THXÆ Ultra Product Roster Swells With New Entries In Every Category

9-Oct-00

A multitude of new THXÆ Ultra products made their debut at CEDIA EXPO 2000.New THX Ultra components come from a wide variety of THX licensees and encompass every product category, including A/V controllers and receivers, amplifiers, speaker systems and DVD-Video players. The majority of the new controllers and receivers feature THX Surround EXô for decoding a back surround channel in a film soundtrack.""The proliferation of theatres with cutting edge digital sound systems has made the public very aware of how good a movie soundtrack can sound, while the enormous success of DVD clearly shows that people are seeking higher quality performance in home entertainment,"" said Monica L. Dashwood, General Manager, Lucasfilm THX. ""Home theatre product manufacturers are responding to this trend by expanding their THX Ultra lineup to assure consumers that they are buying the ultimate in audio and video performance.""Two new THX Ultra controllers make their debut - the NAD S150 and the TAG McLaren AV-32R/EX. These new units join recently introduced controllers from B& K, Integra Research, JBL Synthesis, Lexicon and Mark Levinson in offering THX Surround EX.The roster of THX Ultra A/V receivers continues to expand, with three new models making their debut at CEDIA, all with THX Surround EX. From Denon comes the AVR-5800, the companyís new flagship receiver. The Integra Division of the Onkyo Corporation also has a new top-end model, the DTR-9.1, and Marantz, too, is unveiling a new step-up receiver, the SR-18EX. Shortly before CEDIA, Pioneer Elite expanded its line of THX Ultra certified receivers with three models - the VSX-39TX, VSX-37TX and VSX-36TX - all featuring THX Surround EX.""Onkyo is a long-time THX supporter for two key reasons,"" said Mark Friedman, Senior Vice President, Onkyo USA. ""First, their expertise allows us to offer a genuinely superior product. And second, consumers recognize THX as a symbol of quality. The THX Ultra label on our top-end products tells consumers that they are the best available.""Six new THX Ultra DVD players make their debut. From Integra comes the flagship DPS-9.1. Marantz has two new players - the DV-18MK2 and the VC-8100, a 300+1 DVD-Video changer. Onkyo is introducing the DV-S939, Pioneer Elite is adding the DV-38A and TAG McLaren Audio introduces its first DVD-Video player, the THX Ultra certified DVD-32R.Licensees introducing new THX Ultra amplifiers include Integra Research with the RDA-7, a seven-channel model, and NAD with the S250 and Sonance with the Sonamp 5150, both five-channel amplifiers.In speakers, JBL has two new THX Ultra models - the JBL HT4V, a front left, center and right speaker, and the HTPS400, a 12-inch powered subwoofer.""THX Ultra certification is a must for our cinema-quality home theatre systems,"" said Eric Leicht, Director of JBL's Systems Integration Specialist Products Group. ""JBL has enjoyed a long history as a leader in the cinema business. Our dealers have acknowledged that our THX-certified home theatre products are equipped to deliver the same level of quality they have come to expect in THX cinemas. Because of the direct tie-in from the cinema, consumers understand that THX Ultra certification represents a consistent high level of performance that they can appreciate at the home level.""For more information, visit www.thx.com.