Hello,
I have a new THX-select rated receiver and am looking at speakers. the
system is primarily for home theatre. The speakers I like (Or b audio)
aren't THX rated and the manufacturer emailed me this:

Our speakers will work fine with a THX receiver...the THX
specification calls for the satellites to be crossed over at 80hz, and
our
speakers are designed with that in mind. We have not submitted our
speakers
for certification by THX because it is cost-prohibitive for a small
company,
and in the end performance is what counts.

How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave wrote:

How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

It is basically meaningless. The THX certification basically says that
the speakers will meet a very low minimal standard. To some extent this
even takes away any motivation on the part of the manufacturer to make
the product any better.

The overall THX certification for theatres is a pretty good thing, because
it does mean that the equipment meets some minimal standard, but more
importantly it means the room acoustics meet some minimal standard. (Sadly
it does not mean that either one will be properly aligned).

The home THX stuff is just an equipment standard, and a pretty low one at
that. The acoustical reference that was the whole point of the original
THX theatre spec is missing from it. It is totally emasculated.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Dave wrote:

How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

It is basically meaningless. The THX certification basically says that
the speakers will meet a very low minimal standard. To some extent this
even takes away any motivation on the part of the manufacturer to make
the product any better.

The overall THX certification for theatres is a pretty good thing, because
it does mean that the equipment meets some minimal standard, but more
importantly it means the room acoustics meet some minimal standard. (Sadly
it does not mean that either one will be properly aligned).

The home THX stuff is just an equipment standard, and a pretty low one at
that. The acoustical reference that was the whole point of the original
THX theatre spec is missing from it. It is totally emasculated.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

How important is it that your cables say "monster" on them?

Especially in the home theater market, where rooms are designed for
entertaining more than listening, THX isn't much more than an advertising ploy.
You can even buy "THX Certified" computer speakers. That puts the PUH! in
Puh-Lease!


Joe Egan
EMP
Colchester, VT
www.eganmedia.com

How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

How important is it that your cables say "monster" on them?

Especially in the home theater market, where rooms are designed for
entertaining more than listening, THX isn't much more than an advertising ploy.
You can even buy "THX Certified" computer speakers. That puts the PUH! in
Puh-Lease!


Joe Egan
EMP
Colchester, VT
www.eganmedia.com

"EganMedia" wrote in message
...
How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

How important is it that your cables say "monster" on them?

You can even buy "THX Certified" computer speakers. That puts the PUH! in
Puh-Lease!

.... and that's silly, because ... ?

James Connelly Scott
AE
Houston, Tx
www.sunrisefilms.com

"EganMedia" wrote in message
...
How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

How important is it that your cables say "monster" on them?

You can even buy "THX Certified" computer speakers. That puts the PUH! in
Puh-Lease!

.... and that's silly, because ... ?

James Connelly Scott
AE
Houston, Tx
www.sunrisefilms.com

J.C. Scott wrote:
"EganMedia" wrote in message
...
How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

How important is it that your cables say "monster" on them?

You can even buy "THX Certified" computer speakers. That puts the PUH! in
Puh-Lease!

... and that's silly, because ... ?

Because it dilutes the brand for one thing. If people start associating
THX certification with crappy computer speakers, the whole notion goes out
the window.

Not that it wouldn't be a good idea to have a minimal certification standard
for computer speakers, but associating it with THX is a bad move.

As it is, most people seem to be convinced that THX is a particular sound
format. They don't need to go to the theatre to hear a movie in THX because
they have THX at home! This misconception again totally defeats the whole
purpose.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

J.C. Scott wrote:
"EganMedia" wrote in message
...
How important is the THX designation for speakers in your opinion?

How important is it that your cables say "monster" on them?

You can even buy "THX Certified" computer speakers. That puts the PUH! in
Puh-Lease!

... and that's silly, because ... ?

Because it dilutes the brand for one thing. If people start associating
THX certification with crappy computer speakers, the whole notion goes out
the window.

Not that it wouldn't be a good idea to have a minimal certification standard
for computer speakers, but associating it with THX is a bad move.

As it is, most people seem to be convinced that THX is a particular sound
format. They don't need to go to the theatre to hear a movie in THX because
they have THX at home! This misconception again totally defeats the whole
purpose.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On 22 Sep 2004 11:40:52 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

As it is, most people seem to be convinced that THX is a particular sound
format. They don't need to go to the theatre to hear a movie in THX because
they have THX at home! This misconception again totally defeats the whole
purpose.

Another foolishness, around here anyway, is to let THX be synonymous
with 15 dB too loud. Bring hearing protection.

Now, Robert Duvall, the original THX, can't be faulted. Love his work.

Chris Hornbeck

On 22 Sep 2004 11:40:52 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

As it is, most people seem to be convinced that THX is a particular sound
format. They don't need to go to the theatre to hear a movie in THX because
they have THX at home! This misconception again totally defeats the whole
purpose.

Another foolishness, around here anyway, is to let THX be synonymous
with 15 dB too loud. Bring hearing protection.

Now, Robert Duvall, the original THX, can't be faulted. Love his work.

Chris Hornbeck

"Chris Hornbeck" wrote in message

Now, Robert Duvall, the original THX, can't be faulted. Love his work.

Chris Hornbeck

That was so quirky I wasn't sure it was science fiction.... great movie.

"Chris Hornbeck" wrote in message

Now, Robert Duvall, the original THX, can't be faulted. Love his work.

Chris Hornbeck

That was so quirky I wasn't sure it was science fiction.... great movie.

Scott Dorsey wrote:

Because it dilutes the brand for one thing. If people start associating
THX certification with crappy computer speakers, the whole notion goes out
the window.

Not that it wouldn't be a good idea to have a minimal certification standard
for computer speakers, but associating it with THX is a bad move.

As it is, most people seem to be convinced that THX is a particular sound
format. They don't need to go to the theatre to hear a movie in THX because
they have THX at home! This misconception again totally defeats the whole
purpose.


The local high end dealer of "home theatre" said there's a perception
among his lower end customers (or shoppers) that if they buy something
in Wal-Mart, that it's just as good as his stuff. The attitude is that
of a checklist - "Surround - Have it."

On the other hand, when I used to sell Bryston, I remember that they had
a THX version of various amplifiers for a fixed amount more, basically
the licensing fee.

Scott Dorsey wrote:

Because it dilutes the brand for one thing. If people start associating
THX certification with crappy computer speakers, the whole notion goes out
the window.

Not that it wouldn't be a good idea to have a minimal certification standard
for computer speakers, but associating it with THX is a bad move.

As it is, most people seem to be convinced that THX is a particular sound
format. They don't need to go to the theatre to hear a movie in THX because
they have THX at home! This misconception again totally defeats the whole
purpose.


The local high end dealer of "home theatre" said there's a perception
among his lower end customers (or shoppers) that if they buy something
in Wal-Mart, that it's just as good as his stuff. The attitude is that
of a checklist - "Surround - Have it."

On the other hand, when I used to sell Bryston, I remember that they had
a THX version of various amplifiers for a fixed amount more, basically
the licensing fee.

On the other hand, when I used to sell Bryston, I remember that they had
a THX version of various amplifiers for a fixed amount more, basically
the licensing fee.

Actually it's more like franchising. The THX certification literally names
brands of electrical components that must be used, each of which has passed
certification (and paid fees), right down to the screws for mounting
speakers to walls. It's no different than having to buy McDonald's approved
tables and chairs for a McDonald's restaurant. One part quality control,
three parts taxing.

As a result THX certified models didn't replace the standard models in
Bryston's product line because the standard ones sound better. Movie
theaters are a major market to Bryston so they were very motivated to get
THX compliance, but it wasn't exactly a learning experience in amp design.

If I owned a movie theater I'd have a prominent sign reading "Proudly NOT
restricted by THX compliance"

On the other hand, when I used to sell Bryston, I remember that they had
a THX version of various amplifiers for a fixed amount more, basically
the licensing fee.

Actually it's more like franchising. The THX certification literally names
brands of electrical components that must be used, each of which has passed
certification (and paid fees), right down to the screws for mounting
speakers to walls. It's no different than having to buy McDonald's approved
tables and chairs for a McDonald's restaurant. One part quality control,
three parts taxing.

As a result THX certified models didn't replace the standard models in
Bryston's product line because the standard ones sound better. Movie
theaters are a major market to Bryston so they were very motivated to get
THX compliance, but it wasn't exactly a learning experience in amp design.

If I owned a movie theater I'd have a prominent sign reading "Proudly NOT
restricted by THX compliance"

On the other hand, when I used to sell Bryston, I remember that they had
a THX version of various amplifiers for a fixed amount more, basically
the licensing fee.

Actually it's more like franchising. The THX certification literally names
brands of electrical components that must be used, each of which has passed
certification (and paid fees), right down to the screws for mounting
speakers to walls. It's no different than having to buy McDonald's approved
tables and chairs for a McDonald's restaurant. One part quality control,
three parts taxing.

As a result THX certified models didn't replace the standard models in
Bryston's product line because the standard ones sound better. Movie
theaters are a major market to Bryston so they were very motivated to get
THX compliance, but it wasn't exactly a learning experience in amp design.

If I owned a movie theater I'd have a prominent sign reading "Proudly NOT
restricted by THX compliance"

"Sugarite" wrote in message
...
On the other hand, when I used to sell Bryston, I remember that they had
a THX version of various amplifiers for a fixed amount more, basically
the licensing fee.

Actually it's more like franchising. The THX certification literally
names
brands of electrical components that must be used, each of which has
passed
certification (and paid fees), right down to the screws for mounting
speakers to walls. It's no different than having to buy McDonald's
approved
tables and chairs for a McDonald's restaurant. One part quality control,
three parts taxing.

That sounds like you could actually end up building something that sounded
_worse_ by having to use certain components that while fine in and of
themselves might not work well together.

"Sugarite" wrote in message
...
On the other hand, when I used to sell Bryston, I remember that they had
a THX version of various amplifiers for a fixed amount more, basically
the licensing fee.

Actually it's more like franchising. The THX certification literally
names
brands of electrical components that must be used, each of which has
passed
certification (and paid fees), right down to the screws for mounting
speakers to walls. It's no different than having to buy McDonald's
approved
tables and chairs for a McDonald's restaurant. One part quality control,
three parts taxing.

That sounds like you could actually end up building something that sounded
_worse_ by having to use certain components that while fine in and of
themselves might not work well together.

"Sugarite" wrote in message
...
On the other hand, when I used to sell Bryston, I remember that they had
a THX version of various amplifiers for a fixed amount more, basically
the licensing fee.

Actually it's more like franchising. The THX certification literally
names
brands of electrical components that must be used, each of which has
passed
certification (and paid fees), right down to the screws for mounting
speakers to walls. It's no different than having to buy McDonald's
approved
tables and chairs for a McDonald's restaurant. One part quality control,
three parts taxing.

That sounds like you could actually end up building something that sounded
_worse_ by having to use certain components that while fine in and of
themselves might not work well together.

In article si35d.254045$Fg5.70946@attbi_s53 writes:

That sounds like you could actually end up building something that sounded
_worse_ by having to use certain components that while fine in and of
themselves might not work well together.

I'm not sure that it sounded worse, but when Mackie sought THX
certification for their HD-824 speakers, they had to add an RCA jack
for the signal input and put instructions in the manual for building
an attenuator so the powered speakers could be connected to the output
of a power amplifier.

I think they were shooting for getting the speaker certified for
mixing in a THX certified facility but had to go the whole route and
get them certified for home theater use where they were unlikely to be
fed from a balanced line level source.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

In article si35d.254045$Fg5.70946@attbi_s53 writes:

That sounds like you could actually end up building something that sounded
_worse_ by having to use certain components that while fine in and of
themselves might not work well together.

I'm not sure that it sounded worse, but when Mackie sought THX
certification for their HD-824 speakers, they had to add an RCA jack
for the signal input and put instructions in the manual for building
an attenuator so the powered speakers could be connected to the output
of a power amplifier.

I think they were shooting for getting the speaker certified for
mixing in a THX certified facility but had to go the whole route and
get them certified for home theater use where they were unlikely to be
fed from a balanced line level source.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 00:33:28 GMT, "David Morgan \(MAMS\)"
wrote:

Now, Robert Duvall, the original THX, can't be faulted. Love his work.

That was so quirky I wasn't sure it was science fiction.... great movie.

I just read this by Lucas: "Everyone calls it science fiction.
I call it documentary fantasy."

Haven't the slightest clue what he means, but there it is.

Chris Hornbeck

On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 00:33:28 GMT, "David Morgan \(MAMS\)"
wrote:

Now, Robert Duvall, the original THX, can't be faulted. Love his work.

That was so quirky I wasn't sure it was science fiction.... great movie.

I just read this by Lucas: "Everyone calls it science fiction.
I call it documentary fantasy."

Haven't the slightest clue what he means, but there it is.

Chris Hornbeck