Yamaha RX-V2700 and THX Certification??

[EastCoaster]

Does anyone have knowledge as to why Yamaha chose to get rid of the THX in its RX-V2700? It was present on the RX-V2600, and it's gone in the 2700...

I'm thinking it's to save some $$$? Or maybe people don't care about THX anymore?

 

[Bluesmoke]

I don't get it either. THX sells. If THX charges so much for the brand, then how can Pioneer put it on the 1016 and charge so little?

 

[MichaelJHuman]

Might be so they can sell the 4600 (I think that's the model.) The 2700 has more features and is cheaper.

 

[jcPanny]

New Yamaha

If the tradeoff was the Anchor Bay Technologies scalling chip or the THX badge and a couple processing modes, I think Yamaha made a smart decision. One of their main competitors, Denon, doesn't pursue THX on their comparably priced products either.
There are probably marketing and time to market issues also. Since the 2700 probably wont meet the THX Ultra2 specs, to list it as THX Select2 (like the $400 Pioneer) might be considered a negative.

 

[RLA]

THX certification is much more than just a Re EQ circuit and name plate.
Having witnessed the process first hand I can tell you the testing is very rigorous and in most cases insures quality. The THX testing facility works very closely with the manufactures engineers sometimes finding and correcting problems before the product ships to consumers. I am sure that Yamaha will provide a quality product but personally I think this is a minor step backward.

 

[Jacksmyname]

From the info on the Yamaha site:

"CINEMA DSP Digital
Conventional multichannel audio reproduction systems base their sound on Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, using matrix and steering technologies to create surround sound effects. Yamaha CINEMA DSP is much more advanced, actually creating richly realized independent sound fields that envelop you in an unmatched surround sound experience. With dialogue, music and effects from ideally located in these separate sound fields, you will hear sound with accurate placement, smooth movement, exceptional clarity and richness, and startlingly realistic presence. It will seem as if the walls of your room have disappeared and you are in the middle of your own immense theater! The decoding circuitry performs Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-ES (DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 and DTS-ES Discrete 6.1), DTS Neo:6 and DTS 96/24 decoding with extreme accuracy, as well as all digital sound field processing. A THX Select mode is provided as an extra listening option."

Jack

 

[Bluesmoke]

THX certification is much more than just a Re EQ circuit and name plate.
Having witnessed the process first hand I can tell you the testing is very rigorous and in most cases insures quality. The THX testing facility works very closely with the manufactures engineers sometimes finding and correcting problems before the product ships to consumers. I am sure that Yamaha will provide a quality product but personally I think this is a minor step backward.

Any guess as to whether an amp like the Denon 2807 would pass THX certification? It sounds pretty good, but it's also very light. Most THX receivers I've seen are over 35lbs. The 2807 is around 27lbs I think.

 

[ZMass]

I could swear I saw Ultra2 in the documentation a few days before the 2700 was released. But I wont just in case
While I'm pretty sure the 2700 would meet THX Ultra2 requirements, it really is a non-issue except for marketing. 90% of my customers with 1600's and 2600's use Yamaha's soundfields instead of the THX one.

There are more "branded" features in this receiver than any of the past ones, so I guess they needed to save some money somewhere or push the receiver into the next price bracket. Neural Surround, XMHD, iPod metadata, Internet radio, network mp3 streaming, compressed music enhancer, and good deinterlacing and scaling chips are all new.

 

[gene]

Does anyone have knowledge as to why Yamaha chose to get rid of the THX in its RX-V2700? It was present on the RX-V2600, and it's gone in the 2700...

I'm thinking it's to save some $$$? Or maybe people don't care about THX anymore?

IMO it was a smart decision. The 2600 meet THX and the 2700 is everything the 2600 was and more. Yamaha decided to NOT brand THX on the 2700 as a cost savings measure else the receiver would have to retail at over $2k. Instead you now have a receiver that has more features and power than the 2600 THX receiver for only a modest cost increase.

 

[Nomo]

IMO it was a smart decision. The 2600 meet THX and the 2700 is everything the 2600 was and more. Yamaha decided to NOT brand THX on the 2700 as a cost savings measure else the receiver would have to retail at over $2k. Instead you now have a receiver that has more features and power than the 2600 THX receiver for only a modest cost increase.

2K plus??
I could care less about the THX stamp, at least on a manufacturer I trust such as Yamaha, and I really dislike the included THX sound processing. It to me sounds compressed.
But just how much does George Lucas charge to sprinkle Jedi holy water over a product?

 

[avliner]

Nomo,

think you're right! That's why - IMO - Denon, for instance, doesn't go that route either for their mid-class AVR's.

Do you have any doubts that both - 2700 & 3806 - would fail on a " THX badging" test? Absolutely not, so I agree with Gene also. It was a smart decision from Yamaha.

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[S.R. Johnson]

2K plus??
I could care less about the THX stamp, at least on a manufacturer I trust such as Yamaha, and I really dislike the included THX sound processing. It to me sounds compressed.
But just how much does George Lucas charge to sprinkle Jedi holy water over a product?

Last time I checked George Lucas does not own THX anymore. He sold it to I think Creative Labs a few years ago. And I did like the THX modes on the Yamaha.

 

[Nuglets]

I don't know jack about THX but I own a RX-V1400 and I do not prefer to listen in THX mode. It doesn't seem much different but it does seem to be a bit less bright, which I can't handle because my center channel struggles with dialogue in my large room anyways.