Benefits of THX?

[45rpm]

Continuing my receiver research, I'm looking at the Yamaha V2700, but I've noticed that unlike the V2600 (or Onkyo 804) it lacks THX Select2.

I'm wondering: what does THX certification give you?

If it's so great, why would lower-end models have it, but not a higher end one?

Thanks

 

[Audioholics]

Because of the involved costs it's common to leapfrog models with the certification.

 

[Jack Hammer]

...I'm wondering: what does THX certification give you?
...Thanks

There seems to be a lot of debate about peoples opinions on the effectiveness of THX. Regardless of what people think of it, most would probably agree it is a good concept. The idea behind THX is to set some sort of industry standards so that a consumer can buy equipment that will allow them to hear what the director intended. That is why most THX dvd's have basic audio and video patterns included, so the consumer can attempt to make some sort of basic calibration to there system.

Jack

 

[45rpm]

Re: Benefits of THX

" Because of the involved costs it's common to leapfrog models with the certification. "

Do you mean that this model may have all the features required for THX certification, but they just didn't get the paperwork done?

 

[gnxsam]

thought

Is THX just a way of adding some costs to a receiver, or this actually some advantage to this other then george lucas getting paid...lol

sam

 

[mike c]

" Because of the involved costs it's common to leapfrog models with the certification. "

Do you mean that this model may have all the features required for THX certification, but they just didn't get the paperwork done?

yes because the previous models have had thx certification

 

[mtrycrafts]

Is THX just a way of adding some costs to a receiver, or this actually some advantage to this other then george lucas getting paid...lol

sam

It is a certification that this component meets a known standard set up by the THX folks from production to the consumer reproduction.

 

[MACCA350]

I read somewhere that although THX sets a benchmark for manufactures to reach it also becomes a limit(a high one I agree) to a certain degree and in some cases this may be why some high end manufactures decide not to involve the THX certification(this may have been before the THX Ultra2 spec). Not sure if this is the reason, but you won't find a THX sticker on Krell's 700lbs US$120,000 Master Reference Amp

cheers

 

[mnnc]

I read many years ago that THX is the ability for a specific component to produce x amount of spl with x amount of distortion. The explanation went on to say that in order to do this an amp must have x amount of power and spkr's should be able to handle transient peaks of high watt/spl's. If you ask me...just about all mid-fi up equipment will do this regardless of a stencil on the product. Cost aside, it's like not buying a Porsche 911 just because it doesn't have the motor option with highest output. You know the car is quality and will perform way beyond your needs in the real world. What are your needs? Bet you can live with a 2700 w/o the THX logo.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I read somewhere that although THX sets a benchmark for manufactures to reach it also becomes a limit(a high one I agree) to a certain degree and in some cases this may be why some high end manufactures decide not to involve the THX certification(this may have been before the THX Ultra2 spec). Not sure if this is the reason, but you won't find a THX sticker on Krell's 700lbs US$120,000 Master Reference Amp

cheers

ahm, a 16,000 watt amp? I guess one would need a separate power panel in the house for this
Maybe they feel they don't need a THX sticker to sell you on it

 

[mtrycrafts]

I read many years ago that THX is the ability for a specific component to produce x amount of spl with x amount of distortion. The explanation went on to say that in order to do this an amp must have x amount of power and spkr's should be able to handle transient peaks of high watt/spl's. If you ask me...just about all mid-fi up equipment will do this regardless of a stencil on the product. Cost aside, it's like not buying a Porsche 911 just because it doesn't have the motor option with highest output. You know the car is quality and will perform way beyond your needs in the real world. What are your needs? Bet you can live with a 2700 w/o the THX logo.

The certification is much more than this aspect:
http://www.audioholics.com/FAQs/THXp1.html

also, do a Google search on THX

 

[Nick250]

My $150 Klipsch 2.1 computer audio setup are THX certified. It is not impressive.

Nick

 

[Nuglets]

My $150 Klipsch 2.1 computer audio setup are THX certified. It is not impressive.

Nick

LOL, that's hilarious. I've seen that too, PC speaker's THX certified, what a joke.

 

[MDS]

THX offers certification programs for all kinds of things - including cables, speakers, computer speakers, amps/receivers and even media. The requirements are different for each.

I used to have a Logitech 4.1 computer speaker set (z-560 or something). It was THX certified but the requirements for that certification are not even remotely related to the requirements for HT speakers. I would agree that THX certification for some things is just silly but believe certification for receivers and speakers is useful, if not absolutely required, to have a well built, high performing piece of equipment.

 

[Nuglets]

I agree that the certification is completely different between different component's but it does project a bit of skepticism onto the me when their badge is on equipment that doesn't perform well at all when watching a movie. But then again, if you are listening to the speaker's in the close proximity that they are intended for they do sound pretty decent, but in my opinion having it advertised as THX certified implies that it is "theater quality sound" which again in my opinion includes low frequencies played at a relatively impressive level. I'm not against THX at all, but I personally don't use it as a reason to buy equipment, whereas I believe that many consumer's not informed in the audio world are misled into buying such equipment for no reason other than that it is supposedly better because it has the logo.

That said, I believe that if consumer's are unwilling to research the item's they buy, then it's no problem of mine.

 

[mnnc]

The certification is much more than this aspect:
http://www.audioholics.com/FAQs/THXp1.html

also, do a Google search on THX

This is essentially what I said without having a 2 page post. Power, distortion, room size/spl, etc. I don't know anybody who has a, let's say...30x40x12 room dedicated to ht. My ears have heard several systems that perform exceptionally well that had no components bearing the thx logo. I'm not arguing whether or not a unit w/ the logo is "better" or not. My point is for an average even above average system requirement considering room size, etc, most people can have a kick arse system w/o any thx logo on any of the components cables included. As mentioned by another member there are many brands(hi-end) that do not have the logo and I am sure they would perform to the standards prescribed by thx. Business politics/money play a role I'm sure and it's really not fair to the consumer. As "they" say, "Money talks." But I'm not buying it. BTW...good article...thanks.

 

[Seth=L]

My $150 Klipsch 2.1 computer audio setup are THX certified. It is not impressive.

Nick

It is still probably better than Bose, Lucas won't certify any of Bose's products because they suck to much. Lucas doesn't buy Bose, and from what I understand neither does Vin Diesel.

Sorry for the short derailment.

THX isn't a requirement for good home theater. Many great products don't have THX because they have a good enough reputation that they see no need to add a logo to the front of the unit.

That doesn't mean that THX is useless, just not as big a deal as they like to make it.

 

[Dolby CP-200]

Is THX just a way of adding some costs to a receiver, or this actually some advantage to this other then george lucas getting paid...lol

sam

No way, the costs have come down considerable over the past 14 years. 14 years ago this would cost you alone near to £10.000 pounds that is a ton of money! Now the AVR alone comes with all the amplification, but I’m only after the decoding part of it which is still cheap in anybody’s language.

THX, is now an independent company that runs separate from Lucasfilm, that’s why the name is simply called THX.

 

[emorphien]

I personally don't think it's worth a damn thing unless you need to follow a guide to put together your home theater. Most high end gear doesn't seem to bother with it, but it's rampant on the mid to upper level of medium range gear that most consumers are exposed to. There's nothing wrong with it, at the same time I don't personally find it to be something to strive for.

 

[wire]

As mentioned by another member there are many brands(hi-end) that do not have the logo and I am sure they would perform to the standards prescribed by thx. Business politics/money play a role I'm sure and it's really not fair to the consumer. As "they" say, "Money talks." But I'm not buying it. BTW...good article...thanks.

hehe
Very nice , "Money talks , but im not buying it"