This is a technical review of the Helm Audio Bolt MQA portable "dongle" for use on phones and computers. See text review and detailed measurements here: www.audiosciencereview.com/fo...
I purchased one of these devices about a year ago just to be able to have MQA support when listening to TIDAL streaming though my Android phone with headphones. I like it a lot. Great sound quality on everything I have put though it so far, MQA formatted audio or otherwise.
nice to now have youtube videos in additions to your audiosciencereview posts. do you have an opinion on computational audio trying to mimic speakers (hrtf or similar algorithms) on iem or headphones to avoid "in your head" soundstage ? thanks for your great reviews.
Just got mine in, today. Easily drives my Tin HIFi P1s. Using the P1s directly into the phone (Samsung A32), I had to turn the volume up to 75%-90%. With the Helm Bolt, most songs are fine at 60%-70% volume.
Great job with the review. How do you feel about the Belkin 3.5mm audio + charge rockstar w/a build-in DAC for $39 or the Apple - Lightning-to-3.5mm Headphone Adapter with the microscopic DAC for only $9?
I tested an LG G7 phone. It has superb performance but not a lot of power (1 volt out instead of 2 volt you see here): www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-audio-measurement-of-lg-g7-thinq-smartphone.4468/
@@AudioScienceReview I have an LG G7 (bought after seeing your review) and it can actually get up to 2V, but it automatically switches output level based on the impedance sensed when the headphones are first plugged in. If it sees a high impedance load (above 600ohms or so) it will only go up to 1V, but if the impedance is 50-600ohms it switches to a 2V output. (You can actually see this in the ASR review where you test power output @clipping against different load impedances: 0.014W into 300ohms = 2.05V). You can fool the impedance sensor by using a short extension lead and a 300ohm load since the sensor is only queried when the headphone is first plugged in.
Does it have more power than the ZORLOO ZTELLA? My ZORLOO ZTELLA moves my headphones very little. I want to know if it would move them with greater volume
Yes. I have this paird with k7xx on mobile and pc. I came from LG v60 to this and it sounds way more premium in my opinion. Just follow the instructional videos on the helm RU-vid channel.
So what happens if you connect this, from a smartphone to helm bolt than directly to a 3.5mm input of a powered speaker. How does that affect the measurements or sound quality for the audio from the powered speaker?
@@ReTr093 Because continuously one might (over)load the power supply the voltage drops or gets more noisy... Or thermal effects start to make a difference. With short bursts nothing has the time to heat up and peak current is coming mainly from the capacitors.
@@BogdanWeiss I have had the v20 and v30, I think they souns pretty good and get more than loud enough. I know when I play through aux into a vehicle, I can get way louder than top of the line iPhones.
@@ghostrecon3214 easily the best high fidelity bargain on the market + you get a very decent phone & camera - I hardly ever say that about any piece of electronic kit, as I’m very rearly happy with the sound
@@ghostrecon3214 I can't say that about the v30+ its been solid, naturally a removable batter would have been better - the glass is slick but slippery & thermally not as good as metal, but you get these fashion decisions with all manufacturers - I had a motorolla that was naf as well - shortly after Google bought them...
Had a Helm Bolt, initially i was happy with it until the cable separated and started getting crackling noises. I requested a replacement under warranty. They have said they would ship a new one to me twice now, never received a replacement. Totally fed up with their customer service and lack of supporting their product. Wouldn't recommend.
@Audio Science Review Nice video. May I suggest you don't use the automatic white balance (WB) of your camera - it's clearly a good camera but the lighting in your room is rather complex and the reflection of your LCD screen makes you face look rather bluish. Just use a warmer fixed WB setting.
The Helm is FAR more compact and convenient to carry. Fits inside my iem's case, so there's no extra bulk. Can stick the phone in my pocket while using it, because it's just like a short extension cord. With the FIIO, you're running a separate cable to the phone, and you've got to get both the phone and the FIIO in your pocket with a bulkier cable. The Bolt is far more suited for use on-the-go.
@@nissimtrifonov5314 Ok, I can see using it wirelessly. For wired IEMs, though, I still think the Bolt makes more sense, especially for walking/jogging, it's just so compact, and it has enough juice to drive even hard to drive IEMs, like my Tin P1s.
@@careylymanjones What? No... you got something wrong here. I am using wired IEM's, that's the whole point. The wireless link is between the FIIO and the phone. And that way I can go to the gym, leave the phone in a bag somewhere and only have the FIIO on me, clipped on my shirt
Does anyone still listen to ASR and Amir!? You shouldn't! I have been working as a computer engineer in China and Japan for most of my life. I have meet audio engineers in Japan working for Fostex, Denon, Onkyo, Marantz, Rotel and Sony. I have met Ken Ishiwata. I understand Chinese and I am near native in Japanese. Audio Science Review is not to be trusted as they are too corrupted and fully bribed by cheap Chinese audio makers especially by Topping and cheap audio makers in Shensen. What they produce is not what you will enjoy as a critical listener and the quality is poor. What ASR focus on is THD, that as a coincidence, is what all Chi-fi makers are focused on totally neglecting what consumers enjoy. ASR is doing measurements to make Toppings look good but in the end you won't enjoy as a listener. I have hardly any Chifi gear, I use high end stuff from Rotel, IFI, Fostex, Rega, B&W, REL acoustics, Audeze, Denon and Marantz. One exception is SMSL D1SE which i use as a DAC. ASR is a total waste of time. I was a senior member there but I decided to fuck them badly because of their bootlicking of cheap chinese makers. If Amir stop licking their boots he will become a homeless beggar. ASR is irrelevant and as a consumer your listening experience won't improve by following what they say. ASR is declining and will vanish... RIP ASR.
