THX has started reviewing TVs & audio products

As part of a new initiative called ‘THX Standard’ the company has started reviewing TVs and audio products. The TVs are ranked by test scores and the results are… curious.

Builds on ”scientific measurements”
The initiative has been created to “help consumers make informed purchase decisions”, the company claims. The reviews are based on “scientific measurements” by using “industry standards and a proprietary testing methodology”.

- "For over 35 years, THX has set the industry standard for the audio and visual fidelity of entertainment experiences," said Min-Liang Tan, CEO, THX Ltd. "The launch of THX Standard exemplifies our commitment to helping our industry partners better understand what factors influence the audio and visual fidelity of products and bring better products to market faster.  THX Standard reinforces our mission to make home and mobile entertainment come alive for consumers around the world."

The company also used the opportunity to sneer at media publications worldwide, saying that THX’ test methods are “unbiased from an editorial perspective”. That is a fascinating perspective considering that THX is already partnering with select TV manufacturers, and considering that the company, as part of the new test procedure, will sell consultation sessions and “THX Certified” logos.


Is THX Standard the new standard?
We cannot comment on THX’s audio product reviews but the TV section reveals that Sony X900E (XE90) tops the list with 73 points ahead of other TVs such as the LG B7. Samsung Q7 comes dead last – behind TVs that cost far less. THX does not consider price when testing.

Samsung Q7 comes dead last
The company measures and ranks TVs according to criteria such as black level, white point, color accuracy, HDR performance, and more. The score seemingly starts at 100 and points are then deducted depending on performance and specific errors.

THX has yet to review any 2018 TVs. You can see the current rankings below:



It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the results are controversial. THX explains that all “categories in THX Standard display scoring have equal weight” , meaning that HDR performance has the same weight in the total score as viewing angles. This data-driven model surely has its strengths but it occurs to us that THX has forgot to look at the full picture – to put things in context. 

Time will tell whether the company can win consumers’ trust and make ’THX Standard’ the new standard. You can check out the reviews on thxstandard.com. You can find FlatpanelsHD’s list of the best TVs here.