Helix Soundbox Upgrade Information Post!

[Benihana]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with the Helix kit. I purchased the kit when I bough a 2017 e-golf last year. Great kit, worth the money no doubt. However, I find the bass rather underpowered and I miss the low frequencies it seems to rolloff. So I bought the ACM 1.300 in the hopes it will get me where I want to be with the bass.

I plan to use pins 2, 3, 6, and 7 to carry signal to the ACM 1.300, but how did you connect back to the Helix sub connector? Did you connect all 8 wires by connecting two pairs on the sub connector to each pair coming from the ACM? I'm concerned if I only connect 4 of the wires I won't be connecting all 4 voice coils. I could also just replace the Helix sub, but I would rather not if the Helix sub can still get me to where I want to be.

*edit - I remembered that the 8" bazooka I have in my truck matches the ACM specs perfectly so worst case I can always bring that over. Comparing to that in my truck is part of why I'm not happy with the Helix as is, so that could be what I need.

The Helix should match the bazooka in output with similar power. The Helix can play quite low when the signal is not filtered....I measured down to 30 HZ after I was done with measurements and dsp eq filters. You do not want to parallel all the wires together when hooking up to the amp as it will be a 0.5 ohm load. It is 4 x 2 ohm connector so you will need to wire each driver in series then connect both drivers in parallel for a 2 ohm final load....which should get you full power from the ACM.

You will most likely need to take apart the sub to view how the wires flow to the connector to identify each voice coil...then after the connectors connect each drivers voice coil in a series pattern (google) and the same with the other driver, then connect both in parallel (negative + negative and positive + positive) and you should have a 2 ohm load.

Good luck!

 

[MK7_EV]

The Helix should match the bazooka in output with similar power. The Helix can play quite low when the signal is not filtered....I measured down to 30 HZ after I was done with measurements and dsp eq filters. You do not want to parallel all the wires together when hooking up to the amp as it will be a 0.5 ohm load. It is 4 x 2 ohm connector so you will need to wire each driver in series then connect both drivers in parallel for a 2 ohm final load....which should get you full power from the ACM.

You will most likely need to take apart the sub to view how the wires flow to the connector to identify each voice coil...then after the connectors connect each drivers voice coil in a series pattern (google) and the same with the other driver, then connect both in parallel (negative + negative and positive + positive) and you should have a 2 ohm load.

Good luck!

I didn't play with it as long as I wanted to today, but I felt like the bazooka handled the lower notes better. The Helix sub with the ACM made the mid level bass too heavy and just couldn't play the lower bass as well. I might get back out tomorrow and tweak settings with both subs to see which one I like better.

I also started looking at new enclosures so I don't have to steal the bazooka from my truck and there are some nice 10" or even 12" boxes that could be nice with this amp.

 

[Benihana]

I didn't play with it as long as I wanted to today, but I felt like the bazooka handled the lower notes better. The Helix sub with the ACM made the mid level bass too heavy and just couldn't play the lower bass as well. I might get back out tomorrow and tweak settings with both subs to see which one I like better.

I also started looking at new enclosures so I don't have to steal the bazooka from my truck and there are some nice 10" or even 12" boxes that could be nice with this amp.

I think it's because you are still sending the signal from the Helix amp to the ACM, which is still receiving the filtered sub signal and killing the low end. My setup bypasses the Helix amp and uses a separate 5 channel amp and DSP. Have you messed with the accubass setting on the ACM to try to restore the lowend?

 

[MK7_EV]

I think it's because you are still sending the signal from the Helix amp to the ACM, which is still receiving the filtered sub signal and killing the low end. My setup bypasses the Helix amp and uses a separate 5 channel amp and DSP. Have you messed with the accubass setting on the ACM to try to restore the lowend?

In both configurations I am bringing the signal from the Helix amp to the ACM. With the Helix sub boosted by the ACM I can hear the low end better than without the ACM, but not as good as with the bazooka and the ACM. Accubass definitely helps bring the low end back. I just need to tweek the settings more with the Helix sub to see if I can get it where I want it.

 

[MK7_EV]

I think it's because you are still sending the signal from the Helix amp to the ACM, which is still receiving the filtered sub signal and killing the low end. My setup bypasses the Helix amp and uses a separate 5 channel amp and DSP. Have you messed with the accubass setting on the ACM to try to restore the lowend?

Accubass was boosting the low end, but equally boosted the rest of the bass until it sounded blownout. I decided to rewire and get my sub signal before the Helix dsp. I used a 20-pin extension to split the rear channels out to the ACM and it's much cleaner (not amped or filtered). Now I can max the gain and accubass is not needed. The Helix sub sounds great wired like this and amped with the ACM only.

II highly recommend anyone thinking of adding a sub amp to get more out of the Helix sub (so worth it) wire it from the rear channels before the Helix dsp.

 

[Benihana]

Accubass was boosting the low end, but equally boosted the rest of the bass until it sounded blownout. I decided to rewire and get my sub signal before the Helix dsp. I used a 20-pin extension to split the rear channels out to the ACM and it's much cleaner (not amped or filtered). Now I can max the gain and accubass is not needed. The Helix sub sounds great wired like this and amped with the ACM only.

Nice! The helix is underrated/ underused in it's form with the helix combo, it really needs more power an and unfiltered signal to make it sound like a sub.

 

[StealthGTI]

This is interesting...

Accubass was boosting the low end, but equally boosted the rest of the bass until it sounded blownout. I decided to rewire and get my sub signal before the Helix dsp. I used a 20-pin extension to split the rear channels out to the ACM and it's much cleaner (not amped or filtered). Now I can max the gain and accubass is not needed. The Helix sub sounds great wired like this and amped with the ACM only.

II highly recommend anyone thinking of adding a sub amp to get more out of the Helix sub (so worth it) wire it from the rear channels before the Helix dsp.

I had this experience, too, when I first started messing with feeding the Helix sub output into my LC2i. The upper bass was WAY too punchy. Later, I decided to follow an optional step, detailed at the end of step 6. in the LC2i manual where setting the AccuBASS compensation is described. It says, "OK, what if your bass doesn’t roll off, but you still want more? No problem! Turn the AccuBASS® Level control fully down, rotate the threshold control fully clockwise to lock in the bass equalization. Now you can turn up the AccuBASS® Level control for the amount of bass you want."

I'm not exactly sure what that step did, whether it maximized the AccuBASS or disabled it altogether. But I can honestly say that my sub-bass came up and the throaty mid-bass subsided. I continue to use the Helix subwoofer output. I must note, however, that I'm also using the 45 Hz remote "Punch" control to fine tune my results, depending on what I'm playing. Your results may vary.

Since I haven't posted in a while, I remind the group that the sub output of my Helix amp (center four wires only) feed the input of an LC2i, then go into a Rockford Fosgate T500X1br 500-watt mono amp, then out to a 10-inch shallow mount Rockford Fosgate Power T1S1-10 subwoofer. Details are in this forum post. So, I'm not using the Helix subwoofer.

 

[HelloNewman]

So the LC2i I can just bring to an audio shop to install and it will solve the issue of odd missing bass from the Helix? I'm pretty ignorant wrt car stereo I'm just trying to fix the issue of odd low bass output from the Helix as simply as possible.

 

[StealthGTI]

That's what they advertise. Also, the ACM-1.300 appears to have the same AccuBASS restoration tech as the LC2i. I don't see the LC2i's 28Hz infrasonic filter in the ACM-1.300. Other than that and the amp, they may be fairly similar.

 

[Zero1_]

Just wanted to say, I've had this fitted (thanks to StealthGTI for all his information) and the stereo is fantastic now. It's gone from something decent I listen to because it's better than road noise to actively wanting to go out for a drive just to listen to it and hear how different tracks sound on it

My biggest fear was that I'd get a load of noise/hiss from the amp boosting a speaker level output (which itself has already been through the amplification stage and thus is kind of bottlenecked by the quality of the head unit), but at least at the levels I've been listening to it at, that doesn't seem to be the case

I am sort of in the camp of wishing there was a bit more bass. The temptation to mess with the adjustment pot on the subwoofer is ever present. It's not like it lacks bass, I think it was just set this way so that it gives music a nice thump without becoming muddy. Sure enough if you adjust the EQ, you can get the cabin bouncing. I definitely feel the sub was adjusted this way intentionally and that's why I'm reluctant to change it and instead mess with the EQ when I feel the need.

I'm not convinced my amp has been coded though. I'm also a little worried that if I like it now and it hasn't been coded, then I code it and don't like it that I won't be able to get it back to its uncoded state

 

[Mattnick]

Just wanted to say, I've had this fitted (thanks to StealthGTI for all his information) and the stereo is fantastic now. It's gone from something decent I listen to because it's better than road noise to actively wanting to go out for a drive just to listen to it and hear how different tracks sound on it

My biggest fear was that I'd get a load of noise/hiss from the amp boosting a speaker level output (which itself has already been through the amplification stage and thus is kind of bottlenecked by the quality of the head unit), but at least at the levels I've been listening to it at, that doesn't seem to be the case

I am sort of in the camp of wishing there was a bit more bass. The temptation to mess with the adjustment pot on the subwoofer is ever present. It's not like it lacks bass, I think it was just set this way so that it gives music a nice thump without becoming muddy. Sure enough if you adjust the EQ, you can get the cabin bouncing. I definitely feel the sub was adjusted this way intentionally and that's why I'm reluctant to change it and instead mess with the EQ when I feel the need.

I'm not convinced my amp has been coded though. I'm also a little worried that if I like it now and it hasn't been coded, then I code it and don't like it that I won't be able to get it back to its uncoded state

Yeah StealthGTI videos n YouTube are pretty good aren't they.

Where did you purchase your Helix system from mate? and how much did it cost you if you dont mind me asking?

I cant wait to upgrade mine im not going to lie. even though the standard system is still better than the standard system in my last car (Kia ceed GT)

 

[Zero1_]

Yeah StealthGTI videos n YouTube are pretty good aren't they.

Where did you purchase your Helix system from mate? and how much did it cost you if you dont mind me asking?

I cant wait to upgrade mine im not going to lie. even though the standard system is still better than the standard system in my last car (Kia ceed GT)

Dropped you a message before I saw this

For the benefit of others, I ordered it from my local dealership for £558 fitted
https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/own...system-for-spare-wheel-bay-plug-and-play.html

Also available unfitted for £441

I'm coming from an E90 3 series which had a pretty basic 6 speaker setup. Just general purpose 4" speakers and 2x 6.5" under seat subs. I'd say that the base system in the Golf was about equal to this (bearing in mind it doesn't have a sub), or that maybe the BMW slightly outperformed it. Now the Golf beats it hands down

 

[StealthGTI]

Thanks for the shout-outs!

Just wanted to say, I've had this fitted (thanks to StealthGTI for all his information) and the stereo is fantastic now.

Yeah StealthGTI videos n YouTube are pretty good aren't they.

 

[Shl6737]

Hi, I'm new here and I have a question.
Is this Helix system compatible with an aftermarket android head unit? If so, what modifications are needed for it to work? TIA.

 

[Benihana]

Dropped you a message before I saw this

For the benefit of others, I ordered it from my local dealership for £558 fitted
https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/own...system-for-spare-wheel-bay-plug-and-play.html

Also available unfitted for £441

I'm coming from an E90 3 series which had a pretty basic 6 speaker setup. Just general purpose 4" speakers and 2x 6.5" under seat subs. I'd say that the base system in the Golf was about equal to this (bearing in mind it doesn't have a sub), or that maybe the BMW slightly outperformed it. Now the Golf beats it hands down

I would get it coded right away there is a big difference in soundstage and the high volume distortion is gone.