THX Certified: A Big Deal? - Blu-ray Forum

haushausman · 02-01-2008, 04:51 PM

Shopping for a new receiver and I noticed all the Onkyos except the 605 are THX Certified and only the top-end Denon is THX.

My question is, does THX make a big difference? It seems to be a very exclusive feature. None of the Sony's or Yamaha's have it. Is this because they do not want to pay the rights on the THX brand name?

Many many thanks in advance!

haushausman · 02-01-2008, 06:19 PM

Anyone know? Anyone have a receiver that's THX Certified?

Canada · 02-01-2008, 06:24 PM

I belive my receiver is THX certified I don't notice any difference. Mind you I did not by my Pioneer becase it was THX certified I bought it becase it has HDMI 1.3.

haushausman · 02-01-2008, 06:33 PM

You might want to double-check. I don't think it is. What model is it?

plee · 02-01-2008, 06:38 PM

I have an old Onkyo THX certified receiver with THX speakers by Atlantic Technology... THX is process to make sure your equipment meets with certain specs that they have defined to allow the best picture/audio. I doubt you can tell the difference on name brand equipment but lower end stuff may not be up to speed.

lutefisk69 · 02-01-2008, 06:56 PM

I have the pioneer VSX-94TXH and it is THX certified. The thing it does have that non-Thx certified receivers has is the THX select2 sound processing. Not a real big deal other then it gives one more options for surround sound processing.

haushausman · 02-01-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plee

THX is process to make sure your equipment meets with certain specs that they have defined to allow the best picture/audio.

That makes sense to me. But the only Denon out right now that is THX Cert is the $5K+ top-o-the-liner.

I would think all the Denons would be THX Certified.

crackinhedz · 02-01-2008, 07:29 PM

I think if you had a dedicated Home Theater room that has been sound proofed, then maybe THX would be a big deal...but for those with an average set-up and lots of clutter in the room, THX certification might not make a bit of difference. (ive had both THX and non THX receivers, couldnt tell a difference.)

clyon · 02-01-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haushausman

My question is, does THX make a big difference? It seems to be a very exclusive feature. None of the Sony's or Yamaha's have it. Is this because they do not want to pay the rights on the THX brand name?

Many many thanks in advance!

Not true, my yamaha1500 is THX & for new stuff the only one that is THX is the RX-Z11 ($5.5K)
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...9&CTID=5000300

I just leave THX on & it does sound better then the other settings on my reciever..

Beta Man · 02-01-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyon

Not true, my yamaha1500 is THX & for new stuff the only one that is THX is the RX-Z11 ($5.5K)
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...9&CTID=5000300

I just leave THX on & it does sound better then the other settings on my reciever..

Audio is like video..... you think you're hearing "the best" but no factory setting on your receiver is gonna be "the best" despite what you think....

Get an SPL Meter, and test your sound-stage. That is the best way to calibrate your home theater sound (yourself)

crackinhedz · 02-01-2008, 07:41 PM

I have a question that maybe someone knows...

doesnt the audio on the disc have to be THX certified also? (may be a dumb question

)

musicman1999 · 02-01-2008, 07:46 PM

No, my Anthem is THX Ultra2 certified and THX processing can be applied to any input.

bill

Beta Man · 02-01-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I have a question that maybe someone knows...

doesnt the audio on the disc have to be THX certified also? (may be a dumb question

)

THX is kinda like Grade-A Beef.... The FDA inspects the meat, and looks for the Marble (is that what it's called? Marble-ization?) and the color of the meat, etc. and assigns it a grade..... to get the grade it has to meet certain requirements... that being said, Bison, which is similar, can have the same characteristics of beef, but it can't be Grade-A beef....

THX Certified equipment is more of a "grading" than anything else, kinda like a seal of approval, it's not a different decoding method, like Pro-Logic VS. DTS etc.

crackinhedz · 02-01-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman1999

No, my Anthem is THX Ultra2 certified and THX processing can be applied to any input.

bill

I understand it can be applied (my pIo Elite does the same)...but does the actual audio on the disc have to meet any THX specifications?

kpkelley · 02-01-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

THX is kinda like Grade-A Beef.... The FDA inspects the meat, and looks for the Marble (is that what it's called? Marble-ization?) and the color of the meat, etc. and assigns it a grade..... to get the grade it has to meet certain requirements... that being said, Bison, which is similar, can have the same characteristics of beef, but it can't be Grade-A beef....

THX Certified equipment is more of a "grading" than anything else, kinda like a seal of approval, it's not a different decoding method, like Pro-Logic VS. DTS etc.

All beef is inspected and given a grading. Receivers only get THX certification if they pay for it. There are many receivers which would pass such certification that don't pay for the "privelige."

clyon · 02-01-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Audio is like video..... you think you're hearing "the best" but no factory setting on your receiver is gonna be "the best" despite what you think....

Get an SPL Meter, and test your sound-stage. That is the best way to calibrate your home theater sound (yourself)

When I turned my reciever on a few days ago, I instantly knew something was diffent, I went to check. I can't see the reciever at all from where I sit to watch tv, well some how my reciver got kicked over to the 'Sci-fi' mode, one of the default yamaha settings.

& yes I have calibrated my reciever ages ago, that is a must for everyone that has not done so yet

crackinhedz · 02-01-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyon

When I turned my reciever on a few days ago, I instantly knew something was diffent

THX automatically sets the speaker output frequencies to 80Hz and above...so it would sound different.

musicman1999 · 02-01-2008, 07:57 PM

No, because you don't need a DVD, you can apply THX to music, tv or video games as well.My machine has THXmusicmode and THXgames for those types of inputs.

bill

Slec · 02-01-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I think if you had a dedicated Home Theater room that has been sound proofed, then maybe THX would be a big deal...but for those with an average set-up and lots of clutter in the room, THX certification might not make a bit of difference.

Absolutely. And at that point, to be 100% certified, you'd probably need certified cables, speaker wires etc...

Also I rather like the earlier analogy to grade stamping. As soon as I saw the sentence I thought "yep, exactly." Great job Beta-Man.

Although food grading is required by law, companies LOVE to have their products associated with things like THX. It's a way of showing that they meet certain criteria. You can make spreadsheets to show it and confuse the consumer, or you can pay to have your product tested. (Kinda like ANSI for building materials).

haushausman · 02-01-2008, 08:52 PM

Great replies! Many thanks to everyone.

I think I'm still going to go with the Yamaha 3700. It's got everything I want but the THX dilly.. and that seems like your paying for the name mostly.

Thanks again to everyone!

02-01-2008, 04:51 PM	#1
haushausman Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:343 Blu-ray reviews: 5	THX Certified: A Big Deal? Shopping for a new receiver and I noticed all the Onkyos except the 605 are THX Certified and only the top-end Denon is THX. My question is, does THX make a big difference? It seems to be a very exclusive feature. None of the Sony's or Yamaha's have it. Is this because they do not want to pay the rights on the THX brand name? Many many thanks in advance!

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Onkyo Introduces the World's First THX Certified 3D-Ready A/V Receiver	Receivers	iceman	22	03-22-2010 04:55 AM
THX Certified Speakers	Speakers	GAWD	1	01-13-2010 12:57 PM
Does "THX-certified" matter for a Receiver?	Home Theater General Discussion	blu_world	51	11-10-2008 04:49 PM
THX Certified Pixar Movies?	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	ClaytonMG	2	09-29-2007 08:38 PM
THX Certified - Obsolete today ?	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	JimPullan	22	06-09-2007 09:52 PM

02-01-2008, 06:19 PM	#2
haushausman Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:343 Blu-ray reviews: 5	Anyone know? Anyone have a receiver that's THX Certified?

02-01-2008, 06:24 PM	#3
Canada Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Victoria, BC Home Theater Gallery:17 4K collection:305 Blu-ray collection:1201 DVD collection:37 Blu-ray reviews:42	I belive my receiver is THX certified I don't notice any difference. Mind you I did not by my Pioneer becase it was THX certified I bought it becase it has HDMI 1.3.

02-01-2008, 06:33 PM	#4
haushausman Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:343 Blu-ray reviews: 5	You might want to double-check. I don't think it is. What model is it?

02-01-2008, 06:38 PM	#5
plee Senior Member Member since:Mar 2007	I have an old Onkyo THX certified receiver with THX speakers by Atlantic Technology... THX is process to make sure your equipment meets with certain specs that they have defined to allow the best picture/audio. I doubt you can tell the difference on name brand equipment but lower end stuff may not be up to speed.

02-01-2008, 06:56 PM	#6
lutefisk69 Senior Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Westminster, MD Blu-ray collection:427 DVD collection:1	I have the pioneer VSX-94TXH and it is THX certified. The thing it does have that non-Thx certified receivers has is the THX select2 sound processing. Not a real big deal other then it gives one more options for surround sound processing.

02-01-2008, 07:29 PM	#8
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	I think if you had a dedicated Home Theater room that has been sound proofed, then maybe THX would be a big deal...but for those with an average set-up and lots of clutter in the room, THX certification might not make a bit of difference. (ive had both THX and non THX receivers, couldnt tell a difference.)

02-01-2008, 07:41 PM	#11
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	I have a question that maybe someone knows... doesnt the audio on the disc have to be THX certified also? (may be a dumb question )

02-01-2008, 07:46 PM	#12
musicman1999 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	No, my Anthem is THX Ultra2 certified and THX processing can be applied to any input. bill

02-01-2008, 07:57 PM	#18
musicman1999 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	No, because you don't need a DVD, you can apply THX to music, tv or video games as well.My machine has THXmusicmode and THXgames for those types of inputs. bill

02-01-2008, 08:52 PM	#20
haushausman Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:343 Blu-ray reviews: 5	Great replies! Many thanks to everyone. I think I'm still going to go with the Yamaha 3700. It's got everything I want but the THX dilly.. and that seems like your paying for the name mostly. Thanks again to everyone!

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals