For the 2026-2027 season, two of our products were once again honored with the EISA Award: the HELIX NEXT DSP ULTRA XT wins in the "In-Car Sound Processor" category, while the BRAX MATRIX ML28 PRO, ML80 PRO & ML165 PRO take the "In-Car High-End Component" award. What makes us particularly proud: this marks our fifth double win since the EISA Awards 2021-2022 – and the third in a row.
The Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) brings together 60 renowned specialist magazines from 29 countries, pooling the expertise of journalists across hi-fi, home cinema, photo & video, and car & mobile electronics. Each year, EISA names the standout products in each category – one of the most respected awards in the industry.
"These two EISA Awards mean a lot to me, because they once again confirm that we're operating at the top level across multiple disciplines. With the DSP ULTRA XT, EISA honors the best standalone DSP we've ever built under the HELIX brand – a milestone that reflects how we've continuously shaped digital signal processing since 2010, and kept pushing it further. At the same time, the recognition for the BRAX MATRIX PRO series shows that our uncompromising approach to sound and quality pays off, resulting in truly outstanding products. My thanks go to the Expert Imaging and Sound Association for this recognition – and to our team, without whom none of this would be possible."
– Julian Fischer
Just a short time after launch, the HELIX NEXT DSP ULTRA XT secures the EISA Award for best In-Car Sound Processor 2026-2027 – as the new flagship of the HELIX standalone DSP line. Here's what the EISA jury has to say:
"The new NEXT DSP ULTRA XT is more than just another addition to the HELIX portfolio of standalone processors – it establishes a new flagship class within the brand's DSP lineup. Developed as an high-end 16-channel signal processor for ambitious multi-channel systems, it combines extensive analog and digital connectivity with advanced routing and tuning flexibility. Its completely reworked hardware concept includes a dual 64-bit DSP platform and latest-generation A/D and D/A converters from ESS Technology with SABRE architecture, each supported by a dedicated power supply. The result is outstanding measured performance, including reduced harmonic distortion, a higher signal-to-noise ratio, 96kHz/32-bit internal processing, USB PerfectStream via USB-C and flexible digital integration options. Housed in a newly designed, robust chassis, this is a top-of-the-line sound processor for the most demanding high-end installations.”
More about the HELIX NEXT DSP ULTRA XT
In the "In-Car High-End Component" category, the three-way BRAX MATRIX ML28 PRO / ML80 PRO / ML165 PRO system took the win. The EISA jury's verdict:
"While the appearance of these speakers is one of understated elegance, this three-way system from Brax's Matrix series is a prime example of the brand's no-effort-spared approach to hi-fi design and delivers a best-in-class performance. Comprising the ML28 PRO, ML80 PRO and ML165 PRO models, it builds upon years of development in premium materials, such as the multi-layer, lightweight carbon-fleece cones for the woofer and midrange drivers, and the coated 28mm silk dome of the ML28 PRO tweeter. In conjunction with ‘Made in Germany’ manufacturing quality, the result is an exceptional in-car system offering supreme linearity and sonic fidelity. Once installed, it reproduces any genre of music with precision, and captivates the listener with its dynamics, musicality and wealth of detail.”