twin-deck bigblackbox graphic equalizer 10-inch-woofers burglar-alarm 1-piece biggest led meter dual-antenna grab-bars 10-d spare-tape-storage Helix Wheely-5000
Here we have the absolute BIGGEST ghettoblaster in the vintage 1-piece category. It measures 33.4" wide, 17.9" tall (handle down), and 9" deep. It takes ten D-cell batteries and was made in Taiwan. There are several re-branded versions of it (AKA's), but the Helix has some features that the others don't. For example, its cosmetic-only "spectrum analyzer" is the only one that actually moves when you adjust the EQ sliders. Also, there is a switch on the back for ‘Battery Recharge’ that is not found on any other version of this boombox. And of course, don’t forget about the roller bearing wheels that can be pulled down/rotated into position to ROLL this monster around on the basketball court! Other features include a 10-band EQ, 10” woofers, tweeters, dual antennas, dual cassette, motion sensor alarm, and two compartments in back that can hold a total of 12 spare tapes!! They claimed it made 750 watts PMPO (Peak Music Power Output), but we all know PMPO is nonsense. It has two Sanyo LA4508 amplifier chips, and I'm going to guess the true RMS output is somewhere between 12 to 15 watts per channel.
Here are all the known versions of this boombox:
- Dynasty HT959 IBBN 7-15211
- Audioton TBS9300 IBBN 7-15466
- Elta 6930 IBBN 7-00264
- Esc JC2000 IBBN 7-02483
- Helix Wheelie 5000 IBBN 7-08176
- International MS959 IBBN 7-03883
- Matsuki MS-959 IBBN 7-07769
- Orbex MS959 IBBN 7-15405
- Technidyne TD-10000 IBBN 7-04277
- Shadow JB750
If you need to replace a broken antenna on your Wheely, I recommend getting an FS-12H antenna from Russell Industries, it should fit. And if you need a new battery door, spare tape storage door, or cassette key, you can buy 3D-printed replacement parts HERE.
NOTE: This boombox looks like it has 6 speakers, but we have opened up the Technidyne and Matsuki versions, and they only had 4. That's right, one pair of tweeters was fake!! We don't know if that's true for every one of the models listed above, but we wouldn't doubt it. They were built in the mid or late 80's when manufacturers were cutting corners any way they could. Still, being the biggest 80's boombox of all, it's a crowd-pleaser that belongs in everyone's collection!