Helix C One amplifier
More about the product
- Use our consulting room
- You can return the goods to us within 14 days
- Try the product at our store
Helix C One amplifier
The Helix C One is a top-of-the-line 1-channel amplifier that can push even powerful subwoofers to the max with stunning sound quality. An extremely low-noise, low-distortion Class A driver stage powers a total of 32 power MOSFETs, resulting in an incredible damping factor of 1,000 for tireless control of each speaker. Intelligent power regulation ensures stable conditions for the output stages and a phenomenal output power that is almost independent of the car battery voltage. And for even greater output power, two C One amplifiers can be combined into one powerful device thanks to TwinPower Link. Despite its impressive output power, the C ONE is by no means a pure subwoofer amplifier. With an extended frequency response up to 80kHz and an architecture that has been designed down to the last detail for maximum sound quality, the C One is also the perfect companion for powerful mid-bass speakers in audiophile system concepts. Combined with the optional HDM 1 digital input module, the C ONE demonstrates the perfect transition into the digital era. The HDM 1 accepts digital audio signals up to a sampling rate of 96 kHz via its optical input followed by BurrBrown's high-end 32-bit D/A converters that transform the signals back into the analog domain. Therefore, the C One is absolutely ready for the future and the combination with Helix digital signal processors.
The main features of the Helix C One amplifier
- Extremely powerful class AB amplifier with up to 1100 watts RMS @ 1 Ohm.
- Ideal for 2 x 2 Ohm subwoofers connected in parallel.
- Also usable as a broadband amplifier with exceptional sound quality - ideal for high-resolution audio.
- Extremely low-noise and undistorted amplifier converters in ClassA technology.
- Huge damping factor of 1000 @ 4 Ohms for maximum speaker control.
- Optional HELIX digital input module (HDM) for expanding the amplifier with an optical digital input in SPDIF format.
- Regulated DC/DC switched power supply with Start-Stop option up to 6V supply voltage.
- Microprocessor monitoring of amplifier status including fan regulation depending on temperature.
- Integrated active crossover with high pass, low pass, band pass, bass boost and phase control.
- TwinPower Link for connecting two amplifiers in bridged mode.
- High-end BurrBrown D/A converters with 32-bit resolution in combination with an optional HDM 1 module.
- Solid 24k gold plated power and speaker terminals.
- Four-layer printed circuit board with extra solid 70μ copper traces for the lowest possible losses and SMD manufacturing technology.
Catalog number | C ONE |
Brand | Helix |
Links | Official web presentation |
Number of amplifier channelsAmplifiers are divided into: - Monoblocks - 2-channel - 3-channel - 4-channel - 5-channel - 6-channel - multi-channel Each channel is used to power one speaker for the coaxial type, or one side if they are component speakers. Monoblock type amplifiers are mainly used for subwoofers. 2-channel are suitable for both subwoofers and, for example, the front pair of speakers in a car. 3-channel is used for front or rear speakers + subwoofer. 4-channel are used for front + rear speakers or 1 pair of speakers + subwoofer. 6 or 5-channel are used for 2 pairs of speakers + subwoofer, most often. Bridging means connecting the amplifier to a bridge, using the + pole from one channel and the - pole from the other channel. In most cases this is shown as "BRIDGED" on the amplifier. | 1 |
Energy class of the amplifierAmplifiers are divided into two basic classes: analog and digital . Analog amplifiers (A/B) have higher consumption requirements, but usually have a more natural sound. Digital amplifiers (D) have significantly lower consumption and higher efficiency, but the sound may not be as faithful as with classic analog amplifiers. | AB |
RMS power into 4 ΩRMS power when loading speakers or subwoofer at 4 Ω. RMS power is the constant power of the amplifier and is one of the most important parameters when choosing an amplifier. | 1 x 525W |
RMS power into 2 ΩRMS power when loading speakers or subwoofer at 2 Ω. RMS power is the constant power of the amplifier and is one of the most important parameters when choosing an amplifier. | 1 x 830W |
RMS power into 1 ΩRMS power when the subwoofer is loaded at 1 Ω. RMS power is the constant power of the amplifier and is one of the most important parameters when choosing an amplifier. When connected to 1 Ω, significant heating of the amplifier may occur. | 1 x 1100W |
Inputs | 2 x RCA, 1 x Remote In, 1 x TwinPower Link |
Outputs | 1 x speaker outputs |
Low-pass filter (LPF)LPF / LP or "low pass filter" offers the possibility to adjust the amplifier using a potentiometer so that the lower band plays only the frequencies in a certain band that you need. This filter is used to adjust the frequency range for the subwoofer, so that it does not overload or distort the sound. Example: Amplifiers most often have an LPF from 20 to 300 Hz. We recommend setting this potentiometer in the range of 45-80 Hz. | 15 - 4000 Hz |
High pass filter (HPF)HPF / HP or The "hi pass filter" offers the option of setting the amplifier using a potentiometer so that medium, possibly mid-bass and treble frequencies play upwards from a certain frequency. Example: Amplifiers most often have an HPF from 40 to 300 Hz. If we set the potentiometer to a value of approx. 150 Hz, the sound will be clipped so that it plays frequencies from 150 Hz up to the maximum upper limit of the entire frequency range of the amplifier, perhaps up to 20,000 Hz. We recommend setting this potentiometer in the range of 80-160 Hz. Thanks to this setting option, the speakers can handle a higher performance, as you will not overload them with bass in the lower frequency range. | 15 - 4000 Hz |
Frequency rangeThe ability of the amplifier to reproduce the signal from the lowest frequency to the highest = faithfully reproduce the sound in a specific frequency band. Professionally: In the frequency range from 40 to 16,000 Hz, the vast majority of fundamental and overtones (harmonics) of all musical instruments are found. We are interested in the course of the radiated sound pressure in this range of frequencies when the loudspeaker system is supplied with constant power. We call this course the frequency characteristic, which tells us the level of radiated sound pressure in decibels (dB) depending on the frequency. The frequency characteristic of a speaker or speaker system can be expressed most succinctly with a graph. Mostly, however, the frequency characteristic is indicated by indicating the maximum tolerance of the sound pressure in the given frequency range, e.g. 50 to 15,000 Hz -+ 6 dB. Since the frequency characteristics of loudspeakers and systems in general are quite uneven, some manufacturers do not even specify this maximum tolerance of sound pressure in decibels in their catalogs for reasons of prestige. Data impoverished in this way is unfortunately worthless. What is valid is that the manufacturer offers a speaker system with a frequency range of 30 to 20,000 Hz, if he is worried about stating the maximum unevenness of the sound pressure in this range, because he can have a tolerance of, for example, +- 20 dB. The unevenness or undulation of the frequency curve in good speaker systems for high-quality music performance should not exceed +-3 dB in the 80 to 12,000 Hz band and +-6 dB in the 40 to 16,000 Hz band. Greater unevenness already depletes or emphasizes certain tonal areas, which can cause audible or even disturbing distortion. The proportion between fundamental tones and higher harmonics also changes, thereby changing the color of the sound, and individual musical instruments as well as the entire musical image sound unnatural. | 10 - 80000 Hz |
Harmonic Distortion (THD)Total harmonic distortion indicates how much the input signal is distorted in the amplifier. Distortions appear as overtones contained in the output signal. The proportion of originally absent parts of the signal is given as a percentage, typical values are between 0.001% and 0.5%. Distortion is measured in their power band. If it exceeds the limit of 0.7% from a certain power, it is the value of the output power of the given amplifier, from which it no longer plays without distortion and from which the distortion usually increases steeply, so that no further increase in power can be counted on. The lower the value, the better. | < 0.006% |
Signal-to-noise ratioThe signal-to-noise ratio means that the output signal always contains noise. The signal-to-noise ratio expresses how much of this noise is compared to the useful signal. The so-called A value is given, which does not take deep and very high frequencies into account. This corresponds to the characteristic of human hearing, which is not so sensitive to deep frequencies, especially below 1 kHz. The higher the value, the better the amplifier is. | 120dB |
Phase shiftPhase shift is a linear electronic oscillator that produces a sinusoidal output. It consists of an inverting part of the amplifier such as a transistor. The feedback network "shifts" the phase at the output of the amplifier by 180 degrees to the oscillation frequency and gives positive feedback. The Phase shift filter produces a phase shift that increases with increasing frequency. This is usually used when the subwoofer sub-assembly is out with the magnet, or when two amplifiers are connected externally. Phase Shift is also used with active speaker wiring, where the time shift of the speakers is set. The point is that the subwoofer does not play the bass late, and for this reason better amplifiers offer this phase reversal option. | 0 - 180° |
Damping factorDF - Damping Factor . It is the ratio of the load (repro + cables, crossover, etc.) to the internal resistance of the amplifier. The bigger the DF, the more controlled the bass. Amplifiers with a lower DF tend to hum. Subwoofers with a higher Q in the bass reflex and sometimes in the enclosure will also cause humming. | 1000 |
High level inputsThe high-level input on the amplifier allows connection directly to the existing speakers in the car without additional purchase of an external high/low adapter. Important equipment in the case of installing an amplifier on an original car radio. | Yes |
Automatic on and offThis function allows you to automatically switch on the amplifier. | Yes |
Socket input terminalsFerrule terminals allow better wiring contact to the amplifier. It is also a more secure form of terminals. If you are tightening the sleeve terminals, we recommend retightening them after 1 day, as the connected cable gradually compresses. | Yes |
Remote control included in the packageSome models of amplifiers also come with wired remote controls in the package, which on one side plug into the amplifier and on the other side you have a potentiometer that you can place anywhere in the cabin. A common place to place the remote control is under the steering wheel. The advantage is the regulation of power, and therefore volume, depending on driving conditions and the mood of the crew in the car. | No |
Input for wired remote controlIf the amplifier has a remote control input. | Yes |
The value of the fuses on the amplifierFrom the value of the fuses on the amplifier, you can get a true picture of the real performance of the amplifier. | 3 x 30A |
Dimensions of the amplifier | 37 x 430 x 240 mm |