THX II Certified Car Audio System Goes 5.1 Surround Sound

New Lincoln MKS is the First Automobile to Feature THX Certified 5.1 Surround Sound System

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14 -- LA Auto Show -- THX Ltd. and Lincoln are bringing true surround sound experiences to the open road. THX unveiled today its next-generation THX II Certified 5.1 Surround sound audio system for luxury automobiles. The newest, THX Certified car audio system will make its debut in the 2009 Lincoln MKS.

Powered by THX technologies, the next-generation THX II Certified 5.1 Surround system sports a twelve-channel amplifier that delivers 600 watts to sixteen speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer. Each speaker is strategically placed throughout an acoustically engineered cabin to ensure high impact listening experiences. A center channel speaker array features THX Slot Speaker(TM) technology, which enables sound to be distributed through a very narrow opening on the Lincoln MKS dashboard. This approach allows for a wider sound image and better control of how sound waves are distributed throughout the vehicle cabin.

For those who like to crank up the bass, the THX II Certified 5.1 Surround system delivers crisp, clear sound with very little distortion. It also incorporates volume-processing technologies designed to compensate for increases in vehicle speed and exterior noise.

"THX car audio systems have raised the bar for automotive audio performance, radically shifting consumer perceptions about what's expected from a factory-fit audio system," said Robert Hewitt, vice president of sales at THX. "It was only a matter of time before we advanced the award-winning car audio system design to true 5.1 surround sound."

Lincoln's collaboration with THX has resulted in a new class of premium audio systems that brings the fidelity of the home theater to automotive interiors. The THX II Certified 5.1 Surround system in the Lincoln MKS will decode and play multi-channel audio from DVD movies and DVD-Audio discs. This allows drivers to enjoy true, discrete surround sound presentations, much like their high-end home theater systems. The THX II Certified 5.1 Surround system will feature a hard drive jukebox, making it easy to access and store favorite tracks, and comes equipped with a DVD-based navigation system. The AM/FM tuner is compatible with the Radio Data Broadcasting System (RDBS) and displays radio station call letters, formats and song titles.

  SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

  INSTRUMENT PANEL
  Speakers
  -- THX Configurable Speaker Array (CSA): 3/4 Inch Tweeter (1), 2.25 Inch
     Midrange (2)
  -- 3.5 Inch Midrange (2)
  Amplifiers
  -- 50 Watts (3)

  FRONT DOOR
  Speakers
  -- 1 Inch Tweeter (2)
  -- 5x7 Woofers (2)
  Amplifiers
  -- 50 Watts (4)

  BACK DOOR
  Speakers
  -- 1 Inch Tweeter (2)
  -- 5x7 Mid-woofers (2)
  Amplifiers
  -- 50 Watts (2)

  REAR
  Speakers
  -- 10 Inch Subwoofer (1)
  -- 3.5 Inch Drivers (2)
  Amplifiers
  -- 50 Watts (3)

  ABOUT THX LTD.

THX Ltd. was founded by filmmaker George Lucas to improve the way movie audiences experience the sights and sounds of feature films on the silver screen. The goal, then and now, is to continually improve the entertainment experience through strict engineering performance standards, innovative product designs and breakthrough technologies. Leading companies from around the globe count on THX to help them create better, more innovative products and services. For more information, visit http://www.thx.com/.