. This premium flatscreen offers good picture quality and a dependable Android TV platform.
Sharp FN2 Series TV Review:
All notable streaming services are accessible through Google Play, and the user experience is good. The Harman Kardon sound system that comes with this Sharp television is also surprisingly powerful.
Design & Features:
- Thin bezel, wide feet
- Android 11 smart TV
- Freeview Play
With a narrow bezel and widely spaced feet that screw into the base, the 55-inch (UK model) under examination here offers a stylish but unremarkable appearance. To fit it, I had to utilize a long AV bench, but once put in, it looked great.
Check your furniture first or mount the FN2 to the wall as an option. This TV is a suitable contender for that because it has a rather plasticky build and weighs only 15.6kg. Here’s Sharp FN2 Series TV.
Four HDMI ports, one of which has eARC, a digital optical audio output, two USB (V2.0) connectors, an AV minijack input, and Ethernet are all included on the rear of the device for connectivity (if you prefer it over the built-in Wi-Fi). An SD card slot for playing back digital photos and similar items is an unusual inclusion.
The television offers a satellite alternative, which is helpful if you chance to have an unused dish feed on hand, a Freeview Play terrestrial tuner (in the UK), and a CI card slot.
It comes with a small, simple-to-use remote control. It stands out thanks to a large navigation pad and buttons specifically designated for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Freeview Play.
The FN2 Series’ standout feature is its Android TV smart OS, which is currently available in version 11. This provides a complete screen of carefully selected entertainment, whether it comes from Netflix or catch-up TV providers like iPlayer and ITVX.
As part of the Android feature bouquet, you also get Chromecast streaming built-in, as well as Google Assistant voice interaction. Sharp FN2 Series smart tv.
Picture Quality:
- Dolby Vision
- Good Average Picture Level
- Limited peak HDR brightness
When it comes to image quality, there are highs and there are lows.
The default picture option on the set is Eco, which is undoubtedly detrimental to the panel. My recommendation is to quickly change to the Standard picture preset once you’re up and running and have your channels tuned in. Brightness is significantly and understandably increased as a result.
Since it offers a sweet spot in terms of contrast and dynamics, I left the set in this mode for the majority of the content. Other picture choices include Movie, Vivid, Sport, and User (adjustable), all of which I found to be rather too muted for enjoyable viewing (as did Eco).
The inclusion of Dolby Vision, which is standard on Netflix and Disney+ 4K shows, adds to the appeal of the set from the perspective of home theater viewing. Dolby Vision works with Dolby Vision content to produce the finest HDR performance from this panel.
The defaults change to Dolby Vision Bright, Dolby Vision Dark, and Dolby Vision Vivid when watching Dolby Vision programming. Bright is the greatest choice, in my opinion.
Peak HDR brightness on this device is constrained, which reflects its low cost. With 5% and 10% patches, I estimated its brightness to be 400 nits. To lift specular highlights or provide the kind of visual depth that HDR is known for, this is insufficient.
But even with SDR content, its average picture quality is still quite impressive. It displays a consistently bright image that looks good in both brightly illuminated spaces and dimly lit dens.
Thanks to Sharp’s dual-core Ace Pro Ultra picture engine, HD and native 4K content looks admirably sharp; however, SD channels and outdated DVDs look fuzzy and should be avoided.
The lack of 4K 120Hz gameplay functionality for the FN2 Series does not surprise me. Although the HDMI ports are v2.0 and the panel runs at a standard 60Hz, there is a separate Game mode. Although I measured input lag in Game mode at 50.8ms (1080p/60fps), latency is poor.
Sound Quality:
- Harman Kardon sound system
- DTS Virtual: X
- 12W stereo output
While there are some limitations to the set’s picture quality, the FN2’s audio performance is above average for the price range. Although it’s understandable to assume that this TV will sound underwhelming, it doesn’t.
It has a remarkably rich sound quality thanks to a Harman Kardon stereo system. When heard in a typical-sized living room, it has enough volume (12W total) and weight to do justice to dramas and even action films.
The set also supports bit streaming Dolby Atmos over eARC to an external soundbar or home theater system from streaming sources.
Although there may only be a stereo speaker setup built-in, DTS Virtual:X processing is an option. As a result, the soundstage appears to be larger, giving the impression of being in a movie.
There is also True Bass, a low-frequency booster, but I thought it was too boomy and aggressive.
Price & Availability:
There are four screen sizes for the Sharp FN2 Series, all of which are currently available. Models measuring 43, 50, 55, and 65 inches are available for £329, £369, $399, and $529, respectively.
The 55-inch model, with model numbers FN2KA and FN2KL in the UK, is on my test bench. It is available from retailers like Marks Electrical, RGB Direct, and Richer Sounds.
The US offers the identical Sharp range, albeit with slightly different model numbers: 43FN2EA, 50FN2EA, 55FN2EA, and 65FN2EA. The cost has not yet been disclosed.
Read more: Review of MSI Prestige 14 Evo in 2023
Specs:
- Model tested:
- 55in
- LED LCD display technology
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- HDMI: x4
- HDR support: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
- Android TV smart platform
- Freeview Play terrestrial tuner
- Stereo sound system with DTS Virtual: X
- Dimensions: 1232(w) x 718(h) x 91(d)mm
- Weight: 15.6kg
