PC & Console Peripherals

Genesis Helium 600 – 2.1 Speakers under Test

Genesis not only builds the “usual” gaming peripherals like the recently tested Gaming Chair Nitro 550, but also speakers. The company currently offers the five models Helium 200, 400 BT, 600, 610 BT and 700.

Today we are testing the Helium 600, which are currently sold at Amazon for € 106.43 *. For this you get a loudspeaker system consisting of a subwoofer and two satellites, whereby the loudspeakers are all based on carbon optics and optionally also offer Bluetooth in the form of the Helium 600 BT.

The following pages will show how the Helium 600 perform in practice and what special features the speaker system has.

Specifications

Dimensions per satellite: 108 x 182 x 115 mm (W x H x D)
Dimensions (Subwoofer): 252 x 257 x 263 mm (W x H x D)
Design type: 2.1
Frequency range: 40 Hz – 20 kHz
Output power: R/L/Subwoofer: 15W + 15W + 30W
Chassis: midrange driver: 3 inch (76 mm)
Woofer: 6.5 inch (165 mm)
Inputs: Cinch
Outputs: Cinch
Cable: Connecting cable with remote control: 3 m (remote control after 1.5 m)
Cinch cable to the satellites: 1.3 m (fixed)
Price: € 106.43 *

Scope of Delivery

The Helium 600 are delivered as usual in a color printed cardboard box. Not really relevant for the end product, but worth mentioning is the carrying handle on the top of the box, which makes it very easy to transport the speakers.

Inside the box you will find, besides the two satellites and the subwoofer, a short product overview and a connection cable with cable remote control. The cable is a total of three metres long and has a 3.5 mm jack plug for the player, a cable remote control in the middle and two cinch plugs for the speakers.

Design and Workmanship

As far as optics are concerned, Genesis tries to create a carbon look: both the subwoofer and the two satellites are completely covered with a carbon foil that offers an appealing 3D effect. This looks modern and requires less maintenance than large-area high-gloss paint, which is sometimes used for the same purpose.

The loudspeakers are largely without contrasting elements, the only optical improvement being the control panel on the right side, the bass reflex tube on the left side of the subwoofer and, of course, the drivers. Apart from that, the loudspeakers are completely based on smooth surfaces in the aforementioned carbon look.

The Helium 600’s manufacturing quality is solid: the carbon foil is cleanly applied everywhere and the transitions at the edges are as clean as possible, but at the corners they can sometimes be seen on closer inspection. In addition, the construction is quite simple: For example, broken edges would have been a better choice.

Features, Construction and Connections

The Genesis Helium 600 uses a woofer in the subwoofer, while the satellites cover the mid and high frequencies. This is covered exclusively by the lower loudspeaker, because the “tweeter” above is purely decorative and therefore not functional. However, this is not a big special feature, even with some other inexpensive loudspeaker systems the tweeter is only decoration.

The subwoofer of the Helium 600 also serves as the base unit to which the two satellites are connected. It itself is supplied with signals via two Cinch sockets, two further Cinch sockets then forward this signal to the satellites. Each satellite has a permanently installed cable with a corresponding plug. This is a shame, because you are dependent on the given cable length and cannot replace the cable with a cable with a sleeve, for example. After all: With a length of 1.3 m each, the cables of the satellites should be sufficient for all common purposes without any problems.

The subwoofer offers volume control via a potentiometer as well as bass control directly on the loudspeaker. This covers the maximum possible range: between “nothing” and “maximum bass” everything is present.

Optionally, you can also use the cable remote control that Genesis gave the loudspeakers: The connection cable in the middle between the playback system and the subwoofer via a large rotary knob with which the volume can be adjusted. The volume is controlled by a potentiometer. When the remote control is set to zero, no signal is transmitted – regardless of what is adjusted on the subwoofer.

Sound Quality

Whoever buys a 2.1 system in this price range must be aware of the fact that the manufacturer is still set quite tight limits by the budget. These are also evident in the Genesis Helium 600: The additional subwoofer changes the sound image quite significantly compared to similarly priced 2.0 loudspeakers, but this does not improve the sound overall by classes, but primarily only differently.

The subwoofer enables deep, voluminous bass that is rarely found in 2.0 speakers. On the other hand, the mid-range and treble of the loudspeakers are somewhat less pronounced and offer a good but not stunning variety of details. The latter also suffers from the low position or the small dispersion field of the tweeters.

The loudspeakers are particularly effective when the subwoofer and the satellites work “separately” from each other. If some instruments are output mainly or only via the subwoofer or the satellites, an increased impression of three-dimensionality results. Of course, this has nothing to do with a real multichannel system, but the 2.1 speakers tested here still play to their strengths in exactly this situation.

The Helium 600 therefore sounds very good with music that makes use of the low frequencies. However, if the music is consistently above the low frequency range, 2.0 systems are usually superior. As usual, however, this test alone cannot replace a test listening.

Fulness

The Helium 600 leave a mixed positive impression in the test. The 2.1 system is quite successful in many respects for the price of currently € 106.43 *, and Genesis doesn’t make any other serious mistakes with the product, but some detailed decisions of the manufacturer should still be considered when purchasing.

The manufacturing quality of the Helium 600 is decent, but the construction is not as elaborate as with some competing products. The well-done coating makes the speakers an eye-catcher, but a more elaborate design would still have been nice. The permanently installed cables of the satellites are also incomprehensible: This may not be a problem in the vast majority of cases, but this solution still costs flexibility.

In terms of sound quality, the loudspeakers show a picture to be expected for a 2.1 system: the bass is superior to that of similarly priced 2.0 systems. However, this is somewhat at the expense of sound reproduction in the higher frequency range. Those who like to listen to drum or electronic music with a strong beat will get their money’s worth here, while those who only listen to music with little bass or limit it for other reasons will be better off with other (2.0) systems.

Those who find themselves in the first mentioned target group will not make a mistake with the Helium 600 – especially if the satellites can be directed towards their own ears. If you are in the narrow dispersion field of the tweeter, the speaker system gives you a good sound experience that doesn’t need to hide from the competition.

Genesis Helium 600

Design & Workmanship
Features
Sound
Value for Money

Günstiges 2.1-System mit Carbon-Optik und starkem Bass.

Simon Lüthje

I am co-founder of this blog and am very interested in everything that has to do with technology, but I also like to play games. I was born in Hamburg, but now I live in Bad Segeberg.

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