Oklahoma City, OK, May 15, 2017 -- DD Audio hosted dealers, partners and employees for the First Annual DD Invitational on Saturday May 13, 2017. The event gave DD a chance to visit one on one with dealers and vendors, give tours of the new DD headquarters and enjoy some fun in the sun. The festivities also doubled as a DD employee appreciation event.

Dealers were encouraged to bring their sweetest DD-equipped rides to enter some friendly audio and car show competitions. Awards were given to the SPL event champion, best sound quality vehicle, and DD Invitational crowd favorite. The Smokin’ Okies food truck was on site for lunch and Mustang Brewing Company kept the thirst quenched throughout the event. DD Ambassadors, Wayne Varley with The Gold Car and Jabee, were also on site adding to event. 

Overall attendance was a success with dealers and vendors showing up from different areas all across the country. The dealers enjoyed seeing where and how the DD subwoofers are manufactured, and the vendors all enjoyed seeing how they play a role in making things happen around the DD headquarters. Nathaniel Drake of Drake Custom Audio in Ridgeland, SC said, “We’re a fairly new DD Audio dealer, but we’re really glad we were able to attend the event. The entire experience has given us a way better picture of what kind of company DD is, and it’s got us even more excited about the decision to bring the brand into our shop.”

When asked about the event DD’s Sales Manager, Kevin Doyle, said this, “For our first time hosting an event like this it turned out great. I really liked being able to bring vendors, dealers and employees together for a single celebration. The weather was perfect, the food and drinks were awesome. Everyone I spoke to post event said they had a great time, and were ready for next year. The entire staff here at DD Audio appreciates everyone that helps make this brand a success, and we’re excited to make this a tradition and host another invitational next year.”

5-18-2017 -- The beginning of car audio is rooted in the early 1970s when CB radio and 8-track players were a big deal—before the first sound-off events were staged in the late ’80s.

Out on the West Coast, a movement had started. Folks wanted more out of their cars than the standard sonic fare. A group of enthusiasts had an idea about what needed to be done and started building 12-volt audio amplifiers. This was the backdrop for Audiomobile, launched with industry pioneers Paul Starry and Rich Coe at the helm. 

The company name, of course, says it all. “It is a landscape name,” said Matt Overpeck, Vice President of Audiomobile. “It says exactly who we are—audio and mobile—and it is an absolute legacy brand. Many would say it is the genesis of high-end car audio.”

The original Audiomobile from Costa Mesa, Overpeck said, not only put Starry and Coe on the map, but Larry Frederick and other luminaries like John Bishop, who literally wrote the book on high-end car audio. “They had a technical training manual that they published on a quarterly basis that was the vanguard of teaching retailers about audio and stereo,” Overpeck said.

Audiomobile was not only at the forefront of the high-end car audio evolution then, but has managed to survive being bought, shuttered and re-launched. Today, according to the company’s web site, Audiomobile is fully committed to delivering products that represent a “no compromise” philosophy.

 “We have no Internet sales, we do business with no distributors, we are in some respects the antithesis of your typical car audio brand,” Overpeck said. “In fact, we actually say that we’re not a car audio brand, but a solutions-based audio engineering company that develops products for the automotive platform.”

From terminology like the 6-channel (front-rear sub) architecture to the “amp rack” concept, Audiomobile—according to company lore—brought these technologies to the mobile audio world.

These days the company maintains its standing with targeted product offerings, working exclusively with boutique specialty shops that can handle the kind of installs its products demand, said Overpeck, and which also have the discerning clientele that Audiomobile is interested in courting.

“We have been at CES for the last seven years but we always exhibit off-site because we’re not interested in the typical tire kickers,” Overpeck said, adding that the company also seeks to avoid the drama and excessive costs of CES. “It is a union town so if you want to hang a sign over your booth, it’s 10 grand. The logistics in and out are obscene. It just doesn’t make sense for us since we are incredibly selective about who we do business with. We’re pretty much on an invitation-only basis.”

Turning The Tide

The car audio business over the years attracted many types without much need for credentials, according to Overpeck. “The barriers to entry on any level—manufacturer, retailer, rep—were about as thin as a dime, “he said. “Anyone could get into the game. It attracted a lot of people looking for low hanging fruit. No problem, but then comes 2008 which was a real paradigm shift.”

At that point, people didn’t have a lot of discretionary money, so the only thing that was selling was cheap. “Since a company’s prime directive is to survive, and if the only thing that is selling is cheap, then you’re making cheap stuff,” he said. “As a result that dragged down the average selling price, dragged down reliability, and put a real burden on retailers because then they’re selling to fewer customers at lower prices at lower margins. It was a perfect storm—a triple hit—and it persisted for quite some time.”

Thankfully car audio, and the consumer electronics industry overall, has seen a resurgence and the tide has turned. “People are buying vinyl records and record players again,” Overpeck said. “There is an elasticity to the U.S. consumer buying cycles and mindset. What people have figured out, now that things have stabilized with the economy, is that if they have money to spend—and I am hearing this from lots of retailers—consumers want better quality. They don’t want to buy junk. If you couple that with a car audio industry where retailers are now in the business of integrating into computers on wheels, it has thinned the herd to a large degree.”

Read the rest of the story HERE.

ELGIN, IL, May 14, 2017 – K40 Electronics has announced the promotion of Rachel Clark to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Rachel previously had been National Sales Manager.

“Rachel has, literally, risen through the ranks,” said Peggy Finley, President and CEO of K40. “She started with us in 1999 testing CB radio antennas and working in the warehouse. Eventually, she became a Regional Sales Manager before earning the National Sales Manager position. Her ability to communicate the K40 story, her dedication to the independent dealer and her rich network of relationships among other 12-volt manufactures have been instrumental in the growth and success of K40.”

Clark will assume the day-to-day duties of managing the company from Finley, who started with K40 as a Regional Sales Manager in 1981 moving up the ranks herself before purchasing the company in 2009. Clark will work closely with Debbie Grex, K40’s Vice President of Operations.

“I am grateful for Peggy’s trust, but more than that, I am grateful for her friendship,” Clark said. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead our great team and build on K40’s success.”

Finley concurred, adding, “I’m lucky. Rachel and our entire team have given me the luxury of spending time with my family and my grandchildren. Having such capable leadership and such a solid group in place leaves me fully confident that the K40 will continue to create lasting relationships and great radar products that lead the industry.”

Seattle, WA, May 15th, 2017 – AudioControl (audiocontrol.com), makers of innovative high-performance audio solutions for the residential, commercial and automotive markets recently completed a successful, comprehensive sales and installation training initiative teamed with their regional rep, Jason Digos, principal of Innovative Sales and Marketing. The primary objective of the training sessions, was to educate over 65 Arizona dealers and installers on best practices, procedures and benefits of OEM integration in today’s 12-volt market.

The training, held in a state of the art classroom style environment at Mobile Solutions in Tempe, AZ, focused on the importance of being able to sell and install solutions for OEM integration and how to best present the concept of building a system based on a factory source. For installers, Digos also covered the proper tools and electronic devices required to execute OEM integration for such vital tasks as measuring audio output signal polarity and frequency response. Understanding these basic principles through training will help make it easier for dealers to sell and install AudioControl’s lineup of premium products dedicated to OEM integration.

The training featured step-by-step instruction designed to be emulated by installers once they return to their shops. "It has been our top priority at AudioControl to emphasize training and make sure that our dealers have the resources required to be successful in a challenging marketplace,” said Chris Bennett, National Sales Director, Mobile Audio for AudioControl. “With today’s advanced vehicle telematics systems and complex dashboards, being well versed in OEM integration is an important skill for 12-volt retailers and installers.” 

In the coming weeks, AudioControl will be offering OEM integration training to Audio Express employees in Las Vegas and then a similar initiative at the upcoming PNWCEE show in Seattle, WA on May 22nd and 23rd.

5-17-2017 -- VAIS Technology announces a new upgraded hardware platform for their GSR (General Satellite Radio) devices. The new GSR-U01 is a universal unit that will operate on over 75 different models, 14 brands of vehicles not equipped with SiriusXM satellite radio.

VP of Sales, Dennis Hopper said “one of the biggest challenges our dealers encountered was that they could never stock the right mix of products from VAIS Technology”. VAIS Technology cleaned the slate and went to work on a new improved platform for our satellite radio integration device. Our hardware and software engineers were tasked with the challenge to make one model that would work on most all vehicles. The new GSR-U01 accomplished it.

VAIS Technology states approximately 25% of all new vehicles delivered at the dealerships do not have satellite radio from the OEM’s. With the new GSR-01 now a dealer only has to stock one model to do all of those vehicles.

When its engineers designed the new hardware they also redesigned the GUI (Graphical User Interface) for all vehicles. This new GUI is a better user experience than our last units, so customers can navigate, browse and set the presets much easier. Like past units, the GSR-U01 integrates with the vehicle for a seamless “factory like” solution and uses the factory steering wheel buttons and controls.

Currently, the GSR-U01 is compatible with most vehicles from Fiat-Chrysler America, GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Subaru, Porsche, Nissan, Land Rover, and

Mazda.

"The GSR-U01 leverages a simple firmware update system, which ensures that we can stay on top of the software updates as automakers roll out new vehicle models with new radios says

Eugene Kaspin”, CEO of VAIS Technology. The new dealer portal will allow the latest firmware available. And like our last devices, they are designed, engineered and manufactured here in

Colorado. The new GSR-U01 requires professional installation, so it is currently only available from VAIS Technology dealers. To learn more, visit http://www.vaistech.com/dealer-map/ to contact your

local VAIS Technology dealer. 

May 15, 2017…Houston, TX -- A new force in the emerging ADAS category has announced a launch date of June 1 according to Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Bob Goodman. DriveAssist is a newly created division of Cybcar America, an established leader in vehicle specific integration solutions.

DriveAssist will operate as a separate entity within the Cybcar corporate structure and offer a diverse portfolio of advanced vehicle solutions including Power Liftgate kits, Blind Spot Detection systems, OEM Fit DVR systems, a Multi-Function 8” Mirror featuring iGO Mapping Software, Bluetooth and rear camera input. Also offered will be an assortment of special application Cameras and Monitors. But the real game changer will be the industry’s first “Lifetime Warranty” on all products, when purchased from an authorized reseller.

To drive the Business Development efforts, DriveAssist is led by industry veteran Bob Goodman. Bob has been an active ambassador in the emerging Driver Awareness & Vehicle Safety category including sales management positions with category leaders such as Rostra Precision Controls and Rydeen Mobile Electronics. DriveAssist will expand on Cybcar’s current portfolio of OEM quality ADAS products while focusing on the expeditor and 12 volt specialists channel.

“We are excited to have a sales & marketing professional of Bob’s caliber join our team, “said Benjimin Ng, Vice President, Cybcar America. His 30 plus years’ experience as a senior manager in our industry will prove to be invaluable in launching our new brand, DriveAssist. Our Cybcar business has reached a critical mass that demands more diversity in products and an increase in our infrastructure to satisfy our existing and future customers, Bob, heading up DriveAssist will chart our direction and insure our customers’ expectations are not only met but exceeded”, added Benjimin Ng”.

“Cybcar, under the direction of Benjimin Ng has established itself with 12 volt specialists and expeditors as the leading supplier of OEM integration solutions for the automotive aftermarket,
said Bob Goodman, Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

DriveAssist will share a few of the innovative products existing under the Cybcar brand but DriveAssist’s primary focus will be on introducing new ADAS solutions for the top tier of 12 volt specialists and expeditors. The lineup will feature a category I’m very excited about, Power Liftgate kits, including applications for dozens of vehicles.

Additionally, it will have wireless solutions that are actually integrated into the components and not merely add-ons to existing products. The Lift-EZ™ Power Liftgate Kits will have an MSRP of $1099, the Stealth Vue™ line of OE fit Dash Cams will have an MSRP of $249-$299, the multi-function IQ Mirror™ has an MSRP of $679. Additionally, it will offer multiple “Blind Spot” solutions including the Sidespotter™ OE fit Blind Spot Camera system and CAN Bus Microwave Detection system, priced at $749 and $549 MSRP respectively. "I’m currently selecting manufacturers’ representatives and discussions are being setup with the premiere 12-volt specialty retailers in North America. I’m confident 2017 is the “Tipping Point in the ADAS category and DriveAssist will supply products unavailable elsewhere," added Goodman. The website will be functional on June 1.

DriveAssist has already secured booth space at SEMA 2017.

Oklahoma City, OK, May, 10  2017 -- The anticipated DD Audio “Upgrade Your Sound™” retail audio displays are now shipping to authorized DD dealers across the nation. DD is offering multiple display configurations enabling their dealers to pick the version that best suits their needs. The displays will be available in freestanding and wall mounted versions. All versions will showcase some of DD’s core products for upgrading OEM and sub par aftermarket audio systems along with an LCD display for showing informative product videos and marketing materials.

 The displays will be aesthetically coordinated with DD’s current Upgrade Your Sound™ marketing campaign which includes promotional items, in-store product posters, and apparel. All products on the displays will be active allowing customers to hear and play with different combinations of products. 

 The freestanding version will be constructed of high-grade MDF with an auto grade PPG painted finish. It will also be mounted to heavy duty casters giving dealers the ability to easily move the display for store events. 

 For the wall mounted version, DD has partnered with Avidworkx, a provider of leading edge retail consulting and display design, to bring dealers a display program with multiple configuration options. Dealers can get more details on the DD Audio/Avidworkx display program at http://www.avidworx.com/dd-audio/.

 To further incentivize dealers to dedicate a piece of prime showroom floor real estate to a DD Audio display, DD is offering a showcase program. The program will include FREE display product with the purchase of backing product, plus a 5% Volume Incentive Rebate will be offered for the first year. The showcase program will help to defray the dealer’s initial investment in the display. The Upgrade Your Sound displays are currently available for order. You can contact a DD Audio Sales Representatives for more information on the displays and the showcase program.

City of Avon Lake joins DEI to host free Cruise-in car show at new location

Avon Lake, Ohio (May 10, 2017)…DEI hosted its first cruise-in last year to such success that the City of Avon Lake, Ohio took notice and asked to join in for this year’s event. Combining forces, they plan to make the 2nd Annual Cruise-in the best ever with a new more visible downtown location at the Weiss Field.

Like last year, there will be a collection of hot rods, lifted trucks, classics and race cars to view. Many Team DEI race teams will be on hand to show off their race cars and talk to the public.

The event, free and open to the public, is scheduled for Saturday, June 10 beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding at 5:00 p.m. at a new location - Weiss Baseball Fields located at 33401 Webber Rd. A rain date has been set for Sunday, June 11 in the event of inclement weather.

The GeezCats will provide musical entertainment featuring classic songs of the pre-Beatle days of the late 50s and 60s, followed by entertainment from Its Show Time D.J. services. Later in the day, Revolution Pie, a popular Beatles tribute band will perform. Jones Bones BBQ will be on site with tasty barbeque. Also this year, the cruise-in will feature Fountain Blue Food Trucks, Brick Oven Pizza, and an ice cream truck for cool delicious treats. Like last year there will be raffles, dash plaques, and DEI merchandise available for sale in a new and improved vendor area.   A 50/50 raffle will be held during the Cruise-In to benefit the Love-A-Stray Animal Shelter.

Tom Miller, DEI director of marketing and sales, says, “Last year’s event was a phenomenal success. We are very appreciative of the support we have from the City of Avon Lake. Our goal to build on this event every year and connect with all the enthusiasts we have in Ohio that have a passion for automotive.”

For more information about DEI’s Cruise-In event, visit www.DesignEngineering.com, call 800-264-9472, or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To keep up with the very latest DEI product introductions and company news connect on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or subscribe to DEI’s You Tube channel.

5-10-2017, Mobile Electronics -- A bird of prey has many functions. These functions change based on the surrounding environment. To survive, the bird must rely on its instincts and natural abilities to catch food. The method of catching food, however, is almost always different. Land-based predatory birds require different strategies than water-based predators. The birds in these varying landscapes go by different names, which include fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk, fish hawk and one other—osprey.

Much like its namesake, 12-volt retailer Osprey has earned its name by adapting to an ever-changing environment in its 32 years of doing business. The Westwood, Mass. location operates out of Boston's South Shore community, where car audio is only a fraction of its daily workload. The company goes by a different name, Boston Truck & Van, to cater to its fleet business installing ladder racks, van shelves, emergency lighting and GPS tracking. This work is done not just for small businesses like plumbing and electrical, but for local municipalities like police and DEA vehicles.

Since opening its doors, the company has adapted to declining revenue in one category by venturing full-force into another. That journey began in a completely different market, far from a standard 12-volt operation.

"In 1985, there was a new thing coming to Boston called cellular. We were the very first cellular telephone dealer in the Boston area," said Jeff Maron, owner of Osprey and Boston Truck & Van. "The book ‘Who Moved My Cheese’ is our creed. When the cheese gets moved, you have to find more cheese or you're going to die. The cellular telephone business was such a good thing that those companies (like Verizon and AT&T) opened their own stores. At that time we started doing alarms and remote starts, which became our new cheese. A little while later, my son Jason came in and said 'We are going into the stereo business with cassette players, CD changers, dealer work and personal work in customers’ cars.'"

For the last five years, the company has profited greatly by using Adrian Steel, a local supplier of ladder racks and other installation components that Boston Truck & Van uses in its fleet and B2B installation work. 

"We're doing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of business. Now we're off the Automile and in a new facility," Maron said. "This new facility is outstanding. Now we can house nine vehicles at a time. It has two dedicated bays for electronics and the rest dedicated to van shelving and ladder racks."

A Larger Wing Span

To be in business for 32 years means the necessities of your business will likely grow. More work means more space is needed to accommodate more vehicles. Today, the store does work with 80 car dealerships and has fleet vans lined up outside the bay with an average of seven in the bay at any given time.

"Were totally out of space and needed a bigger parking lot. By doing business with so many dealerships and different brands, whether it be Ford, Ram or Mercedes, we fish in a lot of ponds," Maron said. "It's all about needs over want. It's not a kid who wants a car stereo. It's a plumber who needs lighting in his van to work more efficiently or GPS to get to his next job. We talk about needs selling all the time."

The new location consists of 11,600 square feet of space, with 6,000 for the warehouse and garage, two showrooms of 1,500 and 800 square feet each, and the rest made up of offices, employee break room, customer waiting room, electronics stock room, four bathrooms, and a kitchen.

The store is a traditional retail shop, fully stocked with product, and offers a focused product offering that includes Kenwood, Alpine and Directed for 12-volt products, Whelen lighting for emergency vehicle lighting and Adrian Steel for ladder racks and shelves.

Located south of Boston, Mass., right off of the busy I-95 highway, the store sits in the middle of a shopping center called University Station which sees thousands of people pass through daily. 

To make the shop's recent transition to its new location a seamless experience, Maron emphasized the importance of what he calls "The Five P's."

"Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. People's plans don't fail, they fail to plan. If you are working in the new facility while still cleaning out the old facility, it's good planning," Maron said. "The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary. If you plan for it, when you move into the new building it's like you've been there all along." 

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Murfco Earns “Rep of the Year”, Ultimate Entertainment Earns “Grinder of the Year EAST”, Momentum Earns “Grinder of the Year WEST”, and MAG Sales Earns “Rookie of the Year”

TEMPE, Ariz., – May 9, 2017 – CrimeStopper (www.crimestopper.com) has announced that it has named its Reps of the Year across multiple categories.

“CrimeStopper takes choosing the best of its already best in class sales team very seriously,” said Alvin Klement, national sales manager for CrimeStopper. “We are fortunate to work with top notch firms, so it is important that we not only outline what we expect from our team, but we also recognize what also makes them stand out on a daily basis. We see that extraordinary effort, enthusiasm, customer service, professional accord, margin, and will to win are every bit as important as pure volume in their respective territories. We are pleased to congratulate our partners today and excited to work with them into tomorrow.”

2017 Reps Award Winners include:

“Rookie of the Year” is awarded to MAG Sales

“Mike Sajecki and team hit the ground running with CrimeStopper, attacking the largest distributor in their markets and attaining their quarterly goal in one shot,” explained Klement. “They knew to make the line successful, and fast fulfillment/JIT was very important. They are an asset to the team and we are excited to see how they build on their early success. This is a team to watch out for in 2017 as they get settled in.”

“Grinder of the Year” in the east goes to Ultimate Entertainment

“This is the first year working with Dan Fischer,” said Klement. “He has come out of the gate firing on all cylinders. Not only has he achieved his sales goals but he, like others on this short list, does the little things well, too. He services his customers, he visits them monthly, he constantly presses them out of their comfort zone by trying different categories and goes beyond normal duties to ensure they get the best possible experience. Dan knows only doing what is expected won’t get him to the top. Can’t wait to see year two.”

“Grinder of the Year” in the west goes to Momentum Sales & Marketing

“Second year Grinder award winner!” exclaimed Klement. “Momentum, lead by Hector Mena, Jimmy Bradfield, and new to the team, Shawn Simpson, continues to press for every customer they do business with. They also continually hunt for new customers in their respective markets. This first-class team strives to be the best each and every day, not just the end of the month or quarter. This team smashed their sales goal for 2016 and we cannot wait to see what they do in 2017 and beyond.”

“Rep of the Year” is awarded to MURFCO

“This three-man team…owner Dan Murphy, and right hand men Randy Bowen and Steve Parsley…have achieved the triple double!” continued Klement. “Having the most number of independent dealers in the U.S. in their territory, they also added the most amount of new accounts this year (distributor and independent), had the highest yielding margin, and accomplished our sales goals. Murfco practices being best in class, just like Rockford Corp does. They exemplify what we want all our team members to do and that is why we have chosen them as our Rep of the Year for 2017.”

Klement concluded, “This was not an easy list to choose. We are counting on all of our reps to provide the best service possible to dealers in their respective markets. We are looking for 2017 to be another breakout year for CrimeStopper, and are excited to have this team in the field promoting our complete product portfolio.”

For more information, visit www.crimestopper.com.

Holly Hill, FL - May 2017 – Metra’s popular aftermarket lighting accessories brand, Heise, has upgraded their replacement headlight kit product line to include many improved features. This product line is designed to replace weaker factory headlights with brighter, low current consuming LED bulbs.

Heise offers 20 different models to meet the demands of the most popular vehicle headlight sizes. New improvements to these high quality headlight kits make them brighter and even easier to install, in addition to offering more benefits to the installer and consumer. The new LED headlight kits now offer even brighter light bulbs, increasing from 22 watts per bulb to 25 watts, and increasing the lumens from 4400 to 6000. The chipset has also been upgraded to use the 2nd Generation Phillips ZES chipset.

Product improvements benefiting the installer include a new, more compact radial heatsink that requires less depth of space, making it easier to install in tight spots. External components that previously required the installer to find a place to put a “ballast” have also been redesigned. That “ballast” that housed the voltage and current monitoring circuits are now inside the compact radial heatsink housing and protected from the elements. This new design change makes installation cleaner and easier.

Also included in the new improvements is the ability to change the standard 6500K light bulb color to 3000K or 8000K with included films. This feature is available on sixteen headlight kit models, and allows installers and distributors to offer three different color choices in one kit for their customer, while carrying fewer product SKUs in their inventory. Fourteen of the new models also offer the ability to rotate the bulb to adjust the beam pattern for the vehicle. Additionally, sixteen of the new models now offer a IP67 rating that makes them even more water resistant, with the other four models having a water resistant rating of IP65.

To learn more about the changes between the previous and new product line, download our product comparison flyer at: http://metraonline.com/files/products/LED_HEADLIGHT_COMPARISON.pdf

5-9-2017 -- Rydeen Mobile Electronics is now releasing its new entry-level lineup of mirrors and cameras brand, RoadGear Mobile. The new RoadGear brand which comes in stylish and colorful gift boxes, is now shipping from the Rydeen Mobile facility in Torrance, CA. 

“Rydeen has the reputation as a high quality brand of safety products, however, our customers have been asking for product with entry level price points. The new RoadGear brand gives Rydeen presence in the entry level category and will be important to meeting our customer demand and increasing market share for Rydeen,” stated Mike Northup, Director of Sales and Marketing for Rydeen Mobile.

The line-up includes three new Rear View Mirrors with monitors. 

• RN03 is a 3.5”navigation mirror monitor with Bluetooth hands-free.
• RB01 Bluetooth hands free mirror with 4.3” monitor.
• RM02 low cost entry mirror with 4.3” monitor. 

All three models have inputs for a rear view back up camera.  In addition to the rear view mirrors, RoadGear includes two rear view monitors: 

• The SM70 is a 7” monitor and the SM50 is a new 5” monitor.

Back up cameras are an integral part of the RoadGear brand, which includes the following:

• RC1 Mini camera with HD CMOS
• RC2 Keyhole camera with wing mount for convertible options plus HD CMOS with night vision
• RC3 Mini LED camera with white lights for improved night vision
• RC4 “LIP” camera with Night Vision Technology, surface mount installation, mirror image & 90 degree flip option
• LB1 Hidden License Plate bracket
• LP5 License Plate camera with white LEDs for Night Vision

All the RoadGear back up cameras include optional parking lines On/Off.

Also included in the RoadGear brand is a variety of commercial cameras, ultrasonic parking sensors and a huge selection of Mirror Mounting Systems and accessories.

For more information on the new RoadGear brand call the Rydeen Mobile Sales department at 1-877-777-8811.  The newwww.RoadGearMobile.com website is coming soon.

5-8-2017 -- Memphis Audio’s new MOJO Pro speakers are now shipping to dealers across the country.  These pro component speakers received a complete overhaul in 2017 and now are louder than ever, according to the company. 

Mojo Pro component speakers are designed to scream and push extreme highs and mid bass to complement even the most overbearing subwoofer setups. The 8” and 6.5” speakers are capable of handling an impressive 125W RMS and 200W RMS, respectively, thanks to their accordion cloth surrounds allowing for extreme excursion and overbuilt mechanics.These new speakers feature a reinforced paper cone allowing for the loud performance and crisp sound that is essential for a quality pro component system. 

The new MOJO pro speakers received a cosmetic and performance overhaul which is noticeable at first look.  A large copper phase plug now prominently sits in the center of the woofers which not only gives a high end look and feel but also extendsthe frequency response by guiding the waves towards the listener resulting in a performance enhancement. The woofers also feature an aggressive thick wide mesh grill giving it a beefed up impressive look that consumers love, according to the company.

Another addition to the MOJO Pro line is a full component set featuring 6.5” Mojo Pro woofers, crossovers and Memphis Audio’s new MJPHT tweeter.  This new model of tweeter is a slightly more budget-friendly addition to the MOJO pro line which can also be purchased separately. This raw aluminum tweeter is still capable of throwing out impressive highs but at a slightly lower price point than the Memphis MOJO Pro MJPT tweeters that enthusiasts of loud love.  MOJO Pro component speakers are now available individually or in the 6.5” component set at Memphis Audio dealers around the country.

Model Numbers:

MJP82: 8” Component Speaker 200/400W

MJP62: 6.5” Component Speaker 125/250W

MJP62C: 6.5” Component Speaker Set W/ Crossovers and MJPHT Tweeters

MJPHT: 3.5” Tweeter 50/100

Lehighton, PA - May 5, 2017 - Dave MacKinnon has been promoted to editor in chief and manager of BestCarAudio.com at 1sixty8 media, according to Mitch Schaffer, founder and Head Troublemaker of the company.

McKinnon has been a household name in the mobile enhancement industry for nearly three decades. For many years, he was the senior technical editor of Performance Auto and Sound magazine, where he was responsible for more than 450 published product reviews. An audiophile at heart, McKinnon realized this passion when he served as an IASCA judge for many years.

Most recently, McKinnon has been working at Clarion Canada Inc. as product manager. He was responsible for the development of several dozen unique products exclusive to the Canadian market, as well as technical support, creative writing and all aspects of product training.

MacKinnon has been freelancing with 1sixty8 media for nearly two years, and this promotion brings him into a senior management role within the company. His responsibilities at 1sixty8 media will include managing all written content for the company and its clients. He also will run the BestCarAudio.com division, which includes 1sixty8 media’s Resource Library and CoOp3.0 products. He will work directly with vendors to create high-quality product spotlights that will receive placement on relevant industry websites.

“It has been a pleasure to work with and learn from the team at 1sixty8 media over the past few years,” said MacKinnon. “Their commitment to the industry and their clients is impressive. I am honored to have been asked to join the team on a full-time basis. I look forward to more interaction with our clients and industry vendors. It has been truly humbling to see how our work positively affects the success of our clients.”

The new speakers are the first in a family of components with the Alpine ID sound system philosophy

Torrance, Calif. (May 8, 2017) - Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. is now shipping its premium X-Series speakers.  The speakers are the first in a family of components to establish the new “Alpine ID” sound philosophy.

Alpine ID

Alpine’s top sound engineers from all over the world gathered in the Alpine Iwaki, Japan headquarters to critically evaluate in-car sound from aftermarket and high-end factory systems.  While many of these systems were able to perform with wide dynamic range and at sufficient volume levels, there was a lack of reality of instruments, but most predominantly in most systems, a lack of spatial imaging.  As a result, Apine ID was born to address this need.

Alpine ID, which stands for “Alpine: Image Defined,” is Alpine’s new global philosophy with an evolutionary approach for solving what’s missing in most car audio systems these days:  great spatial imaging and depth of stage.  The Alpine ID philosophy centers on developing matched sound systems that work together to create a highly realistic sound stage with great dynamic range and sound quality.  The matched sound system components allow the listener to experience a new level of realism and engagement while enjoying music in their vehicle.  In other words, the listener can experience the music as the artist originally intended.  The X-Series speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers create the foundation of sound system components that will feature Alpine’s new sound philosophy.

X-Series Speakers

There are three new X-Series speakers, the X-S65C 6.5-inch Component 2-Way Speakers, the X-S65 6.5-inch Coaxial 2-Way Speakers, and the X-S69C 6x9-inch Component 2-Way Speakers.

The all-new designs are built for maximum linear motor force for realistic reproduction of any type of sound source.  They complement the X-Series amplifiers to produce powerful and clear sound that is realistic and balanced.  Premium materials were meticulously selected to contribute to the overall performance of the X-Series speakers:

• New radial neodymium motor structure: A pole-type neodymium magnet positioned inside the voice coil (as opposed to outside) creates an improved magnetic circuit with less loss for more efficient power delivery.  Since the magnet is smaller than conventional designs, it allows the depth of the X-Series speakers to be much more shallow and thereby compatible with more vehicles.
• New nanofiber cone: The small-diameter nanofibers create a cone structure that is lightweight and rigid, for increased sound accuracy.  Nanofiber cones also have good internal damping, so residual energy decays quickly without distorting the original music tones.
• New carbon graphite tweeter: Alpine chose carbon graphite for the tweeter because it is rigid enough to perform like a hard dome tweeter but maintains the natural sound characteristics of a soft dome tweeter.  The tweeter delivers increased accuracy and extended high frequency range without the harshness that is sometimes associated with hard dome tweeters.

Other premium materials used in the X-Series speakers include a cast aluminum frame for strength, and Alpine’s HAMR (High Amplitude Multi-Roll) surround technology for linear range of operation.

Availability

The X-Series speakers are available now at authorized Alpine retailers, visit www.alpine-usa.comfor the store locator.

X-S65 X-Series 6.5 Inch Coaxial 2-Way Speakers

• CTA-2031 Specifications: 110W RMS, 330W Peak, 4 Ohm
• Frequency Response: 60Hz-40kHz
• 1-inch Carbon Graphite Tweeter
• SRI: $450

X-S65C X-Series 6.5 Inch Component 2-Way Speakers

• CTA-2031 Specifications: 120W RMS, 360W Peak, 4 Ohm
• Frequency Response 60Hz-40kHz
• 1-inch Carbon Graphite Tweeter
• SRI: $550

X-S69C X-Series 6x9 Inch Component 2-Way Speakers

• CTA-2031 Specifications: 120W RMS, 360W Peak, 4 Ohm
• Frequency Response 60Hz-40kHz
• 1-inch Carbon Graphite Tweeter
• SRI: $550

Four classes cover sales, fabrication and store management

WILSONVILLE, ORE., May 8, 2017 (MEDIAWIRE) – Kingpin University (KPU), trainer of mobile electronics sales professionals and installation technicians, announced its training schedule for the remainder of 2017. The four courses span July through October and will cover differing aspects of the mobile electronics business. All courses will take place at the company’s Wilsonville, Ore., training facility.

"Every year teaches us more," said lead instructor Jason Kranitz. "New vehicles bring more installation hurdles. New products give us more ways to deliver a better driving experience. And new techniques that we learn as a result make us better at what we do. The four classes we've lined up for the remainder of 2017 all feature changes and additions that reflect our industry's new challenges and growth opportunities."

The Nucleus installation training course is the company's core program and is open to sales as well as installation professionals, covering a wide array of practices, tools and techniques. The curriculum starts with tips to properly quote jobs and close the sale profitably, and moves into production methods that enhance installations, improve expertise and save time. It will be held July 14-16.

For fabricators, the Advanced Trunk training class provides some instruction on bidding jobs, but primarily focuses on design and construction methods for trunk builds, including metal work, OEM style matching, panel design and grille production. It will be conducted September 23-26. The following weekend, September 28-30, Kingpin University will host its Art of Tuning class, which shows installation professionals how to plan and design car audio systems to achieve optimum playback. It also covers use of testing equipment as well as proper setup of processors of all types.

Just before the fourth-quarter rush, Kingpin University will conduct a class for store owners, designed to implement a profitable management structure that stops them from getting bogged down in minutiae and keeps them available to handle any need or issue. It also provides tested tips on specific situations such as compliance and staffing. The class will be held October 13-14.

The tuition fee for each class includes accommodations and select meals. For more information, contact Kingpin University at (503) 582-1315 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit kingpinuniversity.com.

5-8-2017, Clearwater, Florida -- Phoenix Gold, manufacturer of high performance car audio systems, has started shipping its re-designed product lines, starting with the SX2 series amplifiers. Showcased at CES, the SX2 amplifiers are the first of several more lines to be released this year.

The SX2 series launched with five new amplifiers, spanning from two high-power subwoofer amplifiers to the 1200W six channel amp. Boasting gold heat sinks and stylistic influences from the 90s—a throwback to the design aesthetic that gained Phoenix Gold a cult following, with a modern twist. 

While the exterior may take its inspiration from the 90s, what’s under the hood has been designed and engineered with the latest technology advances and high quality components.  The result is power and precision that true audiophiles demand. 

The new SX2 amplifiers boast innovative car audio technology featuring Phoenix Gold’s very own Bass Shift®, a remote bass and phase controller that allows time alignment for subwoofers in audio builds.  Bass Shift® allows for perfect adjustment of not only the subwoofer level but also 0-180° of phase adjustment from the listening position, enhancing bass response, dynamics and impact at any volume. The chassis also feature double tier power supplies with Onboard Thermal Management to monitors internal temperatures, and make minor adjustments to output power allowing the amplifier to return to normal operating temperatures without interruption.

The New SX2 Amplifier Lineup:

SX2 400.2   400w 2 Channel Amplifier          

MSRP: $360.00

Power Ratings:

100w x 2 Channel @ 4 ohm Stereo

200w x 2 Channel @ 2 ohmStereo 

400w x 1 Channel @ 2 ohm Bridged

SX2 600.1   600w Monoblock Amplifier          

MSRP: $470.00

Power Ratings:

300w x 1 Channel @ 4 ohm

450w x 1 Channel @ 2 ohm

600w x 1 Channel @ 1 ohm

SX2 800.4   800w 4 Channel Amplifier          

MSRP: $550.00

Power Ratings:

150w x 4 Channel @ 4 ohm Stereo

200w x 4 Channel @ 2 ohm Stereo

400w x 2 Channel @ 4 ohm Bridged

SX2 1200.1   1200w Monoblock Amplifier          

MSRP: $660.00

Power Ratings:

600w x 1 Channel @ 4 ohm

900w x 1 Channel @ 2 ohm

1200w x 1 Channel @ 1 ohm

SX2 1200.6   1200w 6 Channel Amplifier          

MSRP: $660.00

Power Ratings:

150w x 6 Channel @ 4 ohm Stereo 

200w x 4 Channel @ 2 ohm Stereo and 250w x 5/6 Channel @ 1 ohm Stereo

300w x 2Channel @ 4 ohm Bridged and 500w x 1 Channel @ 2 ohm Bridged

“Our recent product development is not only a continuation of the legacy that Phoenix Gold has maintained over the decades, but it’s also a solid tech advancement that separates the brand from others in the market. The SX2 amplifiers were engineered for world-class audio quality,” explains Kevin Kuenzie, Senior Product Manager for Phoenix Gold and Stinger.

Phoenix Gold’s full range of SX2 amplifiers is now on sale at authorized Phoenix Gold dealers.

INDUSTRY REMEMBRANCE—David Hatcher

5-3-2017 -- David Hatcher, a longtime employee of Directed and evangelist for the car audio industry, passed away last week.

Mr. Hatcher spent more than twenty-five years in the industry working for companies like Directed, Lanzar Sound, Z-Box, and Classic Car Sound. He started working on custom, high-end home A/V and automotive sound systems in the 1980s and soon realized he had found his passion. Mr. Hatcher specialized in product development, product design and testing, quality control, and speaker design.

He was perhaps best known for a subwoofer enclosure textbook he created that empowered a generation of installers to markedly improve the output of their sub box designs. Throughout his career Mr. Hatcher worked on different brand lines including Orion, A/D/S, Precision Power, Directed Audio, and Xtreme.

John Durbin, Director of Project Management at Directed, said, “Dave was a consummate professional, and by far one of the most knowledgeable guys I've met in this business. His expertise and dedication were key elements of the audio program here, and he was directly responsible for creating many of the innovative, high-performance products Directed brought to market during that period.” 

“Dave will be missed. His passion for the industry still resonates with us to this day,” said Durbin.

Dave had been enjoying retirement after his time in the industry. He is survived by his wife, Lynda.

Full-line manufacturer to benefit from highly respected sales teams in central U.S.

LONG BEACH, CALIF., May 3, 2017 (MEDIAWIRE) – KENWOOD USA announced two new partnerships with professional sales representative firms in the mobile electronics industry: Momentum Marketing, based in Prosper, Texas; and DNR Sales, headquartered in Bloomfield, Minn. The highly-experienced sales organizations specialize in 12-volt auto, marine and power sports products, and will cater to KENWOOD and KENWOOD eXcelon retailers in eight states covering the central U.S. The partnerships enable KENWOOD to provide a higher level of service to its retailers to support product education and sell-through.

"We are pleased to welcome DNR Sales and Momentum Marketing to the KENWOOD family," said Greg Davis, senior sales manager for KENWOOD’s central region. "Both organizations feature strong, dedicated professionals with years of mobile electronics product and installation experience. Best of all, both are well respected in their territories and throughout the industry. We look forward to a highly beneficial relationship focused on the independent specialist."

DNR sales has represented brands for more than 30 years and will service retailers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Run by partners Dan Fashing and Jeff Causton, the firm offers traditional mobile electronics product categories and also specializes in automotive aftermarket components. Momentum Marketing focuses on consumer electronics with home audio as well as mobile audio brands in its offerings. Principals Hector Mena and Matt Kahle and their sales managers will see KENWOOD and KENWOOD eXcelon retailers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. 

The firms will hit the ground promoting KENWOOD's new safety combo of the DMX7704S multimedia receiver and DRV-N520 driver assistance system. Set to ship in May, the duo provides front camera view, lane departure warning, front collision warning and incident recording using a touch-controlled interface, on top of a host of entertainment features. In addition, Team Sales will work to educate dealers on the new XR600-6DSP multichannel amplifier, which combines with the iDatalink Maestro AR to replace the factory amplifier in select OEM integration applications.

Visit DNR Sales at dnrsales.com, and Momentum Marketing at momentumsales.net. For more information, contact Greg Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

5-3-2017 -- The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards 2017 are officially underway with nominations now open. The awards celebrate companies and individuals that best exemplify the highest standards of quality and service excellence. Winners represent the industry at-large to consumers and act as ideal examples to better their peers within the industry.

To begin the nomination process, click the following link and follow the steps: CLICK HERE. 

This awards process begins with the selection of nominees through industry voting. The two main categories of retailers and installers are narrowed down to the "Top 50," then through peer and consumer voting, the list is narrowed to the “Top 12” retailers and installers, and these finalists submit materials to be judged by Mobile Electronics magazine’s editors and select industry judges. The winners are chosen and announced at a special awards ceremony during the Mobile Electronics Group KnowledgeFest event in August.

In addition to those categories, other industry professionals are recognized for their outstanding service. Those categories include Most Improved Retail Chain, Best Customer Retention Program, Expeditor of the Year and new to this year's awards, Salesperson of the Year. 

"It’s been a while coming, but as of this year, the Industry Awards will recognize the in-store individuals who are most responsible for bringing in the revenue and filling up the bay," according to a statement on the official website, meindustryawards.com. "Sales professionals can submit their nomination videos and let indusrty peers and their customers vote for them." 

Additional awards are given for vendors and sales representatives. Vendors and representatives nominate themselves to be included in the industry voting and submit videos and other materials to encourage industry professionals to vote for them. Then the three top vote-getters in each category are considered finalists, with the winner announced at KnowledgeFest.

To learn more about the Industry Awards, visit meindustryawards.com.