Once again, I must say THX and Skywalker Sound have pioneered cinema and home theater sound techology improving the movie experience for most of us.
But like most good things (Wal-Mart, Disney and the U.S. Government) when they get too big, they start forgeting why they got started in the first place. Power DOES tend to corrupt.
While the MAJORITY of "THX Certified" DVD's are reference quality, there are a few that fall short of what we'd expect from the "THX" label. For example, the "Tombstone" 2-disc re-release on DVD did offers an unusually terrible Dolby/DTS soundtrack and a grainy, soft, artifacted-filled picture. But on the other hand, "Pearl Harbor" on DVD (which is "THX Certified") sounds incredible and looks almost as good as Hi-Def.
Again with the "THX Certified" label on sound gear. I've listened to MANY speakers that are NOT "THX Cerified" that sound 10 times better than the certified ones for the SAME price. The THX logo on your receiver (and the fact that George Lucas touched it) adds $600-$700 price to your purchase.
On RECEIVERS you've got "THX Ultra" and "THX Select". ULTRA equipment must play at PEAK volumes of 115 dB and SELECT plays at 105 dB. Let it be known that any sustained volume over 90 dB will make you go deaf. Now they've got "THX Ultra 2" (notice the "2"). This certification pertains to what sort of connections on the back of the RECEIVER and probably a higher decible rating (dB). I'll look it up later.
What do you get for $700? The computer inside your stereo will compensate for speakers in your set up that are NOT identicle to one another. It's brings them all down to the quality of your WORST speaker so that they match sound wise. (one more reason to get ALL your speakers the SAME make and model) THX calls it "Timber Matching". Next is "Cinema Re-Eq"...It sucks most of the treble out of the FRONT 3 SPEAKERS to compensate for YOUR living room speakers NOT being behind a big silk screen like in the old movie house. Finally, "Decorrilation" of the rear speakers...It was a great idea when all we had were wimpy "Pro-Logic" rear channels. The post-processing was wonderful and made your rear speakers sound louder, more spacious, etc...But now, with the 5.1 sound, "Decorrilation" actually makes your rear speakers quieter than they should be.
There is obviously more technology behind THX's surround processing BUT, I have this little experiment for you...If you have a "THX Certified" receiver at home, play a powerful scence from one of your action movies with JUST the "Dolby" or the "DTS" sound playing (you CAN turn your "THX Processing" on and off with the touch of a button on most receivers)...You can have "Dolby" with "THX" or "DTS" with "THX" added. Like THX icing on your Dolby cake. As you switch the "THX" on, listen for the treble to drop out of you front sound stage and the rear speakers get about half as loud. Switch back and forth several times and get other people's opinions while you're testing this theory.
The TRUE benefit of "THX Certification" is to make sure that there isn't a "Sweet Spot" in your surround set-up...That is, one seat sounds incredible while everyone else is left out...This is true when you go to the movies, as well...The THX processing ensures that EVERYONE has an AVERAGE Home Theater experience.
Skywalker Sound's mixing studio is one of the best on the planet and inspired me to try many of my current projects in home theater but THX is NOT flawless. It is without a doubt one of the best cinema sound companies in the world but USE YOUR EARS! If your latest "THX Certified" disc doesn't sound or look as good as your "T2: Extreme Edition" disc, ask "Why doesn't it?". If your new "THX Certified" gear doesn't sound as good as your buddy's Non-THX gear, GET YOUR MONEY BACK!
