Las Vegas – Rockford Corp. will
go to CES with new car audio amplifiers and speakers under the Lightning, Brax,
and Helix brands.
Lightning is targeted to
consumers looking for value with performance and a unique look, the company
said. Brax is positioned as a luxury line with audiophile quality, And Helix is
targeted to consumers looking for value in audiophile products, the company
said. Rockford has exclusive North American distribution rights to the Brax and
Helix audio brands, owned by Audiotec Fischer of Germany.
Under the Brax brand, the company
is expanding its amp selection with two new Matrix series amps and two Nox
series amps. All are Class A/B amps.
The Brax $4,499 MX-4B is rated at
4×275 watts into 4 ohms and 4×285 watts into 1 ohm. The two-channel MX-2B is
rated at 2×550 watts into 4 ohms and 2×570 watts. Both use regulated power
supplies to maintain power output at different impedance loads.
Pricing wasn’t available. They
ship in the second quarter with separate power supplies.
The two Nox amps, shipping in
January, include one with integrated DSP.
The $2,999 Nox 4B, which lacks
DSP and crossovers, is rated at 4×100 watts into 4 ohms and 4×170 watts into 2
ohms with a signal-to-noise ratio of more than 105dB. The $3,499 4BDSP delivers
the same output with more than 95dB signal-to-noise ratio and adds integrated
six-channel DSP that not only configures the four internal channels but also
the audio output of the two line-outputs to subwoofer amps. Its MicroSD slot accepts
memory cards with preconfigured setting for specific vehicles. Brax’s web site
offers settings for 44 different car models, and the list is growing.
It’s the first time DSP is
turning up in the Brax line.
In the Helix line, the company is
expanding its speaker selection with three new Competition series speakers and
its first two standalone digital signal processors, which tailor system
response for individual car interiors. The two processors, which use a computer
to tune response to specific vehicles, join an eight-channel amplifier/DSP,
which is designed to connect to OEM sound systems and uses downloaded
preconfigured settings for specific vehicles.
The new Helix speakers are the
C62C two-way component speaker system at $999/pair MAP with 6-inch woofer, the
C63C three-way component system at $1,749/pair with 6-inch woofer, and the
6-inch midbass C6B at $499/pair. They’re rated at 150, 190 and 150 watts RMS,
respectively, with 91dB sensitivity and 4-ohm impedance.
The component systems feature
adjustable tweeter level and option of connecting a second woofer on channel to
deliver more SPLs in the bass range.
Helix’s two standalone DSP
components are the $1,099 Competition series eight-channel C-DSP, shipping in
January, and the $699 six-channel Precision series P-DSP, already shipping.
Both feature 30-band parametric EQ. The former features two 56 bit/172MHz
processors, and the latter has one. They feature RCA and speaker-level inputs
as well as an optical S/P DIF input.
Under the Lightning brand, the company
is unveiling the first two mini amplifiers designed for installation in cramped
locations. They ship in the second quarter.
One model at $249 MAP is a mono
model rated at 250 watts RMS into 4 ohms and 500 watts into 2 ohms. Its chassis
is 9 inches by 6.1 inches by 2.3 inches. The second model, also at $249, is a
four-channel model rated at 4×50 watts into 4 ohms and 4×75 watts into 2 ohms.
Its chassis is 12 inches by 6.1 inches by 2.3 inches.
