Do I still need THX Ultra2

[achani]

I am upgrading my reciever. Old one is Denon 4802R which is THX Ultra2 certified and I really like it. I always watch movie in THX mode. Since does not process True-HD I may be replacing with
Onkyo TX-SR 875, I like Denon but their Comparitive model 4308CI or 3808CI
both are not THX certified. Denon's 5308 is expensive.

My question is once Blu Ray or HDDVD have 7 channel HD sound, do I really need THX processing.

Any input is appriciated

 

[rnatalli]

As someone else put it in another post:

THX = Marketing

Do not concern yourself with it.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Nope, nope, nope...

 

[Nomo]

If you're happy with your current Denon, don't let the THX thing scare you away from upgrading to another Denon model.

 

[chadnliz]

THX is for rookies, it means nothing and most competent units do exactly what that Badge does, I wonder if a Bose employee thought that up?

 

[Seth=L]

The AVR-4308 should meet those standards of THX Ultra2, and if it doesn't it's very close. The bench tests for the Onkyo TX-SR805/875 exceed that of the Denon AVR-4308 by very little, possibly insignificant margins. I personally favor the TX-SR805 in this weight class, because it's the least expensive and I have no interest in a in receiver scaler or networking. They are all great receivers.

 

[MDS]

As someone else put it in another post:

THX = Marketing

Do not concern yourself with it.

That person is incredibly misinformed.

 

[achani]

It is not about the quality of the reciever, I like the way THX process the sound. Denon uses the Widescreen mode for Movie viewing, I found the surround speakers become too loud and distract from main movie. I dont know what kind of processing Denon is using now to convert Dolby 5.1 to 7.1.

It is not about the reciever, which I know Denon are better, It is the the way THX convert 5.1 to 7.1 sounds better to me.

 

[achani]

I would like to know If Onkyo 875 will be OK reciever. Unfortunatly Denon did not upgraded their 4808 seriers which was in my price range and was THX certified.

 

[Davemcc]

THX
Founded by George Lucas, THX develops stringent standards
that ensure movies are reproduced in movie theaters
and home theaters just as the director intended.
• THX Cinema
This mode is for watching movies, which are typically
recorded and edited on the assumption that they
will be played in a sizable place like a movie theater.
It carefully optimizes the tonal and spatial characteristics
of the soundtrack for reproduction in the
smaller home-theater environment. It can be used
with 2-channel sources processed with other formats,
and multichannel sources. Surround back
speaker output depends on the source material and
the selected listening mode.
• THX Ultra2 Cinema
This mode expands 5.1-channel sources for 7.1-
channel playback. It does this by analyzing the composition
of the surround source, optimizing the
ambient and directional sounds to produce the surround
back channel output.
• THX Music Mode
This mode is designed for use with music. It expands
5.1-channel sources for 7.1-channel playback.
• THX Games Mode
This mode is designed for use with video games. It
can expand 2-channel and 5.1-channel sources for
6.1/7.1-channel playback.
• THX Surround EX
This mode expands 5.1-channel sources for 6.1/7.1-
channel playback. It’s especially suited to Dolby
Digital EX sources. THX Surround EX, also known
as Dolby Digital Surround EX, is a joint development
between Dolby Laboratories and THX Ltd.

It doesn't seem to me worth basing an equipment decision on THX standards, unless somebody is really unhappy with Dolby Digital and DTS, especially when TrueHD and DTSHD-MA are available on the new equipment. If the OP wants to have the extra THX sound field processing, by all means have at it. but a couple of extra sound fields would not drive my decision if I had the HD audio formats.

 

[ParkerAudio]

This is probably just personal choice, but I moved from a Denon 3805 to a Onkyo 875, because I really liked the THX sound fields. When I use the non THX sound fields, that are all Dolby only, they don't sound quite as good.

I also had the chance to test it against the Denon 4308, and in the particular setting, I liked the Onkyo a little better. But again, I think this all goes back to personal preference.

 

[Seth=L]

Denon and Onkyo are pretty much in line in terms of quality. The Onkyo isn't as efficient, most likely due to the type of amplifier it uses, but as far as quality is concerned Denon and Onkyo are very competitive.