Helix M FOUR DSP - 4-Kanal DSP-Verstärker

That rocks - the new M FOUR DSP

The M FOUR DSP only presents itself at first glance as a four-channel amplifier - in fact, despite its small dimensions, you are dealing with a powerful control center that has no less than a total of ten processed DSP channels. And more than enough power, because 100 watts of continuous power per channel at both 4 ohms and 2 ohms is casually shaken by this amplifier. In addition, there is a fantastic equipment package, which will ensure bright eyes at the latest when it comes to the price-performance ratio.

Sonically through and through HELIX!

Sound compromises have no place in a HELIX product - and that is why the M FOUR DSP is equipped with all the finesse for perfect sound. Separate AD and DA converters of the latest generation from Asahi Kasei with a native resolution of 32 bits are just as natural on the DSP circuit board manufactured in Germany as the use of an extremely powerful DSP from Analog Devices. In addition, the six pre-amplifier outputs with 6 volts output voltage provide more than enough level to control any output stage.

Textbook flexibility

Even the internal amplifier section of the M FOUR DSP is truly variable - it can either be operated in four-channel mode or configured as a 3-channel or 2-channel amplifier thanks to its bridging capability.
But that's not all - in conjunction with the six pre-amplifier outputs, the system can be expanded in a wide variety of ways and upgraded to up to 10 channels. In combination with the other amplifiers of the M series (M ONE X, M FOUR or M SIX) alone, there are more than enough possibilities to expand the number of power channels. This makes complex, yet affordable and, above all, space-saving multichannel systems with enormous performance possible.

Virtual Channel Processing - this is how signal routing works today

Many DSP channels need to be managed and configured properly - so there was no question that the M FOUR DSP was also equipped with Audiotec Fischer's innovative virtual channel processing.
The adaptation to modern OE sound systems via an increasing number of signal inputs makes an increasingly complex signal routing in the amplifier inevitable. Especially when several input signals are mixed together and then broken down again into multi-path systems, conventional routing concepts quickly reach their limits in terms of implementation and usability. The multi-level "Virtual Channel Processing" makes it possible, in connection with the recognized user-friendly DSP PC-Tool software, to easily map even highly complex system configurations and to be able to freely assign the proprietary FX sound features such as "RealCenter" or "Augmented Bass Processing".

The plus in speed - thanks to ACO

Faster is better - the particularly powerful 32-bit ACO platform takes over all control tasks and ensures significantly more speed, especially for data communication with our DSP PC-Tool software, but also for lightning-fast switching between up to ten possible sound setups. But ACO offers much more - fantastic sound effects such as Augmented Bass Processing, StageXpander or RealCenter are implemented as well as a channel-separated input EQ including an input signal analyzer (ISA) for easy analysis and compensation of the input signals from OE radios that already have a sound ex works -Setup include.

Compact, cool and extremely practical

Despite the enormous range of functions and the full output power, the M FOUR DSP in the typical HELIX outfit with clear lines is just as fantastically compact as an M FOUR or ONE. Thanks to its Class D amplifier technology, it keeps a "cool head" even at full power. And thanks to features such as start-stop capability, ADEP.3 circuit and power save mode, it is also ideally equipped for the now everyday challenges associated with integration in OEM systems.

Features

• Up to 135 watts RMS maximum power per channel at 4 & 2 ohms
• Extremely powerful 64 bit "Fixed Point" audio DSP and the latest 32 bit AD and DA signal converters from AKM
• ACO - Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor platform for extended system and DSP features:
• ISA (Input Signal Analyzer) and InputEQ for easy analysis and compensation of the input signals
• SFX sound effects - Augmented Bass Processing, StageXpander, RealCenter & Co.
• Intelligent 6-channel high-level input with ADEP.3 circuit
• Six cinch outputs with a maximum output voltage of 6 volts
• Virtual Channel Processing (VCP) enables highly complex sound systems to be configured even more flexibly
• Bridgeable amplifier channels for powerful control of a woofer or subwoofer
• DSP circuit board manufactured in Germany

ACO - Advanced 32 Bit CoProcessor

The HELIX M FOUR DSP amplifier uses a particularly powerful 32-bit co-processor of the latest generation for all internal and external control and communication tasks. In contrast to the previously used 8-bit processor, this results in significant speed advantages not only when switching between different sound setups, but above all in data communication with our DSP PC-Tool software. Another important advantage is the integrated, native bootloader of the CoProcessor.
This enables software upgrades of all components of the integrated DSP, for example to be able to adapt the microcontroller-controlled ADEP.3 circuit to changes in the diagnostic systems of factory radios or to expand the device with further interfaces.
In addition, thanks to the new flash memory, the ACO offers space for 10 sound setups instead of the usual two.

Intelligent high level input ADEP.3

Modern, factory-installed car radios are becoming more and more intelligent when it comes to diagnosing the connected loudspeakers. The latest generation in particular is equipped with additional monitoring functions so that error messages or even malfunctions can occur when an additional amplifier is connected. The new ADEP.3 circuit (Advanced Diagnostics Error Protection Generation 3) prevents these problems without unnecessarily loading the speaker outputs of radios at high levels.

Power Save mode

The Power Save mode is activated in the basic settings of the DSP PC-Tool software. It allows the power consumption of the M FOUR DSP (and any additional connected amplifier) to be drastically reduced if there is no input signal for more than 60 seconds. As soon as the "Power Save Mode" is active, the internal amplifier stages of the M FOUR DSP and the Rem Out are switched off and the power consumption is significantly reduced. The amplifier returns to normal operating mode within 2 seconds as soon as a music signal is present at its input. The switch-off delay can be varied or completely deactivated using the DSP PC-Tool software.

Start stopping ability

The power supply in the HELIX M FOUR DSP amplifier ensures the internal power supply even in the event of short-term drops down to 6 volts. This ensures that the HELIX M FOUR DSP remains fully functional even when the engine is started.

DSP features: RealCenter

The "RealCenter" function is a proprietary algorithm from Audiotec Fischer, which emphasizes the monaural information of the left and right front channels in order to generate a unique center signal. In contrast to the usual method, in which only the channels are added up, dynamic control of the center signal is added here through the stereophonic information content of the left and right channels. This means that the center channel does not reproduce a signal if only the left or only the right channel supplies an audio signal. With conventional algorithms, the center channel would only be 6 dB quieter in this case. Audiotec Fischer's “RealCenter” thus enables a unique, wide-ranging stage image - and that is equally optimal for driver and front passenger! The disadvantages of a conventional center channel, such as an intrusive, narrow spatial sound representation, are finally a thing of the past.

Augmented Bass Processing

Audiotec Fischer's proprietary "Augmented Bass Processing", consisting of two revolutionary sound features: "Dynamic Bass Enhancement" and "SubXpander". These have been specially developed to dramatically improve the bass response of subwoofers.
“Dynamic Bass Enhancement” ingeniously combines a maximum deep bass foundation and high maximum sound pressure - regardless of the type of music being heard or the sound settings on the radio. Depending on the input signal, "Dynamic Bass Enhancement" on the one hand amplifies the lower frequency range and on the other hand varies the cutoff frequency of the subsonic filter. The result is a significantly more powerful, deeper bass reproduction at low and medium volumes without the risk of mechanically or electrically overloading the subwoofer at high volumes. It is simply fascinating which bass performance is suddenly possible.
If you want the low frequency range a little deeper and “blacker”, you can also activate the “SubXpander”. Here, in addition to the basic tones in the frequency range between 50 and 100 Hz, subharmonic tones are mixed in.

StageXpander

Depending on the arrangement of the loudspeakers in the vehicle, a more or less wide stereo stage can be implemented in the front seats. If a center loudspeaker is also installed, this sometimes additionally limits the spatial reproduction of the music. This is the hour for Audiotec Fischer's new “StageXpander” - a sound feature that seems to lift the acoustic boundaries and thus enables a much broader stereo base without negatively affecting the localization of voices or instruments. The effect can be adapted to personal taste in four stages.

ClarityXpander

Would you like more transparency and substance in the treble reproduction? With the “ClarityXpander”, Audiotec Fischer now offers exactly the right tool for this.
Correctly dosed (and therefore selectable in three levels), it gives the overtones additional radiance - especially useful if the original speakers lack the necessary gloss in the high-frequency range. The extra high-frequency kick is not only available for the two front channels, but can also be set separately for the center channel. And because especially with the latter, a bit too much in connection with musical material rich in overtones tires the hearing, an automatic, dynamic control of the additional overtone component can even be activated here.

Technical specifications

Power RMS  ≤ 1% THD + N

• at 4 ohms - 4 x 100 watts
• at 2 ohms - 4 x 100 watts
• bridged at 4 ohms - 2x 200 watts

Max. Power per channel * --- Up to 135 watts RMS at 4/2 ohms

Amplifier technology: Class D

Entrances

• 6 x cinch
• 6 x high-level speaker inputs
• 1 x Optical SPDIF (12 - 96 kHz)
• 1 x remote in

Input sensitivity: 

• Cinch 1 - 4 volts
• High level 5 - 20 volts

Input impedance Cinch:  22 kOhm
Input impedance high level:  9 - 33 ohms or 20 kOhms

Outputs

• 4 x speaker output
• 6 x cinch
• 2 x remote out

Output voltage Cinch:  6 volts RMS
Frequency range:  20 Hz - 22,000 Hz
DSP resolution:  64 bit
DSP computing power:  295 MHz (1.2 billion MAC operations / second)
Sampling rate:  48 kHz
DSP type:  Audio signal processor

Signal converter

• A / D: AKM 32 bit
• D / A: AKM 32 bit

Signal to noise ratio digital input: 105 dB (A-weighted)
Signal-to-noise ratio analog input: 102 dB (A-weighted)
Total harmonic distortion (THD): <0.03%
Damping factor: 100
Operating voltage: 10.5 - 16 volts (max. 5 seconds down to 6 volts)
No-load current consumption: 1500 mA
Max. Remote output current: 500 mA
Fuse: 2 x 30 A maxi plug-in fuse (FK3)
Additional features:  ADEP.3 circuit, auto remote switch, 32 bit CoProcessor, control input
Dimensions (H x W x D) 50 x 230 x 154 mm

scope of delivery

• 1 x amplifier HELIX M FOUR DSP
• 1 x USB data cable
• 1 x mounting material
• 1 x instruction manual