MartinLogan Helos20 In-Ceiling Speaker with Paintable Frame and Grill

Other products by MartinLogan

Product Details

• Item Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0018Z9Y80
• Item model number: Helos20
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,524 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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  Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Speakers

• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 3, 2008

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

MartinLogan - The Great American Speaker Company

Since 1983 MartinLogan, the great American speaker company, has hand-crafted high performance electrostatic speakers. Their award-winning designs, advanced technologies, and outstanding customer service have long made MartinLogan's amazingly detailed speakers a must have for home theater and music lovers around the world.

The paintable Helos grills seamlessly integrate into your living space while delivering reference-quality sound.

The Helos' compact design makes for easy installation.

Helos 20: Use ONE for stereo sound from a single high-resolution speaker.

Traditional speakers require two distinct speakers to create a stereo image; not so with MartinLogan's Helos 20 in-ceiling speaker. The Helos 20 features two neodymium soft-dome tweeters mated with a dual voice coil aluminum cone woofer to produce a true stereo sound stage from a single high-resolution speaker. The secret is controlling the dispersion and wave launch of the two tweeters to create distinct left and right areas of sound-presto! A stereo sound stage from a single speaker!

Use TWO or more to fill a large space.

Filling a large room with sound using in-ceiling speakers requires either a lot of speakers, or a few with wide dispersion. Helos 20's are the perfect solution for filling a large space with accurate, detailed sound, thanks to their amazingly wide dispersion (due to its dual tweeter design). Essentially, when you use TWO in a 2-channel music system you achieve acoustic output and dispersion comparable to FOUR speakers in the same space. Install FIVE speakers in a home theater and achieve output and dispersion comparable to TEN speakers in the same space.

Setup is simple!

The Helos 20 features two sets of binding posts, one for the left channel and one for the right channel. Or, if you want to use the Helos 20 as a single-channel wide-dispersion speaker, simply bridge the two sets of binding posts so both tweeters are produce the same sound and radiate it over a larger area!

You can use Helos 20 for almost any application:

1. Stereo from a Single Speaker
1. ONE at the center of a small room for stereo music (bathroom, kitchen, etc.)
2. ONE at the front of a room with a television for stereo sound (family room, bedroom, etc.)
2. Multiple Surround Channels from a Single Speaker
1. ONE at the rear of a room for 5.1 home theater for both left/right surround channels
2. TWO at the rear of a room for 7.1 home theater for left side/rear surround channels, and right side/rear surround channels
3. Wide Dispersion Sound from Any Location!
1. ONE at the front of a room for a wide dispersion 5.1 or 7.1 center channel
2. TWO at the front of a room for wide dispersion stereo sound or wide dispersion 5.1 or 7.1 left/right front channels
3. TWO at the rear of a room for wide dispersion 5.1 left/right rear channels
4. FOUR at the rear of a room for wide dispersion 7.1 left/right side and rear surround channels

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Hand-built components ensure lasting quality.

Helos 20 wired for stereo sound from a single speaker.

Helos 20 wired for wide dispersion sound.

Designed for ultimate performance-a MartinLogan standard.

In continuing the tradition of our critically acclaimed in-wall speakers the MartinLogan dedicated in-house design and engineering team has looked skyward and developed a line of reference quality in-ceiling loudspeakers. Delivering legendary MartinLogan build quality and superior sound performance in a very affordable, compact, high-resolution in-ceiling loudspeaker, Helos 20 allows even tight budgets to step up to MartinLogan quality.

Helos 20 has the extreme sonic accuracy you'd expect from a great floor standing loudspeaker - with the design benefit of overhead single speaker placement for room "invisibility". Paying scrupulous attention to input from the professional installation trade, MartinLogan has overbuilt the hardware at every point for sure and solid mounting. Covering the full range of sound, these speakers are remarkably easy to drive with even modest electronics, yet can easily fill a room with sound. With its very modest price and problem solving attributes, in conjunction with Helos 100 and 10 the Helos 20 can support a whole home, multi-room plan by offering use in less critical rooms than its more ambitious brother.

Under the Hood. Helos 20 is Packed with Features.

Quick, Trouble-Free Installation
A robust mounting-lock system allows for quick, trouble-free installation. When not in use, the constant-control, die-cast mounting locks are held securely within a self-contained housing. When moved into place during installation, they couple the speaker's chassis firmly to the ceiling. If the speaker is ever removed, the locks retract and latch themselves back in their housings.

Each Helos 20 speaker comes with a full-size installation template that features quick-reference instructions, and die-cut guides for marking the cutout hole.

Low-Distortion Aluminum-Cone Woofer
Utilizing a 6.5" high-excursion, high-resolution state-of-the-art woofer specially designed for accurate in-wall bass performance, the Helos 20 delivers a precise low-end with accuracy, authority and extension uncommon to traditional in-ceiling loudspeakers.

Vojtko Crossover
Carefully hand-built using only the finest polyester capacitors and air-core coils, the crossover employ's MartinLogan's proprietary Vojtko topology for vanishingly low distortion and seamless driver integration. This precision-tuned network preserves even the most microscopic sonic nuances while handling the full dynamics of any source.

Application and Aesthetic Versatility
Helos 20 is suitable for many applications in any audio/video systems, because of it's unique utilitarian approach. You'll love it's easy to aim tweeter stem design for that final tuning in each particular room condition. A paintable frame and grill endows the Helos 20 with the flexibility to complement any decor. A paint shield is included for your convenience.

Stereo from a Single Speaker
1a. ONE used at the center of a small room for stereo music.		1b. ONE at the front of a room with a television for stereo sound.
Multiple Surround Channels from a Single Speaker
2a. ONE at the rear of a room for 5.1 home theater for both left/right surround channels.		2b. TWO at the rear of a room for 7.1 home theater for left side/rear surround channels, and right side/rear surround channels.
Wide Dispersion Sound from Any Location!
3a. ONE at the front of a room for a wide dispersion 5.1 or 7.1 center channel.	3b. TWO at the front of a room for wide dispersion stereo sound or wide dispersion 5.1 or 7.1 left/right front channels.	3c.TWO at the rear of a room for wide dispersion 5.1 left/right rear channels.	3d. FOUR at the rear of a room for wide dispersion 7.1 left/right side and rear surround channels.

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The Final Breakdown: Technical Specifications

	Frequency Response:	47-20,000 Hz ± 3dB
	Aiming:	Pivoting tweeter stem
	Sensitivity:	89 dB/2.83 volts/meter
	Impedance:	Mono: 4 ohms Stereo: 8 ohms x 8 ohms
	Crossover Frequency:	2600 Hz
	Components:	Air core coils, polyester capacitors
	High Frequency Driver:	Two 0.75" (1.9 cm) neodymium soft-dome tweeters
	Woofer Type:	6.5" (16.5 cm) cast basket, high rigidity aluminum cone with extended throw drive assembly, thermal protection
	Power Handling:	Mono: 100 watts Stereo: 50 watts x 50 watts
	Weight:	4.5 lbs./channel (2 kg)
	Overall Size (WxD):	9.5" x 4.62" (24.2 x 11.7 cm)
	Required Ceiling Opening Including Tolerance:	8.35" (21.2 cm)
	Projection From Ceiling Surface:	0.37" (1 cm)
	Depth Required Behind Ceiling Surface:	5" (12.7 cm)

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Other MartinLogan Custom Install Solutions (sold seperately)

	Voyage In-Wall Speaker - The MartinLogan Voyage in-wall speaker system is a ultimate-performance speaker for your home theater entertainment room.. It is the world's most sophisticated and elegant architectural loudspeaker, The Voyage in-wall speaker sounds so clean and dynamic, you'd think it were a superb standalone design. Not surprising, since it borrows so much from our own, including Advanced Thin Film drivers and high-resolution woofers. A rigid aluminum chassis and die-cast mounting locks enhance performance and ease installation, while an adjustable tweeter-alignment sphere, paintable end caps, and a selection of grille colors provide incredible adaptability.
	Passage In-Wall Speaker - A uniquely elegant and extremely accurate in-wall speaker, Passage is a remarkable performer delivering the sound quality you would expect to hear from one of MartinLogan's floorstanding loudspeakers. With twin high-resolution aluminum-cone woofers, a world class ATF (Advanced Thin Film) tweeter, an advanced-technology Vojtko crossover and a rigid aluminum chassis and 1" front baffle, Passage is quite simply an in-wall loudspeaker marvel. The result is a full, wonderfully smooth and engaging sound with clean and surprisingly deep bass foundation.
	Ticket In-Wall Speaker - The MartinLogan Ticket in-wall speaker is a compact, affordable in-wall speaker for every room in your home. While significantly smaller than Passage, the elegant, affordable Ticket in-wall speaker is nonetheless a very strong performer. Its dual long-throw, high-resolution woofers, integrated dome tweeter, and advanced Vojtko¿ crossover deliver rich, clear sound and superb stereo imaging. Ticket also features paintable end caps and a selection of grille colors for perfect matching with any decor. Its quick and easy, yet very secure, installation system is the same used in Voyage and Passage speakers from MartinLogan.
	Helos 100 In-Ceiling Speaker - Helos 100 is ideal for any room requiring ultimate in-ceiling audio performance such as a 2-channel system in a large living room or a multi-channel system in a discrete home theater. Helos 100's aimable assembly allows a large audience to experience the full potential of the Helos 100. Featuring a 1-inch neodymium soft dome tweeter, high-rigidity aluminum cone woofer, and proprietary Vojtko crossover topology, Helos 100 effortlessly provides solid imaging with extreme sonic accuracy. An acoustic contour switch tailors dispersion assuring a top-notch performance in any installation.
	Helos 10 In-Ceiling Speaker - The Helos 10 delivers legendary MartinLogan quality and performance in a compact, high-resolution in-ceiling loudspeaker. Featuring a 1-inch neodymium soft dome tweeter mounted in an aimable stem, high-rigidity aluminum cone woofer, and proprietary Vojtko crossover topology, Helos 10 effortlessly provides extreme sonic accuracy.

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Complete Your Home Theater with A MartinLogan Subwoofer (sold seperately)

	Depth i Subwoofer - Depth i deploys the full array of MartinLogan's advanced subwoofer technologies to achieve deep, rich, satisfying bass while preserving electrostatic-like accuracy and detail. Its TriLinear BalancedForce alignment, advanced low-distortion switching amplifier, and sophisticated triple-servo control systems extract the very best possible performance from Depth i's high-resolution 8-inch aluminum-cone drivers. TriLinear BalancedForce places the subwoofer's three drivers precisely 120 degrees apart from each other in the cabinet. Their reaction force vectors meet at the center and exactly cancel, virtually eliminating cabinet resonance and vibration. Gone with them are the cabinet-radiation coloration and bass blur that afflict even the best conventional subwoofers. The triple-servo system, meanwhile, ensures that the output from the drivers themselves - the output we want - is always an absolutely faithful replica of the audio input signal.
	Grotto i Subwoofer - Grotto i deploys the full array of MartinLogan's advanced subwoofer technologies to achieve deep, rich, satisfying bass while preserving electrostatic-like accuracy and detail. Its advanced low-distortion switching amplifier and sophisticated servo control system extract the very best possible performance from Grotto i's high-resolution 10-inch aluminum-cone driver. A powerful 300 watt (900 watt peak) low-distortion, high-reliability amplifier gives Grotto i extremely articulate bass without need of exaggerated amplifier power ratings or transient-blurring ported or passive radiator enclosures common to many modern subwoofers. A proprietary servo system further ensures that output from Grotto i's 10-inch high-resolution aluminum cone woofer is dramatically free of distortion and provides a faithful replica of the audio input signal.
	Dynamo 500 Subwoofer - No other subwoofer offers Dynamo 500's bass extension, power, and detail at such an affordable price. Perfect for either home theater or stereo applications, the Dynamo 500 is solidly built with high-density materials to minimize cabinet resonance and provide a foundation for the high-output 10-inch woofer and high-current 120-watt RMS, 360-watt peak amplifier. Additionally, dual rear-mounted low-turbulence ports maximize bass output while minimizing port induced distortions.

Product Description

A direct descendant from the Helos100, the Helos20 continues with the MartinLogan tradition of exceptional sound. The Helos20 has the ability compliment any décor with it's paintable grill and frame. Sonically, the Helos20 boasts a dual voice coil system with two 0.75 inch soft dome tweeters with a pivoting stem and a single 6.5 inch woofer, creating crisp accurate sound. Frequency response ranges from 47-20,000 Hz.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen, then decide., October 13, 2009

By	Kay Hayes "knitting ninja" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are doing whole house audio, give these speakers a listen. Most other speakers mounted in the wall or in the ceiling are very bright and the sound it too "forward" - overly bright. These MartinLogan speakers have a sound that is different from their competition. Their sound is very well rounded and is much richer than the other mounted speakers I listened to - namely Speakercraft. I bought six of the hilos20's and am more than satisfied. But don't take my word, go and listen at your local high end audio dealer and do a comparison like I did. No personal recommendation can substitute for your own ears.

Each speaker has 4 binding posts if you want stereo sound through one speaker. I have two of my six set up in this fashion. The other 4 are paired up in the traditional left/right stereo channel set up. I am really satisfied with the sound of the single speaker setup for my study and sewing room - both in the 10 X 14 foot range. I used two speakers for the larger kitchen and master bedroom areas.

The build of the speaker and the attention to detail are also impressive. Plus, there is a 5 year warranty you get if you send in the registration cards.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome speakers!!, November 3, 2009

By	A. Patel (WF, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

They were easy to install with all the required templates and nice push button connectors to just slip the wires into. They sound absolutely awesome with true sound reproduction.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sound!!, November 2, 2009

By	J. E. Brouillard (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Wonderful high quality speaker. I am using it as my rear-speaker surround. Easy to install. Highly recommend.