Legacy Helix User manual

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Registration3. Uncrating
4. The Cabinetry / Our Commitment
Introduction5. Designer’s Note
Setup 6. Speaker Placement
7. Speaker Connections
10. Processor Setup
Technology 12. Specifications

UncratingHelix
Helixisalargeloudspeakerrequiringassis-
tanceofadolley,acordlessPhilipsscrew
driverandtwoormorephysicallycapable
individualstouncrateandlocate.
Herearesomeuncratingtips:
1.Carefullyremovescrewssecuringthelidof
thecrate,andliftpanelaway.Locatesub-
wooferpowercordandsetaside.
2.Nextremovefrontpanelofcrateandset
aside.
3.Removesidepanelofcrateasshown.
4.Removefoamfromtoplidanduseasramp
asshowninbottomphoto.
5.Helixissettingonfourheavydutycasters,
allowingistobemaneuveredonlevel
ground.
6.Takecaretoavoiddamagingfloorswhen
locating.
7.Helixisafieldse7.Helixisafieldserviceableloudspeaker,soit
isunlikelythatanentirecabinetwouldever
needtobereturnedtothefactory.However,
whenmovingorstoring,thecratesare
extremelyusefulforprotectingthecabinets.

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Handcrafted
Beneath the surface of Helix’s elegant exterior lies rigid
MDF construction. Interlocking joinery maximizes the
strength of the cabinet parts. Polyester fiberfill is
selected for internal damping. A sharp rap on the
enclosure will leave you with little more than bruised
knuckles.
Each cabinet is impeccably finished on all exposed
surfaces with select veneers. The exquisite finish is
hand-rubbed several times to assure a patina at home
with the most elegant decor.
Our Commitment
A great deal of forethought, love and satisfaction is
instilled in each piece of Legacy workmanship. We take
pride in getting to know many of our customers on a first
name basis.
The renowned “Legacy Satisfaction Guarantee” backs
your purchase of this product.

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The HELIX system employs digital signal processing (DSP) to sculpt a unified acoustic wave-
launch into an optimal radiation pattern. The benefits are outlined below.
 HELIX preserves clarity by avoiding early room reflections via controlled directivity.
 HELIX is time synchronized by launch sequencing and phase and group delay
adjustment.
 HELIX broadens the listening “sweet spot” by maintaining channel correlation over
longer distances.
 HELIX delivers greater than 120 dB of clean output full spectrum.
 HELIX eliminates energy robbing passive filters from the signal path.
 HELIX reduces electronically induced distortion by dividing the amplification loads
into multiple bands.
The HELIX project represents seven years of research led by Legacy Audio’s chief
designer, Bill Dudleston. A study of room acoustic interactions with loudspeaker radiation has
been conducted. Investigations of the detrimental effects of these interactions on image
localization, tonal balance and transient response have led to the development of a highly
controlled radiation pattern. With assistance from component manufacturers from France, Italy
and the United States, Legacy has also developed a new family of drivers for the HELIX
system.
HELIX is a reference monitor system. It will deliver more than 120 dB over the full audible
spectrum owing to the application of Neodymium magnets in the woofer and high frequency
motors. The foundation of each HELIX monitor is a 15” subwoofer with a copper anodized,
aluminum diaphragm driven by a 750-watt internal amplifier.
Symmetrically arrayed midbass and midrange drivers provide a carefully shaped directivity
pattern that virtually eliminates sidewall and early floor reflections. Dual 1” tweeters are
splayed precisely to complement this radiation pattern. Each tweeter takes advantage of dual
pole neodymium magnets. A special lens was designed to provide acoustical impedance to the
diaphragms and prevent comb filtering.
The brain of HELIX is a 24 bit digital processing unit. Featuring balanced XLR inputs and
outputs, the processing unit provides to each stereo channel four bands of phase coherent
Linkwitz-Riley filters, room contour, and time arrival adjustment. Implementing an internal 56-
bit accumulator, the processor allows room adjustments to be readily implemented by the
dealer via a serial port. The HELIX PROCESSOR also features a two level security lockout
feature to protect factory and dealer settings.

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1. A speaker setup (left) that works well with HELIX follows
these ratios:
Distance, d1, between the speakers (center to center) =
Distance, d2, from plane of speaker front to listener.
2. Toe the speakers into the listening area. In most
circumstances crossing speaker axes just slightly behind of
the listener’s head works best. This will broaden your sweet
spot horizontally. If dispersing into an L-shaped seating
arrangement you might find the best results by aiming the
left speaker at the right most seating position, and the right
speaker at the left most seating position.
Room reflections and resonance typically contribute 85% of
the total energy arriving at the listener’s ears. Often, a
loudspeaker designed to measure well under laboratory
conditions, will become blurred, dissonant and placement
dependent in the actual listening room.
The HELIX speaker has a carefully shaped polar pattern.
This assures that the wave-launch generated will sum
coherently at the listening position. To the left is an
illustration of how our new Helix speaker performs.
Conventional speakers (top) beam treble and scatter
midrange about the imaging room, while loading up the
corners with booming, lingering bass.
Legacy’s directivity controlled designs focus the radiation
pattern toward the listeners (bottom). The result is a broader
sweet spot for imaging, markedly greater clarity and a
slamming bass line that is quick and tight

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The Terminal Plate
The four-way HELIX requires the user to provide three channels of amplification per speaker.
This may be accomplished via three stereo amplifiers, a combination of mono blocks and
stereo amplifiers, or a single six-channel amplifier.
HELIX includes an internal 750-watt amplifier to power the subwoofer section. A balanced XLR
input feeds the subwoofer, while three pairs of premium WBT Platinum five-way binding posts
are provided for the mid bass, midrange and treble inputs.
Your Legacy dealer can assist you with your specific cabling needs.

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It is advantageous, when practical, to position the amplifiers midway between the HELIX
speakers. This will keep the speaker cable lengths to a minimum

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HELIX Internal Wiring (For use by qualified technicians only)

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Specifications
System Type: 10 drivers, 5-way.
Tweeter: Neo-Quadra-pole
Midrange: (4) 6" Curvilinear
Midwoofer: (3) 15" Neodymium
Subwoofer: (1) 15" Copper/Aluminum.
Low Frequency Alignment: Tri-coil Stabilized
Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 2.83V/1m.
Frequency response: 22 Hz - 30 kHz, ± 2 dB.
Crossover frequencies: 300, 3k, 10k.
Impedance: 4 ohms.
Recommended Amplification: 3 x 300-watts
Binding Posts: 3 pair
Dimensions: 75" x 18.5" x 23"
Weight: 300 lbs.
Notes:

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© 2011 Legacy Audio
3023 E Sangamon Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]