HELIX M ONE X Channel Amplifier 1×400 Watts Instruction Manual

HELIX M ONE X Channel Amplifier 1×400 Watts

Product Information

The HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition is an active crossover with 1 Ohm stability. It is designed to enhance the audio performance of your car’s audio system.

Product Usage Instructions

Before installing the HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition, make sure to check for any electrical cables and components, hydraulic brake lines, and the fuel tank behind the mounting area. Ensure that they are not obstructed.

Use the various controls and switches on the device to adjust the settings according to your preferences:

• Use the Bass Boost Gain Regler (7) to adjust the bass boost from 0 to 12 dB.
• Use the Gain Regler (3) to adjust the input sensitivity of the Line and high-level inputs.
• Use the Bass Boost Frequenz Regler (9) to adjust the mid-frequency of the bass boost from 30 to 80 Hz.
• Use the Phase (4) control.
• Use the Subsonic Regler (10) to adjust the subsonic filter from 10 to 50 Hz.
• Use the TwinPower Link-Schalter (5) control.
• Use the Lowpass Regler (11) to adjust the lowpass filter from 50 to 250 Hz.
• Use the Mono Cinch In- / Output (6) connection.
• Use the Remote (12) input to connect the included mode.

Congratulations!

Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase of this innovative and high-quality HELIX product.
The HELIX M ONE X highlights the best quality, excellent manufacturing and state-of-the-art technology. Thanks to more than 30 years of experience in research and development of audio products this amplifier generation sets new standards.
We wish you many hours of enjoyment with your new HELIX amplifier.
Yours,
AUDIOTEC FISCHER Team

General instructions

General installation instructions for HELIX components

• To prevent damage to the unit and possible injury, read this manual carefully and follow all installation instructions. This product has been checked for proper function prior to shipping and is guaranteed against manufacturing defects.
• Before starting your installation, disconnect the battery’s negative terminal to prevent damage to the unit, fire, and/or risk of injury. For proper performance and to ensure full warranty coverage, we strongly recommend getting this product installed by an authorized HELIX dealer.
• Install your M ONE X in a dry location with sufficient air circulation for proper cooling of the equipment. The amplifier should be secured to a solid mounting surface using proper mounting hardware. Before mounting, carefully examine the area around and behind the proposed installation location to ensure that there are no electrical cables or components, hydraulic brake lines, or any part of the fuel tank located behind the mounting surface. Failure to do so may result in unpredictable damage to these components and possibly costly repairs to the vehicle.

General instruction for connecting the HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition amplifier

• The HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition amplifier may only be installed in vehicles which have a 24 Volts negative terminal connected to the chassis ground. Any other system could cause damage to the amplifier and the electrical system of the vehicle.
• The positive cable from the battery for the complete system should be provided with a main fuse at a distance of max. 30 cm from the battery. The value of the fuse is calculated from the maximum total current input of the car audio system.

Use only suitable cables with sufficient cable cross-section for the connection of the HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition. The fuses may only be replaced by identically rated fuses (3 x 20 A) to avoid damage of the amplifier.

• Prior to installation, plan the wire routing to avoid any possible damage to the wire harness. All cabling should be protected against possible crush-ing or pinching hazards. Also avoid routing cables close to potential noise sources such as electric motors, high-power accessories, and other vehicle harnesses.

Connectors and control units

1. Line Input
   RCA inputs for connecting low-level line signals.

2. Highlevel Input
   High level speaker inputs for connecting a factory radio or an aftermarket radio without low-level line outputs.

3. Gain
   Control for adjusting the input sensitivity of the low-level Line and high- level inputs.

4. Phase
   Control for adjusting the phase from 0° to 180°.

5. TwinPower Link switch
   Switch for operating two M ONE X – 24V Edition amplifiers in bridge mode.

6. Mono RCA/Cinch In- / Output
   Mono RCA/Cinch signal in- or output for bridge mode operation in TwinPower Link mode.

7. Bass Boost Gain
   Control for adjusting the bass boost from 0 to 12 dB.

8. Bass Boost Q-Factor
   Control for adjusting the Q factor (bandwidth) of the Bass Boost

9. Bass Boost Frequency
   Control for adjusting the center frequency of the Bass Boost from 30 to 80 Hz.

10. Subsonic
    Control for adjusting the subsonic filter from 10 to 50 Hz.

11. Lowpass
    Control for adjusting the lowpass filter from 50 to 250 Hz.

12. Remote
    Input for connecting the included cable remote control for volume adjustment.

13. Speaker Output
    Speaker outputs for connecting subwoofers.

14. Power & Protect LED
    This LED indicates the operating mode of the amplifier.

15. Fuse
    Input fuses – 3 x 20 Ampere.

16. +24 V
    Connector for the +24 V power cable of the positive terminal of the battery.

17. REM
    Connector for the remote cable.

18. GND
    Connector for the ground cable (negative terminal of the battery or metal body of the vehicle).

Initial start-up and functions

1. Line Input
   2-channel low-level line input to connect signal sources such as head units/radios / DSPs. Important: It is strictly forbidden to use the High-level Input and low-level Line Input at the same time. This may cause severe damage to the low-level line outputs of your head unit/car radio.

2. High-level Input
   2-channel high-level loudspeaker input to connect the amplifier directly to the loudspeaker outputs of OEM / aftermarket radios that do not have any low- level line outputs.
   The High-level Input is equipped with our proprietary ADEP circuit (Advanced Diagnostics Error Protection) which ensures that the car radio detects the amplifier as a speaker and thus neither any function of the radio (e.g. fader) will be deactivated nor any error log in the CPU of the car will be created. If this input is used the remote input (REM) does not need to be connected as the amplifier will automatically turn on once a loudspeaker signal is applied. Attention: Solely use the pluggable screw terminal for the high-level connector which is included in delivery!
   Important: It is strictly forbidden to use the High-level Input and low-level Line Input at the same time. This may cause severe damage to the low-level line outputs of your car radio.

3. Gain
   This control is used to adapt the input sensitivity to the output voltage of the connected signal source. This is not a volume control, it´s only for adjusting the amplifier gain. The control range of the RCA / Line Input (low level) is 0.5 – 6 Volts and 1.1 – 13 Volts for the High-level Input. If the High-level Input is used in combination with a standard car radio we recommend an input sensitivity of roughly 9 Volts. For this purpose, turn the control from max. CCW position to 9 o’clock position .

4. Phase Shift
   This control is used to adjust the phase from 0° to 180°. This allows to match the phase of the sub-woofer with the other speakers thus avoiding any cancellations in the frequency response due to phase shifts.

5. TwinPower Link switch
   The HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition amplifier can be connected to a second M ONE X – 24V Edition via the TwinPower Link by which the output power is more than doubled, depending on the speaker configuration. In order to operate two amplifiers in this mode, they must be connected with a RCA / Cinch cable (see item 6; Mono RCA/Cinch In- / Output). The amplifier which is set as “Master” assumes complete control (active crossover, bass boost, etc.) for both amps. All filter adjustments of the amplifier which operates in “Slave” mode will be deactivated. Attention: Make sure that one amplifier is adjusted as “Master” and the other one as “Slave”. In this mode, the minimum speaker impedance is 2 Ohms. Note: If the amplifier operates individually the TwinPower Link switch must be set to “Master”. Examples of speaker configurations in TwinPower Link mode can be found on page 22.

6. Mono RCA/Cinch In- / Output
   This connector serves as signal in- or -output for connecting a further M ONE X – 24V Edition amplifier in bridge mode (see item 5; TwinPower Link switch).

7. Bass Boost Gain
   This control is used to increase the adjusted bass center frequency (see item

9. from 0 to 12 dB.

8. Q-Factor
   This control is used to adjust the Q factor (bandwidth) of the Bass Boost. When set to “NAR” only a narrow range around the center frequency (defined by control 9) will be affected whereas when set to “WIDE” the Bass Boost has a broadband effect around the chosen center frequency. The Q factor remains constant if the center frequency (control 9) is changed.

9. Bass Boost Frequency
   This control is used to adjust the center frequency of the Bass Boost from 30 Hz to 80 Hz. The adjusted bass frequency can be enhanced from 0 to 12 dB with control 7.
   This is useful to emphasize or correct a determined frequency of the subwoofer (kickbass).

10. Subsonic
    This control is used to adjust the crossover frequency of the subsonic filter from 10 Hz to 50 Hz. The subsonic filter cuts off very low frequencies which aren’t audible and therefore relieves the amplifier and also the subwoofer. Additionally, the amplifier will have more power available for the audible frequencies. This control is always activated and its adjustment is mandatory.

11. Lowpass
    This control is used to adjust the crossover frequency of the lowpass filter from 50 Hz to 250 Hz. This control is always activated and its adjustment is mandatory.

12. Remote
    This input is used to connect the included cable remote control. The remote control allows you to control the volume of the connected subwoofer.

13. Speaker Output
    Speaker outputs to connect a subwoofer. The minimum load impedance must not be lower than 1 Ohm.

14. Power & Protect LED
    The power and protect LED indicates the operating mode of the amplifier.
    Green : The amplifier is ready for operation.
    Red : A malfunction has occurred. A malfunction may have different causes as the HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition is equipped with several protection circuits. These protections shut off the amplifier in case of overheating, over-, and undervoltage, short-circuit on loudspeakers, and false connection.
    Please check for connecting failures such as short-circuits, wrong connections, wrong adjustments, and over-temperature.
    If the amplifier does not turn on it is defective and has to be sent to your local authorized dealer for repair service. A detailed description of the malfunction and the purchase receipt has to be attached.

15. Fuse
    The input fuses are connected in parallel and provide protection against an internal fault of the device, therefore the system must be additionally protected by a further main fuse located close to the battery (max. distance from the battery: 30 cm / 12”). The HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition is equipped with 3 x 20 Ampere fuses. 16 +24 V Connect the +24 V power cable to the positive terminal of the battery. Recommended cross section: min. 10 mm² / AWG

17. REM
    The remote lead should be connected to the remote output / automatic antenna (aerial positive) output of the head unit/car radio. This is only activated if the head unit is switched on. Thus the amplifier is switched on and off together with the head unit/car radio. This input needn’t be assigned if the High-level Input is used.

18. GND
    The ground cable should be connected to a common ground reference point (this is located where the negative terminal of the battery is grounded to the metal body of the vehicle) or to a prepared metal location on the vehicle chassis i.e. an area that has been cleaned of all paint residues. Recommended cross section: min. 10 mm² / AWG 8.

Installation

Connection of HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition to the head unit/car radio:
Caution: Carrying out the following steps will require special tools and technical knowledge. In order to avoid connection mistakes and/or damage, ask your dealer for assistance if you have any questions, and follow all instructions in this manual (see page 11). It is recommended that this unit be installed by an authorized HELIX dealer.

1. Connecting the low-level line inputs
   Use the correct cable (RCA / Cinch cable) to connect these inputs to the low- level line outputs of your car radio. It is mandatory to use both low-level line inputs.
   The automatic turn-on circuit does not work when using the low-level line inputs. In this case, the remote input (REM) has to be connected to activate the HELIX M ONE X.
   Important: It is strictly forbidden to use the high-level input and low-level Line Input at the same time. This may cause severe damage to the low-level line outputs of your car radio.

2. Connecting the high-level speaker inputs
   The high-level loudspeaker inputs can be connected directly to the loudspeaker outputs of an OEM or aftermarket radio using appropriate cables (loudspeaker cables with 1 mm² / AWG 18 max.).
   It is mandatory to use both high-level speaker inputs. Make sure that the polarity is correct. If one connection has reversed polarity it may affect the performance of the amplifier. If this input is used the remote input (REM) does not need to be connected as the amplifier will automatically turn on once a loudspeaker signal is applied.

3. Adjustment of the input sensitivity
   Attention: It is mandatory to properly adapt the input sensitivity of the M ONE X – 24V Edition to the signal source in order to avoid damage to the amplifier.
   If you want to change the input sensitivity use the Gain control (see page 15, item 3). The set-ting of the control affects both the low-level line inputs (Line Input) and the high-level speaker inputs (High-level Input)!
   If the High level Input is used in combination with a standard car radio we recommend an in-put sensitivity of roughly 9 Volts. For this purpose, turn the control from max. CCW position to 9 o’clock position.

4. Connection to power supply
   Make sure to disconnect the battery before installing the HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition! Connect the +24 V power cable to the positive terminal of the battery. The positive wire from the battery to the amplifier power terminals needs to have an inline fuse at a distance of less than 12 inches (30 cm) from the battery. The value of the fuse is calculated from the maximum total current draw of the whole car audio system (M ONE X – 24V Edition = max. 60 A RMS at 24 V power supply). If your power wires are short (less than 1 m / 40”) then a wire gauge of 10 mm² / AWG 8 will be sufficient. In all other cases, we strongly recommend gauges of 16 – 25 mm² / AWG 6 – 4!
   The ground cable (same gauge as the +24 V wire) should be connected to a common ground reference point (this is located where the negative terminal of the battery is grounded to the metal body of the vehicle), or to a prepared met-al location on the vehicle chassis, i.e. an area which has been cleaned of all paint residues.

5. Connecting the remote input
   The remote input (REM) has to be connected to the radio remote output if the amplifier’s low-level line inputs are used as signal inputs. We do not recommend controlling the remote input via the ignition switch to avoid pop noise during turn on/off.
   If the High-level Input is used this input does not need to be connected as long as the car radio has BTL output stages.

6. Connecting the loudspeaker outputs
   The loudspeaker outputs can be connected directly to the wires of the loudspeakers. Never connect any of the loudspeaker cables to the chassis ground as this will damage your amplifier and your speakers.
   If The positive terminal is indicated on most speakers. The minimum load impedance must not be lower than 1 Ohm, (2 Ohm in TwinPow-er Link operation) otherwise the amplifier protection will be activated. Examples of speaker configurations can be found on page 20 et sqq.

Unique Features of the HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition

• Smart high-level input
  The latest generation of OE car radios incorporates sophisticated possibilities for diagnosing the connected speakers. If a common amplifier will be hooked up failure messages and loss of specific features (e.g. fader function) quite often appear –but not with the M ONE X.
  The new ADEP circuit (Advanced Diagnostics Error Protection) avoids all these problems without loading the speaker outputs of the OE radio during high volumes unnecessarily.

• Start-Stop capability
  The switched power supply of the HELIX M ONE X – 24V Edition assures operation even if the battery’s voltage drops down to 12 Volts during engine crank.

Examples for speaker configurations

Mono
Subwoofer with one voice coil (single voice coil)

RMS output power ≤ 1% THD+N:

• 1 x 4 Ohms: 400 Watt

• 1 x 2 Ohms: 700 Watt

• 1 x 1 Ohm: 1,030 Watts

• Parallel operation
  Two subwoofers with one voice coil (single voice coil) or one subwoofer with dual voice coil are connected in parallel.
  Note : The parallel connection of two voice coils will result in halving the impedance!

• RMS output power ≤ 1% THD+N:

  • Two subwoofers with 1 x 4 Ohms correspond to a total impedance of 2 Ohms: 1 x 700 Watt
  • One subwoofer with 2 x 4 Ohms also corresponds to a total impedance of 2 Ohms: 1 x 700 Watt
  • Two subwoofers with 1 x 2 Ohms correspond to a total impedance of 1 Ohm: 1 x 1,030 Watt
  • One subwoofer with 2 x 2 Ohms also corresponds to a total impedance of 1 Ohm: 1 x 1,030 Watt
    Note : The parallel connection of 1 Ohm voice coils will result in shutdown of the amplifier.

• In series

  • Two subwoofers with one voice coil (single voice coil) or one subwoofer with dual voice coil are connected in series.
    Note : The connection of two voice coils in series will re-sult in doubling the impedance!

• RMS output power ≤ 1% THD+N:

  • Two subwoofers with 1 x 2 Ohms correspond to a total impedance of 4 Ohms: 1 x 400 Watt
  • One subwoofer with 2 x 2 Ohms also corresponds to a total impedance of 4 Ohms: 1 x 400 Watt
  • Two subwoofers with 1 x 1 Ohm correspond to a total impedance of 2 Ohms: 1 x 700 Watt
  • One subwoofer with 2 x 1 Ohm also corresponds to a total impedance of 2 Ohms: 1 x 700 Watt
    Note : The negative terminal of the first voice coil has to be connected to the positive terminal of the second voice coil by using a speaker wire with the same gauge as the other speaker.

Example configurations for TwinPower Link operation

Amplifier connection in TwinPower Link operation

Speaker connection in TwinPower Link operation

One subwoofer with one voice coil (single voice coil)
RMS output power ≤ 1% THD+N:

• 1 x 4 Ohms: 1,400 Watts
• 1 x 2 Ohms: 2,060 Watts

Note : The negative terminals of both amplifiers have to be connected by using a speaker wire. The size should be similar to the speaker wires which are used for the subwoofer connection.

One subwoofer with dual voice coil in mono operation (dual voice coil)

RMS output power ≤ 1% THD+N:

• 2 x 4 Ohms: 800 Watts
• 2 x 2 Ohms: 1,400 Watts
• 2 x 1 Ohm: 2,060 Watts

Note : The negative terminals of both amplifiers have to be connected by using a speaker wire.
The negative terminal of the first voice coil has to be connected to the positive terminal of the second voice coil. The gauge of the wires should be similar to the speaker wires which are used for the subwoofer connection.

Technical Data

• Max. output power per channel* Up to 1,180 Watts RMS @ 1 Ohm

• Amplifier technology. Class D

• Inputs

  • 2 x RCA / Cinch
  • 2 x high-level speaker input
  • 1 x Remote In
  • 1 x Remote control input

• Input sensitivity: RCA / Cinch 0.5 – 6 Volts

• High level 1.1 – 13 Volts

• Input impedance RCA / Cinch; 20 kOhms

• Input impedance high-level: .9 – 33 Ohms

• Outputs: 1 x Speaker output

• Frequency response; 10 Hz – 250 Hz

• Bass boost; 0 – 12 dB / 30 – 80 Hz

• Lowpass; 50 Hz – 250 Hz adjustable

• Bandpass.; 10 Hz – 250 Hz adjustable

• Subsonic; 10 Hz – 50 Hz adjustable

• Phase; 0 – 180° adjustable

• Slope subsonic / lowpass; 12 / 24 dB/Oct.

• Signal-to-noise ratio analog input; 95 dB (A-weighted)

• Distortion (THD): 0.20 %

• Damping factor; 150

• Operating voltage.: 18 – 36 Volts (max. 5 sec. down to 12 Volts)

• Idle current: 400 mA

• Fuse: 3 x 20 A Maxi-fuse (APX)

• Power rating; DC 24 V 53 A max.

• Additional features: Active, adjustable crossover, bass boost, phase shift, Start-stop capability, high-level input with automatic turn-on function, and Advanced Diagnostics Error Protection (ADEP), bass volume cable remote control

• Dimensions (H x W x D): 50 x 320 x 154 mm / 2.00 x 12,60 x 6.06”

• In typical applications as subwoofer amplifier

Warranty Disclaimer

The limited warranty complies with legal regulations. Failures or damages caused by overload or improper use are not covered by the warranty. Please return the defective product only with valid proof of purchase and a detailed malfunction description. Technical specifications are subject to change! Errors are reserved! For damages on the vehicle and the device, caused by handling errors of the device, we can’t assume liability. These devices are certified for use in vehicles within the European Community (EC).

Audiotec Fischer GmbH
Hünegräben 26 · 57392 Schmallenberg · Germany
Tel.: +49 2972 9788 0 · Fax: +49 2972 9788 88
E-mail: helix@audiotec-fischer.com · Internet: www.audiotec-fischer.com

References

• High-End Car Hifi & Audio - Made in Germany | Audiotec Fischer

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