Author: 12VoltNews

KICKER Promotes Industry Veteran Deal to Vice President

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STILLWATER, OK (02.11.22) – KICKER is pleased to announce the promotion of longtime employee Bart Deal to Vice President of Product Strategy and OEM.

Deal’s expansive history in the mobile-audio industry began more than 40 years ago in an installation bay. His experiences were further developed in the field as a sales rep, in retail management, and in the customer service and training departments. He has also been a sales manager for several car-audio manufacturers.

Bart Deal, Vice President

“Bart Deal is our newest KICKER VP, and we couldn’t be happier,” said KICKER President and founder Steve Irby. “He has proven himself in management positions here for almost 22 years and has excelled in every one.  Bart is a multi-talented individual with expertise in many diverse areas, so he will be an invaluable addition to our VP Team.”

Joining KICKER in 2000, Deal first served as a regional sales manager and then was promoted to oversee international sales. 

After 15 years of successful sales management for the company, Deal was promoted in 2017 to Senior Director of Product Strategy and OEM. He values the concept of being able to help the company pursue the “next, greatest product coming down the pipe,” as well as providing a forum for coworkers to offer ideas. In his new role as Vice President, the Marine Audio Systems Unit Director and Brand Protection Manager now both report to him, in addition to his previous responsibilities.

“I’ve always been very product-centric,” Deal said. “I saw (product) on more of a global scale – how it works as part of a whole to create great music.  Now my other responsibilities will be focused on my direct reports, ensuring they continue to grow and have paths to grow through.”

Visit kicker.com for more.

Sony Car Audio to Train and Provide Product Demonstrations at KnowledgeFest in Las Vegas

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (02.11.22) – Sony Car Audio will have two demo cars, four trainings, and their entire team at the upcoming Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) KnowledgeFest taking place at the South Point Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from February 18 through February 20. Sony retailers are encouraged to contact their distributor rep or Sony Car Audio team members for a code to register for the event for free.

Booth #601 on the trade show floor will show off Mike Rundel’s Toyota CH-R and Jared Bahley’s Toyota Tacoma, both of which show off complete Sony Mobile ES audio systems, and highlight the extraordinary XAV-9500ES head unit. Attendees will be able to sit in the vehicles for a guided demo of these excellent sound systems.

National Trainer Kris Bulla will provide three trainings for Sony Mobile ES, including some new products that will be released in the near future, and one training highlighting the benefits and support received as a Sony Car Audio retailer. Attendees are encouraged to register ahead of time by clicking the training links below:

Sony Dealer Support Training

Sony Mobile ES Trainings

For more information, contact Kris Bulla at kris.bulla@actionlink.com.

DAS Announces Date for CE Trade Show & Sale

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PALMYRA, PA (02.10. 22) – DAS Companies Inc., the 12 Volt Consumer Electronic industry’s premier Mid-Atlantic distributor, announces their CE Trade Show & Sale date, May 4 & 5th, 2022. Now called DAS 2022 Showcase, the May show will continue the tradition as the largest CE show on the East Coast.

The Lancaster Marriott At Penn Square will be the site of the DAS CE Trade Show and Sale

The DAS 2022 Showcase merges DAS’s annual Trade Shows into one ground-breaking experience for all Dealers. This invitation-only show will take place at the Lancaster Marriott in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, providing Dealers, for the first time, an in-depth opportunity to experience the company’s entire brand portfolio. The show will include thousands more SKU’s, never presented in one show before now, allowing Dealers to expand business opportunities, develop new relationships, and provide additional sales solutions to complement core business strategies.

DAS Companies, Inc., a full-service marketing and global supply chain portfolio company, will showcase products they design, import, and distribute during this two-day event. Dealers will have the opportunity to view the latest in automotive accessories, travel merchandise, and mobile electronics for the on-the-go consumer and better visualize and experience various channel outlets, including Travel Centers and Heavy Duty Trucking centers. All this is on the same show floor as Electronics and Specialty Retailers and Dealers. 

“We are so excited to share the entire DAS library of business solutions to our Dealers who may need additional solutions at a time like this, to pull in new business,” said Rex Berfield, National Sales Manager. “This is the first time our Dealers will get to see all of our different opportunities for them,” Berfield added.

“This combined event provides us with the opportunity to host all our customers in one location and to showcase new selling solutions and innovations for all markets we serve,” said Steve Birli, Vice President of Travel Centers. “I expect everyone to get new ideas to help them grow their businesses,” added Birli.

For further information, please contact DAS at 717-964-3642 or online at www.DASinc.com.

Bill Jackson to Present State of the Industry at MasterTech Expo

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TEMPE, AZ (02.10.22) – Mobile Solutions announced that Bill Jackson, president, and CEO of Rockford Corporation, will present a State of the Industry address at the first annual MasterTech Expo, scheduled for March 6-9 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Ariz. The presentation will take place on the last day of the show, preceding the MasterTech Build-Off awards ceremony sponsored by Rockford Fosgate.

Jackson will share his thoughts on keys to success in our complex and constantly evolving business landscape. He will also discuss the benefit of assessing your business to create change through focus, investment, and execution so that retailers identify and adopt new methods of business.

Bill Jackson has had a colorful industry career, staring in retail sales at Iowa’s Audio Room in 1980. He advanced to managing multiple stores for the company until founding his own rep firm 12 years later. Joining Rockford Corporation in 1995, Jackson worked his way from Sales Manager to Brand Managing Director, and on to Vice President of Sales and Marketing before accepting the roles of President and CEO in 2006. Jackson has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Coe College and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

“I was honored when Bryan asked me to share my insights with the attendees of the first MasterTech Expo,” said Jackson. “We think MasterTech Expo is brilliant because it focuses on where our industry is going: away from the content itself and more toward how content is personalized and experienced. Rockford fully supports this event’s mission of equipping our retailers and their staffs with the knowledge and skill to meet new market possibilities, and we look forward to being a part of it.”

For more information, or to register for MasterTech Expo, visit mastertechexpo.com.

Nakamichi Returns to KnowledgeFest

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MIAMI, FL (02.10.22) – Nakamichi Car Audio will once again be part of KnowledgeFest taking place February 18-20, 2022 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada..

On display will be a broad sampling of head units including new 2022 models as well as speakers, amplifiers and DSP units. The company will also be preview some new models slated for introduction later this year.

Robin McNeal, Nakamichi National Sales Manager, will be in the booth along with David Bradman and Guillermo Mendez from Diplomat Trading.  Jason Proios will be on hand to answer technical questions. The group is looking forward to meeting with customers and sales reps coming in from around the country.

“Nakamichi is excited to be back at Knowledgfest”, noted Robin McNeal, “We have a number of key appointments already set”.

Nakamichi Mobile Audio can be found at booth #714 in the convention hall of the South Point.

For more information visit www.nakamichicaraudio.com or www.knowledgefest.com

Knowlegefest attendees interested in scheduling an appointment can email robin@usa-nakamichi.com

JL Audio Marine at the Houston Boat Show with Team Sales

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HOUSTON, TX (02.09.22) – The Houston Auto Show and the Houston Boat Show hooked up for the first time ever in 2022. The event took place at the NRG Center Wednesday thru Sunday January 26th-30th.

The latest JL Audio Marine products were showcased in a booth captained by Brian Tolley with Team Sales.

“We have exhibited the JL Audio Marine products in past years and that gets the excitement about the boating season going. This year was very unusual in that there were not enough boats or cars to filled the NRG Center for separate events. For the first time the events took place side by side. Attendance was solid and people in the crowd were happy to be at an in-person event”

JL Audio Marine products took center stage with Clarion Marine along side.

Continuing, Tolley offered, “We invited several area JL Audio Marine dealers to participate for one of the 5 days of the show in the booth. With the crazy business and schedules Houston Car Stereo, along with LoneStar Marine and Electronics, set up time in the booth..with Houston Car Stereo part of a weekday and LoneStar Marine and Electronics all day Saturday.”

An attention grabbing JL Audio Marine in-store display demo’ed a JL Audio system with amp and speakers plus wake tower speakers. Clarion Marine was also represented on a counter display along with marine mapping products.

Brian Tolley, Team Sales, making a sales presentation at the Houston Boat Show.

JP Spears, LoneStar Marine and Electronics, related, “During the show on Saturday I had 12 to 15 really solid conversations with boat owners and have heard back from a couple of them already. The JL Audio brand is well known in the top marine circles and a large percentage of our business is high end boats. People who spend $100 grand and up on a boat what their system to be right. I really thank Brian for extending the invitation and am very glad that my company attended the Houston Boat Show.”

During a call with the 12volt Central Studios Spears mentioned the supply chair issues that are also impacting the marine industry.

“Alll-n-all is was a very good show for JL Audio Marine and Clarion Marine. In fact we had a very serious meeting with an ice chest company about a project featuring Clarion Marine products,” Tolley concluded.

Visit jlaudio.com/collections/marine-audio for more.

Oracle Lighting Announces Universal Illuminated LED Letter Badges

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METAIRIE, LA (02.09.22) – Oracle has launched the new universal LED letter badges. Now shipping with an MSRP of $38.75 (per letter), these vibrant letters are available in a matte white or matte black surface finish with either white LED or amber LED.

“These individual LED illuminated letters are the perfect way to make your own marquee-style glowing vehicle badge for your vehicle,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “When turned on, the letters emit a soft edge-lit glow to make your custom badge stand out. Even when off, the sleek design of the letter housings gives a customized high-end appearance.”

The LED lighting has a low draw…less than 0.1 Amp per letter with an overall size of approximately 3.75in. wide x 1.4in. tall x 0.5in thick. Installation is easy with the VHB double-stick adhesive. Simply wire the letters to a 12V source such as parking lights, ignition fuse, or a separate toggle switch. Please note that a hole may be required to route the wire, and each vehicle’s needs will be different. Oracle Lighting recommends using the company’s VHB Primer (Oracle p/n  2082-504) to get the best bond with the mounting surface.

“The premium construction and overall styling deliver great value for an easy DIY illuminated badge,” Hartenstein concluded. “Simply choose the letters you need, and get ready to draw attention to your ride with a build-your-own glowing letter design.”

Louisiana-based Oracle Lighting has been designing innovative lighting products and technologies for the automotive/12Volt, powersports, motorcycle, and marine markets since 1999. Oracle’s philosophy is this: in today’s world of fly-by-night vendors, we think it is important to partner with businesses that you can trust to be there for you today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

For more information on Oracle Lighting and its full product line, visit www.oraclelights.com, call (800) 407-5776, or email info@oraclelights.com.

Nemesis Audio Releases 3 New Models of Marine Amps

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DALLAS, TX (02.09.22) – Nemesis Audio, maker of competition speakers and amplifiers since 2014 has released three new Models of Marine Amplifiers to its growing lineup of Audio Products. The new series of Amplifiers can be used in Marine applications as well as ATV/UTV Offroad vehicles. Consisting of true RMS Power, the Amplifiers come in a 1CH Monoblock, 4CH, & 5CH Models, and all Models are Class D Amplifiers. All three Models are currently in stock and shipping to Dealers worldwide.

The Models are as follows:
NA-MR1000D
NA-MR200X4D
NA-MR1100X5D

In other NEMESIS AUDIO news, Nemesis has also released a New high-end Full-Range Amplifier (Brazilian Style) which packs 16,000W RMS Power @ 1-OHM. In addition, Nemesis has released 14 new Models of Super Tweeters year to date.

A new 6CH Marine Amplifier is currently under production with a Q4 Release Date set. It’s safe to say, Nemesis has started 2022 with a BANG.

For More Information, visit NemesisAudio.com or Facebook.com/NMAUDIOUSA

Proline Car Stereo and Brooklyn Car Audio at the New York City Boat Show 2022

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NEW YORK, NY (02.08.22) – The 2022 New York Boat Show was held in the Javits Center January 26th thru 30th under the continuing forecast of snowy weather. In fact heavy snow on Saturday January 25th shut the city, and the show, down.

“In spite of loosing Saturday business we are happy we exhibited at the 2022 New York Boat Show. We have exhibited at the show for a number of years and we communicated with the show organizers that we were hesitant about exhibiting this year. They were very understanding. In fact we made the final decision to exhibit at the show just a week before the event,” Will Sullivan related.

The Proline Car Stereo and Brooklyn Car Audio booth featured live JL Audio and Clarion displays along with products.

Continuing, Sullivan offered, “We had a great location for our 10×30 booth that was scaled down a bit from past years. Our staff of 3 to 4 each day was smaller than the past but overall the show turned out well. There were people from New Jersey, Long Island and the City who were very interested to see new products from JL Audio and Clarion. Having the Clarion brand displayed in the booth provided mid-level price points. The JL Audio M6 and Marine Amplifiers were among take with sales at the show.”

In addition to the onsite sales many contacts were made with some installation appointments set up at the stores.

Boats packed the Javits Center.
In the booth attendees checked out products.

“Being in front of people was so refreshing for our staff and members the crowd also. We had great live product displays in the booth and you saw smiles on peoples faces when they heard the JL Audio and Clarion systems. We are happy we exhibited at this years New York City Boat Show,” Sullivan concluded.

At the door ID’s and vaccination status was checked along with mask requirements. Less that a year ago the Javits Center was actually setup as a military field hospital with beds for hundreds of COVID-19 patients.

Visit brooklyncaraudio.com for more.

AudioControl Unveils the Epicenter Micro

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SEATTLE, WA (02.08.22) – AudioControl has introduced The Epicenter Micro, an ultra-modernized revision of the legendary Epicenter bass-restoring audio processor. A new and exciting member of The Epicenter family, The Epicenter Micro adds AudioControl’s award-winning OEM integration capability and increased durability from a new form factor that delivers easy-to-use top-mounted controls, providing dealers and installers with the ultimate array of
solutions for every project.

Introducing The Epicenter Micro
The AudioControl Epicenter Micro represents the ultimate synergy between the bass processing
capabilities of the award-winning Epicenter and AudioControl’s best-in-class OEM integration line
output technology. Conformal coated for durability against the elements, the Epicenter Micro delivers
an ultra-clean signal from even the most challenging factory sound systems to one or more
amplifiers, accommodating any system design. And with easily accessible top-mounted controls,
perfectly calibrated OEM integration and superb sound quality have never been easier to achieve.

The magic of the feature-rich Epicenter Micro is the patented bass restoration processing that has
been adopted by millions of enthusiasts and car audio competitors around the world. Because many
late model vehicles are equipped with bass filters built into the signal path, the Epicenter Micro has
been engineered to restore the bass signal like no other solution, delivering a full-range listening
experience for every installation. To address varying bass levels from song to song, the Epicenter
Micro comes with the brand new ACR-4 dual-concentric controller, enabling listeners to adjust both
subwoofer levels (inner knob) and Epicenter effect levels (outer knob) all from a single, elegant
module.

The Epicenter Micro is an installer-friendly solution, equipped with turn-on trigger modes
such as GTOTM Signal Sense (DC offset), audio sense, or remote 12-volt inputs. The AudioControl
Epicenter Micro and ACR-4 controller are the ultimate solutions for dealers and installers seeking to
deliver superb sound quality and zero-compromise, rock solid bass response for every customer.

The AudioControl Epicenter Micro is available and now shipping to dealers.

Key Solutions for 12V Dealer and Installers
AudioControl offers class-leading audio products engineered for car, marine and mobile sports
applications, plus ultimate-performance OEM interface solutions that enable 12-volt dealers to
upgrade sound systems while keeping the factory in-dash systems in place. These products are vital
for automobiles featuring integrated multi-media systems that cannot easily be replaced. For 45
years, AudioControl has established the benchmark for performance and reliability, delivering the
12-volt audio products and support services dealers and installers must have to be successful.

Visit AudioControl at the KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, February 18-20 in Booth 801

See audiocontrol.com for more.