Is it worth spending alot more for a THX certified Processor/Pre-Amplifier?

Question

I am building up my future home theater little by little and soon my Processor/Preamplifier along with the amps will be next to purchase. I just want to know will it really make a difference if you purchase a processor that has all DTS and Dolby Digital features to date instead of one that has the same exact stuff except carries along the THX Ultra logo. I noticed once a product has a THX certified logo on it, the price blows up for another thousand dollars or even more, why is that, are THX certified products really better in sound quality

Answer 1

THX Ultra is the way to go. But you should know that the highest end manufactures shy away from THX certification even though they could easily pass such testing.

THX was invented by a guy named Tomlinson Holman, who is no longer part of THX, he has started a new venture called TMH( some call it TXH 10 years later). He is now stressing ( I agree by the way ) with installer grade certification. Meaning that any equipment once it is installed and calibrated could become THM certified. This is much more preferred because even a THX certified piece of equipment can be badly installed ( by Best Buy/circuit City hacks ) and therefore sound terrible.

I would have for the last few years looked at the THX logo as a George Lucas good housekeeping seal of approval. Just a bonus. Make sure you listen to it first and if you see the Logo go whoopee. But neither my Krell or Martin Logan Equipment is THX certified, and tell me a frig-gin Ken-wood with THX Ultra would sound better and any self respecting audiophile would smack you in the face for that kind of comment.

In summary it is a small factor in a much larger decision.

Answer 2

Hi Rob. First i must say you are going about it the right way !
THX as you know was developed by Lucasfilm to bring audiences the quality of sound experienced in post - production studios.Now there are also Home Theater versions .THX processors apply high frequency equalisation to the channels and decorrelation (altering time and phase relationships between surround sound speakers) to the rear channels.

Decorrelation splits the surround channels into two uncorrelated outputs to create a more ubiquitous or defused sound field. Also,THX uses timbre matching to maintain the timbre of the sounds moving from front to back.

Lucasfilm set up a program with Electronic Manufacturers whereas equipment can be "THX CERTIFIED" if it meets certain technical specifications qualified by Lucasfilm.Manufacturers pay a royalty to Lucasfilm for every THX certified unit sold.Some choose to not participate in the program.Buying a THX certified piece of equipment is usually more expensive than a non certified one due to the increased cost of the manufacturer of the THX equipment which is passed onto the consumer. There is no guarantee that the certified component will perform or sound better than an uncertified one.As a matter of fact there is a certain amount of blending of the front and rear speaker sounds which on certain equipment may sound worse .There are too many other variables in surround sound equipment that affect the sound. So it is up to the individual .

Answer 3

THX has nothing to do with sound processing, THX is a standard of quality. If money is not an object i would go for the THX Ultra. But some of the most High End gear such as Krell NAD KEF Cambridge is not THX certified, while some pioneer reciever can pass THX, the Real "THX" is what your ears believ is better a guy can have that THX pioneer reciever but MY non THX certified Cambridge Audio Integrated amp and KEF speakers will blow his sound system away. THX does not mean some gear is better than other's it just meets a standard of quality.

Answer 4

I agree with the other person that answered regarding the quality of THX, however, my personal opinion is that it is not worth a significant investment if you are not a huge movie buff and demand the quality of sound that THX delivers. Any broadcasts of digital media currently (DirecTV, digital cable, OTA (Over the Air), etc. do not broadcast in THX, the most you can hope for is dolby or dts. Since I watch mostly sporting events and high def television, it wasn't worth the THX certification. I settled on the Yamaha RX-V2700 receiver because it had more of the features that I wanted, but THX wasn't one that topped the list.