'THX' Worth talking about?

[yoyopowder]

Is THX all that, what I mean is, should I be impressed that a speaker package at th €1k mark should have THX select? I was thinking of getting the 3005SE but perhaps now being swayed towards the following;

Your direct-distribution specialist for loudspeakers, home theatre, iPod and other audio systems

Any comments? Good idea or you could I get something as good at a similar price just not THX certified. I like the fact its fairly compact.

 

[richard_t]

I personally think it's been a long time since THX branding had any real prestige or worth. Their branding, at least in a the home environment is nothing more than a marketing feature. There are lots of speakers and amplifiers etc out there that surpass the THX criteria but just don't pay for the 'honour' of wearing the badge.

It used to feel like THX was the ultimate badge of sound quality. When they're certifying computer speakers etc like they do these days then it's difficult to take them too seriously.

EDIT - I'm not of course saying those speakers aren't great as I've got no idea. Just that I wouldn't be at all swayed by the THX logo.

 

[alexs2]

THX is merely a set of standards to which a given piece of equipment has to conform or exceed,in order for a manufacturer to gain the right to say it is THX certified.

It does not mean that the speakers will sound better than another non-certified brand,and it should also be remembered that not all manufacturers are willing to pay for certification either.

Most members will tell you that the best judge is yourself,and that you should listen to as many speakers as possible before making a decision to buy.

For what it's worth,I dont think that any of my gear other than the AV processor carries any sort of THX certification!

 

[Dean]

Even seen THX certified cables, hmm wonder what tests these would need to have passed that normal brand (even high end) cables don't pass?

 

[markswift2003]

My opinion's the same as Richard's above - When Lucasfilm owned THX there was a feeling that in order to attain THX certification, the equipment had to be of a certain standard before even looking at whether it fulfilled the THX criteria. So even of you didn't understand what "THX mode" was doing (usually making it sound dull and lifeless imho) you knew the kit was decent!

Then Lucas sold it.....

They lost me when the started certifying computer speakers (!) and then cables. For goodness sake!

You can just imagine the certification process:

"Yeah, that one works"
"Yeah, that one works"
"Yeah, that one works"
"Yeah, that one works"
"That one doesn't work"
"....Oh sorry, yes it does"
"Yeah, that one works"
"Yeah, that one works"
"Yeah, that one works"

It'll be THX certified chairs next...

Mark

 

[Member 116841]

In my own experience, I've only ever found THX to be of benefit if you're playing your system at reference level. If the room is big enough, and reference level can be reached comfortably, it's surprising how everything just snaps together and sounds 'right'. Even a couple of dB below reference loses something.

At the sort of level that most people listen to them at, the benefits of THX are lost really.

 

[yoyopowder]

Yeah, kind of got that feeling, although I do like the idea of the concept and being able to cross that over to correspond with room size, speaker specs etc, but THX cables puts things into perspective. My room is approx 40 square metres. I thought the 3005SE might suffice and perhaps it still might, but the the Teutel was food for thought. One thing I dont like is their listed prices do not include VAT and shipping is another €150, so the listed price of €1049 in real terms came close to €1500, quite a jump. Its back to the drawing board for now. Cheers anyhow folks..

 

[Member 116841]

I wouldn't recommend the 3005's for THX use. You could have them set up following THX guidelines, but they'll not sound as they should do. It's best to stick to THX rated speakers for louder volume levels.

 

[dts_boy]

if i remember correctly isn't thx there to make the cinema sound more suitable for home use? with speakers the certification meant they had to be able to fill a certain size room at a certain volume level. speakers and subs are designed for essentially the same purpose but i remember being told thx speakers have different dispertion characteristics than "hi-fi" speakers - one of the reasons for dipole speakers i think.
as much as people want to salte thx i actually quite like the way the post processing can help tame a soundtrack when played loud (generally too loud for my tastes though!).
we all love M&K S150 speakers (in general) and being a THX certified speaker doesn't make it bad to me
btw - i don't work for THX but if they want to employ me and give me a full THX cinema system i will happily accept

 

[Shin Akuma]

I think if you looking for Home theater setup then definetly THX certified speakers are worth looking at.

 

[Member 116841]

dts_boy

THX Ultra and Select were designed for smaller areas like living rooms or dedicated home theatres, and to produce a more accurate sound.

THX isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is something that has been designed to be used at reference levels, something which not many people can do. Adding THX at lower volumes tends to dull the sound, which is why they're bringing in adaptive volume stuff to counteract this. THX is a good thing, and will get you closer to what was intended, but only if THX guidelines regarding speakers, electronics, and the room, then it's beneficial.

We tend to use our M&K 150 system without THX, but then with most customers we dont reach reference level in the dem rooms.

I'm not saying THX is a bad thing, just that most people aren't in a situation to get anywhere near the best from such a system. And yes, THX shot themselves in the foot when they started rating crappy PC speakers, but that doesn't take anything away from the 'real' THX stuff.

 

[yoyopowder]

It wasn't that I was looking specifically for THX. At the end of the day I was looking for the best bang for my buck around the €1k to €1.2K for a Home Theatre to fill a room approx 40m squared. I was thinking 3005SE and MA90 HD AV10. It is only then that I stumbled upon the Teufel. It got me wondering, and looking at the specs, it seemed better again than both the others. I see someone mentioned on one thread that he rated it along side the MA Bronze package, but it's a bit too bulky for my liking..

 

[dts_boy]

dts_boy

THX Ultra and Select were designed for smaller areas like living rooms or dedicated home theatres, and to produce a more accurate sound.

THX isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is something that has been designed to be used at reference levels, something which not many people can do. Adding THX at lower volumes tends to dull the sound, which is why they're bringing in adaptive volume stuff to counteract this. THX is a good thing, and will get you closer to what was intended, but only if THX guidelines regarding speakers, electronics, and the room, then it's beneficial.

We tend to use our M&K 150 system without THX, but then with most customers we dont reach reference level in the dem rooms.

I'm not saying THX is a bad thing, just that most people aren't in a situation to get anywhere near the best from such a system. And yes, THX shot themselves in the foot when they started rating crappy PC speakers, but that doesn't take anything away from the 'real' THX stuff.

fair enough i don't disagree with that! i too have "THX" computer speakers which on a thx basis meet higher specs than my proper cinema speakers (aoart from the sub ). PC THX and in-car THX is a marketing thing, i agree whole heartedly to that! but its no more than putting HD onto everything - like the new radius "HD" range of speakers from monitor audio!

 

[yoyopowder]

I'd like to just correct a statement I said earlier. The Teufel stated prices are in fact inclusive of VAT. I looked at the checkout statement and misinterpreted what i was looking at without adding up the final figures. So in fact the THX Select 5 stated price is €1049 and this includes VAT. Apologies..


PS. Their shipping is a touch on the high side though!!

 

[JonathanAV]

Hi all

My first 'real' set of speakers was the Kef 5.1 THX reference range
(came out about 15 years ago) These bad boys were great for watching movies but I found you do need a Processor/Amplifier/Reciever (with the THX Ultra or Select logo) to experience that 'cinema' effect & as previous posts state at a loud reference level, suits these speakers best.
Only flaw is that for music playback they werent up to standard (but they were made for watching films)
I now use Kef's latest reference speakers (205's, 204c etc) these arent THX but would breeze past the THX standards.
I would advise that if anyone was purchasing THX speakers & was using them for CD playback as well I would demo a CD player on them.
Also as stated you need a THX processor etc or its little point in having the speakers (this is only in my view )

Cheers all,
Jonny