MIAMI, FL (02.25.2020) – JL Audio has announced the launch of WakeSub, a new hidden subwoofer technology designed to complement the powerful JL Audio tower speaker systems on boats. Emitting low -frequency audio at the boat’s wake zone, WakeSub transforms the music listening experience for those being towed or surfing behind the boat.
The WakeSub system consists of two JL Audio enclosed bandpass subwoofer systems t hat are integrated deep into the aft portion of the boat’s hull, completely hidden out of sight and not intrudingon passenger space. Low frequency sound waves are generated through tuned ports, from the hidden enclosures to apertures located at each end of the boat’s transom. The result is a complete engulfment in powerful, deep bass as you ride or surf behind the boat.
“We pride ourselves on working closely with boat builders to engineer audio systems that deliver extreme performance and durability. With WakeSub, we’re extending that legendary JL Audio sound from the boat’s passenger area to the wakes and waves behind it,” said Ora Freeman, Director of OEM Sales, North America at JL Audio.
“While tower speakers do a great job at projecting a broad spectrum of sound behind the boat, they physically can’t produce the same high -impact, low frequency response that a dedicated subwoofer can. WakeSub was engineered to do exactly that, w ithout having to hang any bulky subwoofers off the tower.”
Several features of WakeSub are designed to protect the system from the elements, such as a self-draining design should any water enter the apertures for the ports. JL Audio has been issued U.S. Patent #10,362,389 for the WakeSub technology.
Intended to be integrated into boats early in the design process, JL Audio’s WakeSub technology is available to boat manufacturers today, along with the company’s robust line of feature-rich source units, powerful amplifiers, speakers, subwoofers and enclosed tower speakers that have been rigorously engineered for marine applications. Nautique Boats is the first boat manufacturer to integrate this technology, as an option for the Studio Elite sound package offered on all -new Super Air Nautique G23 and G25 Paragon boats.
CONROE, TX (02.24.2020) – KICKER had an exciting booth at the Lone Star Throwdown (LST) for the fifth straight year. The show, billed by organizers as the “World’s Best Truck Show,” took place Feb. 21st-23rd at the Lone Star Expo Center in Conroe, Texas. KICKER was also a host sponsor of the event, which showcased 2,000 custom vehicles from around the country. KICKER arrived in the XRV (Xtreme Recreation Vehicle) big rig. The XRV is the brand’s rolling showroom, complete with a full line of KICKER audio gear as a hands-on display that consumers checked out up close.
The XRV was at the center of Kicker’s presence at the Lone Star Throwdown. The BoomRoom inside, and award winning rides around the XRV, let all know Kicker was ‘Livin’Loud’ on the event grounds in Conroe TX.
In the pit area, under the XRV’s awning, KICKER had several show cars for people to see and hear. With more than 5,000 watts of bass and a half-dozen KICKER L7S square subwoofers, the KICKER Silverado was powered up and Livin’Loud for the weekend. The Silverado is a daily-driven show truck that tours the nation, thrilling bassheads and the “car-audio curious” across the country.
The BoomRoom inside the KICKER XRV featured 24,000 watts of ‘Livin’Loud’ power.
The HE Forged ’57 Chevy Sedan Delivery was in the booth, equipped with KICKER’s elite Q-Class line of product. Additionally, SEMA vehicle designer, Andrew Lowe brought the “Battlecat” – a tricked out Dodge Challenger featuring KICKER KX-Series Amplifiers and a CompRT shallow-mount subwoofer. John Jackson of NotStock Photography showcased his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in the booth. Affectionately dubbed “HomeWrecker,” the Sprinter is equipped with KICKER all-weather loaded cans mounted on the roof. KICKER installer Tim Smith showed his custom ’94 Chevy C1500 loaded with an entire KICKER system.
Mike Barcia, DOW Electronics, was headed home to Florida with the Best of Show trophy for his amazing ‘No Compromize’ 1996 Chevrolet C3500 Dually.
DIAMOND BAR, CA (02.24.2020) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association has hired Jeff Dahlin as an industry sales director to help oversee a portfolio of client accounts and create partnerships for the SEMA Show, Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, and their accompanying monthly publications and media channels. Staff member Brendan Gillespie was promoted to industry sales manager and Reham Gharib to the newly created position of sales operations project manager.
“The sales team is focused on helping SEMA and PRI increase engagement with the industry,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to bring in an experienced industry veteran such as Jeff Dahlin to join our team, and to be able to shift our existing staff into roles that will enable us to continue to service the industry.”
Jeff Dahlin as Sales Director
Dahlin brings with him 20 years of automotive sales, marketing, and executive-level publishing experience, including 16 years at Source Interlink and the MotorTrend Group, where he rose through the ranks at several publications as a director, group publisher, and eventually general manager of the Hot Rod Network.
In addition to an impressive track record that includes being named one of SEMA’s Top 35 Under 35 in 2007, Dahlin is a passionate automotive enthusiast who spends time working on classic and muscle car projects while getting in as much off-roading as possible. He received his B.S. in Communication and Media Studies from Northern Arizona University and an M.A. in Communication and Media Studies from California State University, Long Beach.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association has hired Jeff Dahlin as an industry sales director. His hiring accompanies a promotion for Brendan Gillespie (L) to industry sales manager and Reham Gharib (R) to sales operations project manager.
“I jumped at the opportunity to work for PRI and SEMA, as I’ve worked with so many of the employees in the past and have always respected the passion and assistance provided to our automotive industry,” said Dahlin, who will be based out of PRI’s Aliso Viejo, Calif., office. “To be able to contribute to an organization that does so much great work is an honor for me, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to do so.”
In addition to the hiring of Dahlin, Industry Sales Manager Brendan Gillespie, who previously served in a sales/operations hybrid role, will now focus strictly on sales opportunities—specifically exhibit space and sponsorship sales for both the SEMA and PRI Shows, as well as advertising sales for both SEMA News and PRI Magazine. Gillespie, a six-year veteran of the company, will concentrate on the racing and performance market.
Also, Reham Gharib will take on the new position of sales operations project manager. In this role, she will manage the records of all SEMA and PRI sponsorship contracts, help ensure deliverables are accounted for, and communicate with all appropriate stakeholders. She also will be the key stakeholder and project manager for the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase and PRI Show’s Featured Product Showcase. Gharib has been with the company since 2014.
MIAMI, FL (02.24.2020) JL Audio has unveiled the new “MVi” line of networkable DSP amplifiers for the marine market. With unrivaled, built-in tuning power, reference-grade audio performance and outstanding installation flexibility, eight models were announced to suit boat builders’ and boat owners’ needs. Instead of using traditional control knobs and switches, VXi amplifiers are easily configured from the captain’s seat of a boat using JL Audio’s TüN software on a compatible computer, tablet or smartphone.
“Boats present interesting challenges to achieving optimal sound quality from an audio system,” said Dr. Stephen Leigh, Vice President Electronic Engineering at JL Audio. “ The new MVi marine amplifiers with integrated DSPs make it quick and painless to precisely tune an audio system to an extremely high standard. It only takes a few minutes to set up with our free TüN software, and once completed, the resulting audio is more dynamic, more accurate and much more fun to listen to than a conventional marine audio system.”
Every MVi amplifier features an integrated, high-performance triple-core AKM DSP that allows for intelligent optimization of each audio channel’s timing, frequency response, and output level. The benefits of the DSP within each MVi amplifier extend beyond the internal amplifier channels, thanks to analog pre-amp outputs with independent DSP processing. MVi amplifiers can store up to six sound presets, allowing boaters to switch sound profiles at the push a button. This allows for a system to be tuned for different operating conditions, such as “docked,” “running,” “sandbar,” etc.
In addition to the complete lineup of DSP-enabled marine amplifiers, JL Audio has also introduced several marine-grade peripheral pieces to simplify the installation process, including:
•a Bluetooth communicator ( VXi-BTC ) to enable wireless communication between the MVi amplifier or network and compatible mobile devices;
•a w eather-tight network hub (MVi-HUB ) to network up to six MVi amplifiers (one master and five slaves) for full-system DRC control and preset selection
•a push button control with RGB indicator (M-DRC-50) to allow preset selection from the helm
Further boosting the world-class audio performance of MVi amplifiers is the integration of JL Audio’s next -generation NexD amplifier technology. The NexD2 design employs new directFET MOSFET technology, a completely revised layout scheme and direct DSP control of multiple amplifier channels designed to enhance fidelity, reduce noise and deliver outstanding power efficiency.
To further boost the wow-factor of these amplifiers, JL Audio was able to pack all of the aforementioned technology into a compact and stylish alloy chassis with weather-tight power, audio input, speaker and JLid network connections.
SHREVEPORT, LA (02.22.2020) – WTF…Win This Friday. The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Just over 3 months ago we celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.
The latest 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel winner is Audio Depot in Arlington TX. The Wheel landed on the JBL space and JBL TUNE120 Wireless Earbuds will be headed to John Schellsmidt. We know John will enjoy the JBL TUNE120’s when he is traveling back and forth to area car dealerships.
Spinning out a new winner each Friday, a 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.
12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, Cadence, PowerBass, Sony, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, Precision Power, JBL, Power Acoustik, Farenheit, Wilson Electronics and Image Dynamics. SpellBrite, a manufacturer of in-store signage, also has a space. 12volt News $100 cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.
Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC and Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA.. Congratulations to all.
WTF… Where’s The Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel Friday, February 28th.
Want to enter for future spins? It’s easy – when making an Instagram post for your store include the hashtag #12voltspin to make sure your company has a slip in the jar. There are over 1100 #12voltspin posts on Instagram.
With 18 chances to WIN, the 12Volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is ready to shower a lucky weekly winner with one of the cool prizes.
Stay tuned to 12voltnews.com on the web and @12voltnews on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for 12volt Spin-To-Win winner announcements every Friday!
TULSA, OK (02.21.2020) – The 56th Darryl Starbird National Rod and Custom Car Show filled the Tulsa Expo Square February 14th – 16th. Car Toys Tulsa, an event sponsor, took a large 24 x 60 booth up front to highlight demo vehicles and products.
Charles Stewart, Car Toys owner, stated “Car Toys has been exhibiting at the Darryl Starbird show for years. On Saturday alone the attendance was reported to top 15,000. Total attendance topped 30,000 for the show’s run. Our booth, as a sponsor, was right up front so attendees checked us out when they entered and were leaving the event. Also as a sponsor we received a lot of play over the PA system during the show”.
Charles Stewart (R), Car Toys Tulsa owner, pictured with Momentum Marketing’s Gary Biggs under the Rockford Fosgate Tent.
As an event sponsor Car Toys Tulsa also received visibility on the heavy local radio and TV schedule that aired in the Tulsa area.
Powersports and marine products were showcased at the event with 2 loaded Harleys under the Rockford Fosgate tent. A Rockford Fosgate product display was also positioned in the booth to demonstrate products to attendees.
The Car Toys Tulsa 24×60 booth provided ample room to demo Harleys and other products.
Gary Biggs, the area sales representative for Momentum Marketing, was in the booth and worked the show with Charles and the Car Toys team members. Biggs offered “We were busy throughout the show talking with attendees about adding sound to their rides…cars, boats and bikes. The Starbird show attracts folks who are interested in a wide variety of vehicles. There was plenty to show them with the Harleys running Rockford Fosgate plus the display with the new marine products featuring the M1 speakers and RGB lighting. Being in the booth over the days of the show also gave me an opportunity to talk Rockford Fosgate with members of the Car Toys staff.”
The Rockford Fosgate display got a lot of action demoing there latest marine gear in the Car Toys Tulsa Booth.
Concluding Stewart added “We got a ton of exposure for Car Toys plus a number of very positive leads. Members of the Car Toys staff really pitched in. We had the store open too so our staff members had a lot to handle. On Sunday everyone was in the booth and did great job.”
A big 12volt News hat’s off to Car Toys Tulsa for participating at a major consumer event.
STILLWATER, OK (02.21.2020) – KICKER is excited to attend the Lone Star Throwdown (LST) for the fifth straight year. The show, which bills itself as the “World’s Best Truck Show,” will take place Feb. 21-23 at the Lone Star Expo Center in Conroe, Texas. KICKER is also a host sponsor of the event, which will showcase 2,000 custom vehicles from around the country.
KICKER is set to arrive in the XRV (Xtreme Recreation Vehicle) big rig. The XRV is the brand’s rolling showroom, complete with a full line of KICKER audio gear as a hands-on display for consumers to check out up close.
In the pit area under the XRV’s awning, KICKER will have several show cars for people to see and hear. With more than 5,000 watts of bass and a half-dozen KICKER L7S square subwoofers, the KICKER Silverado will be powered up for the weekend. The Silverado is a daily-driven show truck that tours the nation, thrilling bassheads and the “car-audio curious” across the country.
The HE Forged ’57 Chevy Sedan Delivery will be in the booth, equipped with KICKER’s elite Q-Class line of product. Additionally, SEMA vehicle designer Andrew Lowe will bring “Battlecat” – a tricked out Dodge Challenger featuring KICKER KX-Series Amplifiers and a CompRT shallow-mount subwoofer. John Jackson of NotStock Photography will also bring his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to the booth. Affectionately dubbed “HomeWrecker,” the Sprinter is equipped with KICKER all-weather loaded cans mounted on the roof. KICKER installer Tim Smith will show his custom ’94 Chevy C1500 loaded with an entire KICKER system.
CHATSWORTH, CA (02.21.2020) – CRUX has introduced a Multi View Camera Integration& Radio Replacement Interface for Aftermarket Radios in Select Dodge, Jeep & Ram Vehicles with Uconnect Systems – RFM-UC1-AM.
The CRUX RFM-UC1-AM combines two categories into one as it is a multi-view camera integration & radio replacement interface for aftermarket radios for select Dodge, Jeep, & RAM vehicles. Some notable features are the It’s a radio replacement interface with SWC and factory 3.5mm Aux port retention, a reverse camera plus 6 video input interface for the Uconnect systems (Compatible with 8.4”, 5” and 4.3” Uconnect Systems)
MIAMI, FL (02.20.2020) – KICKER Marine Audio is coming on strong in the marine industry as evidenced by the company’s presence and activities at the just completed 2020 Miami International Boat Show, on Virginia Key, February 13th-17th.
KICKER, long recognized in the “12-Volt” world of automotive, truck and powersports mobile audio, has recently flexed its muscle in the marine environment. While the brand initially appealed to many lake boaters, excelling in the pontoon, wake and surf boat markets, Kicker Marine Audio has recently expanded to the open water fishing boats and cruiser market, thanks to the growing appeal of its strong waterproof and reliable product characteristics.
The aisle in front of the Kicker Marine Audio Booth in D Tent was extremely and many times wall to wall with marine enthusiasts.
Kicker staff members on site at the Miami International Boat Show included Lori Boyer, Kip Litsey, David Glasgow, Sandy Moore and Carlos Jimenez. Litsey, Associate Director of Marketing-B2B, offered “The Miami International Boat Show is such a terrific event. Boat builders, marine retailers, vendor representatives, 12volt dealers, distributors and enthusiasts see the latest products and trends. Kicker Marine Audio lived up to the GO OVERBOARD theme and was ‘LivinLoud’ for sure at this event. The displays in the booth engaged attendees and sponsorships of the boat show events added to Kicker’s presence at the event-including the Kicker Marine Audio $4,000 system that was added to the $85,000 Reef Runner Boat Raffle for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.”
At the Miami Show, KICKER Marine Audio teamed up with Reef Runner Boats as a key sponsor in the manufacturer’s third annual “Battle Breast Cancer Giveaway.” The charitable fundraiser featured a $25 ticket donation campaign for the giveaway of a 230 open fishing boat, valued at $85,000 retail, with all funds raised to benefit breast cancer research for the Susan G. Komen Miami/Fort Lauderdale organization. Total donations raised reached $20,000. KICKER Marine Audio donated a full sound system, valued at nearly $4,000, joining additional sponsors like Evinrude, TACO Marine, SeaDek, Epson and others that supported the effort. The boat was prominently displayed at the show entrance. The drawing for the Reef Runner Boat was at 1 PM on Monday, February 17 and the lucky winner was Omar Fakhri from Flower Mound TX.
Jeremy Bale (L), Kicker Brand Manager for Lifestyle and Marine products, presented an award to Boats US magazine during the Miami International Boat Show opening ceremonies Thursday, February 13.
KICKER Marine Audio also participated at the show’s opening industry event on Thursday morning that featured Marine Marketers of America (MMA) and Boating Writing International (BWI) in a joint annual awards celebration. KICKER was the exclusive event sponsor for the MMA Neptune Awards, along with a category sponsorship of the BWI Travel Award. In addition, the company donated raffle prizes to the awards event that included giveaways of Kicker high-end blue tooth product, EB200 Earbuds and the Tabor Over-the-ear headset.
KICKER Marine Audio’s booth highlighted the line-up of marine audio equipment for 2020. Coaxials, subwoofers, amplifiers, receivers, service units and remotes for operation and lighting were included the offerings. KICKER Marine Audio has gone the extra mile behind the scenes to ensure that its marine components and rigging are waterproof, durable and problem-free. This attention to detail was expressly seen in items like fuses, cables, coaxial speakers and subwoofers, which are both certified and compliant to stringent marine standards.
Kevin Falvey (R), Editor of Boating Magazine won Kicker CushBT headphones presented by Jeremy Bale.
While “compliance” (relying on the manufacturer to test its own products) and “certification” (requiring third party review) are equipment terms often used, in the international marine industry these descriptors hold even more credence.
“We ensure that the right product is used for the application,” stated Phil White, KICKER’s Unit Director of Marine Audio Systems. “KICKER Audio components are designed to meet or exceed U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as well as American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) standards. We also carry certification on certain items for water-tightness, ignition protection, and IP rating. We want to ensure that our high standards meet those of our boat builder partners, so every installation involving KICKER Marine Audio components can be waterproof, safe, and eliminate any avoidable risk in the harsh marine environment.”
Donna Milo, owner of Reef Runner Boats, pictured with the Reef Runner Boat that was the amazing raffle prize valued at $85,000. Kicker Marine Audio donated a $4,000 system as a sponsor. In addition the $25 raffle entry raised a $20,000 donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Items like fuse holders, ground distribution and cables are USCG and ABYC compliant, protecting electrical circuits against short circuits and corrosion, with construction and labelling compliant with USCG and ABYC standards. The Marine Rated Battery Fuses (MRBF) are certified IP66, meaning they are sealed to protect against dust and water intrusion. These KICKER Marine Audio fuses are also certified as Ignition Protected so they will not ignite flammable or explosive vapors in your engine compartment or enclosed spaces.
KICKER has taken a big step with ISO marine certification for its coaxial speakers and woofers. Kicker coaxial speakers and woofers are certified to meet the same ISO standard which applies to marine windows, doors and hatches, as those audio components must withstand water intrusion as well. Carrying this ISO certification has had a major impact in the EU and the rest of the global market.
KICKER tests all components in real life situations: salt fog, for corrosion; weather, for UV and moisture resistance; and IP testing for debris and water ingress, thereby providing OEM builders, dealers and customers with ultimate peace of mind when using KICKER Marine Audio. New products are also being added to the roster including more wiring, AMP kits, RCA Interconnects and terminals, all designed from the start to be marine compliant.
“KICKER Marine Audio delivers a trustworthy experience for our highly valued marine industry customers and the retail community,” stated Jeremy Bale, Brand Manager for Lifestyle and Marine Products, “We deliver total confidence in our product as proven in over 40 years of manufacturing top-quality mobile sound systems, with the goal to continually grow our brand and reputation in the recreational marine marketplace.”
TAMPA, FL (02.20.2020) – DOW Electronics hosted an AudioControl Sales Training event at the Company’s Tampa Headquarters Tuesday evening February 18th. The training event was very successful with over 50 people in the audience for Matt Palumbo’s presentation. A dinner buffet from 4 Rivers Smokehouse was served for all to enjoy.
Matt Palumbo kept members of the audience engaged throughout his AudioControl presentation.
Palumbo is AudioControl’s National Trainer and Sales Specialist based at the Company’s HQ in Mountain Terrace WA.
Following the meeting raffle winners gathered for an image. John Schneid-Dynamic Sales the area AudioControl rep firm principal, Matt Palumbo and DOW’s Mike Barcia (L to R) flank the raffle winners.
During Palumbo’s presentation he discussed AudioControl’s newest products and how they can help grow 12volt retailer’s businesses. Specific topics included why the next LC-5.1300 and D-5.1300 5-Channel amps will be the go to amplifiers in 2020, what the DM-RTA is, how it works and why it has become “the ultimate technicians test tool”. How to help find success and exceed client’s expectations with AudioControl products was another key focus of Palumbo’s presentation.
Dealers lined up for plates filled with a great meal from 4 Rivers Smokehouse. Chocolate chip cookies and more for dessert too!
Mike Hurwitz, DOW Strategic Sales Manager, stated “The turnout of over 50 in the audience was exciting to see, as well at the enthusiasm from the dealers. We had dealer drive from Naples for the event which was probably a 3 hour drive. Matt did a great job presenting the product lineup and explaining to audience members how to present the product and explain the features. We are really looking forward to getting the brand new Audio Control products in the warehouse and into dealer’s stores”.
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