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Bluetooth Jul 25, 2024
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Speaker measuring and reporting - Spinorama Mar 19, 2024
TiFi Helios
Creation Story
While developing the very special loudspeaker systems, TiFi Elf, and the even more extraordinary omnidirectional speaker, TiFi Poseidon, a mischievous idea began to germinate. Why undertake all this extensive development work when you could take all the known traditions and formulas of speaker design and create a truly traditional speaker, or at least something along those lines?
The idea took flight. Exceptional SB Acoustics loudspeakers, not only possessing the right technical attributes but also the right aesthetic appeal, bestowed the name "Helios" upon the creation. The volume had to be built from the bottom up, as is common for 3D printing. Standing at around 100 cm in height, the speakers angle slightly upward to align with the seated listener's ears, positioned at approximately at 120 cm. The high-frequency driver was thoughtfully positioned beneath the slanted bass driver rather than above it.
The initial model of Helios came to life swiftly and with ease. After a few rounds of fine-tuning, I began to immerse myself in test music. However, my mind soon began to wander. I had to refocus and found myself thinking, "I haven't encountered something this uninspiring in a while." Everything seemed straightforward and pure, yet the final result lacked excitement. Thankfully, a favorite song graced my ears, and as I reconnected with the environment, a realization struck me: "Could this be the perfect speaker? Unobtrusive, yet it captivates you when the music evokes emotion." After some contemplation, I concluded that most of the time, the answer was yes, but it could be even more transformative, enhancing the all-music-range listening experience. In the finishing touches, the bass section gained a touch of liberation, and the crossover was adjusted. After several rounds of finetuning the excitement was in the test tracks, as needed. The overall neutrality became even more pristine, giving birth to TiFi Helios.
Sound Profile
For sound profile detailed evaluation look at Spinorama measurements.
The frequency range begins at 30 Hz and already feels remarkably natural around 36 Hz. The bass sound finds a balance between punchiness and sharpness, leaning a bit toward the rich and juicy side. High frequencies remain neutral, offering a precise soundstage. The transition between loudspeakers was meticulously tuned to coincide with the point where the bass directional profile starts to narrow. The optimal distance between the speakers minimizes lobbing. The lateral changes in the sound profile remain uniform. When pushed to higher volumes during testing, Helios fills larger rooms as well. It may not be the life of the party, but it can certainly provide a captivating musical backdrop for any other event.
Helios boasts a neutral yet beautifully expansive soundstage. It faithfully delivers the entire frequency spectrum, without adding or subtracting from the music. Thus, the listening experience hinges on the music itself.
For me, Helios has earned its place as my favorite living room speaker.
Test listeners feedback
I.P., recruitment consultant, radio amateur: Good speakers.
J.K., business consultant, audiophile: I liked Helios the most. Especially impressive was the bass of the speakers. It was clean, precise, and without any distortion. The rest of the sound is well-balanced.