OT: High end electonics and THX certification

[fish-24_7]

Okay all you conspiracy theorists, time to get some of your worst fears confirmed. (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/01/blu-ray-maker-re-boxes-500-player-charges-3500/) Talk about lazy!

[SpacePatrolman]

:(

The only certification from THX that I still have faith in is their standards for loudspeakers. If I remember correctly, among other issues that includes limited vertical dispersion for the front channels to limit ceiling/floor reflections for better imaging, subwoofer SPL/bass extension standards, and the nature of the rear channels' dispersion characteristics to help provide a more enveloping effect, especially for the mono rear channels of a Dolby Surround soundtrack.

[Dirk]

I think this just reiterates what we've always known: that audiophile gear is rarely a great ROI.

[Dirk]

:(

The only certification from THX that I still have faith in is their standards for loudspeakers. If I remember correctly, among other issues that includes limited vertical dispersion for the front channels to limit ceiling/floor reflections for better imaging, subwoofer SPL/bass extension standards, and the nature of the rear channels' dispersion characteristics to help provide a more enveloping effect, especially for the mono rear channels of a Dolby Surround soundtrack.

And amplifiers. THX amplifiers are required to be able to kick out X amount of current with Y voltage into Z loads.

[SpacePatrolman]

And amplifiers. THX amplifiers are required to be able to kick out X amount of current with Y voltage into Z loads.That's good, seeing as how so many manufacturers are playing with amp specs these days. :mad:

[Dirk]

That's good, seeing as how so many manufacturers are playing with amp specs these days. :mad:

Yeah, given that a lot of THX speakers are 4ohm it's nice to know that a THX label basically equates to a "4ohm capable" badge, albeit a more expensive one...:rolleyes:

[markk]

I saw that.

Earl Geddes posted the Audioholics link over at diyaudio.

If you haven't read the Audioholics link you should. Definitely amazing how little extra you get for your $3000...basically nothing. Might as well get some bybee filters with that...

[joekraska]

To put things in perspective, the Logitech Z2300 is "THX certified". I have it. The sub has a nice boom, as economy class goes, but the satellites are crap. While I have not measured, I suspect here is a frequency hole between 120 and 180 hz, and a big one. THX seems to be more of a collective marketing game than not.

Joe.

[NavyMike]

I wonder how much Lexicon would charge me for a face plate for MY Oppo? :)

-Mike

[jerryanderson]

Wonder if Steven Spielberg gets any peso's for that THX certification. If I recall he had a abit to do with THX:confused:

[turn2]

Wonder if Steven Spielberg gets any peso's for that THX certification. If I recall he had a abit to do with THX:confused:

Lucasfilm, not Speilberg.

[jimustanguitar]

The THX certifications are largely a marketing badge that a manufacturer can pay to have stamped on equipment. They meant a lot at one time, but their meaning has been purchased, if you will. The cert's are still based on performance measurements, but there is no specification or measurement that can quantify or represent sound quality. And engineers in the lab have developed some very 'creative' ways to measure things to their liking.

Just because an amp will do 500 real watts or costs a few thousand dollars doesn't mean that it sounds good. Even things that are generally regarded as good sounding are greatly based on personal taste. There are McIntosh guys that think Levinson amps sound harsh, and Carver guys that won't listen to anything else, and even tube guys that have no desire to listen to more than 15 watts. There really isn't a standard or certification that can tell you what sounds good, or what sounds good to you.

That being said (here is where I will contradict myself so that I get lots of argumentative responses :) the different THX certifications do set a standard (especially the higher ones). Gear that performs to a specific standard is on (or near) the same playing field. That way you can compare apples to apples when picking what gear is right for you.

No matter what the numbers say, you have to listen before you buy. It's also worth doing the research and actually knowing what the specifications are for the particular THX certification you are looking at and what that truly means.

[Paul Carmody]

I read about this last week, and I have to admit that this really tickles me. I know there are a lot of blowhards out there saying, "That's capitalism," and, "Serves 'em right for having too much money," or what have you. Whatever.

You can say that luxury brands do this sort of thing all the time, pulling the wool over people's eyes. But what makes this story so exciting to me is that the luxury brand GOT CAUGHT. Point blank. How often does that happen?

[fish-24_7]

...what makes this story so exciting to me is that the luxury brand GOT CAUGHT. Point blank. How often does that happen?

Paul - That is precisely the reason I felt compelled to post the link. I love the irony of it. After doing a bit more research on this, there is a controversy brewing over some reviews of the 2 identical products where (surprise, surprise) the more expensive one got better subjective reviews. (I might add that Lexicon advertises with the reviewer, while Oppo does not.)

Thank goodness there are havens for clear thinking individuals on the 'net. PE - thanks for maintaining the integrity of this forum.

-B

[Deward Hastings]

there is a controversy brewing over some reviews of the 2 identical products where (surprise, surprise) the more expensive one got better subjective reviews.Sort of like capacitors, eh?