Helix HX-4631
The HX-4631 is a classically styled ghettoblaster from Helix. The big 8-inch woofers, VU meters, and chrome knobs make a good impression. It also has nice gold metal trim around the knobs and switches. It sounds nice and bassy, but not as precise as a JVC, Sanyo or Panasonic. To me, it sounds somewhat similar to a Rising 20/20 or a Lasonic 931, but not as good.
Given that this Helix is a Taiwanese boombox with below-average build quality, there are a few common problems. I've owned 3 of them, and they all had frozen VU meters that didn't move at all. Maybe something inside the meters became corroded, I don't know. Secondly, a couple of them had bent/crooked tape doors, probably because the previous owners tried to force them open after the tape jammed. Also, the toggle switches often have contact problems, but fortunately they are easy to access and clean once you remove the front case. This model is easy to work on because it's mostly empty inside, lol. Finally, the antennas are often missing or broken. You can buy the FS-12H antenna from Russell Industries, it fits fine.
There are several re-branded versions of this Helix, including the GPX 990, the Centurian E991, and the Sensor RT-1246. Some of these have a 4-band tuner with one additional toggle switch for those bands.
Specs:
- Dimensions: 595mm wide, 357mm tall with the handle down (415mm with it up), and 160mm deep.
- Weight: 15.8 lbs (7.2kg) without batteries.
- Battery requirement: 9 D-cells
- Woofers: 8-inch (20cm) diameter, 4 ohms, 8 watts, made in Taiwan, "Right" brand, part number W80F04B-2
- Tweeters: 1.5 inch (4cm) diameter, cone style (not piezo), 4 ohms, 2 watts, made in Taiwan, "Right" brand, part number T15F01B
- Amplifier chip: Rohm BA5406, which in a 13.5V, 4-ohm boombox like this, will probably make 5 or 6 watts per channel.