How important is THX certification in a receiver? I know that it's a standard that George Lucas's Lucasfilm Company has set for sound and all that, but I don't understand why certain receivers have it and others don't.
My research on these forums has given me a pretty good idea on what brands of receivers are better than others, yet when I go out into the real world and look at what's available and what has THX certification, it baffles me.
For example, some of the brands that are highly recommended for good sound on these forums are Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Sony (ES line only), Harmon Kardon, etc.) I hear alot of good things about all of those, yet when it come to having THX, only their top of the line receivers, costing near $1,000 and up, have it. And some of them don't have anything with THX. Yet you can buy a few hundred dollar Kenwood with THX, which I don't hear much about on these forums. I mean, it comes up, but not as often as the others. What's up with that? Is the $400 Kenwood going to sound as good as a $1,000 Onkyo? If not, then isn't this whole THX Certification stuff a bunch of bologna? Does the Kenwood cut corners in some areas in order to meet certification? Do the other brands build solid receivers without cutting corners and only go for certification once all other features have been exhausted? Does George Lucas have a cousin working at Kenwood stamping all their receivers with the THX logo?
Not trying to rip THX certification or anything, just want to understand it all. Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just really curious.
My research on these forums has given me a pretty good idea on what brands of receivers are better than others, yet when I go out into the real world and look at what's available and what has THX certification, it baffles me.
For example, some of the brands that are highly recommended for good sound on these forums are Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Sony (ES line only), Harmon Kardon, etc.) I hear alot of good things about all of those, yet when it come to having THX, only their top of the line receivers, costing near $1,000 and up, have it. And some of them don't have anything with THX. Yet you can buy a few hundred dollar Kenwood with THX, which I don't hear much about on these forums. I mean, it comes up, but not as often as the others. What's up with that? Is the $400 Kenwood going to sound as good as a $1,000 Onkyo? If not, then isn't this whole THX Certification stuff a bunch of bologna? Does the Kenwood cut corners in some areas in order to meet certification? Do the other brands build solid receivers without cutting corners and only go for certification once all other features have been exhausted? Does George Lucas have a cousin working at Kenwood stamping all their receivers with the THX logo?
Not trying to rip THX certification or anything, just want to understand it all. Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just really curious.