Key Consumer Electronics Manufacturers To Market THX Select Products In '99
Lucasfilm THXÆ announced at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) an expansive roster of key consumer electronics manufacturers who will be marketing THX Select receivers and speakers this year. Among the licensees that have announced plans for THX Select receivers are Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer and Marantz. THX licensees that will market THX Select speaker systems include Atlantic Technology, Klipsch, Magnat - a new THX licensee, M&K and Teufel. THX Select sets a new performance benchmark for mid-priced home theater products, including both electronic components and speakers. THX Select is based on the same basic values as the original Home THX specification, now called THX Ultra. Both standards are part of the Home THX Program and offer consumers the assurance that a THX certified product, regardless of price point, is the best in its class. ""We're very pleased with our licensees' response to THX Select,"" said Monica L Dashwood, General Manager, Lucasfilm THX. ""They immediately recognized it as an opportunity that allows them to offer the benefits of THX certification to a broader customer base."" Several THX licensees were at the International CES with their THX Select product. M&K demonstrated its speaker system, comprised of the LCR-750THX front speakers, Center 750THX, Sur-550THX surround speakers and Sub V-1250THX powered subwoofer. The system will be available by the end of January at an estimated suggested retail package price of $2,150.00. Teufel of Germany also was there with a THX Select system, its three-way M400. Other speaker system manufacturers with plans for THX Select certified products are Atlantic Technology, with its 270 System, and Germany's Magnat. ""We have always been strong believers in the THX concept,"" asserted Chuck Back, Executive Vice President for M&K. ""Now, with the availability of THX Select products, we can offer THX performance assurance to a larger audience. What's more, I think THX Select will draw a new group of customers into audio specialty stores, which will further help brands like M&K."" On the electronics side, both Marantz and Onkyo will market THX Select A/V receivers later this year. ""For us, THX Select provides an opportunity to capitalize on the prestigious THX brand name with more competitively-priced high-performance products,"" said Mark Stein, Director of Marketing for Marantz. ""We're very excited that we'll be able to add THX Select to our product mix in time for the fall selling season."" The THX Group of Lucasfilm Ltd. is dedicated to ensuring excellent film presentation quality in theatres and homes through a series of specialized services. The THX Theatre Program works with the exhibition and post production community around the world to deliver the ultimate cinema experience by installing the renowned and patented THX System. Home THX allows consumers to replicate that experience at home through Certified THX home theatre products available from leading audio/video manufacturers. For studios and filmmakers, THX provides comprehensive quality assurance services for theatrical film releases through its Theatre Alignment Program (TAP), and for DVD, and videotape releases through its award-winning THX Digital Mastering Program. For More Information Please Contact: Kim Yost, THX At /415/492/3995 Yost@thx.com