My Fave Speakers Ever and 13 Reasons Why. Fleetwood Helios.
By Steve Huff
Close to one year ago I received a set of speakers for review that have changed the way I look at the audio hobby today in 2026.
Not only are these speakers still with me, I have recently declared them my new room reference as of August 2026. Even as I sit and stare at $33k speakers that are against a wall next to me (that are indeed better speakers) these little $4990 boxes have truly snagged my heart and soul in a bigger way than the pricey boxes have, at least for the last few months. This happened over a long period of time as the Helios has a way of wowing me each time I sit to listen to them. While they do not have the specs to match the larger speakers (bass) there is just something about these boxes that hit different when I put them back in. Each and every time.
Now that they are with the Fundamental Sub…OMG.
I will tell you the many reasons why these speak to me in more ways than the others in this post but I still say today that these are a super value in high end audio today.
Let me say this as well: These are not for all as they are quite unique/different in looks, size and sound. They do not slam with deep 30hz bass on their own nor do they have the commanding presence of large towers. Even so, for me at least, what they do offer is more important than any of those things. Also, when I added the Fundamental subwoofer from Fleetwood Sound, the Helios grew in size and impact and now sounds as good as any system I have ever heard.
Heirloom Quality
After having these here for almost one year now I must state that this set here will never leave me. When I pass on, my wife has already been instructed that these will go to my son who now lives in Washington. So no, you will never see these up for sale here because there is nothing else available that brings me the same experience.
I mean this in all ways from looks, design, price, build and sound quality so not just sound but the entire package. These bring a massive pride of ownership as well due to how unique the Helios is, how well it is made and how amazing they can sound. When you open the box and smell them…ahhhh, that’s nice as well. They smell like workmanship and real wood.
Before I dig in and before you settle in to read my ramblings let me post a link to the speakers I am about to gush over. Here is the page for the Helios at the Fleetwood Sound website. Stands are available and do cost extra but they give you three options. I use the tall floor stands that are made of steel. This brings the total cost to around $6,240 but these stands will last 100 years or more and are not like the typical stand we often see with speakers. These were made just for the Helios. They also offer wall mounts and floor stands that come in for much less. I have only used them with the floor stands.
OK so WHY the Helios?
Some will see this speaker and never understand how I chose it over the plethora of speakers I could have went with or have heard. I have had some heavy hitters here, and I love them all but if I were forced to pick a fave that award would indeed go to the Helios + Fundamental combo. I will state that I do still own and love the SV Audio Gro and do place them back in from time to time as the Gro are world class kind of speakers. But the Helios are just a bit different. So why do I love them so much?
Let’s start with #1…
#1…The Helios are HAND MADE in the USA
The Fleetwood Sound Helios are proudly made here in the USA by Fleetwood Sound, who also own and run Oswald Mills Audio. If “you know you know” but OMA (Oswald Mills Audio) makes some of the most drool worthy speakers and audio systems made today and I mean of any in the world. But yes, these OMA offerings are made for the more wealthy among us. I have to say though, I have lusted after the Mini (on the right) for years as it is the lowest cost option from OMA. I love the unique design and style. Pure audio art.
OMA creates unique speakers unlike any others on the market today but yes, I hear ya…the prices are out of reach of mere mortals like myself and some of you as well.
With their newer company, Fleetwood Sound, the same people behind OMA now make speakers that are much more attainable and affordable for many more of us who love music. So we can get a nice big taste of that six figure OMA vibe for much less, as in under $5k. In fact, in a video on the Fleetwood Sound YouTube channel Jonathan Weiss states that when you add the Fundamental to the Deville it will sound close to some of their larger systems. Heck, the Helios and Fundamental shocked me as to just how much bigger, deeper and impactful they sounded with the Fundamental in place.
Also something I never see these days…the Helios is fully made with real Pennsylvania Ash. The Fundamental out of Pennsylvania Oak. The wood is cooked but using the correct term here which is “torrified”. This is done for stability, to avoid warps and issues and well, to last forever. This wood will not warp or falter and it consists of the front, sides, top and bottom. Yes, wood speakers sound better to these old ears than modern day materials. Maybe not “better” as that is a term I really do not like to use.
The Helios real wood enclosures for me, have something about it. Maybe it is in my head but that’s what I get and I know what I like.
The Luxman L-100 Centennial is a special integrated. Pure Class A and a gorgeous mate to the Helios if you want a top end lifetime kind of thing. I just found out this is not a limited amp but in full production. So much for that rumor 2 years ago spread by some Luxman dealers “No more Class A from Luxman”
So the first reason is because they are USA made, use real torrified wood along with a real carved front face that is not only gorgeous but functional for sound. They have a mid century kind of vibe with the walnut real wood cabinet (which is also available in a monochrome kind of variant that also looks pretty awesome). So WORKMANSHIP is indeed top tier.
OK Let’s go to #2
The Driver is Special and not used by any other home audio or HiFi Company.
The driver in the Helios is a pro driver, not a home HiFi driver. Fleetwood sound uses pro audio drivers as they claim they sound better and have much stronger magnets which in turn make them faster and more responsive. I cannot argue as the two Fleetwood Sound speakers I have heard sounded so much different from the every day speaker I usually hear. Even the big money boxes. Rather than taking off the shelf “same old same old” drivers as many do, the Helios uses this one driver that is quite special for its size.
Helios can be open, quite 3D, very immersive and they have a way of bringing everything into the space without congestion, confusion or anything off putting. They do this with the Luxman, Accuphase and even the Kinki Dazzle. The Helios can also sound warm and meaty with the right amps. Say like Electrocompaniet or McIntosh or even a nice old school tube amp.
This small driver is incredible and makes me wonder how it is creating such a huge sound. I can listen to the Helios for 12 hours without any fatigue when powered right and with the right source. Again, do not expect 20-30hz bass here but the Helios focus in the most important aspect of bass within music. That area between 50-120Hz is where the most bass info lies in music today. I feel many (all I have tried) subwoofers focus on the lowest Hz number rather than being musical, fast, visceral and invisible. The Fundamental is a sealed sub that also uses a pro driver no one else uses due to the cost of it and it doesn’t focus or worry about going down to 18Hz. It’s main focus is on the music, and being 100% invisible without having to get up for each song and adjust it. It’s just works but reaches down to about 25-30hz nicely. It’s a sealed sub so we give up some all out depth (that will never be needed) for speed and clean impact.
The Helios have been smooth, open and always bring expressive sound. The small 5″ driver here is incredible and inside behind it lies an embedded horn tweeter that never shouts. It is smooth and extended without splashiness or sibilance. These are the most holographic speakers I own or have ever owned as when set up right they throw a wide, deep and tall stage. This Driver is remarkable and that leads me into the next reason I love the Helios.
#3…They are pretty easy to drive.
Not the easiest to drive of the speakers I have here but in no way are they hard to get moving. These are 87db efficient and 8 ohms. The little low power FiiO EA 13 tube amp drives them beautifully but that amp puts out some serious heat and also a bit of low level buzz. Still at $799 it’s a steal and powers these better than some $10k options I have hooked up to them. Synergy man, synergy.
The Luxman L100 Centennial is close to a perfect match to these as it gets here and sounds open, smooth, plentiful bass, and very 3D and holographic due to being somewhat neutral in sound. The Accuphase E3000 warms them up and brings out more of that upper bass, which some will like even better. It too is a superb match to the Helios, both top tier. My Benchmark trio of AHB2 and LA4 also sound great but are the most illuminating in the treble, so this setup brings the most transparency (which can be addictive) and there is also warmth there in the mids which is warmer than the Luxman!
As good as those sound with the Helios, it is the EC5 preamp and AW300 mono amps from Electrcocompaniet are my favorite pairing of all time with the Helios.
Each amp I have here drives them to as loud as I would ever need in my 14X19 space. No big 200 lb amps needed and they love tubes but they also love current. So these will be sort of easy to drive but keep in mind they love tubes, class A and warmer class A/B. I would avoid bright amps or lean amps with the Helios unless you add the Fundamental Sub, which can warm these up even more depending on how you adjust the crossover.
Electrocompaniet is a superb, dare I say “perfect” match to the Helios and heck, even my SV Gro. The EC gear has made all of my speakers sound many levels better but I love the sound of EC gear. Big, Impactful. Meaty, Textured, Warm but Open, Holographic and the all out best ever at low volume (or high).
#4…They are like a movie projector but for music.
The Helios are like a movie projector for music. The way they bring sound out just hits me emotionally but also the sound is presented like a 3D movie into my space, as the artist seems to come out to greet me at times. This depends on the music, your source (DAC or Table) and track but I have been wowed more with these speakers than the rest in the area of immersion and depth. Using a DAC like the high end Imersiv D1 or Audio Mirror Wave will make these super holographic. Using a LAIV Harmony 2 the sound is warmer, richer and whole not as holographic … almost just right. Think zero fatigue but immersed at the same time. I would dare to say that even an amp like the starter Electrcocopaniet EC80 integrated would drive these beautifully. That one comes in at around $4k.
While the Deville, the higher end speaker in the Fleetwood line costs almost $20k, it does have a bit of a larger, bigger and deeper sound. The Helios is more like a source point than standard two way here.
I have an old movie projector here as well as film reels that are from when I was a little kid, from say age 2-7. When I watch the film reels it takes me back to those times and the emotion can hit. With the Helios, I also feel the connection to the music and while other speakers can do this for me as well, I just like the realism that comes from the Helios.
The Acuphase E-3000 is a stunner and $1500 less than the Class A Luxman. It brings more warmth, body and glow but less sparkle and a bit less open. More groove. Honestly I can’t pick which one I like best with the Helios. Luxman is more neutral and excites the senses more. Accuphase goes to the heart. Yea, I guess I would take the Accuphase for me.
#5…They are easy to place due to front ports.
The Helios are a breeze to place into the room as the bass ports are in the front. This means no ports slamming air into a wall right behind them causing flabby bass. I have them almost 4 feet out into the room and 8 -9 feet apart. I sit 8 feet away and the sound is glorious. Even so, these will fit in to a smaller room or mid sized room while putting out a large scale of sound but they do like to breathe, so I give them space. When I crowd them they can sound a bit unfocused and darker. When left to breathe they sound open, alive, electric yet bring warmth and bass kick that make it all full bodied and so satisfying.
Do not let the size fool you here at all as they play as big as the big boys albeit without the deepest of bass as these go down to around 40-45hz… not 30 and below. While these are not for EDM bass heads on their own (Fundamental Added, YES) they are more for those who like to sit and be immersed and sucked into a large wall of sound.
Living with the Fundamental now for a while I do feel it is almost a necessity if you listen to EDM, Metal or big bass music. I know I would not want to be without it now and it even gets used with my SV Gro speakers. It blends so well with all of my speakers it has become invisible. Something I was never able to do with any other sub here.
#6…They fill a room with ease and can play up to 113DB (if you are insane and listen that loud) without distortion.
As previously mentioned these can play loud but they can also do soft and sound nice at lower volume with the right amp. The Luxman L-100 C does it and the Accuphase E-3000 does it better due to the extra “oomph” in the midrange. Even so these will not get raggedy and harsh as you play them louder unless you run a bright source or amp to them. Instead they just get bigger in sound and more depth is heard. So they play much bigger than they look though different amps will have the speakers sound different. Some warmer, some leaner, some more holographic and others not so much. These love a good class A or A/B amp or nice old school tube amp.
#7…The stands are serious and made of steel.
The stands are unlike any I have seen, ever. While only for this speaker and not universal the solid steel floor stand is heavy, tall and made to outlive you. Once screwed in, I have never taken the speakers off of the stands. This also makes them easy to move. Just grab under the speaker and hold the steel round base and move them. Most stands I see are ugly, cheap or the same old same old.
My main small speaker stands have been the Dynaudio Stand 6 for years now but the Helios stands are made to last, be easy to move and look old school. Well worth the extra as I would not want to put these on generic stands. The Helios stands are taller than average and these speakers sound best a bit higher up and with slight toe in vs a massive toe in.
I am sure these could be placed on normal stands but they would then sit lower and the sound will change. I highly recommend the stands on offer from Fleetwood as they are a perfect pairing. They look tall in the room, taller than most but it works. Before I screwed them to the stand last year I had them playing on my cabinet while I was getting everything together. Did not sound the same so placement in the room will dictate the sound you get from them. The stands for me, are a must.
#8…The sound quality is unique and like nothing else I have heard.
I touched on this above a little but these do not sound like the $32k SV Gro, the $20k O Audio Icon 12 or the plethora of other speakers I have listened to for the last decade. They are unique and are more like a living breathing instrument than just a speaker. They did take about 100-200 hours to really flesh out (and I have never been a believer in “burn in”) and sound as they do today but all I can say is these sound perfect when it comes to the tonality and how they reproduce the human voice. Even so, fresh out of the box they may sound a bit cool but give them time and the soul will appear as they start to flesh out. After a year with them I can say that they do sound different today and I can verify that by going to my first sound demos in my members area at YouTube.
I will also say that it did take time to find the perfect amp mate to them. Some amps will have the Helios sound lean. Some may have them sound unfocused. Some may have them sound dull. I have heard these at their worst and their best and getting the synergy right is key with them.
Many amps have sounded so good with them but as of September 2026 I have heard them with the Luxman L-100 Centennial (see the amp here) and this one is illuminating, neutral and fluid. Also, the Accuphase E3000 and this one just brings a musical vibe to where I just enjoy the system and the music, bigger midrange. The little EA13 also sounded very sublime and at $799, if it were a silent amp that did not buzz, would be in more often with the Helios due to the low cost and insane sound it brings with them.
After hearing the EC5 and AW300 mono amps from Electrocompaniet in Norway that was it. Those broke me in so many ways. I was all set for the Accuphase to stay and was planing a purchase in December. When the EC gear was in for a couple of weeks I was hooked, like a drug addict. This wasn’t fentanyl though, it was sound waves and energy that infected my soul. Never heard anything better for me but the price…the price. Well worth it if it’s in your budget.
These speakers also have neutrality but due to the high end horn tweeter inside each driver the sound comes forward and fills the room with airy but textured rich and layered sounds. Sweet, smooth and a little airy and magical. Each voice, instrument and sound is separated flawlessly without congestion.
Magic…that’s the word when set up and driven just right. BTW,. I have also heard these with many DACs and in the end I am thrilled (for now) with a Benchmark DAC 3 running the RCA outs. One that really won my heart is the new LAIV Harmony 2 DAC (review here) as this one is smooth, musical, very spatial and super refined. I prefer it to the Benchmark in this setup. For now, the LAIV is staying as I can no longer spend more here. After the new home, new room costs and updated system I am broke and busted…but supremely happy : )
#9…The price is incredible for what you get… but…
When I first saw these speakers from Fleetwood Sound I assumed they would sound small, hard and have no soul. I saw the $4990 price from this exotic level brand and thought “No way these sound that good”. When they showed up in 2025 I was shocked at just how good they sounded. I was in love within days as I was hearing some of my fave songs in a new different way that sounded more right than ever. More immersive, more swim inside the soundstage. Things I normally hear in a $10k+ speaker. But I did notice a lack of deep bass initially. After a while I didn’t care about that as they were still musical and I just avoided EDM and heavy bass music. Then the Fundamental came and blew my mind.
At under $5k for a hand made all wood torrified speaker that is built here in the USA (as many ask me to review)….incredible. The fact that its truly high end in looks, build and sound is the icing on the cake. The price of the Helios should be doubled if we go by what else is available today that compares. Lucky for us music lovers they are still under $5k but I was told by Fleetwood Sound these will be going up soon. No idea how much or when.
The Fundamental is pricey at just over $8k but at a total combined cost of $13k+ I find this setup to best others that cost double, but I dig this sound. The good news is Fleetwood Sound builds speakers to “be your last” and they often cite “Heirloom Quality” which leads me to my next reason.
#10…Made and built to last, no version II will be made as this is it.
I love that this is it. You should not see a Helios V2 (maybe a special edition) as Fleetwood believes in doing it right the first time. Many companies take a perfectly great speaker and every year or two release a “V2” with claims of big improvements. Usually it’s just differences rather than being better. It’s also almost always all about marketing to bring in a new slew of sales when the old product slows down in said sales. Some manufactures may even have a roadmap of “V1….V2…V3” over years, decades even. Not to really make a “better” speaker but one that is different so people will think “Oh, I need this new model as it is better”.
Being in this industry I have discovered not only the psychology of it all but the politics as well. Won’t get into that but it just all adds up to more reasons why I truly love the Fleetwood Sound philosophy. In any case, Fleetwood Sound may release new speakers down the road but they will be new models, not V2 or V3 of what was already made. I mean, that’s what I get from them after talking with them but time will tell. This to me is a real approach to longevity. Buy something special…it remains so even decades later. No feeling sad when a V2 comes out making you feel like you have something subpar.
#11…Fleetwood Sound and OMA are the real deal.
As of 2026, this is one of my all time fave audio companies as yes my friends…they are the real deal. Real people rather than corporate interests running the show. I love this as some brands like McIntosh and even Luxman are run by big corporate interests these days. I see it evert time. Small audio company making something special and keeping with it vs corporate companies who release “new” every 6-12 months as they must keep profits growing. It’s prob why I own Electroconpaniet, Fleetwood Sound, SV Audio, LAIV, Synergistic Research, etc.
I still love companies like Luxman and others who are run by the big corporate groups but I prefer small batch, owner operator deals within audio. Just more passion, creativity and soul and that is my opinion after decades of gear.
FACT: OH AND NO! I WAS NEVER PAID BY FLEETWOOD SOUND for a review or writing articles such as this. I am the one who decides what I will write and record. When something really gets me, I want everyone to know about it even if what I speak of is not something everyone will seek info on. It’s not smart of me as most would never spend days writing without a reward but my reward comes from the listening and enjoyment of the product. I am rich in that way vs monetarily.
Fleetwood Sound want to make the best they can make and they seem to do this with each release, nothing more or less. With the Helios I have been told that the profit margin is crazy low, and I believe it. Think about it. The inside is sort of elaborate with the design and part of what makes them sound so big. The wood is cooked here and the color of the speaker is not from stain but from the cooking process. This is real PA Ash, and not particle board or veneer. The driver is pricey and a pro driver with a horn tweeter embedded deep inside. No one uses this driver other than Fleetwood for the home HiFi market. It’s special and where many try to cut corners to save, Fleetwood brings the good stuff as it is made with Pride, yea, even today in 2026….pride. It still exists in some circles and is even over at SV Audio. I feel this is important as so many products today have no pride behind them, just numbers.
#12 – They can get even better
Fleetwood Sound offers up their Fundamental Subwoofer which I was told was more of a bass module than sub but I find it to be remarkable. This was not designed to go to 20hz as honestly that is almost useless for a music system. The soul of the music lives in the 50-140HZ area where that mid and low bass lives. Without it, sound can be flat, hard, grey. We have been grained by some sub companies that we must go down to 18hz, 20hz or even 25hz but this is so not the case for music.
The Fundamental was designed for speed, zero slop and designed with the same philosophy of the Helios but it was not designed to go to the depths of 15-20hz. Nope, it was designed with one thing in mind…providing the most important area of bass with reinforcement and yea, it goes much much lower than the Helios but this is not a room rumbler. Not for those who want to shake the walls but for adding weight, body and soul to the music if your speakers lack in this area (or you just want more). It’s fast, tight and amazingly easy to set up, unlike other subs I have had here. No frustration at all. Plug in, hook up via RCA and turn on. I keep the crossover about 1/3 up and the gain at noon. It’s perfect and has disappeared from the room.
Bass sounds like it is just there, filling the room with ease and without sounding like a boom box. It makes the entire stage larger, deeper and more immersive. When off, things flatten.
The Fundamental is built to the same level as the speakers but made of solid PA OAK which is also torrified. Itis unlike any sub I have used. I will have a review for the Fundamental well before end of year but this is crazy gorgeous in build with powder coated steel as the frame and that cooked OAK wood for the cabinet. The Fundamental is not cheap to buy but nothing about it is cheap in build or performance. For the Helios, steel stands and Fundamental the cost will be around $14k total but my guess is that this setup can outgun setups that cost much much more. Stay tuned for the review.
Because of everything these offer from amazing price, build, design, performance and the fact they are made with pride by real people with real passion vs corporate interests…these have become my fave speakers of all time. That is crazy as I have heard and owned some amazing speakers. They have become my new room reference along with my SV Audio Gro and I like them just as much but the SV Audio Gro are truly world class speakers. I have to judge by price as well. Also, the price at $4990 for the Helios is absurd for a USA made hand crafted speaker that is as unique as it is.
#13 – The Lifetime Warranty
I have seen $10k and up HiFi products come with a 90 day warranty. I have seen 6 month or even 3 year in some cases. Fleetwood Sound does it even better as they consider their products Heirloom Quality. Fleetwood Sound speakers come with a lifetime warranty and get repaired, if ever needed, in their workshop here in the USA. They stand behind what they create and sell and they never rush a product to market either. I love that they offer this warranty and this also makes the price of the Helios remarkable. I recently bought a small Ford Maverick and the dealer tried to sell me a 125k mile extended warranty for $6k (I passed). It’s nice to see this lifetime warranty included, for free, with the Helios.
For me, Fleetwood Sound offers up everything I love about audio. Gorgeous unique products, artful design, passion for what they do, remarkable performance and heirloom quality with a lifetime warranty. I have heard big million dollar systems and everything in between down to a $1500 system. For me, there are tons of superb products out there but if you ask me right now, I’d take the Helios and Fundamental over a set of Magico Mini’s or Wilson Tune Tots any day of the week.
The LAIV Harmony 2 DAC is remarkable. Small batch, small company, big passion for what they do.
TO BE CLEAR
I enjoy and adore quite a few speakers and there are many that are technically better than the Helios on paper.
There are others I have here now that produce “better” bass, fatter mids, more richness, etc. Still, something draws me personally to the Helios. I love what it brings but I do not know if everyone will. Sound is personal. If you are like me and love unique, superb build quality, attention to detail as well as an open clean sound these may be for you. Maybe you like body and sparkle, a holographic stage, the sound coming out into the room, realistic tone as well. The only compromise on the amount of lower bass (without the Fundamental) produced then you may want to check out the Helios. These also have a classic design, mid century modern if you will. They may not fit everyone’s decor so there is that as well.
There are many choices out there and I always say “go with your heart” and what works for you. All I did here was tell you why I personally love the Helios and why they joined my SV Gro as my new room reference.
You can see more information at the Fleetwood Sound Website as they sell direct.
I hope you enjoyed this article and I will be doing a review soon for the Fundamental sub and Luxman L-100 so stay tuned!
