clappj

I'm looking into buying a receiver which features THX Select (not EX).
I'm sure that EX is better, but a THX receiver for $420 is a hard deal to pass up!
Any info you can provide will be appreciated!

stevevt

They are not comparable.

"THX Select" is a set of standards that relates to a certification process designed and run by THX.

"THX EX" is a process that decodes a back surround signal from the left and right surround channels on specially encoded DVD movie releases.

More info here:

http://www.thx.com/consumer_products/home.html

http://www.thx.com/consumer_products/home_programs.html

http://www.thx.com/consumer_products/surround_ex.html

Mr. Salty

Actually, you're talking about two different things.

THX EX is an actual surround sound format, Dolby Digital THX Surround EX. This adds a center rear surround sound channel that is encoded into the left and right rear channels.

THX also cerifies home theater components as meeting certain minimum quality standards. THX Select and THX Ultra are the two levels of certification standards. These have nothing at all to do with formats, etc. They are more like a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for HT gear.

THX Ultra receivers will probably have THX-EX, and you can probably find plenty of THX Select receivers with it also.

clappj

This is the receiver that I'm talking about.
It says nothing about EX.
Just that it's THX Select certified.
Any thoughts?
Anyone heard anything about this particular receiver?
Thanks again!


http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...113VR510&o=&a=

clappj

Found this info, in case anyone's interested.
Sums it up pretty well I believe.
THanks for the help!

http://www.thx.com/consumer_products/home_programs.html

Mr. Salty

Steve posted this very link for you above.

skar

I'm not a big fan of Kenwood receivers. Check out the stats on the crutchfield link you posted. 0.7% THD (total harmonic distortion)? As Mr. Mackey would say, "0.7% THD is bad, mmkay."

Many of the best receivers are not THX certified. Some companies would rather save money by not paying Lucasfilm to use the THX logo and pass the savings on to you. I recommend the Onkyo 595, the Denon 2802, and the Outlaw Audio 1050 in your price range.

ineluki

If it doesn't say anything about EX, it probably isnt' capable to decode it.

Also keep in mind, that THX Select is just another way to say:
"we couldn't meet the requirements for *real* THX, but we paid to get
a THX label anyway"

edclem

I'd rather take a receiver with a clean amplifier stage and no THX certification over one with the badge any day.

Personally, I'd avoid the Kenwood. As skar said, their THD stat is terrible. Granted, it's only one indicator of the receiver's performance (and very low THD values do not necessarily equal good sound quality). I'm not a fan of Kenwood, either. IMHO, you're better off spending a comparable amount on an Onkyo, Marantz, Denon, or Outlaw receiver.

DigIt

I thought it had to do with the size of your home theater. Select for smaller rooms, Ultra for bigger.

D113

DIGIT,
I believe you are correct!

D

ineluki

That's what THX wants you to think <eg>, but I can't help wondering how much this was influenced by some companies desire to put a THX label on cheaper components.