New flagship speaker line builds on Focal heritage

CAMARILLO, CALIF., November 8, 2018 (MEDIAWIRE) –Orca Design and Manufacturing, U.S. supplier for Focal mobile audio products, announced Focal has been named a CES 2019 Innovation Awards Honoree in the In-Vehicle Audio / Video category for its just-introduced Utopia M premium mobile speaker line. The second generation of the reference-standard Utopia Be line introduced in 2005, Utopia M is the result of three years of ground-up research and development by a dedicated team and a $2.5 million investment, not only in new tooling, but new manufacturing methods.

The Innovation Awards, presented by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and showcased at the association’s annual CES show in Las Vegas, awards products that push the boundaries of technological ingenuity, uniqueness and consumer benefit. (Note: The CES Innovation Awards are based upon descriptive materials submitted to the judges. CTA did not verify the accuracy of any submission or of any claims made and did not test the item to which the award was given.) The Innovations winners were announced Thursday, November 8. Focal made its first presentation of Utopia M at an invitation-only event in November at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas. Guests were able to experience design and build of the drivers firsthand and hear demonstrations in comparison to the Utopia Be line.

“Utopia M builds upon the groundbreaking technologies of its predecessor with changes that reflect today’s vehicle architecture,” said Nalaka Adikari, sales director for Orca. “In addition to the use of its drivers in custom audio systems, the line was optimized to meet the demands of owners who want to get the best possible performance using their factory multimedia center and amplification. The result is a series of drivers that easily replace factory speakers and also deliver exceptional efficiency and frequency response.”

Utopia M consists of five driver options: a dual-mount tweeter, 3.5-inch, 6.5-inch and 8-inch drivers, and a 10-inch subwoofer. The design of the Utopia M line pays homage to French architecture in the cross-hatch basket structure of the drivers, and to the Utopia heritage with its signature red motor.

All drivers are offered separately or in pairs and without passive crossovers, a departure from the previous line’s full system offerings. This enables professional installers to select specific drivers to build a unique sound profile for each vehicle.

The ‘M’ in Utopia M reflects the new M-shaped inverted cone used throughout the line, which offers four major advantages to the speaker performance. The dust cap-less cone lets frequencies develop across the entire surface for increased bandwidth. It also enables more precise tuning during the manufacturing phase to enhance dispersion. In addition, the new shape allows for a larger voice coil, and for that coil to be positioned closer to the speaker surface, resulting in a shallower structure.

The patented, re-imagined tweeter features a one-inch voice coil and grille-protected Beryllium dome that carries the same M-shaped design. It comes with an optional rear-sealing enclosure that can be removed to allow the tweeter to play a wider frequency range.

The 6.5-inch driver features TMD suspension, a patented design that features ribs in the surround which eliminate distortion at key frequencies to balance out the sound. The 10-inch subwoofer includes braided material throughout its progressive spider to help with stiffness and control.

In addition to the Utopia M line, Focal has upgraded its iconic component set. The 165 W-RC is being supplanted by the 165 W-XP, which retains the W-shaped cone of the original woofer but adds the patented TMD suspension and other M performance cues. The 165 W-XP tweeter gets a Beryllium inverted dome protected by an external grille.

Utopia M will be available to Orca retailers in January and will be on display at the 2019 CES in Las Vegas in the Innovation Awards Showcase, as well as in the Orca suite at the Westgate Hotel during CES. For more information on the Utopia M line, visit focal.com.

Based in Southern California for more than 30 years, Orca is a multi-faceted supplier of premium audio brands and components. Orca is the sole U.S. importer and distributor for Focal mobile audio and Gladen-Mosconi. With in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Orca also produces quality products including Blackhole damping materials, Raven pure ribbon tweeters for pro audio applications, and Illusion Audio reference car speakers and subwoofers. For more information, visit our website at orcadesign.com.

EISA Award-Winning Vehicle Tuning Package Makes Its Debut at KnowledgeFest

DALLAS, August 17, 2018 (MEDIAWIRE) – Orca Design and Manufacturing today introduced the new Mosconi Gladen Aures vehicle tuning system at the 2018 KnowledgeFest trade show and education conference in Dallas. The introduction comes on the heels of the Aures being recognized with the In-Car Innovation Best Product award for 2018-2019 by EISA, the Expert Imaging and Sound Association. Aures is unique because it is the first tuning package to use two microphones to measure sound, with each microphone located in the ear of the tuning technician.

Aures is a hardware solution that features a headphone set with high-quality microphones built into the in-ear pieces. It can be used as a standalone system or in conjunction with Mosconi’s DSP (Digital Sound Processing) products such as the new (and also award-winning) Pico 8|12 DSP. When connected to the DSP, the system gives the tuning technician options for manual or semi-automatic adjustments. To further tune the system to a driver’s tastes, measurements can be made while the vehicle is in motion to account for road noise and vibration.

“It’s a simple solution, really,” said Nalaka Adikari, sales director for Orca. “After any vehicle tuning process, no matter if you use microphones or software, the customer listens to the result from the driver’s seat, in stereo, at headrest level. It only makes sense that two microphones, located exactly where the drivers’ ears would be, would deliver the most accurate representation of music and content from the car audio system. We are pleased and excited to introduce this solution to the industry at KnowledgeFest.”

Orca envisions the Aures as an in-store tool that technicians will use to perfect and streamline their tuning processes, as well as introduce the procedure to retail stores that have yet to employ the practice. It will be available for shipment in October. For more information, visit mosconi-america.com.

Based in Southern California, Orca acts as importer/distributor, designer and manufacturer for a variety of notable brands. We are the sole U.S. distributor for Focal mobile audio, and import speakers by GLADEN Audio of Germany and Italian-made Mosconi amplifiers. In addition, we design quality products under the Illusion Audio brand, and offer Blackhole damping materials and Raven pure ribbon tweeters for home and mobile installations alike. For more information, visit our website at orcadesign.com.

Four New Firms and Expanded Territories Enhance Retailer Service and Support

CAMARILLO, CALIF., May 15, 2018 (MEDIAWIRE) –Orca Design and Manufacturing announced it has brought on several new sales representative firms through the first quarter. The additions affect 19 states throughout the United States and significantly increase the number of sales professionals available to service Orca retailers in those areas.

Out west, Reil and Associates, run by partners Kevin and Scott Reil, covers retailers in Montana, Eastern Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. Paragon Sales and Marketing has expanded its territory from Southern California to encompass Arizona and New Mexico.

In the east, North Carolina's Tech Marketing takes care of retail outlets throughout South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia in addition to its home state. High Point Sales represents Orca brands in Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and western Pennsylvania. And Trent Partners, run by founder Stephen Trentacoste and President Frank Lombardo, manage Orca brands in metro New York.

"Our goal over the first quarter was to provide a higher level of service to our retailers," said Nalaka Adikari, sales director for Orca. "As a result of these additions, we've increased our on-the-street sales representation from 38 individuals to more than 60. Feedback we've gotten from the field tells us we made the right decisions with the rep firms we chose as partners."

The four new firms join an award-winning group. Several members were recognized by Orca at the company's annual awards dinner during the Consumer Electronics Show. Midwest Sales Group, run by Principal Steve Fahlmark, received Most Improved Territory honors for its performance in 2017. Opus Marketing Group, covering the Mid-Atlantic states, took home the Rep Firm of the Year trophy for the Illusion Audio brand.

Two rep firms doubled up on awards. Texas' Marketing Pros received honors as Rep Firm of the Year for the Gladen Mosconi brand, as well as the Orca Rep of the Year award for best overall performance. And Paragon Sales and Marketing was awarded Rep Firm of the Year for the Focal brand, plus the second annual Bill McKinley award, recognizing the rep firm that was most active and productive in supporting the company’s brands throughout CES.

"We are extremely proud of, and grateful for, the partnerships we have with our rep firms," Adikari added. So far, 2018 has presented its challenges and we continue to meet them with high-performance products and elite sales representation.”

Based in Southern California for more than 30 years, Orca is a multi-faceted supplier of premium audio brands and components. Orca is the sole U.S. importer and distributor for Focal mobile audio and Gladen-Mosconi. With in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Orca also produces quality products including Blackhole damping materials, Raven pure ribbon tweeters for pro audio applications, and Illusion Audio reference car speakers and subwoofers. For more information, visit our website at orcadesign.com.

In-depth course to train technicians on full features of premium vehicle tuning solution

CAMARILLO, CALIF., April 19, 2023 (MEDIAWIRE) – ORCA Design and Manufacturing announced it will hold a training and certification event on the upcoming Gladen GA-BARNIE (Binaural Audio Record Non Interferece Elaborate) sound measurement system, June 1-4, at Mobile Solutions in Tempe, Ariz. The in-depth workshop will be held in conjunction with Mobile Solutions’ MasterTech training module. Participants will be selected by Orca and receive complimentary tuition, meals and hotel accommodation.

The GA-BARNIE debuted at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas and MasterTech Expo earlier this year. The unique system consists of a faux head with built-in microphones at the ear locations. The head is placed in the vehicle to emulate how drivers and passengers receive sound, enabling the technician to precisely tune frequencies and align the timing at which sounds reach the listener. The GA-BARNIE connects to, and works with, DSP-equipped Gladen / Mosconi amplifiers.

“We are very excited about the introduction of the BARNIE system,” said Nalaka Adikari, national sales director of Orca. “This training and first-of-its-kind certification will ensure our technicians fully understand the power and benefits of BARNIE combined with Gladen Mosconi DSP. Our objective is to empower retailers to create accurate and unique sound experiences for their clients.”

The GA-BARNIE will be available to Orca retailers this quarter. For more information, please visit mosconi-america.com.

Special listening event to showcase Grand Utopia EM EVO and Spectral 40th speakers

CAMARILLO, CALIF., August 6, 2019 (MEDIAWIRE) – Orca Design and Manufacturing, exclusive U.S. distributor of French-made Focal car audio products, is partnering with Focal’s home products distributor to create a special listening event at the upcoming KnowledgeFest learning and networking event in Dallas. The duo will present attendees with the opportunity to hear what audiophile writers are calling an industry benchmark: the Grand Utopia EM EVO floor-standing speakers. The listening event, comprising several sessions over the show’s three days (August 9-11), will also include Spectral 40th, a pair of floor-standing speakers that were crafted in celebration of Focal’s 40th anniversary.

Both sets of speakers will be powered by amplifiers and source units from Naim Audio, which has specialized in building audiophile products since 1973. Spectral 40th will be paired with a selection from Naim’s Uniti line, while Grand Utopia will benefit from Naim’s flagship Statement preamplifier and amplifier set, ND 555 network player and NAPS555-DR power supply.

“Our goal in bringing these speakers to KnowledgeFest is threefold,” said Nalaka Adikari, director of sales for Orca. “First, we want to create a memorable experience for attendees by providing the same listening session we present to select retailers on our Focal factory tours. Second, we want retailers to really understand Focal DNA and see how it is shared between the home and car product. And finally, we know that many retailers have affluent customers on the car side, and this may open an opportunity to satisfy those customers in their homes by offering Focal home products.”

If the Grand Utopia listening session is the main event, Focal’s high-end headphone line is the opening act. KnowledgeFest attendees will be able to hear the complete selection of headphones, from the $4,000 Utopia to the $299 Listen headphones.

The listening event is open only to registered KnowledgeFest attendees and will take place in Room C150 at the Dallas Convention Center during exhibit floor hours. Attendees must reserve seats for the 30-minute listening sessions, which take place at the top of each hour. However, the room is open to all attendees in between sessions, when visitors can listen to headphones and ask questions about the audiophile systems. Attendees can reserve online at https://mea-events.as.me/orcalistening.

For more information on KnowledgeFest, visit knowledgefest.org. For information on Orca products and represented brands, visit orca-design.com.

Based in Southern California for more than 30 years, Orca is a multi-faceted supplier of premium audio brands and components. Orca is the sole U.S. importer and distributor for Focal mobile audio and Gladen-Mosconi. With in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Orca also produces quality products including Blackhole damping materials, Raven pure ribbon tweeters for pro audio applications, and Illusion Audio reference car speakers and subwoofers. For more information, visit our website at orcadesign.com.

New products provide one-stop solution for sound control, installation integrity.

CAMARILLO, CALIF., February 19, 2019 (MEDIAWIRE) – Orca Design and Manufacturing announced it has added vehicle and wiring protection products under the Black Hole brand. Now available, the Black Hole Tape line includes several premium options to protect wire routing, affix components and prevent panel damage during installation. The line addition gives authorized Orca brand retailers a complete, one-stop solution to minimize noise and provide OEM-level system integrity.

The Black Hole Tape line suits a variety of applications in various sizes to fit the specific task. For long-term or intensive installation jobs, paint protection tape lets installers protect body panels from dust, debris and liquids. Double-sided tapes come in thin acrylic and high-bond foam to affix components with OEM-level strength and longevity. And interior and exterior harness tapes protect and organize wire runs while maintaining the look and durability of factory harnesses.

“Orca prides itself on supplying premium, high-performance audio components, and our Black Hole accessory line complements our audio products with uncompromising noise elimination and sound absorption,” said Kimon Bellas, president of Orca. “Adding OEM-grade tape and panel protection gives technicians the ability to make what can’t be seen as safe and stylish as what can be seen.”

The product line will be added to the Black Hole website, blackhole-america.com, in the coming weeks. Retailers can request specific product information and pricing from authorized Orca sales representatives, and review the line in the Focal booth during the upcoming KnowledgeFest trade show and education conference, February 23-25 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long, Beach, Calif. For more information on the company, please visit orcadesign.com.

Based in Southern California for more than 30 years, Orca is a multi-faceted supplier of premium audio brands and components. Orca is the sole U.S. importer and distributor for Focal mobile audio and Gladen-Mosconi. With in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Orca also produces quality products including Blackhole damping materials, Raven pure ribbon tweeters for pro audio applications, and Illusion Audio reference car speakers and subwoofers. For more information, visit our website at orcadesign.com.

Marketing Pros also recognized as top Mosconi / Gladen rep firm

CAMARILLO, CALIF., February 12, 2019 (MEDIAWIRE) – When Orca Design and Manufacturing recognized its top independent sales rep firms during its annual awards dinner prior to CES, one of its winners was still yet to be determined. The exclusive U.S. distributor for Focal and North American distributor for Mosconi and Gladen mobile audio products called out its top performers for each brand, in addition to its President’s Award winner, which goes to the best overall performing rep firm. The final award, named after the late Bill McKinley who represented Orca’s brands for 17 years, honors the rep firm with the highest sales during CES.

Marketing Pros, Orca’s longtime rep firm in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, received the top sales award for its work with the Mosconi and Gladen brands. President Pete Daley accepted the award on behalf of his six-person team which includes founder and industry sound-off legend George “Doc Thunder” Reed, as well as Pete’s wife, Kristin Daley.

Paragon Sales and Marketing, founded by Bill McKinley and now led by Principal Wayne Smedile, received honors for its performance representing the Focal brand in its territory of southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii. The 20-year company with a staff of five also took the President’s Award for overall top-performing rep firm, giving Paragon two awards on the night.

It was only after CES had concluded that the Bill McKinley award winner was determined, and Paragon was named the recipient.

“It’s a true honor for us to receive recognition from the brands we serve,” said Smedile. “Our goal is always to be an extension of our manufacturers in taking care of retailers, who are just as much our customers as they are the brand’s customers. Orca and Focal have been great partners, giving us the support needed to provide premium service to retailers. We value the relationship and look forward to another year of growth.”

Additional awards went to online consumer electronics retailer Crutchfield for E-Commerce Retailer of the Year, and Seattle, Wash.-based Car Toys for Multi-Store Retailer of the Year.

“We are very proud of the strong, family-like relationships we have with our rep firms and their people,” added Nalaka Adikari, sales director for Orca. “The awards we give each year show our gratitude to them but still can’t possibly reflect the hard work and dedication they put in on our behalf. Congratulations to Marketing Pros, and congratulations to Paragon for getting the first Orca triple crown.”

Orca will exhibit and train retailers at the upcoming KnowledgeFest industry-only trade show, February 23-25, at the Long Beach Convention Center. For more information on the company, please visit orcadesign.com.

Based in Southern California for more than 30 years, Orca is a multi-faceted supplier of premium audio brands and components. Orca is the sole U.S. importer and distributor for Focal mobile audio and Gladen-Mosconi. With in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Orca also produces quality products including Blackhole damping materials, Raven pure ribbon tweeters for pro audio applications, and Illusion Audio reference car speakers and subwoofers. For more information, visit our website at orcadesign.com.

New models save cargo space while delivering solid bass from dual 10-inch woofers.

CAMARILLO, CALIF., June 6, 2018 (MEDIAWIRE) –Orca Design and Manufacturing, supplier of premium-brand audio components and systems for the vehicle, announced it is shipping two new loaded subwoofer enclosures under the Focal brand. The customized subwoofer systems are designed for late-model Ford and GM-branded trucks and, due to their under-seat design, take up no cargo space while providing tight, accurate bass for any audio system.

The Ford enclosure (Part No. FLAX Ford Dual 10) fits 2011 - 2018 Ford F-Series trucks with the Super Crew cab, as well as 2017-2018 Super Duty truck models. The GM enclosure (Part No. FLAX Chevy Dual 10) is designed for 2007-2018 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models with the Crew Cab. Both feature a seamless, leather-wrapped design with intricate stitching that matches the seat contours, ensuring a perfect fit and factory look.

Each includes two of Focal’s Performance Flax 10-inch subwoofers (part no. SUB P25FS) down-firing in a proprietary box design. Both are damped using Orca’s Black Hole Stuff™ filler and pre-wired for a two-ohm load to a single terminal set.

“We’re very excited to add these new enclosures to our Focal products offering,” said Nalaka Adikari, sales manager for Orca. “Specialty retailers typically build custom enclosures to ensure a custom look and proper air space. With these new models we are able to save fabricators hours of labor and still deliver a fully customized, great-sounding subwoofer enclosure.”

Both enclosures carry an MSRP of $2,300. For more information, contact your authorized Orca representative or call (888) 340-4403.

Based in Southern California for more than 30 years, Orca is a multi-faceted supplier of premium audio brands and components. Orca is the sole U.S. importer and distributor for Focal mobile audio and Gladen-Mosconi. With in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Orca also produces quality products including Blackhole damping materials, Raven pure ribbon tweeters for pro audio applications, and Illusion Audio reference car speakers and subwoofers. For more information, visit our website at orcadesign.com.

Latest collaboration with Mobile Solutions to target advanced-level fabricators and technicians

CAMARILLO, CALIF., September 10, 2018 (MEDIAWIRE) –Orca Design and Manufacturing, in conjunction with installation training facility Mobile Solutions, will sponsor an advanced-level training in its final session of 2018, October 5-9. "Orca Elite" will welcome a select group of technicians from qualifying authorized Orca retailers who have attended at least one of the previous sessions. The purpose of Orca Elite is to provide an enhanced level of fabrication training intended for highly experienced fabricators.

Orca has held four sponsored sessions to date, all at the Mobile Solutions headquarters in Tempe, Ariz. Orca pays for class admission and accommodations for the duration, and supplies equipment and components used in the class vehicle project builds. Attendees leave with a completed class project showcasing their skill, as well as knowledge that leads to higher quality work and more efficient job performance.

In addition to Mobile Solutions President and Lead Fabricator Bryan Schmitt, class instructors for the Orca Elite session include four Installers of the Year: Tom Miller, Chris Pate, Matt Schaffer and Juan Torres. Joining them will be current and multi-time Top 12 Installer Sage Weir. Among other activities, the instructors will split attendees into two teams. Each will build a premium subwoofer enclosure to complement the tower speakers that were built during last year’s competition. The projects, as well as past project vehicles, will be shown at the upcoming KnowledgeFest show and education conference in Long Beach, Calif., February 23-25 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

"When we started the partnership with Mobile Solutions, our goal was to raise the skill level of our dealers so they could represent and install our products with confidence and creativity," said Nalaka Adikari, sales director for Orca. "So far we've had four sessions and we have already seen vast improvements in the work and self-esteem of the attendees, so we consider this collaboration a successful investment. In this final session of the year we will cater to those who have achieved a higher level of expertise and go beyond everything we've taught before."

Invitees will be notified individually. For more information, contact your authorized Orca sales representative.

Based in Southern California for more than 30 years, Orca is a multi-faceted supplier of premium audio brands and components. Orca is the sole U.S. importer and distributor for Focal mobile audio and Gladen-Mosconi. With in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Orca also produces quality products including Blackhole damping materials, Raven pure ribbon tweeters for pro audio applications, and Illusion Audio reference car speakers and subwoofers. For more information, visit our website at orcadesign.com.