Experience with Helix HEC BT HD?

[Slick85]

Hello,

I have a 2022 Bronco Big Bend (non-B & O) and added an Audiotec Fischer / Helix V-Eight DSP amplifier, Audiodynamics PS-343 Point Source (mids and tweeters), Audiofrog GB-60 mid-woofers, Audiofrog GS-42 rear speakers, Audiomobile Encore 4412 subwoofer, SounDigital EVO800.1 subwoofer amplifier, and SoundsSkins sound deadening. I always stream music from my phone and connect via Bluetooth or sometimes with a USB-C cable if I need to charge my phone. I was wondering if adding the Helix HEC BT HD and integrating it with the DSP would improve the sound quality. I would essentially connect with Bluetooth directly to the Helix device and completely bypass the factory unit. The shop said I would control the volume directly with my phone as well. Do you think it would make a noticeable difference? The sound quality is already very good, but if adding this would improve it then I'll have it installed.


Thanks!

Link: https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/helix/accessories/hec-bt-hd

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[Ukko Wildtrak]

I can't comment specifically on the Helix, but I did something similar with my previous Wrangler.

I had a full system starting with a JL TWK-88, but was still connecting through my stock head unit and the Bluetooth delays, disconnects, etc killed me! So I picked up a JL MBT-RX (similar to your Helix, but with a major diff) and used that to bypass the factory head. Even picked up a dedicated tablet.

The biggest quality advantage that I gained was going from Bluetooth 4.0 to 5.0 and picking up the aptX codec. For you, the Bronco already has a 5.0 Bluetooth connection however it only has the standard codecs, aac for apple and sbc for Android. With the Helix it looks like Android gets full aptX HD support, but Apple sticks to aac.

For you, the biggest quality upgrade comes from the way that the helix streams Bluetooth. Instead of streaming an audio signal that's been processed, the idea is that you stream the data and that Helix gets a raw data signal rather than a raw audio signal to process. No doubt the Helix processing is also far superior compared to Sync 3 or 4

If you are an SQ guy, this seems like the right move. If you want best of the best quality going with a wired DSP interface would be that last Nth degree of quality, but I'm not sure if you could hear the difference given the high noise floor in the Bronco.

 

[Slick85]

I can't comment specifically on the Helix, but I did something similar with my previous Wrangler.

I had a full system starting with a JL TWK-88, but was still connecting through my stock head unit and the Bluetooth delays, disconnects, etc killed me! So I picked up a JL MBT-RX (similar to your Helix, but with a major diff) and used that to bypass the factory head. Even picked up a dedicated tablet.

The biggest quality advantage that I gained was going from Bluetooth 4.0 to 5.0 and picking up the aptX codec. For you, the Bronco already has a 5.0 Bluetooth connection however it only has the standard codecs, aac for apple and sbc for Android. With the Helix it looks like Android gets full aptX HD support, but Apple sticks to aac.

For you, the biggest quality upgrade comes from the way that the helix streams Bluetooth. Instead of streaming an audio signal that's been processed, the idea is that you stream the data and that Helix gets a raw data signal rather than a raw audio signal to process. No doubt the Helix processing is also far superior compared to Sync 3 or 4

If you are an SQ guy, this seems like the right move. If you want best of the best quality going with a wired DSP interface would be that last Nth degree of quality, but I'm not sure if you could hear the difference given the high noise floor in the Bronco.

Ok thanks... the SQ is already very good, but if this would improve it then I'll get it. However, as you mentioned with the noise floor, if it cancels out the improvement then I don't want to waste money. If you were me, would you get it or no?

 

[Sluggz]

Hello,

I have a 2022 Bronco Big Bend (non-B & O) and added an Audiotec Fischer / Helix V-Eight DSP amplifier, Audiodynamics PS-343 Point Source (mids and tweeters), Audiofrog GB-60 mid-woofers, Audiofrog GS-42 rear speakers, Audiomobile Encore 4412 subwoofer, SounDigital EVO800.1 subwoofer amplifier, and SoundsSkins sound deadening. I always stream music from my phone and connect via Bluetooth or sometimes with a USB-C cable if I need to charge my phone. I was wondering if adding the Helix HEC BT HD and integrating it with the DSP would improve the sound quality. I would essentially connect with Bluetooth directly to the Helix device and completely bypass the factory unit. The shop said I would control the volume directly with my phone as well. Do you think it would make a noticeable difference? The sound quality is already very good, but if adding this would improve it then I'll have it installed.


Thanks!

Link: https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/helix/accessories/hec-bt-hd

Yea you will hear the difference but it wont be night and day. Clarity will improve, especially in the highs. Depends on how picky you are with your music I guess.

 

[Ukko Wildtrak]

Ok thanks... the SQ is already very good, but if this would improve it then I'll get it. However, as you mentioned with the noise floor, if it cancels out the improvement then I don't want to waste money. If you were me, would you get it or no?

Like @sluggs said, It won't be night and day but in my opinion, you've put that much time and effort into your system and components; I think this would be a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[Brian_B]

My guess - if you try really hard a double blind study ~might~ can pick up the difference sitting in Park.

But as soon as you put it in drive - won’t be able to tell over road and wind backgroud noise

 

[Slick85]

My guess - if you try really hard a double blind study ~might~ can pick up the difference sitting in Park.

But as soon as you put it in drive - won’t be able to tell over road and wind backgroud noise

Ok thanks, I think I'll pass on it then

 

[Area51BS]

Message sent with contact info to answer your question

 

[Slick85]

Message sent with contact info to answer your question

Thanks! I just sent Jeff an email and am curious to hear his response. One problem is that I always listen to music on YouTube Premium, which has a 256 kbps AAC bit rate. The source audio quality might not be high enough to really take advantage of the Helix module.

 

[Area51BS]

He seems like a cool guy and should help you out. He has answered questions for me about my Helix. I use Apple Lossless and Download the music to the phone. Future is a controller of some sort anyways. We will not be using the OEM radio as the source. Maybe tapping off some outputs to get other features from the vehicle over the audio system.

 

[FreddieLee]

Hello,

I have a 2022 Bronco Big Bend (non-B & O) and added an Audiotec Fischer / Helix V-Eight DSP amplifier, Audiodynamics PS-343 Point Source (mids and tweeters), Audiofrog GB-60 mid-woofers, Audiofrog GS-42 rear speakers, Audiomobile Encore 4412 subwoofer, SounDigital EVO800.1 subwoofer amplifier, and SoundsSkins sound deadening. I always stream music from my phone and connect via Bluetooth or sometimes with a USB-C cable if I need to charge my phone. I was wondering if adding the Helix HEC BT HD and integrating it with the DSP would improve the sound quality. I would essentially connect with Bluetooth directly to the Helix device and completely bypass the factory unit. The shop said I would control the volume directly with my phone as well. Do you think it would make a noticeable difference? The sound quality is already very good, but if adding this would improve it then I'll have it installed.


Thanks!

Link: https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/helix/accessories/hec-bt-hd

Very nice system. The GB60's are one of very few mid-bass drivers that can generate any appreciable bass / output from the kick panels, which have about .20 cubes of air space.

Ukko nailed it in his response. Personally, I use a FiiO DAP with the Helix HEC BT HD, but even if you're using an iPhone, you can definitely hear the difference, assuming you're a critical listener.

 

[Slick85]

He seems like a cool guy and should help you out. He has answered questions for me about my Helix. I use Apple Lossless and Download the music to the phone. Future is a controller of some sort anyways. We will not be using the OEM radio as the source. Maybe tapping off some outputs to get other features from the vehicle over the audio system.

I exchanged more emails with Jeff yesterday, and he said the best streaming service for my phone (Samsung Galaxy A71 5G Android) is Amazon Music. I subscribed to it and cancelled YouTube. I can already tell the audio is higher quality with my current system! It's only a couple of dollars more per month, so it's definitely worth it. I think I'll get the Helix BT Module, the audio shop quoted me around $450 - $500 including installation, so it seems like a good deal.

 

[Slick85]

Very nice system. The GB60's are one of very few mid-bass drivers that can generate any appreciable bass / output from the kick panels, which have about .20 cubes of air space.

Ukko nailed it in his response. Personally, I use a FiiO DAP with the Helix HEC BT HD, but even if you're using an iPhone, you can definitely hear the difference, assuming you're a critical listener.

Thanks! So with the Helix device, you connect directly to it via Bluetooth rather than from the head unit? The audio shop said I won't be able to control volume on the head unit, only from my phone, but that seems okay for an appreciable sound quality gain.

What about the Helix USB interface? Would there be a noticeable difference in this vs the Bluetooth module? I would prefer Bluetooth, but if the USB is much higher quality I'll go that route.

Link: https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/helix/accessories/hec-hd-audio-usb-interface

 

[FreddieLee]

I exchanged more emails with Jeff yesterday, and he said the best streaming service for my phone (Samsung Galaxy A71 5G Android) is Amazon Music. I subscribed to it and cancelled YouTube. I can already tell the audio is higher quality with my current system! It's only a couple of dollars more per month, so it's definitely worth it. I think I'll get the Helix BT Module, the audio shop quoted me around $450 - $500 including installation, so it seems like a good deal.

Are you talking about Master Jedi, Jeffrey Hald? He did the first two tunes on my Bronco.

 

[Slick85]

Are you talking about Master Jedi, Jeffrey Hald? He did the first two tunes on my Bronco.

I didn't ask for his last name, but I believe it's Jeff Smith based on my search, see the link below.

Link: https://www.ceoutlook.com/2024/06/12/msc-appoints-industry-veteran/

@Area51BS is the contact you provided Jeffrey Hald or Jeff Smith?

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