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Originally posted by: Mackey256
I'm going to come right out and say this but I fell it is necessary at this point in time.
I think THX is a useless system now.
First - THX is NOT a sound format - that's a VERY common misconception about what THX is.
Second, THX is really a Quality Assurance System - It is designed to assure accurate playback of the films soundtrack - So this way the film will sound THE VERY same as it did when it was mixed and finalized at the sound studio - The THX certification is a process in which a Theater or Home Theater must comply/meet with the standards that have been set by THX; If I remember from the seminar I had taken about 5 years ago these are.
1. acoustic suppression i.e. no background noise from HVAC (A/C, projectors and such) or carry-over sound from another source/screen
2. speaker placement - THX actually will use the theater plans and acoustical test it for each screen and design the speaker location based on mathematical calculations to figure out things like the reverberation and reflection characteristics of the walls, floor and ceiling in order to present and stereo imaging and the ideal sound stage!!
3. lastly, it also requires the use of THX certified equipment; NOT stuff made by THX but equipment that has meet or exceeded the THX standard for performance i.e. signal to noise ratio, total harmonic distortion, power supply and handling, component/connection construction and such.
We have a few THX certified installers here in town and I've been VERY lucky to be one of the installers on 2 THX certified Home Theaters ($200,000 medium sized room and $450,000 10 seat screening theater) - Hands down they are the hottest set-ups and I think the THX Certification MAY have had something to do with this
NOW, if I can come up with $2000 before the 9th of August I can get my THX Home Theater Technician Level II Certification this year – I figure SCREW climbing on roofs and doing Mini dish and HDTV installs I’d rather work inside in the A/C
DOH - after all that typing I could have simply put a link to THX.com
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Then a few years back THX decided that it wasn't going to stand for the best stuff anymore. It was now going to have degrees of THX. Suddenly in my mind THX meant a whole heck of a lot less. It was like they came out and said "this receiver is good but not as good as this one. Then with that one it's not as good as this ultra one over here."
- Huh? I think you were not explained the difference in THX - it's NOT degrees of quality but it's that the systems are designed for other uses - small rooms, large rooms and theaters/auditoriums
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It just seemed like a way to slap a brand name on a bunch of stuff that wasn't up to spec. If it is up to the THX standard say so. If it isn't don't.
- Each piece is tested and fully evaluated to ensure Quality before they grant the licence!
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I mean why have a "THX select?" Just because it meets a few standards for good audio.
- - THX Select is designed to play at reference levels in rooms of approximately 2,000 cubic feet (that's CUBIC feet not square so READ as an average living room or Den) and THX Ultra2 is a 7.1-speaker extension of the original Ultra - and that is for up to 3,000 cubic feet - AND they STILL must meet the SAME standards as ALL THX certified equipment - I mean why pay $1500 for a Ultra2 system when a Select for $500 will do the same job for less cash (minus the 7.1 extension - Useless IMHO in a small room or den!)
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I want something that meets all of them.
- MOST systems that have meet the THX certification CAN do them all - DTS es and Dolby Digital ex (es and ex are either 6.1 , 7.1* or 9.1* - *= NOT discreet channels (YET!) but processed channels to increase the sound field in larger areas)
AND yes, it's TRUE you do not need a baaadasss THX system to have a nice system just a GOOD $300-$500 - DTS ES/Neo6/Dolby Digital EX/Pro-Logic IIx reciever and you'll be golden!!!
I've worked with all kinds of HIGH-END stuff but reality demanded that I buy a ONKYO TX-SR501 ($300 - and it has the best darn sound sub $400 I've heard yet) - The Sherwood Newcastle R-765 is another GREAT entry level unit that I would recommend.
BUT Don't listen to them at a chain store go check out some of your local Audio shops listen around ANY good shop will let you listen to your choice of music /movies so bring the CD's or DVD's that YOU consider to be reference materials and after you do find what your ears like - then check the chains (online to save gas and cash) for the same units then buy one.
I hope this helps!
RiK