THX INTRODUCES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR INTEGRATED
HOME THEATER SYSTEMS
Collaboration with Onkyo Produces the First Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package to Meet THX Performance Requirements
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., June 21, 2006 – THX Ltd., the leading provider of technologies, certification programs and quality assurance standards for the entertainment industry, today introduced the first THX specification for Integrated Home Theater Systems. This newest THX Certification Program focuses on overall system design and performance, rather than individual component performance. It addresses the consumer electronics industry’s largest market segment, consumers seeking mid-priced, easy-to-use home theater receiver/speaker packages.
Through a joint collaboration with Onkyo, the first system to meet the design and performance standards set by THX is the Onkyo HT-S990THX, a 7.1-channel speaker/receiver system that is now available to consumers at an SRP of $1,099.
THX Certified Integrated Home Theater Systems are geared to small home theater environments and residential living rooms, a space currently filled by home theater-in-a-box (HTiB) products. During the design and certification process for the HT-S990THX, THX worked closely with Onkyo to evaluate how each component performed as an integrated unit or system. Because the HT-S990THX was developed and successfully tested by THX as a system, its components–receiver, speakers and amplifier–are optimized to work together to deliver a THX quality audio experience in an affordable “all-in-one” package.
“The THX Certified Integrated Home Theater specification provides CE manufacturers a means to bring more affordable, high quality audio to the masses,” said Robert Hewitt, vice president of sales at THX. “For years, THX has defined quality and performance in high-end home entertainment. Now, with the THX Integrated System specification and the Onkyo HT-S990THX, we are introducing a new category of home theater systems, one that bridges the gap between lower-priced HTiB products and premium home theater systems.”
The HT-S990THX offers home theater enthusiasts full-blown THX performance and meets all THX requirements for output, noise, cross talk and distortion. In addition, the system meets all THX electrical and infrastructure parameters for playing at THX reference levels, features Boundary Gain Control (BGC) to help adjust bass response in smaller rooms, and includes all of the THX listening modes–THX Cinema2 Mode, THX Music Mode and THX Games Mode.
“The HT-S990THX demonstrates a true breakthrough in system design and performance,” said Paul Wasek, marketing and product planning manager from Onkyo. “We worked closely with the THX engineering team for several years to develop a home theater system that was worthy of THX certification. This collaboration has resulted in a system that combines the convenience of an ‘all-in-one’ speaker and receiver package with the performance of higher priced separate home theater components. With the HT-S990THX, home theater shoppers are afforded a THX Certified system that really cranks, at a price tag that won’t break the bank.”
THX Certified Integrated Home Theater Systems will appeal to a wide range of home entertainment enthusiasts, from movie and music buffs to video gamers. The systems’ price tags and performance features will attract consumers who have recently purchased a high definition television (HDTV), users of MP3 players who want to take their tunes beyond their headsets, and gamers looking to take advantage of multi-channel soundtracks on next-generation consoles.
For more information about the THX Certified Integrated Home Theater Systems, visit www.thx.com.
ABOUT THX LTD.
THX Ltd. is dedicated to developing new ways to make the creation, delivery and presentation of entertainment content more efficient, more powerful and more enjoyable. Today, the world’s premier commercial cinemas, post-production studios, car audio systems and home entertainment products incorporate THX technologies and have achieved the coveted THX Certified status. For more information, visit www.thx.com.
THX and the THX Logo are trademarks of THX Ltd., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All rights reserved.
THX MEDIA CONTACTS:
Graham McKenna
PR Manager
THX Ltd.
510-332-8939
gmckenna@thx.com
