LONG BEACH, CA (02.13.2020) – Nakamichi Car Audio made the most of its first appearance at Knowledgefest this past weekend by talking to dealers from California plus bordering Western States and making a case for carrying the relaunched line.
Local reps Jerry Zemming (Sound Sales & Marketing) and Scott Schmidt (Cardoza & Company) showing the Nakamichi line up to interested California dealers.
Present at the Long Beach show were California reps Sound Sales & Marketing (So Cal) and Cardoza & Company (No Cal). Both were on hand to take dealers through the range of new products and discuss the Nakamichi brand philosophy and profit potential.
Dealers saw the production unit first hand.
Of particular interest was the new 2020 single DIN mechless (no CD) model NQ-721BE. This new short chassis addition features RGB multi color 2-line VA (Vertical Alignment) display, 10-band EQ, 2 phone connection for Bluetooth pairing, Nak Control APP smart phone compatibility for iOS and Android along with 4-volt front and rear line outputs. The NQ-721BE has a MSRP of $89.95 and is ready to ship this month.
Robin McNeal-Nakamichi National Sales Manager and Orestes Ordaz-Diplomat Trading Sales Manager host a dinner with staffs from Sound Sales & Marketing and Cardoza & Company.
Friday night exclusive U.S. agent for Nakamichi, Diplomat Trading, hosted an appreciation meal at a nearby steakhouse for the local reps that helped work the Long Beach show. In attendance for dinner were Jerry Zemming—Sound Sales & Marketing and the crew from Cardoza & Company—Mark Cardoza, Scott Schmidt and Micah Boren.
“We were very happy with the quality of the dealers we saw in Long Beach,” stated Robin McNeal—National Sales Manager for Nakamichi, “and are looking forward to even a bigger turnout in Indianapolis next month.”
DALLAS, TX (02.13.2020) – Earmark Car and Marine Audio exhibited at the recent Dallas Boat Show at Dallas Market Hall. The event was held over 2 weekends, January 31 – February 2 and February 6 – 9.
Earmark’s Captain, Joe Parker, related this was the 13th year the company has exhibited at the Dallas Boat Show. The company’s Lewisville location is located just north of Dallas in ‘Lake Country.’ Jim Johnson worked the booth with Parker to show the company’s marine offerings to members of the crowd.
Joe Parker pictured in the install bay area with a $4,500 job just finished for a customer from the Dallas Boat Show.
Parker stated “The investment in exhibiting at the Dallas Boat Show is very good. We receive tremendous exposure for the Earmark brand and the manufacturers that are presented in the booth. JL Audio, Wet Sounds and Kenwood Marine were featured in out 10×20 booth. With a staff of 2 working the booth it made for long hours but will prove, once again, to be a very good investment. Mark Couch, from Team Sales our JL Audio rep, was in the booth with us and a great help.”
As a direct, and immediate, result of exhibiting at the boat show Earmark has just completed a $4500. boat job. That will go quite away to paying for the cost of the booth at Market Hall.
During the show Parker kept a notebook noting the names and contact information of attendees that were ‘real potentials’. That list to followup with topped 3 dozen.
While speaking with Parker, on his cellphone, a call came into the store’s line. That call ended with an appointment for the caller to bring his boat in for a new system.
Hat’s off to Earmark Car and Marine Audio for seeing the value of participating in an offsite event.
STILLWATER, OK (02.12.2020) – KICKER Marine Audio is coming on strong in the marine industry as evidenced by its presence and activity at the 2020 Miami International Boat Show, on Virginia Key, February 13-17.
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 boats, excelling in the pontoon, wake and surf boat markets, it has recently expanded to the fishing boats and cruiser market, thanks to the growing appeal of its strong waterproof and reliable product characteristics.
At the Miami Show, KICKER Marine Audio has teamed up with Reef Runner Boats as a key sponsor in the manufacturer’s third annual “Battle Breast Cancer Giveaway.” The charitable fundraiser features 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. KICKER Marine Audio donated a full sound system, valued at nearly $4,000, joining additional sponsors like Evinrude, TACO Marine, SeaDek, Epson and others to support the effort. The boat will be prominently displayed at the show entrance, space D-50. A lucky winner will be drawn at the show at 1 PM on Monday, February 17.
KICKER Marine Audio will also participate at the show’s opening industry event on Thursday morning featuring Marine Marketers of America (MMA) and Boating Writing International (BWI) in a joint annual awards celebration. KICKER is the exclusive event sponsor for the MMA Neptune Awards, along with a category sponsorship of the BWI Travel Award. In addition, the company has donated raffle prizes to the awards event featuring giveaways of its high-end blue tooth product, EB200 Earbuds and the Tabor Over-the-ear headset.
KICKER will show its line-up of marine audio equipment in the D-Tent #139. Coaxials, subwoofers, amplifiers, receivers, service units and remotes for operation and lighting are part of the offerings, but 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 is expressly seen in items like fuses, cables, coaxial speakers and subwoofers, which are both certified and compliant to stringent marine standards.
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,” states 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.”
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,” says 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.”
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA (02.12.2020) – Cadence has partnered with 12 Volt News to giveaway a pair of IQ 653GE Speakers to a special winner, selected randomly by 12 Volt. The winner was announced via Instagram – and it was Stereo City Pros.
Rick Kahn pictured in his Carmichael, CA store with the Cadence 12volt Spin-To-Win prize.
John Velez in the Cadence City of Industry warehouse set to send the Cadence speakers to Stereo City Pros.
Here at Cadence, we enjoy partnering with companies like 12 Volt, which gives us the opportunity to get involved with more car audio lovers and dealers like Stereo City Pros. We cannot wait to see what kind of car these speakers are installed in.
Interested in becoming a dealer? Dealer and Representative inquiries are welcome. Visit our website or give us a call 626.465.3383. Make sure to visit our new and improved website: CadenceSound.com
(02.11.2020) – We know that weather affects satellite and radio signal, with even a light mist greatly hampering satellite TV viewing, but did you know that weather also has a big impact on your cellular signal? As we forge through winter and into spring, unpredictable weather from blizzards to heavy rain storms can greatly impact your phone’s ability to connect to its network at home or in your car or RV.
Cellular network traffic is carried on radio waves, and that means it can be affected by atmospheric conditions in the same manner as terrestrial radio signals. Whether the effect on signal is direct — such as thunderstorms causing electrical interference — or indirect — such as a change of season from winter to spring leading to budding trees that physically block signal — weather can be a huge factor in the diffusion, weakening, and even blocking of cell signals as they travel to and from the cell tower. Even a completely sunny day can hurt cellular signal if there’s high humidity. Thankfully, you can greatly reduce the impact of weather on your device’s cellular connection with a cellular signal booster from weBoost for your car, RV, home or office.
Are you interested in learning more? I’m happy to set up an interview with an expert from cellular signal boost leader weBoost. You can also find more information here. We also have review units available if you’d like to see how the boosters stack up against Mother Nature.
SOUTHFIELD, MI (02.11.2020) – Brandmotion has introduced the FullVUE Jeep Rear Camera Mirror. Brandmotion’s FullVUE Mirror/Rear View Camera for Jeep delivers a completely new driving experience for your JK by helping you see more than ever before.
This versatile new safety and convenience aid replaces your current rear view mirror with a full always-on HD video screen. It improves on your traditional JK mirror by providing a clear, crisp live action view at all times, with no spare tire or rear seat occupant obstructions. In addition to seeing everything behind your Jeep at all times, the view is 300% wider. Result? No more blind spots.
Mirror Features:
Bright 800LUX 9.66” Full Mirror LCD Video Screen
Super High Definition 1980*320 Pixel Display
Advanced Anti-glare Tempered Glass Camera
Full Swipe/Scroll Touch Screen for Easy View Adjust
Built in 2-channel recording cameras and DVR (w/ 32GB SD Card) High quality OEM grade mirror snaps onto Jeep JK Mirror Mount
Revert to a normal rearview mirror with the touch of a button
Camera Features:
170° Wide Angle Rear View 2MP Front Camera, 300% Wider than Stock JK Mirror
Custom Adjustable Spare Tire Mount Exclusively for 2007-2018 Jeep JK
Fits Virtually All Tire/Wheel Designs Including Deep Dish Wheels (extenders included)
60 FPS Refresh Rate for Realistic Video Smoothness
TEMPE, AZ (02.07.2020) – Harley-Davidson Road King riders can now enjoy great sound out on the road.
Rockford Fosgate the industry leader in high-performance audio systems, is excited to announce two new audio kits designed to fit most 1998 to current models of Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycles that are equipped with hard bags are now available. With these new kits, Rockford expands its audio offering outside of the faring to deliver premium sound that is contained in the saddlebags.
Each audio kit includes a Power Series 400-watt amplifier with installation harness and mount, a Bluetooth receiver, and one pair of 6×9 inch speakers that are purpose built for motorcycle applications.
For seamless installation into the factory saddlebag lids Rockford Fosgate’s industry leading waterproof speaker mounts and the corresponding cutting templates are included with each kit. All products are Element Ready for use in the outdoor environment.Riders can easily connect their Bluetooth enabled smartphone or media player to the audio kit in order to listen to their favorite playlist or streaming audio. They may control volume and track from their device or add the optional wireless remote control (PMX-BTUR).Audio Kits are configured in two variations:
CHICAGO, IL (02.07.2020) – Lucas Lighting is taking the LED headlight category and turning it back on for dealers with superior products and higher profits.
A trio of twelve-volt industry members have engineered & designed Lucas Lighting to be a solid product, worry free headlight and made for their colleagues in the industry.
Eric Carter “The current companies selling lighting are giving retailers a hard time with tech support & warranty issues and a high failure rate. We have addressed these problems and we are a very easy company to work with. Our LED headlights will last many many years with no issues.”
Lucas Lighting currently has over 30 LED lights available with more in the pipeline. Dealer partners can receive a three year warranty if they install the lights. Lucas Lighting has been testing the LED headlight category for the past few years and has over 3,000 headlights on the street.
Mike Hong “We wanted to test and evaluate all of our products before we brought them to the pubic and retailers. We’ve had huge success and no complaints whatsoever.”
Lucas Lighting will be attending the Long Beach KnowledgeFest at a remote suite and meeting with retailers and rep firms to go over the compamy’s offerings and current promotions.
Sam Yoo “A question we are always getting is will you be making light bars and other mass lighting market products? The answer is no, we will only concentrate on the products we know that we can manufacture at our highest standards and give our retailers great profit.”
For more information about Lucas Lighting or to get a presentation at Long Beach KnowledgeFest, contact the company:
METAIRIE, LA (02.06.2020) – ORACLE Lighting has announced its new pre-assembled Dynamic ColorSHIFT RGB+A “Black Series” headlights for all 2015-2017 Ford Mustangs (p/n 8199-332). The new headlights are now available with an MSRP of $989.95.
“Our new ORACLE Lighting Dynamic ColorSHIFT RGB+A headlights feature individually addressable LEDs which pack a ton of unique features,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of development. “The Dynamic features allow the user to run multiple moving color patterns through the LEDs, creating a vivid eye-catching lighting effect. Just swap over your original HID Bulbs and Ballasts and you are good to go!”
The new RGB+A (RGB+ Amber LED) SWITCHBACK line-up features Amber LEDs for a dynamic turn signal effect. The Amber LED chips can be utilized as a Turn Signal by tapping into the + turn signal wire. These complete replacement headlights feature Dynamic Halos, Dynamic Tai-Bar DRL, and Dynamic Demon Eyes and include everything needed for installation.
“We are excited to get back to our roots with this new and innovative Mustang product” added Hartenstein. “ORACLE’s first lighting modifications were for the Ford Mustang when the company began more than 20 years ago.”
The ‘BLACK-SERIES’ headlights feature a matte black housing, satin black bezel, and smoked marker light for a dark and aggressive overall styling.
2015-2017 Ford Mustang fitment includes Base, EcoBoost, EcoBoost Premium, GT, GT 50 Years Limited Edition, GT Premium, Shelby GT350, Shelby GT350R, V6, and V8.
Conveniently controlled through a free smartphone App, the system features more than 200 pre-programmed moving patterns as well as static color control and white DRL mode for normal street driving.
In addition to the pre-programmed features, the user can also create custom designs through pixel editing in the app. Through the App you can easily make standard white colors as well as any static colors using the LED color wheel. What makes these DYNAMIC halos more unique is that you can also display a variety of moving patterns within the app.
Wiring is now easy with the plug-and-play connectors. Simply plug the halos into the LED driver and connect to + and – to the battery. Then you just turn on the app and connect to the controller.
MONTEBELLO, CA (02.06.2020) – Soundstream Reserveproducts are specially developed and created to provide consumers with todays preferred features such as; CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM Ready, Digital Pre-Amp, Class-D Full Range Amplifier Line and Woofers with 3” Voice Coils. Quality constantly in our products DNA, at Soundstream we wanted to fully commit a protected MAP pricing line of products designed especially for our most knowledgeable dealers to bring you straightforward information, help, along important features everybody will LOVE.
“Soundstream continues to be committed to innovation” said Ronnie Brashear, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Epsilon. “The Soundstream brand which incorporates quality and innovation is always established well by our dealer/accounts and we wanted to offer a version exclusively to our Soundstream dealers with modern new features.”
One model has a unique swivel style 10.6″ screen. The VRCPAA-106 unit features CarPlay and Android Auto turn-by-turn Navigation, along with of course Bluetooth 4.0 Connectivity, DVD/CD and USB Playback.
REFERENCE Subwoofers -12” 2-Ohm and 4-Ohm DVC, 2.5” Voice Coil
The Reserve model subwoofer will meet carious performance and placement goals, keeping you the Soundstream fanatic, suggestions in mind. New for 2020, we are introducing these subwoofers to selected dealers only.
Soundstream dealers are encouraged to contact their rep to place an order for these units. Orders will be shipped on a first-come, first-served basis in March 2020
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