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Parasound Halo C2 Processor Review

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by Steve DellaSala — last modified December 07, 2006 06:42
Contributors: Gene DellaSala
Parasound Halo C2 Processor Review

Parasound Halo C1 C2 Processors

Summary

  • Product Name: Halo C 2 Processor Checklist
  • Manufacturer: Parasound
  • Performance Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Value Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Review Date: December 07, 2006
  • MSRP: $4000
Specifications
  • Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, and Dolby PL II
  • THX Ultra2 Certified with THX Surround EX
  • 7.5 Channel Enhanced Surround
    Automatic Digital Audio and Video Input Selection
  • Nine balanced outputs, two balanced inputs
  • Four Audio Only Inputs
  • 7.1 Analog Input for Pure Analog Path
  • Six Audio/Video Inputs
  • 3 Composite Video and 3 S-Video Outputs
  • 2 Assignable Component/RGB Video Inputs
  • 1 component/RGB Video Output
  • BNC to RCA Adapters Included
  • Digital Inputs and Surround Modes are assignable to Sources
  • Component Inputs/Outputs pass 1080i and 720p signals
  • Automatic Calibration of Channel Levels and Delay Times
  • Dual Zone Control with Analog Audio and Composite Video Outputs
  • External IR Input Jacks
  • Three 12V Triggers, two Programmable Events
  • 10 Year Warranty
  • Frequency Response +0 / -3 dB:
  • Digital Inputs: 20 Hz to 42 kHz
  • Analog Inputs: 20 Hz to 22 kHz
  • 7.1 Channel In: 5 Hz to 200 kHz
  • Total Harmonic Distortion
  • All Inputs: <0.002%
  • Signal To Noise Ratio
  • Digital Inputs: 102 dB
  • Analog Inputs: 98 dB
  • 7.1 Channel Inputs: 107 dB
  • Maximum Input Levels
  • Balanced: 35 V rms
  • Unbalanced: 3.6 V rms
  • 7.1 Channel: 8 V rms
  • Maximum Output Levels
  • Balanced: 16 V rms
  • Unbalanced: 8 V rms
  • 7.1 Channel: 8 V rms
  • Video Bandwidth:
  • Composite and S-Video: 30 MHz
  • Component Video: 300 MHz
  • Dimension: 17-1/4" w x 6" h x 16" d C 2
  • Dimension:17-1/4" w x 7-5/8" h x 16" d C 1
  • Net Weight: 18-lbs C 2; 22-lbs C 1

Pros

  • Automatic Speaker Distance Calibration
  • Automatic Speaker Level Calibration
  • Video Pass Through - No Power Required
  • BNC Video Connection Inputs and Outputs
  • Easy to Set-Up
  • THX Ultra2
  • On-The-Fly Channel Trims
  • Preset volume adjustments for analog inputs
  • RS-232 Interface
  • Software Programmable
  • Universal Remote MX-700 with Side-Kick
  • Balanced XLR Inputs and Outputs
  • 10-year warranty

Cons

  • No Component Video Up-Conversion
  • No Dolby Pro-LogicIIx (available soon via firmware)
  • No 1394 IEEE Input or Output
  • No HDMI or DVI Inputs (unavailable during the time of design)
  • One Set of Global Speaker Settings
  • Currently Decodes DTS 96/24 as 48kHz
  • Only One Set of Multi-Channel Inputs
  • Analog Bypass only with Balanced XLR Inputs

Introduction

Parasound introduced the Halo C2 and C1 in 2002, and both have been highly regarded among many audiophiles and professional installers not just for sound quality, but also the many unique features they offer. Features such as BNC video connections, video signal pass through (which allows video signals to pass through without the C2 power being on), customizable Aux channels, automatic calibration (which included automatically setting speaker distances and volumes), easy to use set-up menu, firmware upgradeability, software programmable all controlled by a sophisticated Universal MX-700 Remote Control (including a "Side-Kick" Remote), are simply not common place for many processors.
  1. Parasound Halo Overview and Build Quality
  2. Parasound Halo Installation and Connections
  3. Halo C2 Automatic Setup
  4. Halo C2 Video Processing
  5. Halo C2 Listening Tests and Conclusions
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