THX?? Is it all that for HT?

[got rice]

there is a tremendous amount of marketing in regards to this THX thing. I'm reallly curious to know how many members actually have all the components to dupicate the THX quality as advertised?

It seems like just because a receiver has the "THX" certification how much will we really enjoy THX?

Like me for example, I have a receiver that has "THX Ultra 2" ,is it gonna give me the "experience" without the other components of THX?

Thanks

[JunkBoy]

After listening to all the various selections that my SC-07 offers I have personally settled on the THX Ultra 2 option as my setting of choice when I matrix a 5.1 movie to 7.1. It is the best sounding option imo. Ultimately I would choose not to use any option on top of a lossless codec but if the movie does not come with a lossless 7.1 track then my 1st choice is THX Ultra 2.

When it comes to watching HD programming over the cable DVR I like to use Dolby PLIIx + THX setting. This is really quite impressive on the SC-07. There was such a significant difference with that setting going from my Elite 84 to the Elite SC-07! the AQ on cable shows and movies in particular is now jaw dropping! Watching concert and music videos on Palladia channel puts a smile on my face just because it sounds so good! It leaves me wondering how cable can sound so good!

The SC-07 is such a powerful receiver and by power I mean everything just sounds better. It doesn't get louder when you turn up the volume it gets clearer and more dynamic. In my limited experience with receivers I always saw the THX options, the Pro Logic options, the Neo options as ways to try and make the source sound better...but with the receivers evolution and lossless codecs upon us I really see the various audio options as complimentary to the source now. It's no longer trying to be a better option but rather adding to the source. So to answer your question got rice, yes I do think you get the "experience" of THX settings whether you have THX certified components or not. And I myself have gone from THX certified Atlantic Technology speakers to my current Paradigm Studio speakers and the audio quality has only gotten better.

[got rice]

JB thanks for the. Responce.

For me I think THX is bogus. With the advancement of the technology in much of the equipment nowadays, it seems that there are speakers or AVRs that could easily qualify for the THX criteria.

According to THX, the elite line of AVRs are the only ones to satisfy this criteria, I find this hard to be true. You yourself mentioned you went from the THX Atlantic speakers to the non rated Paradigm studios and commented on a signifigant improvement in sound. This tells me that THX creates a false sense of superior quality to the consumer.

While I would not argue under a controlled environment that THX rated equipment and THX rated room mods would offer a better sound, but not sure if it would yield a better result with equivalent non THX certified equipment with the samw room mods. To me THX is more marketing than anything else.

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by got rice

JB thanks for the. Responce.

For me I think THX is bogus. With the advancement of the technology in much of the equipment nowadays, it seems that there are speakers or AVRs that could easily qualify for the THX criteria.

According to THX, the elite line of AVRs are the only ones to satisfy this criteria, I find this hard to be true. You yourself mentioned you went from the THX Atlantic speakers to the non rated Paradigm studios and commented on a signifigant improvement in sound. This tells me that THX creates a false sense of superior quality to the consumer.

While I would not argue under a controlled environment that THX rated equipment and THX rated room mods would offer a better sound, but not sure if it would yield a better result with equivalent non THX certified equipment with the samw room mods. To me THX is more marketing than anything else.

Ehh you're both right, sort of.
THX certification can indeed be used as a marketing tool. I myself fell prey to it when setting up my current config. I bought the Onkyo 705 over the 605 mainly due to the THX Select certification. Then I went on Ebay and scored some Monster THX cerified wires. But for my speakers I had my heart set on Def Techs, and I wasn't being talked out of it. I'm quite happy with all of my THX gear, but I do wonder if it was worth the extra bucks sometimes.
I think THX certification is a standard to be reckoned with (as you can see with the newly announced Pioneer Elite line), I also think that many of the higher end products (Such as my Def Techs or the Paradigm speakers) forgo the certification process because they know their products would very well exceed the standards.
I've heard one set of THX cert. speakers from Onkyo. Their high end HTiB is completly Cert. I set one up for a friend of mine a while back, and it sounds good, better than most HTiB, but not as good as my set-up. As stated above the speakers get louder, but not more clear. Whereas mine do both.
Maybe I'm just tooting my own horn, but I know what I hear.
So while for recievers, wires, and video I think THX is the way to go, but with speakers, yes you can have a very nice set-up with THX, but you can have a better grade of product if you're willing to spend a little more time researching.

[got rice]

Zedd do you know what codec format THX recommends PCM or a decoded file(true HD or dts ma) for AVRs ?

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by got rice

Zedd do you know what codec format THX recommends PCM or a decoded file(true HD or dts ma) for AVRs ?

I'm not sure if they did pick a favorite...
If it were me and I had to choose I'd go DTSHD-MA.
As far as for AVR goes though I don't think it matters, PCM is the decoded format, hence TrueHD and DTSHD-MA codecs. Once it's decoded (whether by your AVR or your player (like a PS3)) the signal is sent uncompressed PCM. I believe I got that info here somewhere.

Anyhoo, here's a link to the official THX website. They don't go into too much technical detail, nor do they mention specific codecs, but IT's kinda interesting. Plus you can search for certified products, and there's setup tips.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by zedd_117

Ehh you're both right, sort of.
THX certification can indeed be used as a marketing tool. I myself fell prey to it when setting up my current config. I bought the Onkyo 705 over the 605 mainly due to the THX Select certification. Then I went on Ebay and scored some Monster THX cerified wires. But for my speakers I had my heart set on Def Techs, and I wasn't being talked out of it. I'm quite happy with all of my THX gear, but I do wonder if it was worth the extra bucks sometimes.
I think THX certification is a standard to be reckoned with (as you can see with the newly announced Pioneer Elite line), I also think that many of the higher end products (Such as my Def Techs or the Paradigm speakers) forgo the certification process because they know their products would very well exceed the standards.
I've heard one set of THX cert. speakers from Onkyo. Their high end HTiB is completly Cert. I set one up for a friend of mine a while back, and it sounds good, better than most HTiB, but not as good as my set-up. As stated above the speakers get louder, but not more clear. Whereas mine do both.
Maybe I'm just tooting my own horn, but I know what I hear.
So while for recievers, wires, and video I think THX is the way to go, but with speakers, yes you can have a very nice set-up with THX, but you can have a better grade of product if you're willing to spend a little more time researching.

I must stress do not waste your money on any Monster products let alone their THX ones. An interconnect is an interconnect. For speakers just use a low gauge coppers like 12, 14 or 16ga depending on the length of run. Don't use any Monster HDMI product unless you can get for the same price as Monoprice cables.

Now as far as equipment certification, yes some of their specifications are unless, but on amplifiers, the Ultra2 or Ultra2 Plus labels do carry some significance. Though I question if THX has lessened the requirements in recent years. The Onkyo 806 is significantly less capable of driving 4-ohm speakers than its predecessor, the 805, namely due to a reduction in the quality of the power supply. I have heard the rumored 807 will only be Select2 Plus. The other advantage is that receivers with the THX logo carry all the THX sound modes. I personally use Ultra2 Cinema all the time, but it is up to the consumer to decide if they really need the certification and modes associated with it.

For speakers, I believe the most significant difference is in the crossover designs of the subs and mains due to a steeper slope (24 dB/octave) vs. a shallower slope in most non-THX equipment (12dB/octave).

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by CraigW

I must stress do not waste your money on any Monster products let alone their THX ones. An interconnect is an interconnect. For speakers just use a low gauge coppers like 12, 14 or 16ga depending on the length of run. Don't use any Monster HDMI product unless you can get for the same price as Monoprice cables.

Now as far as equipment certification, yes some of their specifications are unless, but on amplifiers, the Ultra2 or Ultra2 Plus labels do carry some significance. Though I question if THX has lessened the requirements in recent years. The Onkyo 806 is significantly less capable of driving 4-ohm speakers than its predecessor, the 805, namely due to a reduction in the quality of the power supply. I have heard the rumored 807 will only be Select2 Plus. The other advantage is that receivers with the THX logo carry all the THX sound modes. I personally use Ultra2 Cinema all the time, but it is up to the consumer to decide if they really need the certification and modes associated with it.

For speakers, I believe the most significant difference is in the crossover designs of the subs and mains due to a steeper slope (24 dB/octave) vs. a shallower slope in most non-THX equipment (12dB/octave).

I knew I'd get slammed for the Monster reference (Although, for longer lengths even Sound and Vision magazine recommeds the M1000 series (of course for runs of over 35 feet!))

Thanks for the more technical details, I'm not too good on the specifics. That's kinda disappointing news on the 807, I was going to buy one. Maybe I will look into the Pioneer Elites.

[Rebel6666]

THX in receivers is more the quality of sound within the volume of your room.

THX Ultra 2 is for rooms bigger than Big if you have 1 it's good for most of us.

BTW Select 1 and Selct 2 is the same as Ultra and ultra 2

[got rice]

My AVR offers Ultra 2 THX.... So does this. Enhance the HD format that is bitstreamed to the AVR?

Um a little unsure how THX Ultra 2 is applied for movies.

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by Rebel6666

THX in receivers is more the quality of sound within the volume of your room.

THX Ultra 2 is for rooms bigger than Big if you have 1 it's good for most of us.

BTW Select 1 and Selct 2 is the same as Ultra and ultra 2

Whaaa?

Actually no, there's a difference between the Selcet Certifcation and the Ultra. You are correct with the volume of space. To qualify for Select, a reciever must meet THX standards in a 2000 cubic (LxWxH) foot space. Ultra is for 3000 cubic foot spaces.
The difference between levels 1 and 2 as well as regular and Plus levels also depend on how well the space is filled with sound (i.e. how well the sound is dispersed, the level of directional accuracy, as well as sound levels (for nstance the crown talking in the background should not be as loud as the mack truck exploding in the foreground)

[Beta Man]

The Nola Grand Reference series isn't THX certified...... so with that in mind, I always view it as a stamp of approval that the manufacturer has to pay George Lucas the right to have...... NOT NEEDED

I have a receiver that has "THX Ultra 2" ,is it gonna give me the "experience" without the other components of THX?

The speakers (if that's what you mean by other components) simply reproduce the signal that is given to them, and no information is sent via some "THX Magic" that only THX certified speakers can produce...... Your gear is good..... no worries.

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

The speakers (if that's what you mean by other components) simply reproduce the signal that is given to them, and no information is sent via some "THX Magic" that only THX certified speakers can produce...... Your gear is good..... no worries.

+1

I think most speaker companies, like the Nola's Beta mentioned, know their gear is good enough if not better than THX recommendations, therefore they don't bother with "paying for the stamp" as Beta said.

[genkifd]

i dont believe i have ever seen good speakers that are THX certified - but in general top of the range AVR are.. such as the Denon....

[repete66211]

THX is a "brand of a approval", meaning some device has satisfied THX's standard of performance. First, you must pay THX for licensing. Second, not having the brand in no way implies the device is incapable of meeting the THX standard.

In the case of a THX setting (i.e. TV or AVR) it's the setting at which THX feels things will sound/look best. But as far as I know THX won't divulge what their criteria are, so I chalk this up as subjective preference.

So if two items that are identical in every way (including price) execept for the THX brand, I'll buy that THX brand. However, if the price is significantly more then, all things the same, I don't consider the certification to be a deal-breaker.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by genkifd

i dont believe i have ever seen good speakers that are THX certified - but in general top of the range AVR are.. such as the Denon....

My M&K's are...

[CollinViegas]

I have heard alot of excellent Speaker systems certified by THX.

The Klipsch system is amazing, I consider them an upgrade from my old speakers {Def Tech BP7000, CLR3000, BPVX/P x4}

The Snell system is excellent aswell. The JBL pro system is to die for etc...

THX is an excellent tool for people not on forums, it gives them a reference and starting point for quality components that are guaranteed to work in there situation.

There are countless pieces of equipment that far surpass THX standards, but those are not usually what the masses are buying.

[got rice]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

The Nola Grand Reference series isn't THX certified...... so with that in mind, I always view it as a stamp of approval that the manufacturer has to pay George Lucas the right to have...... NOT NEEDED



The speakers (if that's what you mean by other components) simply reproduce the signal that is given to them, and no information is sent via some "THX Magic" that only THX certified speakers can produce...... Your gear is good..... no worries.

Cool thats good to know. I guess THX does serve a pupose, I just don't see how a HTIB will yield the same "standard" as a Denon 4310 with the JBL rated speakers. I know they are in different stratoshperes quality wise, but they shouldn't even be in the same discussion.

Maybe THX has different criteria for certain categories.

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

...I always view it as a stamp of approval that the manufacturer has to pay George Lucas the right to have...... NOT NEEDED

This is how I view the THX certifications now. My first HTiB was THX certified (speakers and AVR) and it was not so much a selling point for me at the time, but more of reassurance that I was getting a quality product.

At the very least, it's a 'stamp' of minimum performance. Unless you are in the market for low budget HT electronics, you could really almost ignore THX as a deciding factor all together.