Does "THX-certified" matter for a Receiver?

[blu_world]

so im looking at a denon and dont see the THX-cerified 2 stamp...


does that really matter if the system is highend and 7.1 sound??

[JimboTHX1138]

I don't think it really matters. Some companies aren't prepared to pay for the THX certification but it doesn't necessarily mean that the product wouldn't pass THX's requirements if it was tested.

[4Dblu]

everyone here have different opinions on this. but really THX means u can turn the volume all the way up with no distortion or reference levels. but u also have receivers that can play that but they r high end. but the best one is THX Ultra2 which gives u full sound at low volume. no other receiver can do this. i compared 3 receivers one with Ultra2 and two without and u can truly hear the difference. but the best way is judge for urself and chk out the receiver forums for the models ur looking 4 2 get and ideal.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by 4Dblu

everyone here have different opinions on this. but really THX means u can turn the volume all the way up with no distortion or reference levels. but u also have receivers that can play that but they r high end. but the best one is THX Ultra2 which gives u full sound at low volume. no other receiver can do this. i compared 3 receivers one with Ultra2 and two without and u can truly hear the difference. but the best way is judge for urself and chk out the receiver forums for the models ur looking 4 2 get and ideal.

I think both of those statements are fundamentally wrong........


THX has more to do than that, and it's just a classification.... like "Certified Used Car" etc......


In my opinion, it's all marketing B.S., and many many many of the best pieces of audio equipment and speakers aren't "THX CERTIFIED"

[ZIPPO]

Ditto what Beta said!

[Lucy Diamond]

My 1800 is not Certified and it pisses all over my 1400 which is.

[naturephoto1]

Also, there is a lot of older equipment out there manufactured before certification. Many of these products would be stellar performers and could easily pass the certification. As was mentioned many manufacturers do not want to pay for the certification and their equipment would pass.

Rich

[Doc_Stew]

Originally Posted by Lucy Diamond

My 1800 is not Certified and it pisses all over my 1400 which is.

That's funny!

Yeah, THX is more marketing than anything else. It just means the receiver's been held to certain standards and approved for THX. That DOESN'T mean, however, that other receivers have failed THX certification. It just means they haven't been tested.

So look at the specs and do your research, and compare that way. In reality, the only thing THX gets you is a higher price tag.

[Driver_King]

I think Re-EQ is a nice feature with the THX modes. THX Ultra2 mode seems to make a difference in movies and games for 7.1. It's also nice to tell people who know nothing about the technicalities of home theater that my receiver is THX certified.

[naturephoto1]

Gee maybe they should come with a George Lucas signature too on the item.

Rich

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

...It's also nice to tell people who know nothing about the technicalities of home theater that my receiver is THX certified.

Sure, but are your doors THX certified?
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/03...buts-at-cedia/

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by RUR

Sure, but are your doors THX certified?
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/03...buts-at-cedia/

The less they know, the better.

[sptrout]

I am not sure if I agree or disagree with the "it doesn't make any difference" crowd, but below is a link to a good article on the subject. You will learn a lot about the history of THX and the certification process.

You will see that the article lists the tests that must be passed to meet THX Certification for various parts of a THX system. The missing piece of the puzzle is that the pass/fail points of each test is not public information so it is not possible to know what it really takes to pass THX Certification.

Another point; if you look at each list, take "amplifiers" for example, it is a really long, long list of tests that must be passed. The great majority of these tests are not items that would ever be on a "spec" sheet. Therefore, it is not correct to say "compare specs between units and if they are the same, they are equal."

I do not believe that a THX Certified AVR is proof that it is the best in its particular price class, but it would be very difficult to prove that it is not without extensive testing.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/featu...ification.html

[DBlackGT]

I don't know how big of a difference it makes, but I sure like seeing that THX logo and selecting that sound mode on my receiver.

[Sonny]

Its like "Monster" HDMI cables... Anyone who's been in this game for awhile knows what I'm talking about, differnts or not...

[Driver_King]

The thing is, most people know what THX is. Not so much Monster...

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

The thing is, most people know what THX is. Not so much Monster...

And a $1100 THX certified receiver is not going to be the same as a $200 budget receiver Like with HDMI cables

[Sir Terrence]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

I think Re-EQ is a nice feature with the THX modes. THX Ultra2 mode seems to make a difference in movies and games for 7.1. It's also nice to tell people who know nothing about the technicalities of home theater that my receiver is THX certified.

Since studios started removing the ISO 2969 EQ from their home video soundtracks, and since lossless audio has taken root, my need for THX re-EQ has completely disappeared. You just do not need re-eq that much anymore to make it a selling point. All it does with audio of today is dull it by adding a unnecessary rolloff that is not needed.

[Sir Terrence]

Originally Posted by sptrout

I am not sure if I agree or disagree with the "it doesn't make any difference" crowd, but below is a link to a good article on the subject. You will learn a lot about the history of THX and the certification process.

Back in the days of prologic where no home video standards had been set by anyone, THX meant everything as it set standards of audio playback that were not there before. But when they transformed themselves from a strict certification process to a revenue stream, the watered down specs of the select level of products, the certification of computer speakers and VHS tape machines essential took the process in a direction that watered down the THX brand in terms of a technical process. Manufacturer didn't think it was worth the money anymore, so you see fewer THX badges on products these days.

You will see that the article lists the tests that must be passed to meet THX Certification for various parts of a THX system. The missing piece of the puzzle is that the pass/fail points of each test is not public information so it is not possible to know what it really takes to pass THX Certification.

They keep it a secret to preserve the revenue stream, to keep competitors out of this business, and to keep manufacturers from designing products that meet the standards at a cheaper price point without their badge. In other words, self preservation. Any competent designer can create a product of extremely high standards that would pass certification with no trouble.

Another point; if you look at each list, take "amplifiers" for example, it is a really long, long list of tests that must be passed. The great majority of these tests are not items that would ever be on a "spec" sheet. Therefore, it is not correct to say "compare specs between units and if they are the same, they are equal."

Unfortunately spec sheets do not tell you anything about sound quality. Alot of THX certified speakers met standards, but sounded like caca. That goes double for receivers. There probably is a benefit to THX certified projectors and players though, I must give them some credit. However these are relatively new standards that have not been watered down as of yet.

I do not believe that a THX Certified AVR is proof that it is the best in its particular price class, but it would be very difficult to prove that it is not without extensive testing.

If you test specifically for specs that is one thing, if you test for sound quality, it changes everything. I am more a sound quality guy than a specs guy. However speakers, players amps video products that create good images, and sound really good usually have very good specs.

[4Dblu]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I think both of those statements are fundamentally wrong........


THX has more to do than that, and it's just a classification.... like "Certified Used Car" etc......


In my opinion, it's all marketing B.S., and many many many of the best pieces of audio equipment and speakers aren't "THX CERTIFIED"

THX is not marketing BS. what THX do is allow u to listen to the movie the way it was meant to be heard. like there logos says b4 the film starts. in simple terms its basically, a movie is being re-equalized and sound u may not hear b4 can b heard. example: on my THX laser disc Jarassic Park in the begining when the forklift is coming thru the trees u can hear the sound of the leafves very clear. compared to the crappy DD 5.1 dvd. the dvd sound more muted even tuned up high. also, compared my THX Predator laser to blu-ray and my laser still has a slight edge in sound but PQ is blu .

but, i don't fall for that THX stuff yea its looks nice but whatever no one is coming to my house saying is all ur equipment THX. i did noticed the Raiders/lost ark in THX but the sound track didn't stand out so.

u can always chk out there site THX.com. they have a clip showing u their process on film enhancement PQ & SQ and HT equipment.. no, THX certified is NOT thee all of all theres other equipment out that match and exceed THX standards..