THX stuff on non THX
josh_parsons626
Posts: 219
If you dont have a THX receiver/processor, what's a good setting to watch a THX movie or play a THX video game? I thought if you was watching a THX movie it was the best if you played it on THX listening mode. That's the only reason I would get a THX processor. Is this true? Or am I full of it?
Don't forget to look at My Home Theater 
Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR503
Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 40
Center - Polk Audio CS1
Surrounds - Paradigm Cinema ADP
Subwoofer - Velodyne VRP-1200
Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR503
Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 40
Center - Polk Audio CS1
Surrounds - Paradigm Cinema ADP
Subwoofer - Velodyne VRP-1200
Post edited by josh_parsons626 on
Comments
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josh_parsons626 wrote:If you dont have a THX receiver/processor, what's a good setting to watch a THX movie or play a THX video game? I thought if you was watching a THX movie it was the best if you played it on THX listening mode. That's the only reason I would get a THX processor. Is this true? Or am I full of it?
You're not full of it. The marketing department at THX is. Get a RadioShack speaker level meter, adjust it, forget it. -
josh_parsons626 wrote:If you dont have a THX receiver/processor, what's a good setting to watch a THX movie or play a THX video game? I thought if you was watching a THX movie it was the best if you played it on THX listening mode. That's the only reason I would get a THX processor. Is this true? Or am I full of it?
Personnaly I don't bother myself with to much of the THX Reference Levels. I just set up my particular HT according to my ear. I think you can find the answers to your questions here...
http://www.thx.com/mod/products/performance.html
Scott -
I'm pretty sure THX is just a standard, not a "setting". Stuff can be THX certified or not, but there is no "compatibility" you have to worry about. Maybe I'm just misunderstanding your question.If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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THX = the Bose of processors. All hype, no delivery. Seriously, there's THX wireless computer speakers out there... WTF?Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.
Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.
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THX is fine as a theater certification, because they actually have techs go in there and make sure building materials, speaker placement and levels are all acceptable. In terms of home theater equipment, it doesn't really matter unless you're going to get your living room THX certified.Dodd Audio ELP [ Tubes ] // Harman Kardon AVR330 // Parasound HCA-1203A // Denon DVD-2900
Polk Audio LSi9, LSiC, LSi 7 // HSU STF-2 // Signal Cable Interconnects (SG BW/A2/MP) -
Yes, there is some processing in receivers called "THX", it only works with Dolby Digital software, it supposedly processes the signal adjusting equalization taking some of what the manuals call "crispness" out of the signal.
Pretty much hype as I hear no big differences and it all depends on your room. As stated THX is really a standard set by Lucas Labs that Theater's were held to if they wanted to show the Star Wars films and it grew from there. Its not something I worry about but it is the standard. Gear with the stamp on it has to meet certain criteria.
RT1 -
That criteria is...
Power Button...On - Power turns on... GOOD
Speaker plugged in... sound comes out... GOOD
THX... ULTRA 2!!!- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
Wow no love for THX. Personally I love the THX modes. I use THX Ultra all the time for action movies, because generally (IMO) they are way to bright. I also use it on certain movies that have that high frequency noise after people speak (not sure what it is called). If I remember correctly the THX mode has a Re-Eq which rolls off the highs around 12khz and up. It also is supposed to have better separation for the surrounds giving a more realistic rear soundstage.
As for the certification, it is nice to know it is there but isn't a must. If you have a THX certified unit you know it meets a certain quality standard, but beyond that it doesn't serve much purpose. My main gripe is the fact that companies pay for that little logo, so you can have a piece of gear that far exceeds the requirements, but isn't certified because they don't want to pay the extra money. B&K for example, the Ref 50 was THX certified, the Ref 50 S2 is nearly the same with a few added features...but no THX.
I personally think it is nice to have but not a necessity.
Jared -
My read on THX is that besides all the certification stuff, when you pop the disk in, it's basically just dolby digital. The only thing I've seen on the forums is that some equipment has a setting to lower the high spectrum in the sound track. Theaters have a lot of soft sound absorbing materials and the tracks are mixed to amp the highs to make up for this. This leads to the 'crispness' of sound tracks mentioned by reel. There is a THX setting to take it out.
edit: yeah, that's it, Re-Eq. -
THX is, simply put, a mixing and playback specification.// Panasonic AE8000 // Pioneer SC-57 // Polk Audio RTi A9 // Polk Audio CSiA6 //
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aaharvel I've got my SPL meter set at 85 db I think (maybe 80, one of the 2) and I think it sounds good in here. I was really big on not having to turn up the volume very loud at all, just like in my car. But I quickly found out the difference between calibrating it correctly and having to turn it up a liitle louder than not having it right and just barely turning it up. The difference being the rears actually come in more "realistic" and the bass is not boomy anymore but tight and snappy and still sounds good when listening to music.
See I was gonna get a processor just for the THX modes for when I play a DVD like "Signs" cause it's THX certified, or when I play MVP 2004 cause it's THX certified. But what y'all are saying is it doesn't make a difference in sound quality, it's just in people's heads?Don't forget to look at My Home Theater
Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR503
Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 40
Center - Polk Audio CS1
Surrounds - Paradigm Cinema ADP
Subwoofer - Velodyne VRP-1200 -
Actually just the opposite, I don't use the THX mode on good quality recordings, but do on poorer ones.
For more info on the actual technologies including Re-Eq you can go here, and look around for info on THX.
I personally think the most confusing thing about it is that there are two parts to THX, the certification and the modes. A THX certified receiver, speaker, dvd...whatever meets certain specifications. The THX modes are processing on signals to try and improve on them. That is why it is completly subjective.
Jared -
josh_parsons626 wrote:But what y'all are saying is it doesn't make a difference in sound quality, it's just in people's heads?
Well, like Hertz, not exactly, the receiver/amplifier gear with the THX stamp on it has to meet some minimum standard for power within a specific cubic area, so depending on the cert. level of THX you get this with the stamp on the gear. The levels start with Select and move up from there.
Now, THX--Lucas charges companies fees for testing and then allowing the stamp to go on the gear. Some companies who make quality gear dont want to pay the money to Lucas, there gear would meet the standard but they dont care it its stamped THX or not. The THX DSP on the receivers does alter the signal, so in this sense its real.
THX is not something I personally have to have to buy a component.
RT1
