12Additional information

About THX

The THX technologies are explained below. See

www.thx.com for more detailed information.

THX Cinema processing

THX is an exclusive set of standards and technologies established by the world-renowned film production company, Lucasfilm Ltd. THX grew from George Lucas' personal desire to make your experience of the film soundtrack, in both movie theatres and in your home theatre, as faithful as possible to what the director intended. Movie soundtracks are mixed in special movie theatres called dubbing stages and are designed to be played back in movie theatres with similar equipment and conditions. This same soundtrack is then transferred directly onto Laserdisc, VHS tape, DVD, etc., and is not changed for playback in a small home theatre environment. THX engineers developed patented technologies to accurately translate the sound from the movie theatre environment into the home, correcting the tonal and spatial errors that occur. On this product, when the THX indicator is on, THX features are automatically added in Cinema modes (e.g. THX Cinema, THX Surround EX).

Re-Equalization

The tonal balance of a film soundtrack will be excessively bright and harsh when played back over audio equipment in the home because film soundtracks were designed to be played back in large movie theaters using very different professional equipment. Re-Equalization restores the correct tonal balance for watching a movie soundtrack in a small home environment.

Timbre Matching

The human ear changes our perception of a sound depending on the direction from which the sound is coming. In a movie theatre, there is an array of surround speakers so that the surround information is all around you. In a home theatre, you use only two speakers located to the side of your head. The Timbre Matching feature filters the information going to the surround speakers so that they more closely match the tonal characteristics of the sound coming from the front speakers. This ensures seamless panning between the front and surround speakers.

Adaptive Decorrelation

In a movie theatre, a large number of surround speakers help create an enveloping surround sound experience, but in a home theatre there are usually only two speakers. This can make the surround speakers sound like headphones that lack spaciousness and envelopment.

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The surround sounds will also collapse into the closest speaker as you move away from the middle seating position. Adaptive Decorrelation slightly changes one surround channel's time and phase relationship with respect to the other surround channel. This expands the listening position and creates—with only two speakers— the same spacious surround experience as in a movie theatre.

THX Select

Before any home theatre component can be THX Select certified, it must incorporate all the features above and also pass a rigorous series of quality and performance tests. Only then can a product feature the THX Select logo, which is your guarantee that the Home Theatre products you purchase will give you superb performance for many years to come. THX Select requirements cover every aspect of the product including pre-amplifier and power amplifier performance and operation, and hundreds of other parameters in both the digital and analog domain.

THX Surround EX

THX Surround EX - Dolby Digital Surround EX is a joint development of Dolby Laboratories and the THX Ltd. In a movie theater, film soundtracks that have been encoded with Dolby Digital Surround EX technology are able to reproduce an extra channel which has been added during the mixing of the program. This channel, called Surround Back, places sounds behind the listener in addition to the currently available front left, front center, front right, surround right, surround left and subwoofer channels. This additional channel provides the opportunity for more detailed imaging behind the listener and brings more depth, spacious ambience and sound localization than ever before. Movies that were created using the Dolby Digital Surround EX technology, when released into the home consumer market may exhibit wording to that effect on the packaging. A list of movies created using this technology can be found on the Dolby web site at www.dolby.com.

Only receiver and controller products bearing the THX Surround EX logo, when in the THX Surround EX mode, faithfully reproduce this new technology in the home.

This product may also engage the “THX Surround EX” mode during the playback of 5.1 channel material that is not Dolby Digital Surround EX encoded. In such case the information delivered to the Surround Back channel will be program dependent and may or may not be very pleasing depending on the particular soundtrack and the tastes of the individual listener.

THX is a trademark or registered trademark of THX Ltd. Surround EX is a jointly developed technology of THX and Dolby Laboratories and is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. Used under authorization. All rights reserved.

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Pioneer VSX-AX5Ai-G, VSX-AX5Ai-S manual Additional information About THX

VSX-AX5Ai-S, VSX-AX5Ai-G specifications

The Pioneer VSX-AX5Ai-S and VSX-AX5Ai-G are standout home theater receivers known for their robust performance and advanced features that cater to audio enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. Designed with a focus on versatility and high-fidelity audio reproduction, these receivers deliver exceptional sound quality for both music and movies.

One of the most significant features of the VSX-AX5Ai series is its powerful amplification system. With a capacity to drive multiple channels, these receivers provide dynamic sound and enough power to fill even large spaces. The Class D3 amplification technology used in these models ensures efficient performance, producing clean and distortion-free audio. This technology contributes to higher energy efficiency while providing rich bass and clear highs.

These receivers are equipped with advanced audio codecs, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which create an immersive surround sound experience. The ability to decode high-definition audio formats enhances the listening experience, bringing movie soundtracks and music to life with precision and depth. The multi-channel setup allows for easy integration into existing home theater systems, delivering a cinematic atmosphere at home.

Another notable feature is the MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System). This automatic calibration system optimizes speaker settings based on the room's acoustics, ensuring that users achieve the best possible sound from their speaker setup. It analyzes the acoustics and adjusts the receiver's settings to provide a balanced and harmonious sound profile.

Connectivity is a highlight of the VSX-AX5Ai-S and VSX-AX5Ai-G. They come equipped with multiple HDMI inputs and outputs, allowing users to connect various devices, such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. The presence of digital and analog audio inputs ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio sources. Furthermore, these models support video upscaling, enhancing lower-resolution content for improved playback quality.

The user-friendly interface and remote control make it easy to navigate settings and configurations, providing a seamless user experience. Additionally, both models support streaming services, allowing users to access their favorite music directly from apps over Wi-Fi.

In summary, the Pioneer VSX-AX5Ai-S and VSX-AX5Ai-G are exceptional receivers that combine powerful amplification, advanced audio processing, and user-friendly features. With technologies designed to optimize sound quality and provide versatile connectivity, these models are an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their home audio experience. Whether for movies, music, or gaming, they deliver a premium listening experience that stands out in the competitive home theater market.