Helix announced a new line of speakers called Compose, which uses “Flexmounts” to enable the speakers to become vehicle specific to many cars.
Compose includes three series of speakers, though one is universal. The Basic (universal speaker line) is joined by the i3 and i7 lines, which come with a selection of “Flexmount kits” that allow plug and play placement.
The speakers are also optimized to be over 90dB efficient and to complement Audiotec Fischer’s Helix and Match amplifiers.
“We have created a best, better, good speaker platform, controlling all design parameters including the impedance curve of the speaker, making them the perfect mate to our Helix and Match amplifiers,” said Larry Penn, Founder of MSC, which distributes Audiotec Fischer brands in North America. “We can extract the maximum power from these amplifiers without thermal or over current protection being activated,” he added.
The Basic is a universal, entry level line in many sizes of components and coaxials. The i3 includes a component tweeter, and 4”, 5”, 6.5” and 8” speakers. Also, the i3 series includes 4”, 5” and 6.5” coaxials. The top end of the platform is the i7 line, which is built in Germany and uses technology from the BRAX, high end speaker line.
Flexmounts for the i3 and i7 use a bayonet style mounting system. Depending on the vehicle mount chosen, some have foam sealing rings for proper acoustics for the vehicle.
The mounts come with a car-specific plug and play “FlexConnect.” Flexmounts will initially launch for “world cars” including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Mercedes and BMW. They will expand to include other vehicles in the future.
In the past, retailers would be required to stock many versions of the same speaker to fit a specific vehicle, and even more speakers if the retailer wanted to offer good, better, best options, said Penn.
“BMW has three fitments, so you would need to stock nine pairs of speakers. Mercedes has multiple fitments as well. And that is just two manufacturers. Now with two different speaker lines and an assortment of Flexmounts, you can confidently handle any car that comes you way,” Penn said.
The Compose line is expected to ship in April with pricing to be announced soon.
