Industry

T-Spec Ships New High-End Audio Accessories

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HOLLY HILL, FL (02.08.22) – T-Spec by Metra Electronics is shipping new oxygen-free ultra spec copper speaker cable kits, bulk front and rear channel speaker cable spools, a four-way power and ground distribution block, and black nickel finished couplers. These new products expand the brand’s line of premium competition-rated car audio accessories, designed with the finest materials for maximum performance.

OFC Speaker Cable Kits
New ultra spec speaker cable kits are designed for installers who want a high-end system with organized, clean wire management, without the hassle of creating their own wire labels. T-Spec’s new kits have oxygen-free copper wiring inside a 20-foot, flexible over-molded braided cable.

They exceed the stringent CEA-2016 specifications for performance and meet BC-5W marine compliance standards, allowing the kits to be used for sound systems beyond car audio, including marine or powersports applications. There is enough heatshrink and ferrules included to split the cable into two sections. The kits come in a 16-gauge, 11 conductor option, the VSW116, or an 18-gauge, 11 conductor option, the VSW1118.

Included in the kits are:

  • 20-foot over-molded braided speaker cable
  • Outer jacket with heatshrink
  • Heatshrink wire labels
  • Red and black ferrules
  • Braided cable cover
  • 5 pair speaker wire plus 1 remote wire

Front and Rear Channel Bulk OFC Speaker Cables
Sold in 250-foot spools, T-Spec’s new flexible 18-gauge, 4 conductor speaker cable is designed with full-spec oxygen-free copper. It is available now in a front channel speaker cable option, the VSWF418-250, and a rear channel speaker cable option, the VSWR418-250.

Power and Ground Distribution Block
T-Spec’s newest distribution block, the VBDB4, combines the most practical, sophisticated features in its class with the highest performance on the market to unleash the full power of a car audio system. Premium construction and materials allow for a highly conductive block with 5mm thick solid brass bus bars and a satin gunmetal finish, with dual 0/1 ground inputs to match the dual 0/1 positive inputs.

This block also has a built-in amplification relay for boosting the current rating of the amplifier turn-on wire, distributing it across all four outputs. The four mated outputs group remote, four gauge power, and four gauge ground together for quick identification, and an anti-short sub-cover isolates the returning ground bar and terminals. A Blown Fuse Indicator (BFI) LED light for each circuit indicates which fuse to replace and three rapid replacement spare MANL fuse locations built into the case make replacement simple and easy. A TPE wrapped soft-touch cover completes the high-end look.

VBDB4 Product Specifications:

  • Dual 0/1 AWG positive in
  • Dual 0/1 AWG negative in
  • (4) Mated 4 AWG output sets with remote distribution
  • Built-in amplification relay for boosting the current rating of the amplifier turn-on wire, distributing it across all 4 outputs
  • Anti-short sub-cover to isolate the ground bar and terminals
  • (4) Independently MANL fused positive circuits
  • Blown Fuse Indicator (BFI) LED for each circuit
  • (3) Rapid replacement spare MANL fuse locations built inside the case
  • One tool for hardware installation using T-Spec T20 Torx screws with Gate Lock technology
  • Satin gunmetal finished 5mm brass bus bars for power and ground distribution
  • TPE wrapped soft-touch cover with modern aesthetics
  • MANL fuses are sold separately

Brass Couplers
T-Spec’s new couplers are made with solid brass construction and a black nickel finish to look good in any install while meeting the demands of a high-performance system. These couplers are sold as a set of 2 pieces with heatshrink covers and T20 Torx set screws. They are available in a 4 gauge in and 4 gauge out option, the VCP4, or a 0/1 gauge in, 0/1 gauge out option, as the VCP0. These products are all in stock now.

More information can be seen on the T-Spec website at TspecOnline.com.

Dual Electronics Mourns Passing of Clyde Podraza

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HEATHROW, FL (02.07.22) – Dual Electronics Corporation has announced that 12Volt industry veteran Clyde Podraza passed away on February 2. Clyde spent more than 25 years in the 12V industry. Starting his career at Motorola, he then moved on to work in executive positions at Panasonic, International Jensen, Recoton, Dual Electronics, and AAMP Global. Clyde was one of the founding partners at Dual Electronics and spent a decade as a top executive there.

Jim Braun, President of Dual Electronics said, “I worked alongside Clyde for almost 20 years. He was a pillar of the 12Volt industry during his time with Jensen and Dual. Clyde was one of the original founders of Dual Electronics, and we would certainly not be where we are today without the monumental efforts and influence Clyde brought to the marketplace.” 

Clyde Podraza

Braun added, “More important than this, he was just a genuinely great person. Clyde would do almost anything to help any one of his large network of friends and colleagues. I’m going to miss Clyde, as I know many will.”

Clyde spent the last several years of his career at AAMP Global prior to retiring in 2020. Scott Forst, President and CEO of AAMP Global added, “I personally started at AAMP with Clyde, and I couldn’t have been luckier to learn from such a wonderful and talented person. He spread his knowledge and joy to everyone at AAMP and he will be greatly missed.”

Clyde is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marj, his three grown children and three grandchildren.

Visit www.dualav.com for more.

Ambassador to Represent Zapco, ESB Audio, Dynaudio, and Audio Wave in the Southeast

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VACAVILLE, CA (02.07.22) – ARPA of America has partnered with Ambassador to represent their brands in the southeastern US. These include Zapco Car Audio, the Italian speaker company ESB Audio, Dynaudio Car speakers from Denmark, and the Audio Wave hand crafted amplifiers from England. Ambassador will cover Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.

“We feel lucky to have found Rick Booth and company available,” said ARPA’s national Sales Manager Scott Welch, “Rick and Joel Maldonado both have tons of experience with over 20 years in the industry. Rick started as an installer in 1984, repped Hybrid and Genesis for a while, then serving as National Sales Manager for MPA and for NavTV before re-starting Ambassador in 2014. Joel has over 20 years of hands-on industry experience and great product knowledge. It’s a big territory, but we know Rick and Joel are up to the task and ready to roll.”  

“We look forward to working with ARPA and all the HiFi dealers in the territory representing some of the most iconic brands in the industry,” stated Ambassador’s Rick Booth.

For more information, contact Joe at maldonadoJ40@hotmail.com
Rick Booth is available at HardcoreHiFi@gmail.com

ARPA of America
Sales Manager: Scott Welch Scott@arpaofamerica.com
Marketing/Technical: John Borges John@arpaofamerica.com
Phone: 707.446.6749

Alpine Electronics to Attend KnowledgeFest in Las Vegas

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AUBURN HILLS, MI (02.03.22) – Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. will attend the upcoming Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) KnowledgeFest hosted in the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada from Friday, February 18 to Sunday, February 20.

Alpine will be in exhibit #806 where staff will demo the new 2022 Alpine Product Line, featuring the new Alpine Halo Dash Solutions and Accessories, Vehicle-Specific Dash Solutions for Jeep®, Next-Generation R-Series Sound System line, Preloaded Alpine Halo R-Series and Truck Subwoofer Enclosures, and Preloaded S-Series and R-Series Shallow Subwoofer Enclosures.

Featuring the highly anticipated AlpineF#1Status system, a Tesla Model S demo vehicle will be in Exhibit Hall A for a first-ever listening experience. Booth visitors can experience the first premium car audio system that can achieve 384kHz/32bit High-Resolution Audio Playback, the highest recording spec possible in a car audio system.

Alpine’s Ford F-150 will also be onsite to showcase the new Alpine Halo 11-inch Floating Touchscreen Display with high-resolution audio and display plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The F-150 will also feature Alpine’s next-generation 3-way R-Series speakers, the new R-Series Alpine Halo Preloaded Truck Enclosure, and the PXE-0850X 12-Channel Advanced Wireless Digital Sound Processor.

Alpine will host 3 training sessions during KnowledgeFest that will focus on the 2022 Product Line:

Friday, February 18 from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. in Sonoma C
Alpine 2022 Product Line Introduction and Training

Saturday, February 19 from 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. in Sonoma C
Alpine 2022 Product Line Introduction and Training

Sunday, February 20 from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. in Sonoma C
Alpine 2022 Product Line Introduction and Training

All KnowledgeFest attendees are welcome to visit the Alpine booth, join the training sessions, and meet with Alpine staff from the sales, marketing, and product planning teams. Attendees are encouraged to visit www.knowledgefest.org and use the “Education Workshops & Vendor Training” link to register for the Alpine training sessions.

New SEMA Emissions Certification Program Helps Manufacturers Get Products to Market Faster

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (02.03.22) – SEMA introduced a new program to make it possible for automotive aftermarket parts manufacturers to meet the legal requirement for emissions compliance under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tampering Policy. The program, called SEMA Certified-Emissions (SC-E), gives manufacturers the ability to verify that a product meets the EPA’s “reasonable basis” criteria and is therefore legal for sale in 49 states.

For the first time ever, manufacturers have a clear, accelerated path to compliance and can begin selling products legally in 49 states prior to receiving a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (EO), which is still a requirement for selling products in all 50 states.

The new SEMA Certified-Emissions program gives manufacturers the ability to verify that a product meets the EPA’s “reasonable basis” criteria for sale in 49 states.

“It’s now easier than ever for manufacturers to demonstrate emissions compliance,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA VP of OEM & Product Development Programs. “SEMA Certified-Emissions is a major accomplishment in accelerating a manufacturer’s ability to get products to market, and it paves the path to obtaining emissions compliance in all 50 states.”

Since 2014, the SEMA Garage has been instrumental in helping automotive aftermarket parts manufacturers obtain CARB EOs. With state-of-the-art CARB-recognized testing equipment and dedicated expert staff conducting tests and assisting with the process, the SEMA Garage has helped secure more than 500 CARB EOs – over half of all performance parts EOs issued by CARB.

The new SC-E program is comparable to CARB EO requirements and was developed in response to the EPA’s Tampering Policy. SEMA staff will assess manufacturer’s needs and advise as to the most appropriate path forward, whether that includes applying for a CARB EO or SEMA emissions certification. SC-E may help manufacturers get to market about three months before obtaining a CARB EO. SC-E is also ideal for products that may not have a clear path in the CARB EO process (such as Flex-Fuel modifications, HCT equipped intakes, and engine packages).

“SC-E gives manufacturers much greater options and opportunities,” said Peter Treydte, SEMA Director of Emissions Compliance. “This is a significant milestone in the industry’s ability to provide products to consumers. We look forward to working with members and helping them go to market with SEMA Certified-Emissions products.”

The SEMA Garage is available to auto parts manufacturers with all their product development needs. For more information, visit www.sema.org.

SEMA Launch Pad’s Automotive Entrepreneurs and Inventors Featured on Television Special

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.02.22) – SEMA Launch Pad, the automotive industry’s product-pitching competition that has propelled inventors and entrepreneurs to successful, thriving businesses since 2013, will be featured for the first time on a nationwide television special on February 13 on the History Channel.

The 2021 competition included a record-high 200-plus competitors vying for the program’s largest grand prize ever, valued at $100,000. The program features 15 semifinalists who competed live in Las Vegas, where they pitched their products and ideas to a panel of industry experts and icons that included Chip Foose (Foose Design), Jared Hare (Addictive Desert Designs), Myles Kovacs (DUB), and Alex Parker (Redline Detection).

The 2021 SEMA Launch Pad, the automotive industry’s product-pitching competition, will be featured for the first time on a nationwide television special on February 13 on the History Channel.

“We’re excited to bring the SEMA Launch Pad to a nationwide television audience,” said Ted Wentz, SEMA Board Member and Chair of the SEMA Launch Pad Task Force. “For years, the SEMA Launch Pad has encouraged and supported product innovation and new ideas. The television program will give a new audience the opportunity to see the depth of the industry’s innovation.”

The automotive industry has been following the 2021 competition through a five-episode YouTube miniseries that generated almost half a million views. The upcoming television special includes brand-new, exclusive coverage of the finale, with the top two finalists competing in front of thousands of industry professionals at the world-renowned SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Viewers will watch as competitors both triumph and falter along the way, with judges asking hard questions and providing candid feedback.

“The Launch Pad is a competition designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs succeed and grow,” said Wentz. “To see the competition unfold on television is inspiring. We hope that it encourages others to bring new products to the marketplace as well.”

To learn more about the SEMA Launch Pad, visit www.sema.org/launchpad.

TURY USA Ships First of Many New FAST Products

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DANIA BEACH, FL (02.02.2022) – TURY USA is shipping its first of many new products. FAST, a throttle response enhancement module gives the driver the boost their car needs. With 36 different levels of adjustment, FAST will be sure to make the driving experience a lot more fun!

“This is a must-have for those smaller engine cars and diesel truck owners. WIth the added anti-theft and valet modes, this throttle response kit is perfect for every application!” stated Marty Deane, National Sales Manager.

For more information, contact info@hki-usa.com

Oracle Lighting Launches 9-Inch LED Spotlight For Jeeps, Trucks, & Off-Road Vehicles

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METAIRIE, LA (02.01.22) – Oracle Lighting has announced the launch of the 9-inch Multifunction 120-Watt LED Spotlight for Jeeps, trucks, and off-road vehicles (p/n 2917-023). The round post mount is now available with an MSRP of $289.95. Oracle’s 7-inch Multifunction 60-Watt LED Spotlight (p/n 2915-023) is also now available with an MSRP of $199.95.

“Whether you are conquering the off-road or just enjoy exploring at night, having adequate lighting is important to spot obstacles in your path,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “This new auxiliary light from Oracle Lighting is designed to offer superior illumination for any Jeep, truck, or off-road vehicle.”

Incorporating both TIR (Total Internal Reflection) and LED Reflector Facing Technology, this design creates a high-quality light output with a precision beam pattern. By combining both optic technologies, this light provides an average 30 degree beam pattern and projects up to 500 yards away.

“The integrated LED marker lights feature both white and amber LEDs which can be used for parking lights, DRL, and/or turn signals,” Hartenstein continued. “This multifunctional automotive spotlight is the perfect solution to your lighting needs. With an Ingress Protection Rating of IP68 and a heavy-duty blacked-out housing, this nine-inch spotlight is rugged enough to last through all of your adventures with an LED lifespan of 80,000+ hours.”

Additional features and specifications include:
• 4x 20w LEDs + 4x 10w LEDs
• Draw: 8.5 Amps @ 12VDC
• Raw/Effective Lumens: 12000lm / 9600lm
• Peak Intensity: 282500cd
• Input Voltage: 9V – 36V DC
• Warranty Period: 1 Year
• ETM Thermal Management Technology
• Compliant with ECE R112/R7/R10
• Heavy duty U mounting racket
• Stainless Steel 304 mounting hardware
• Under/Over voltage protection
• Reverse polarity protection

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.

ORCA Ships New Auditor EVO Line for 2022

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CAMARILLO, CA (02.01.22) – ORCA Design and Manufacturing announced it is currently shipping the latest models of its popular Focal Auditor line. Rebranded Auditor EVO, the line adds two slim versions of its 6.5-inch component and coaxial speakers as well as a redesigned tweeter.

The 2022 Auditor EVO line consists of six coaxial kits ranging from 4 inches to 6×9 inches, along with three component kits in five-inch and 6.5-inch sizes. The inverted-dome tweeter in each has been redesigned with the stylish Focal logo in black and the component versions come with surface mount cups and flush-mount bezels.

The 6.5-inch ACX 165 coaxial and ASE 165 component set gain slimmer counterparts in the ACX 165S and ASE165S. The speaker depth is reduced by 25 percent thanks to a redesigned basket and magnet structure. The resulting technology maintains quality midbass performance while enabling fit into doors and panels with limited depth.

“Auditor has been a great addition to the Focal line, especially as more customers opt to perform value-focused upgrades to their factory systems,” said Nalaka Adikari, sales director for ORCA. “We’ve worked closely with Focal to bring new options to our retailers that fit more applications. The addition of shallow drivers let more drivers experience Focal’s superior audio performance.”

All models of the 2022 Auditor EVO line are currently shipping to authorized Focal retailers. For more information, visit focal-america.com.

Nakamichi Year-End Wrap Up

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MIAMI, FL (01.31.22) – Last month, Diplomat Trading hosted Robin McNeal and Jason Proios at their Miami headquarters for several days of meetings. The meetings were capped by a video conference with the sales and marketing staff from Nakamichi Asia which featured virtually remote representatives from Singapore, Hong Kong and China. 

Pictured left to right are Jason Proios, Robin McNeal and David Bradman in the Nakamichi showroom.

Topics of discussion included new models, market trends, sales projections and of course product availability. Production schedules were finalized for products that would ship before the Lunar New Year. “I feel better now about Q1 inventory,” noted Robin McNeal, National Sales manager for Nakamichi Car Audio. “To date we have introduced five new 2022 head units; two Double DIN (one with CarPlay and Android Auto) and three single DIN models. We should have several new CarPlay-Android Auto units to show at the February KnowlegdeFest in Las Vegas.”

Award for an Outstanding Job was presented to Robin McNeal.

During the trip McNeal was presented with a special award For an Outstanding Job in 2021. “I am very honored to receive this recognition and want to thank everyone involved that helped grow the Nakamichi business,” stated McNeal. ”A special thank you goes to David Bradman at Diplomat for giving me this opportunity.”

Since returning to the U.S market in 2020, Nakamichi Car Audio has expanded its dealer network both direct and through select distribution to car audio retailers in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii.

For more information about Nakamichi Car Audio visit www.nakamichicaraudio.com