Larger Roster Of THXÆ Ultra Products A Wide Variety Of New THXÆ Ultra Products Made Their Debut At The Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
The introductions are the first new products to carry the THX Ultra badge, the new designation for the original Home THX specification. The Home THX Program also includes THX Select, a set of performance standards for mid-priced receivers and speakers. The new THX Ultra products include A/V controllers and receivers, amplifiers and speaker systems and reflect the popularity this past year of both DVD and 5.1 channel audio systems. ""The proliferation of DolbyÆ Digital and DTSÆ Digital Surround products has enhanced the appeal of THX certification as manufacturers respond to the growing sophistication of the home theatre customer,"" said Monica L. Dashwood, General Manager, Lucasfilm THX. ""THX Ultra reassures these discerning customers that they are buying the best performance possible."" JBL introduced three new THX Ultra components in its Synthesis line. There's a new digital surround processor/system controller with Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround (SDP-2D) and a pair of digital equalizers - the SDEC 1000, a dedicated upgrade for Synthesis One, and the SDEC2500, a dedicated upgrade for Synthesis Two and Three. Lexicon has a pair of THX Ultra processors. The DC-2 is available in three versions - a base unit, a Dolby Digital version and a Dolby Digital/DTS Digital Surround model. The MC-1 is a new flagship music and cinema processor. Other new THX Ultra A/V controllers, featuring both Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround decoding, were introduced by Kinergetics (C-808), NAD (S-150), Parasound (AV/C-2500) and Rotel (RSP-985). ""We have long valued the technical and marketing benefits that THX certification provides,"" said Keith Marshall, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, JBL Synthesis. ""High-end home theatre customers recognize JBL Synthesis as a symbol of quality and THX plays a key role in that perception because it is a widely recognized standard of excellence."" Other new THX Ultra entries include a pair of new THX Ultra receivers - the Denon AVR-5700 and the Marantz SR-18, both with Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround - and one new amplifier, the AVC-A1D from Denon for Asian distribution. ""THX Ultra represents the highest level of performance and consistency in quality,"" said Stephen Baker, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Denon Electronics. ""Consumers feel reassured when they see the THX logo, so for us THX Ultra certification is an absolute must for our flagship products."" Speaker manufacturers introducing THX Ultra systems include Jamo, with its new System 2, and Canton, with the System 10.