THX

THX Ltd.
Company type	Private
Industry	Audio technology
Founded	1983
Founder	George Lucas, Tomlinson Holman
Headquarters	San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Tuyen Pham (CEO)
Products	Audio certification programs, audio products, spatial audio technology
Owner	Razer Inc.

THX Ltd. is a U.S.-based audio enterprise located in the San Francisco Bay Area, renowned for its comprehensive standards in high-fidelity audiovisual reproduction. These standards are implemented across various environments, including movie theaters, private screening rooms, home theater setups, computer speaker systems, video game consoles, and car audio systems. The trademark THX introduction is famously accompanied by the unique Deep Note sound.

Established in 1983 by George Lucas and Tomlinson Holman within Lucasfilm, THX was initially developed to guarantee precise soundtrack fidelity for Return of the Jedi. The name originates from Holman’s initials with "X" representing "crossover," while also referencing Lucas's film THX 1138. The distinctive Deep Note was created by James A. Moorer.

Functioning primarily as a quality assurance framework rather than a recording technology, THX supports all audio formats—both digital (Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS) and analog (Dolby Stereo, Ultra Stereo)—to maintain playback that faithfully reproduces the audio engineer’s original vision. Theaters certified by THX comply with rigorous architectural and acoustic criteria, such as floating floors, acoustically treated walls, non-parallel surface designs, perforated screens for seamless center channel sound, and low ambient noise levels (NC 30 rating).

In 2002, THX was separated from Lucasfilm and acquired by sound card producer Creative Technology Limited, which took a 60% ownership stake. Under Creative Technology's guidance, THX broadened its product range, including the launch of the first THX-certified PC audio card—the Sound Blaster Audigy 2. Later in 2016, gaming hardware company Razer Inc. purchased THX, further expanding its footprint in global audiovisual technology markets.

On September 12, 2024, Tuyen Pham was appointed as CEO of THX to drive strategic growth and innovation within the immersive audio sector.

History

Tomlinson Holman, an accomplished audio engineer and scientist, joined Lucasfilm in 1980. While refining the new Sprocket Systems theater, Holman collaborated with Lucasfilm to design an advanced speaker configuration tailored to architectural acoustics. This system integrated equipment with room acoustics through a sophisticated crossover network and was regarded as the premier theater sound system of its era. Its inaugural use was during the mixing of Return of the Jedi, earning acclaim from filmmakers and studio executives alike. Initially dubbed "Tomlinson Holman's Crossover" (XVR) by Jim Kessler, the name was later shortened to "THX," linking it to George Lucas's film THX 1138. The "X" was later reinterpreted as "experiment."

The first four theaters in the United States to install THX-certified sound systems marked an important milestone. To introduce THX to audiences, James A. Moorer composed the signature Deep Note. The official debut of THX occurred on May 20, 1983, coinciding with the release of Return of the Jedi, representing a significant advancement in cinematic loudspeaker technology since 1948.

In 1990, Lucasfilm unveiled the Home THX Audio System at the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, accompanied by a demonstration LaserDisc titled Wow!, which included scenes from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Willow. By 1993, The Abyss became the first laserdisc to receive THX certification; in 1995, the Star Wars trilogy was released as the first THX-certified VHS set; and in 1997, Twister became the initial digitally mastered DVD certified by THX.

In 2002, Lincoln pioneered offering premium car audio systems certified by THX starting with their 2003 Lincoln LS model. This initiative showcased multi-channel surround sound within automobiles at CES Las Vegas.

June 2002 saw THX spin off from Lucasfilm to form an independent company headquartered in Marin County, California, with additional offices in Burbank and plans for international growth. The company expanded into gaming and automotive audio sectors while enhancing its theatrical certification programs for digital cinema.

On September 30, 2003, THX initiated its video game audio certification program with Electronic Arts as its inaugural licensee. Games such as Need for Speed: Underground and Medal of Honor: Rising Sun prominently featured THX branding. In 2020, THX introduced Certified Game Mode technology designed to improve contrast ratios, minimize input lag, and enhance visual precision; TCL Technology launched the first television equipped with this feature.

Starting in 2006, THX began certifying high-definition Blu-ray discs beginning with Terminator 2: Judgment Day. A certification for 3D products followed in 2010 when LG's Infinia PX950 Plasma HDTV series became the first television to earn THX 3D certification after passing stringent tests on color fidelity and video processing accuracy. JVC also released four projectors certified by THX for 3D performance.

Early in 2013, THX launched its inaugural mobile application—THX Tune-Up—to assist users in calibrating home theater video and audio settings. That same year, the company filed a patent infringement suit against Apple Inc..

THX expanded into China in 2014 by establishing offices in Beijing and partnering with China Film Group Corporation, leading to the launch of THX Certified China Giant Screen auditoriums located in Shanghai. Additionally that year, it collaborated with Warren Theatres to open an eighteen-auditorium complex in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma featuring THX Certification alongside Dolby Atmos sound systems, patented curved screens, and the U.S.’s first installation of a 4K laser projector.

Following its acquisition by Razer Inc. in October 2016, THX introduced its first certified laptop—the Razer Blade Pro—in 2017. In 2018, it launched Spatial Audio technology delivering immersive 360-degree sound experiences through headphones and speakers; this technology was integrated into Razer’s Kraken gaming headset and subsequently incorporated into Windows 10 devices.

On May 2, 2018, more than two hundred Cinemark XD locations throughout the United States and Latin America adopted THX sound systems that include large-format screens and premium seating options. The inaugural THX Ultimate Cinema opened at Regency Westwood Village Theater in Los Angeles in 2019 featuring advanced projection equipment from Cinionic.

In September 2020, Walmart began retailing Gateway laptops and tablets calibrated by THX for enhanced visual quality alongside Spatial Audio technology providing authentic surround sound through built-in speakers and headphones.

In 2021, THX debuted its first consumer electronics product—the Onyx mobile headphone DAC and amplifier—utilizing proprietary AAA technology to deliver superior portable audio fidelity.

Applications

The University of Southern California's Eileen L. Norris Cinema Theatre—part of USC’s film school—is recognized as the first theater certified by THX.

Certifications

THX provides certification programs for a variety of products including home audio equipment, home theater components, video displays, and automotive sound systems. Certification encompasses home audio receivers, loudspeakers, desktop setups, soundbars, acoustic treatments, microphones, and HDMI cables.

THX Certified Ultra

Engineered for larger home theater spaces approximately 3,000 cubic feet with viewing distances exceeding twelve feet.

THX Certified Select

Designed for medium-sized rooms up to about 2,000 cubic feet with viewing distances ranging from ten to twelve feet.

THX Certified Compact

Intended for smaller rooms up to roughly 2,000 cubic feet accommodating viewing distances near eight feet.

THX Certified Dominus

Targeted at expansive home theaters around 6,500 cubic feet with viewing distances close to twenty feet.

I/S Plus Systems

These are AV Receiver plus Speaker Bundles certified for compact home theaters or dormitory rooms featuring viewing distances between six to eight feet. Presently manufactured exclusively by Onkyo and Enclave Audio.

Multimedia products

THX Certified multimedia items are tailored specifically for PC gaming environments and desktop multimedia applications.

THX Certified Optimode and Optimizer

This certification applies to DVD players and video displays—including plasma screens, LCDs, LEDs flat panels, and projectors—that incorporate THX Optimode and Optimizer technologies allowing users to experience content as originally intended by creators. Some calibration procedures require special blue-tinted glasses provided either with the Optimizer disc or downloadable from the official website. The initial DVD released with THX Optimode was Fox’s Fight Club, dated June 6, 2000.

Mascot

Tex is the official mascot of THX—a robot character created and voiced by John Lasseter who formerly served as Pixar Animation Studios’ CEO. Tex made his debut appearance in the original trailer titled Tex 1 EX accompanying Independence Day (1996), followed by Tex 2: Moo Can featured alongside Alien Resurrection (1997). A more recent trailer named Tex vs. the Robot, released on THX’s YouTube channel in 2020 highlights their Spatial Audio technology capabilities.

External Resources

Launch of Home Theatre Program