WAILUKU, Hawaii, December 7, 2024—Certified Sounds, a multi-award-winning audio/video retailer and Hawaii’s premier A/V dealer, held the Grand Opening of its new home-audio showroom with live demonstrations of Marantz’s new 10 Series, Horizon, and Grand Horizon products.
“The event was a rousing success,” said Derek Pace, owner and founder of Certified Sounds. “It featured live demonstrations of Marantz’s new Model 10 integrated amplifier, Model 10 SACD player, and LINK 10 Streamer, all through Bowers & Wilkins 801 Signature loudspeakers in California burlwood finish. We also debuted Marantz’s new and very exciting Horizon and Grand Horizon high-performance wireless loudspeakers.”
Certified Sounds is serious about enhancing people’s quality of life with the addition of premium audio and video equipment in people’s homes and businesses. Their new showroom was built to do something unique in Hawaii: to deliver high-performance listening experiences through equipment that is easy and enjoyable to use. To do this, Certified Sounds takes great care to partner with some of the very best brands in the industry, including Marantz, Denon, Bowers & Wilkins, JL Audio, Luxman, and Tributaries, to name just a few.
“We have been in business here on Maui for 24 years, specializing in high-performance audio and video for vehicles,” said Pace, “but our customers kept asking if we could work on their homes, too. I’m pleased to say that we now offer that service, on a par with the same level of quality we offer our mobile customers.”
More than 50 people attended to enjoy music, food, and drink. “It’s exciting to have such a mix of people come from Oahu, the Big Island, and all over Maui to spend time with us and experience the best-in-class audio from Marantz and Bowers & Wilkins,” Pace continued. “The new Horizon and Grand Horizon models are huge hits with customers.” The 10 Series of reference products, and the Horizon and Grand Horizon models, deliver high-performance wireless sound from a package worthy of the Marantz name.
“I was told, ‘If you build [the new showroom for home audio], customers from all over Hawaii will come’—and they did!” Pace concluded, adding that feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive. Certified Sounds is excited to host its next event in 2025.
For more information about Certified Sounds and their new audio/video showroom, please visit their website: www.certifiedhifi.com.
Christopher Simpson comes aboard as Lead Installation Technician
WAILUKU, HI -- August 20, 2019 — Certified Sounds, the leading car audio retailer on the Island of Maui, HI, announces Christopher Simpson as the new Lead Installation Technician. Christopher comes to Certified Sounds with more than 21 years of experience having held positions in both retail installation and manufacturer’s technical support roles at companies including VOXX and Mobileye.
Like company founder Derek Pace, Simpson holds both MECP Master and ASE A6 technician credentials which was a key factor in the decision to bring him aboard. “We focus on bringing in staff members who have a long term outlook on improvement in their professional career goals. Christopher having acquired those MECP and ASE certifications is a very important achievement," Pace said. "As we continue to grow we want to attract and retain the very best people.”
“I am excited to continue my career by learning and honing my skills. I love the industry and my goal is to help bring awareness to clients and industry professionals on the importance of continued education,” Simpson said. In addition to his work at Certified Sounds, Simpson will be participating in the MECP Committee as a Subject Matter Expert contributing to the study guides and exam revisions.
As the company grows, Certified Sounds continues to seek qualified and motivated staff members.
Founded in 2000, Certified Sounds is the premier car audio retailer on the Island of Maui in Hawaii. In 2018 the company expanded into high-end two-channel home audio, home automation and home theater to continue serving their diverse clientele. Founder Derek Pace is an MECP Honorary Master and also holds an ASE A6 certification. Pace is a member of the CTA’s Automotive Technology Division (ATD) Board and is a past member of CTA’s Board of Industry Leaders (BIL).
For more information, please visit www.certifiedsounds.com.
Certified Sounds of Maui is Expanding and Growing
WAILUKU, HAWAII, October 3, 2016 – Certified Sounds is an upscale specialist car electronics retailer on the Island of Maui in Hawaii. President and Founder, Derek Pace, is moving forward with long-term goals to expand and grow the company including a brand new, purpose-built facility and hiring a new GM to lead day-to-day operations.
Maui and all the Hawaiian Islands are well-known for outrageous real estate prices, something that can challenge the growth of any small business. “We purchased in 2015 after seeking a site for several years that would accommodate the facility we wanted to build from the ground up and still be accessible to the commuter traffic that frequents our area of the island. We finally found an ideal location and will be breaking ground soon. In all we’re investing over 1 million dollars” explained Pace.
In the new facility, which will be about triple the current size of his 2700 sq.ft. location, Pace plans to outfit the location with innovative display and work areas for his already successful automotive electronics business. “We will construct a client-friendly showroom that’s reminiscent of an Apple® store as well as a completely new custom wood shop, metal fab shop and upholstery room that’ll help us execute product demonstrations and more efficient labor utilization” says Pace. Certified Sounds does a great car audio business and will continue to grow the safety and driver assist categories for their client base. “Introducing new technologies with real-world demonstration capability will always be a priority for our clients’ awareness and experience” concluded Pace, whose CTA involvement in the Board of Industry Leaders (BIL) sparked the idea to broaden the store’s clientele reach.
In addition to the robust aftermarket car electronics business, Certified Sounds will also expand into product categories that bring in a broad range of new technology consumers. “We will offer a variety of select new consumer products including high resolution home audio and video, sound bars, portable and Bluetooth™ speakers, headphones, digital cameras, and eventually getting into health/fitness and wearables categories” continued Pace of the company’s future plans. He envisions Certified Sounds as a one-of-a-kind premier electronics and technology destination for Maui consumers.
To help drive this growth and development, Pace brought in an industry veteran Jay Oliphant to assume the role of General Manager and oversee daily retail operations. Jay has over 23 years of deep industry experience in installation, client relations and management. Among Jay’s career achievements are magazine and SEMA Show featured builds, IASCA and MECA judging, as well as deep expertise in OEM audio integration and system tuning with advanced DSP integration devices. Jay was most recently involved in a successful central California-based retail and B2B services specialty 12v retail store for the past 10 years before coming to Certified Sounds. “Jay will help evolve and shape our mission statement. Hiring a higher level employee like Jay is an investment into the business and in someone who has the same long-term goals and outlook as I have” commented Pace.
For more information and to follow the exciting company expansion, visit www.certifiedsounds.com or find them on Facebook at certifiedsoundsmaui.