odeon audio Helix

With the introduction of the Helix model, Odeon has combined our latest technology in a size able to look right in all living rooms big and small. All this combined in the smallest ODEON AUDIO three-way horn loudspeaker. After 1992 and 2000 the Helix marks the beginning of a new era. The Helix is a perfect match for all kind of high-quality solid state and tube amplifiers up to low power triodes like 300B. The Helix can be used in a small listening room as well as in a large living room with convincing outstanding midrange characteristics, finest resolution, as well as a seamless, homogeneous reproduction.

Crossovers

To keep the deviations between the channels as small as possible, we use selected components for the crossovers with a maximum deviation of only one percent. Only non-aging components (film capacitors) are used. The Helix works with WIMA capacitors. The inherent sound of these capacitors opens the sonic image and harmonizes perfectly with the sound character of the pressure chamber drivers. For a more direct saturation of the capacitors and the resulting faster signal processing, many capacitors are connected together in the Helix and equipped with New Old Stock bridge capacitors. The flat and round wire coils used are made by Mundorf. In most high-end loudspeakers, the crossovers are built on Pertinax boards and the individual components are connected by conductor paths etched on the boards. In contrast, the crossovers of the Helix are wired by hand, soldered point to point and then mechanically secured to avoid movement of the sensitive components and thus negative influences on the sound. The point-to-point wiring minimizes electrical transitions in the signal path. What is regarded as a quality feature in high-quality tube amplifiers is rarely implemented in loudspeaker construction as consistently as in ODEON AUDIO products.

Reflex system

Like all ODEON AUDIO floor standing loudspeakers, the Helix works with a downward firing bass reflex system in which the bass reflex tunnel of the Helix points downwards towards the base plate of the loudspeaker. The downward orientation of the reflex tunnel makes for easier integration into the living room. Every room has so-called room modes as a result, strong bass peaks often occur. The downward firing bass reflex system stimulates these room modes much less than conventional solutions in which the reflex tube faces the rear wall. This results in a much clearer and faster bass reproduction.

Tweeter

The tweeter is a new generation of 1″ compression driver with ring radiator technology. The extra light Mylar diaphragm of the compression driver is driven by a particularly strong neodymium magnet, which guides the voice coil with a magnetic force of 2.2 Tesla. The result is a driver that guarantees highest resolution and ultra-fast reproduction. A special quality lies in the reproduction of the highest tonal range. With a linear transmission of more than 26,000 Hz, the Helix covers a frequency band that is significantly extended upwards. These qualities are supported and significantly enhanced by the use of the ODEON AUDIO birch multiplex horn. The 17 cm measuring horn acts as a mechanical amplifier which relieves the tweeter and thus contributes decisively to a relaxed sound character with the highest possible resolution.

Midrange driver

The handmade 13cm midrange driver come from the German manufacturer GAP. It combines a modern aluminum die-cast basket and a powerful neodymium magnet with a magnetic force of 1.2 Tesla as well as an ultra-light cellulose membrane in NAWI (non-unwind able) form. This hyperbolic membrane shape, in contrast to the conventional cone shape, ensures a more even movement and load on the membrane under heavy stress, thus preventing parasitic vibrations that can lead to minimizing fine detail. In addition, a very fine, centering and the one-piece construction of cone and surround ensure an accentuated, controlled and fast movement of the midrange driver. Instead of a rubber surround connecting the cone to the basket, the multiple folded edge of the cone takes over the function of the surround. This prevents back reflections between cone and surround. Which can occur with conventional solutions due to the different material properties. The midrange driver used is equipped with a diffraction plug which is scratched on the poll plate and replaces the conventional dust protection dome. Due to its special shape, it optimizes the frequency response of the midrange driver. At the same time, the elimination of the dust protection dome saves weight, thus reducing the mass to be moved to 2 grams. This system is installed behind a 42 cm ODEON AUDIO spherical wave horn made of layered blocks of birch plywood. The horn relieves the midrange driver decisively and enables even faster signal processing. Fine dynamics and a fluid listening experience are more pronounced than ever before.

Woofer

An Audax paper woofer is used for the bass range. The driver has a diameter of 10 inch and is based on the same technology as the woofers from the larger models – the Semper and the Carnegie. The woofer offers grandiose tonal characteristics, especially in the fundamental bass range. The lightweight cone is driven by a very strong, oversized ferrite magnet. The woofer works with an authority usually only known from 12″ and 15″ woofers. Intensity, speed and ease of reproduction are exceptional in this small size.

Cabinet

The new housing design provides for improved phase alignment compared to the predecessor models, since all systems are now positioned exactly on one axis due to the changed proportions of the cabinet. The two-part cabinets of the Odeon Helix are made of a material mix of multiplex and a special medium density fibreboard (MDF). The cabinet materials used are decisive factors for the sonic properties of low and mid-range reproduction. It is important to avoid disturbing resonances and thus exclude discoloration effects. Compared to the previous model (Odeon No. 28/SE), the new shape of the bass cabinet allowed more volume to be accommodated in the cabinet and thus improved bass performance. In addition, the new asymmetrical cabinet design prevents standing waves. This allows the use of less damping material and thus maximum efficiency.

Cables and connections

In the Helix, a particularly pure oxidation-free copper cabling (OFC) from German production is used. In the high frequency range, a solid core cable with Teflon insulation and optimized cross- section is used. In the high frequency range, a solid core cable with Teflon insulation and optimized cross- section is used. The high-purity thin 7N copper wiring of the helix is drawn in a monocrystalline structure. Due to the chosen cross section the whole conductor can be saturated without any problems. The result is a durable and consistent quality in the transmission of high tone information. This thus contributes to a hitherto unattained resolution. To ensure best possible contact, the Helix uses WBT Nextgen loudspeaker terminals made of pure, gold-plated copper. Due to their design and low material usage, they suppress eddy current effects that usually occur in plug connections. The WBT terminals are mounted on acrylic plates which accommodate the crossovers and thus connect terminals and crossovers directly with each other.