Genesis Unveils the Helium 800 BT 2.1 Speakers with ARGB Illumination

[btarunr]

Genesis creates a wide range of gaming accessories. One of its strongest products is the computer speakers Helium series, which has just been expanded with a new flagship model. The Helium 800 BT not only has great specs, but also boasts impressive ARGB illumination.

The Genesis Helium 800 BT is a 2.1 speaker set with 60 W RMS power, distinguished by its 100 Hz - 20 kHz frequency response. The set is equipped with Bluetooth communication, as well as an optical (Toslink) and RCA input. The manufacturer added a controlling remote to the set, but it also includes a special panel on the subwoofer which allows user to change the volume and bass characteristics. The speakers also can work in ECO mode, which automatically switches them to standby mode, when they are not being used.



The Genesis Helium 800 BT set is designed not only for users who value good sound quality, but also for owners who would like their audio hardware to fit their PC build. An ARGB illumination system allows users to control the lighting system with the use of the PC motherboard, and is compatible with Polychrome RGB, Mystic Light Sync, RGB Fusion, and AuraSync software.

The Genesis Helium 800 BT will launch on May 19th, 2022, with a suggested retail price of 109€ / $129.

Technical specifications:

• RMS power: 60 W (2x 15 W + 30 W)
• Frequency: 100 Hz - 20 kHz
• PC communication: Cable / Bluetooth
• Connections:
  • Audio: RCA, minijack 3.5 mm, Toslink
  • ARGB: USB, 3-pin 5 V
• Size:
  • Satellite: 180 x 110 x 113 mm
  • Subwoofer: 255 x 250 x 235 mm
• Cord length:
  • Between speakers: 135 cm
  • Signal: 110 cm
  • Power: 135 cm

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[ixi]

Genesis is trying to get into high prices?

Looks sadge.

 

[ZetZet]

100Hz with a "subwoofer"? Is this what depression looks like?

Small 2.0 studio monitors/bookshelf speakers go lower than that.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Why in the name of cthulhu would you use USB-A connectors to connect the speakers to the sub? That must be the worst speaker connecters ever implemented and also completely in breech with the USB-IF rules of how USB ports can and cannot be used. The ARGB cable input is in the same boat.

 

[Guwapo77]

What kind of sadistic joke is this? 100hz cutoff? So we are just going to act like the next 80hz doesn't matter? Katana V2 only gets to 50hz, but it sounds so good I'll gave it a pass. My "old school" Corsairs get to 35hz. How is 100hz acceptable in a gaming as if we don't like to hear/feel the effects of an explosion. Not today Satan, not today.

 

[Valantar]

Why in the name of cthulhu would you use USB-A connectors to connect the speakers to the sub? That must be the worst speaker connecters ever implemented and also completely in breech with the USB-IF rules of how USB ports can and cannot be used. The ARGB cable input is in the same boat.

I was about to comment on the same thing. I guess they're doing it to get around needing separate wires for the audio and RGB, but ... man, such a terrible idea. It's like they heard people worrying that pulsing RGB lights would introduce noise to their audio, and just went "Hold my beer".

They should seed these to someone like ... oh, Electroboom on Youtube, and use those USB-A ports to blow things up. I mean, it's kind of a fun idea to have a USB-A socket outputting AC at whatever frequency you want across some random pins.


Wait, is that "ARGB cable" USB-A socket for connecting to the PC? Does that mean this also comes with a (very non-compliant) USB A-to-A cable in the box? Oh, the fun that could be had with this!

 

[5 o'clock Charlie]

Why in the name of cthulhu would you use USB-A connectors to connect the speakers to the sub?

I have never seen speakers use a USB interface in this fashion before. The only thing I can recall that comes close is using the USB interface to power the speakers, not the audio itself. Could you elaborate further as to why USB is a poor choice? Is it possibly due to signaling or the gauge of wire that is used? I am just guessing here.

That must be the worst speaker connecters ever implemented and also completely in breech with the USB-IF rules of how USB ports can and cannot be used.

I am unfamiliar with USB-IF compliance rules, but a quick search on USB.org where class codes are defined show audio as one:

https://www.usb.org/defined-class-codes#anchor_BaseClass01h

With both questions, I am just seeking clarification. Thanks.

 

[Valantar]

I am unfamiliar with USB-IF compliance rules, but a quick search on USB.org where class codes are defined show audio as one:

https://www.usb.org/defined-class-codes#anchor_BaseClass01h

With both questions, I am just seeking clarification. Thanks.

I don't know specifically what they mean by that, but most likely that just means regular old USB-based audio devices where the USB host is connected through a regular digital USB connection to a downstream device that decodes and plays back audio in some way. This, on the other hand, seems to use the USB-A connector as an output for amplified analog audio signals (plus RGB), which ... sounds like a recipe for someone frying their phone by desperately looking for somewhere to charge it, or something.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I have never seen speakers use a USB interface in this fashion before. The only thing I can recall that comes close is using the USB interface to power the speakers, not the audio itself. Could you elaborate further as to why USB is a poor choice? Is it possibly due to signaling or the gauge of wire that is used? I am just guessing here.

For starters, USB has very small contact surfaces compared to what I would say all speaker type connectors have.
Secondly, largely all types of speaker connectors, with RCA and some jack types being excluded, are much more secure than USB ports, but even so, the USB contact surface isn't nearly as big as that of an RCA connector, so if you were to nudge the cable the wrong way, you'll disconnect the spakers.

I am unfamiliar with USB-IF compliance rules, but a quick search on USB.org where class codes are defined show audio as one:

https://www.usb.org/defined-class-codes#anchor_BaseClass01h

With both questions, I am just seeking clarification. Thanks.

The USB-IF doesn't allow the USB connectors to be used for non USB usage, such as in this case, for connecting a pair of speakers to a subwoofer.
Technically the USB-IF could take this company to court, but I doubt they will, unfortunately.
The USB-IF also doesn't allow USB-A to USB-A cables, as this goes against the standard, but it still being done.

There's just so many things wrong with these speakers.
The fact that they use RCA connectors for audio input, but couldn't come up with a better connector to carry the signals to the speakers is just insane.

 

[Valantar]

For starters, USB has very small contact surfaces compared to what I would say all speaker type connectors have.
Secondly, largely all types of speaker connectors, with RCA and some jack types being excluded, are much more secure than USB ports, but even so, the USB contact surface isn't nearly as big as that of an RCA connector, so if you were to nudge the cable the wrong way, you'll disconnect the spakers.

The USB-IF doesn't allow the USB connectors to be used for non USB usage, such as in this case, for connecting a pair of speakers to a subwoofer.
Technically the USB-IF could take this company to court, but I doubt they will, unfortunately.
The USB-IF also doesn't allow USB-A to USB-A cables, as this goes against the standard, but it still being done.

There's just so many things wrong with these speakers.
The fact that they use RCA connectors for audio input, but couldn't come up with a better connector to carry the signals to the speakers is just insane.

Another key difference between USB-A and RCA or other speaker connections: the lack of separation and isolation between pins in the connector. You don't by any chance know what kind of voltages a speaker output operates at? I have no idea, but unless they are very low, I could quite easily see arcing happening between the pins in the USB socket.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Another key difference between USB-A and RCA or other speaker connections: the lack of separation and isolation between pins in the connector. You don't by any chance know what kind of voltages a speaker output operates at? I have no idea, but unless they are very low, I could quite easily see arcing happening between the pins in the USB socket.

No idea, but then there's the ARGB crap as well, so twice the chance of arcing. There's a reason why USB is only 5 V. I guess it wouldn't be too much power going to these speakers, as a 100 W per channel amp apparently only outputs about 30 V and these speakers are only 15 W.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

Another key difference between USB-A and RCA or other speaker connections: the lack of separation and isolation between pins in the connector. You don't by any chance know what kind of voltages a speaker output operates at? I have no idea, but unless they are very low, I could quite easily see arcing happening between the pins in the USB socket.

Indeed, bring back tar and feathering!

 

[Chrispy_]

The ARGB plague claims another victim: Speakers.

 

[Valantar]

The ARGB plague claims another victim: Speakers.

It's been done before, and reported here before, sadly. The rainbows are everywhere.

 

[MarsM4N]

Geez, who cares if they sound like crap or violating USB standards, they got RGB! RGB ! ! Freakin' RGB, man ! ! !

 

[Chrispy_]

It's been done before, and reported here before, sadly. The rainbows are everywhere.

My current Presonus studio monitors each have an always-on blue backlit logo on them, which I fixed with a black Sharpie.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I want my speakers to be about how they sound, not how they look.

 

[timta2]

This all in one design reminds me of the old white van speaker scam. There was a company called Genesis Media Labs involved in that. If they aren't related, they should have chosen a different name.

The Long History of the White Van Speaker Scam | Digital Trends

The so-called white van speaker scam has been around for a long time, so why do people still get conned on a daily basis? Knowledge is power. Get some here.

www.digitaltrends.com

 

[Jism]

What kind of sadistic joke is this? 100hz cutoff? So we are just going to act like the next 80hz doesn't matter? Katana V2 only gets to 50hz, but it sounds so good I'll gave it a pass. My "old school" Corsairs get to 35hz. How is 100hz acceptable in a gaming as if we don't like to hear/feel the effects of an explosion. Not today Satan, not today.

That woofer is really small to what it supposed to look like. Only a minor 30w.

I hate such products. They impose being a phat product while the quality of sound or total power is just a joke.

 

[Chrispy_]

That woofer is really small to what it supposed to look like. Only a minor 30w.

I hate such products. They impose being a phat product while the quality of sound or total power is just a joke.

The physical size seems appropriate for the RMS Watts rating, IMO.

15W per satellite seems about right for a budget 3" class driver, given that these are intended for someone sitting two feet away. You aren't going to feel the bass deep in your chest with a 6" ported subwoofer but it should at least provide reasonable bass down to about 75Hz before the curve roll-off.

To put it in perspective, professional-grade studio monitors used by the best musicians in the world are in the 45-80W range when talking about the LF amplifier used to drive woofers the same size as this sub has, and that will be for Kevlar cones. If 45W is good enough for the pros in a recording studio driving aramid/Kevlar, 30W is probably plenty for this paper-coned budget subwoofer.

You're basically paying double for ARGB, and even though I loathe ARBG that's kind of reasonable given how much people spend on stupid lighting elsewhere in their PC. If you don't want ARGB pick up the Helium 600 for exactly half the price on Genesis' website. They're nothing special but Amazon/Aliexpress/BestBuy/Costco are littered with basic 2.1 setups and IMO the power ratings and choice of driver sizes/materials at this price point seems perfectly reasonable.

This all in one design reminds me of the old white van speaker scam. There was a company called Genesis Media Labs involved in that. If they aren't related, they should have chosen a different name.

The Long History of the White Van Speaker Scam | Digital Trends

The so-called white van speaker scam has been around for a long time, so why do people still get conned on a daily basis? Knowledge is power. Get some here.

www.digitaltrends.com

Completely normal at this price point.

Almost every set of speakers you buy in this price range will have an all-in one design; It's what the main brands like Logitech, Creative have been doing for 20+ years. In a 2.0 setup, the amplifier will be in only one speaker, in a 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1 setup, the amp is always in the sub.

Even decent Audiophile brands do this at the lower levels, M-Audio, Mackie, etc will offer this same 'active-passive' all-in-one arrangement in some of their entry-level products.

What kind of sadistic joke is this? 100hz cutoff? So we are just going to act like the next 80hz doesn't matter? Katana V2 only gets to 50hz, but it sounds so good I'll gave it a pass. My "old school" Corsairs get to 35hz. How is 100hz acceptable in a gaming as if we don't like to hear/feel the effects of an explosion. Not today Satan, not today.

It's likely a typo in the specs as 100Hz probably refers to the satellites which seems like a sane value for the 3" drivers in the satellites. $5 aliexpress crap 3" plastic speakers can do 100Hz - the frequency response has very little to do with the amplifier/materials/cost/quality - it's determined almost entirely by the shape, size, and layout of the speakers and cabinet.

On Genesis' website the other models using the same 6" driver as this in the subwoofer (the Helium 600, 610BT) list the sub as down to 40Hz.

 

[bubbleawsome]

Not too long ago I bought a laptop cooling pad that used an A-A cable to power itself and also allow another usb cable to be plugged into itself so you didn’t lose a port. Have to wonder if I could swap it into this speaker set up or if it would manage to cross pins or something.

 

[Veseleil]

130usd for this rainbow puke...

My current Presonus studio monitors each have an always-on blue backlit logo on them, which I fixed with a black Sharpie.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I want my speakers to be about how they sound, not how they look.

Luckily my Adams only have tiny green diodes at the back. Visible only in pitch dark. I admire a company with such common sense.

 

[Guwapo77]

The physical size seems appropriate for the RMS Watts rating, IMO.

15W per satellite seems about right for a budget 3" class driver, given that these are intended for someone sitting two feet away. You aren't going to feel the bass deep in your chest with a 6" ported subwoofer but it should at least provide reasonable bass down to about 75Hz before the curve roll-off.

To put it in perspective, professional-grade studio monitors used by the best musicians in the world are in the 45-80W range when talking about the LF amplifier used to drive woofers the same size as this sub has, and that will be for Kevlar cones. If 45W is good enough for the pros in a recording studio driving aramid/Kevlar, 30W is probably plenty for this paper-coned budget subwoofer.

You're basically paying double for ARGB, and even though I loathe ARBG that's kind of reasonable given how much people spend on stupid lighting elsewhere in their PC. If you don't want ARGB pick up the Helium 600 for exactly half the price on Genesis' website. They're nothing special but Amazon/Aliexpress/BestBuy/Costco are littered with basic 2.1 setups and IMO the power ratings and choice of driver sizes/materials at this price point seems perfectly reasonable.


Completely normal at this price point.

Almost every set of speakers you buy in this price range will have an all-in one design; It's what the main brands like Logitech, Creative have been doing for 20+ years. In a 2.0 setup, the amplifier will be in only one speaker, in a 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1 setup, the amp is always in the sub.

Even decent Audiophile brands do this at the lower levels, M-Audio, Mackie, etc will offer this same 'active-passive' all-in-one arrangement in some of their entry-level products.


It's likely a typo in the specs as 100Hz probably refers to the satellites which seems like a sane value for the 3" drivers in the satellites. $5 aliexpress crap 3" plastic speakers can do 100Hz - the frequency response has very little to do with the amplifier/materials/cost/quality - it's determined almost entirely by the shape, size, and layout of the speakers and cabinet.

On Genesis' website the other models using the same 6" driver as this in the subwoofer (the Helium 600, 610BT) list the sub as down to 40Hz.

Dude that is one hell of a typo. Normally that range usually consists of the sub's low end frequency with the high's top end. I will agree with you that its a typo as the other subs on their site goes down to the 40hz like you said.

 

[Chrispy_]

Dude that is one hell of a typo. Normally that range usually consists of the sub's low end frequency with the high's top end. I will agree with you that its a typo as the other subs on their site goes down to the 40hz like you said.

I think with products and websites of this calibre, specs are a bit vague and suffer from as many inaccuracies as they do spelling and grammar issues.

 

[TheUn4seen]

Genesis is a company which re-brands cheap Chinese crap and sells it to the least demanding customers. Those speakers most probably sound like they're made from waste cardboard, that's a given, and they violate USB-IF specification, I assure you someone will plug those to their laptop and be disappointed, but who cares? They will make a bum-bum sound and have blinking lights so will be good enough for a kid who doesn't know better and that's their market.

 

[eidairaman1]

Thank goodness there are companies still making pc speakers and not catering to headset users or just using lame ass sound bars.

I can only use headset for voice comm, not game sound.