The 12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (08.09.24) – With the beginning of second half of 2024 the 12volt industry activities shifted into high gear. Proactive 12volt industry members are utilizing the 12voltSTP Tool to showcase their positive activities at the 2024 Sturgis Bike Rally that’s happening August 2nd through the 11th.

The 12volt STP Tool makes it easier than ever to showcase a company’s positive activities and products. Snap and Txt an image… PRESTO your company’s positive news and activities could be in the news. 318-469-2526 is the number. With the advent of social media, Facebook and Instagram platforms became key vehicles to deliver information and news. The fact remains people still need, and look forward to, receiving positive news. That is also true for the business realm that includes the 12volt Industry.

To deliver fresh industry news to members of the mobile electronics industry the 12volt Central Studios posts articles on 12voltnews.com each business day and makes multiple posts on Instagram and Facebook each day. The 12volt STP Tool was created in 2020 for members of the 12volt industry to send their news to the 12volt Central Studios. Snap and Txt an image to 318 469 2526. PRESTO, your positive news could be delivered to members of the 12volt industry.

On Instagram and Facebook @12voltnews has over 10,000 followers on each platform. Those followers are dedicated members of the 12volt industry. To see over 1,000 posts #12voltstp on Instagram.

Look forward to seeing your company’s brand and positive activities in the 12volt Central Studios.

Visit instagram @12voltnews for more.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (08.09.24) – Nominations are now open for SEMA’s Visionary 8 program, which recognizes the future leaders of the automotive aftermarket industry. Nominations can be submitted until August 30 at this link.

SEMA has recognized the rising stars of the industry since 2012 through its 35 Under 35 program. Visionary 8 will build upon that success by spotlighting eight recipients who are on track to become leaders in the industry. The recognition is one of the Association’s most coveted accolades, honoring the up-and-coming talent on track to drive innovation in the automotive aftermarket for future generations.

“Visionary 8 will maintain the 35 Under 35 legacy while enhancing the quality of representation that is given to our industry’s rising stars,” said Jose Escobar, SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs. “The list is now more competitive than ever, and the selection process will be even more rigorous.”

Nominees must be SEMA members, should have active industry involvement, and demonstrate the talent, innovation, integrity, success, and leadership that is needed to become a future driver of the industry. The age criteria remains 35 and under.

Visionary 8 recipients will serve as subjects of in-depth feature articles in an upcoming issue of SEMA Magazine.

SEMA is accepting nominations for its inaugural Visionary 8 honorees through August 30.

To submit a nomination or for more information, view the nomination form.

OCALA, FL (08.08.24) – It was a pleasant surprise for the employees of Big Jeff Audio! During the most recent staff meeting, Big Jeff made his first appearance in the office after being hospitalized for nearly six weeks due to a strange infection caused by a bacteria. To everyone’s surprise Jeff, along with his wife Alma, showed up. Although he’s not yet 100%, and can’t return full-time, Big Jeff is continuing to work remotely. To all Big Jeff looked much better and all had a great time during the wide ranging talk.

Part of the quarterly meeting is the potluck where all the employees either buy something or cook something special. No matter what it is they bring it for all to enjoy. Everyone at Big Jeff Audio loves the variety of food and the time to sit down with people from other departments. Big Jeff team members talk with people they see day in and day out but by the nature of this busy business all sometimes can even say much to each other besides a good morning or good night.

This is another of Big Jeff’s ideas. At every company meeting there is the spin the wheel moment. Managers will give employees who stand out, do something that goes the extra mile or simply takes an extra step to make jobs better a ticket. These red tickets go into a container and at every meeting Jeff pulls a few out and the employee then gets the chance to spin the wheel for a price, They prize can be Big Jeff Swag, a radar detector, free lunch, etc etc. In the image Big Jeff Audio Star Wholesale Sales Representative Julia Napiontek set to spin the wheel.

For more see bigjeffaudio.com.

Benjamin Ramos, Big Jeff Audio Creative supplied this article.

NASHVILLE, TN (08.07.24) – Hertz Marine has announced the availability of the HTX 8H S-FL, their IBEX award-winning tower speaker. These speakers feature Hertz’s new, cutting-edge common motor compression driver technology, resulting in 30 percent lower weight and less speaker depth within the enclosure. While maintaining a more compact speaker for easier installation and aesthetic appeal, this new design brings performance advantages, such as a better low-end extension on bass frequencies.

In addition, the speakers have been engineered to offer a more comprehensive “sweet spot” for listening while engaged in water sports. You no longer need to sit in the perfect spot on the boat to enjoy your music. With 120 degrees of coverage and a range of more than 100 feet, your music remains loud and fully balanced across the entire frequency spectrum.

“Our team engineered several new technologies to offer a premium audio experience made for luxury surfing, wake, and ski boats,” said Pietro Pantaleone, president of Elettromedia, the parent company of Hertz. “During partner tests, everyone immediately realized that our technology allows a more compact tower speaker to perform much better than the standard 10″ tower speakers boaters expect. Simply put, the HTX is louder, more precise, and projects wider and farther than anything else on the market.”

The result of these designs is clear, distortion-free audio that carries over long distances, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music with the highest clarity and fidelity.

Features of the HTX include:

• Common Motor Driver Technology offers improved acoustical performances with a 30 percent reduction in size and weight.
• Marine-grade durability features IP65 protection grade, ASTM-D4329 standards for UV resistance, and ASTM-B117 for salt fog operability.
• Powerful sound levels with 400 W peak power and a stunning sensitivity of 98 dB SPL ensure the ultimate listening experience.
• Crystal-Clear Audio is thanks to a FEM-optimized waveguide that offers a linear SPL response, ensuring full-range sound quality at 100 feet and beyond.
• RGB-led lighting for a never-ending color wheel adds a new level of personalization and swagger to your setup.
• Fine-tuned using a long-throw 51 mm (2″) voice coil woofer sealed box applications.
• Availability

Hertz Marine’s HTX 8H S-FL (MSRP: $1000) is available for purchase online and through Hertz’s dealer network. For more information, visit hertz-audio.com.

TEMPE, AZ (08.07.24) – MasterTech Expo is proud to announce legendary Dave Kindig will take the stage to unveil the secrets behind his 2024 Riddler-winning design “TwelveAir” on March 22 during MasterTech Expo 2025, held March 20-23, 2025 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Ariz. This electrifying session is open to all MTE attendees and exhibitors.

“Get ready for an unforgettable experience at MasterTech Expo 2025 as attendees will witness a master at work as Dave walks you through his creative process, step-by-step,” explained Bryan Schmitt, MasterTech founder/CEO/president. “With live cameras capturing every detail and his sketches displayed on overhead screens, you’ll feel like you’re part of the action.”

Dave Kindig is the founder and designer of Kindig-It Design, a custom car fabrication shop in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kindig-It Design reimagines vehicles with full body transformative capability that starts with pencil and paper under Kindig’s hand. The shop is also the subject of the Motortrend TV show Bitchin’ Rides, which chronicles the design, build and delivery of some of the world’s most creative cars and trucks. With Charity Kindig, Shop Foreman Kevin Schiele and a hyper-creative team of automotive professionals, the Kindig-It Design brand enjoys worldwide popularity among automotive enthusiasts.

During MasterTech Expo, Kindig will take the audience through the intricacies of the design elements, providing thought processes, tips, and techniques that are typically valued as a designer’s trade secrets. In addition, Kindig will take the stage on the exhibit floor and talk the audience through a series of live designs, with cameras displaying his work on overhead screens. The session is scheduled separate from class and exhibit times and therefore open to all attendees and exhibitors.

“With MasterTech Expo, we are committed to embracing the entire automotive aftermarket community,” added Schmitt. “Our objective is to bring tremendous value to our attendees with brands, classes, tools and products from every segment of the industry. In talking with Dave, we were thrilled to find that he is aligned with our vision and is excited to join us at MasterTech Expo once again and share his knowledge with other professionals.”

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

DES MOINES, IA (08.05.24) – Mid-State Distributing is among the first few distributors to partner with MTX as they begin to bring aboard distributors in specific areas of the country. Mid-State will offer the entire line of MTX Mobile, Marine, and Powersports products in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

Mid-State has been a key player in this industry for as long as I can remember, and they have an
exceptional reputation for prioritizing the needs of their dealers and manufacturing partners. We’re
looking forward to a great start together as we launch dozens of new products over the next year.”

Jeff Hedden, President of Mid-State Distributing, stated, “We are excited to be working with a
company that has been making unique product solutions for the 12-volt industry for the past 45
years. This fully rounded line will be a great fit in the ever-growing line of products we currently
provide for our customers at Mid-State.”

For more information, see below:

MTX Western Regional Sales Manager: Ceasar Olaes Ceasar.Olaes@mitekusa.com
Mid-State Distributing Territory Manager Kasey Johnson: k.johnson@m-state.com

COMMERCE, CA (08.05.24) – The new Ultra High Quality H ( HIPPO) amplifiers are flying off the shelves.

For a new generation of sound, ultra-efficient, super compact design with Massive Audio’s exclusive Massive Core design that adds tons of headroom for clean, undistorted, pure sound.

The Massive Core power supply with oversized toroids/transformers deliver plenty of current to drive even the most demanding woofers and speakers. Top-quality parts and construction throughout ensure years of reliable, trouble-free service. Four-layered circuit boards, with surface-mount, computer-assembled parts, tested as they are placed on the board, to help optimize the signal paths and minimize the need for point-to-point wiring while keeping the board temperature even for more predictable operations.

Despite their impressive output power, the HIPPO amplifiers are not only subwoofer amplifiers. Thanks to an extended frequency response range from 34KHz up to 50KHz and an architecture that has been meticulously designed for the ultimate sound quality.

Advanced HIPPO H Topology: The HIPPO amplifiers are incredibly stable under difficult low-impedance speaker loads and deliver MASSIVE power with audiophile-quality sound. The HIPPO power amplifiers use oversized toroids/ transformers and multiple high-current output devices so that the most subtle details and dynamic peaks are handled equally well.

Additionally, a short path design and redundant systems (with Reactive Load Monitoring and other exclusive protective technologies) ensure that peaks are effortless reproduces and guarantee a long life of high performance.

Reactive Load Monitoring with 7 Way Sentinel Protection Circuitry: Exclusive RLM technology monitors internal temperature, current, and voltage to ensure safe and uninterrupted long-term operation. RLM is not in the signal path, so it never interferes. Instead, RLM engages instantly, but only under the most extreme circumstances, to protect the amplifier and speakers from damage, while lowering the chance of a line fuse blowing during an over-current condition.

Visit massiveaudio.com for more.

PHOENIX, AZ (08.02.24) – Vickers AV is among the first few Distributors to join forces with MTX since the latter announced last week that it would be considering Distributors in specific areas of the country.

MTX VP Jason Fickas stated, “MTX and Vickers AV share a similar history and company values. Our founders, Loyd Ivey and Ralph Vickers, were friends and business partners decades ago, and both companies are second generation and family-run. There is genuine excitement brewing between MTX and Vickers AV and we’re looking forward to supporting them through what is sure to be an exciting future together!”

Kelley Vickers commented, “Vickers AV is thrilled to announce its selection as one of the first MTX distributors in over a decade. Vickers AV will service dealers in the Southeast USA, providing access to MTX’s brand-new Terminator Series amplifiers, Thunderforms, subwoofers, speakers, and exceptional audio products for the Power Sports category. Leveraging its strategic location, Vickers AV can efficiently ship products from Atlanta to dealers’ stores, ensuring next-day delivery.”

This partnership combines Vickers AV’s extensive industry expertise with MTX’s innovative technology, guaranteeing top-quality sound solutions for all their customers’ needs. Vickers AV is excited to bring MTX’s outstanding products to its customers and looks forward to a successful collaboration.

For more information, visit www.mtx.com and www.VickersAV.com.

JASPER, IN (08.02.24) – Meyer Distributing announces its 2024 Second Quarter Outstanding Sales Performance Award. This award recognizes sales account managers who consistently exceed expectations at Meyer Distributing.

Our 2024 Second Quarter Outstanding Sales Performance Award goes to: Kent Rees, Senior Sales Account Manager.

“19 years of knowledge, passion and relationships made Kent a great recipient of this award,” states Jeremy Schnaus, Category Sales Manager for Traditional Truck & Outdoor. “Kent’s peers and customers all value the knowledge he has gained during his time at Meyer. The passion and reliability he gives to his customers is instrumental in how he builds his relationships. Meyer is lucky to have someone so dedicated that goes above and beyond for his customers.”

“Being with Meyer for 19 years has allowed me to work with a lot of great people – customers, co-workers and vendors,” claims Kent Rees. “Meyer has always allowed me to bring ideas to the table and values input from all employees. It is great coming in each and every day to a great work environment with awesome co-workers who love what they do. Being at Meyer as long as I have has allowed me to build valuable relationships with customers in the automotive industry who have become close friends as well. I greatly appreciate the recognition and look forward to more exciting times and opportunities in the future.”

Meyer Distributing is a complete international automotive and RV/towing distributor. With 107 locations nationwide and over 3,500,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, Meyer has a huge inventory of parts to service their customers. With strategically positioned warehouse facilities, Meyer Distributing is able to provide next day delivery to most locations using Meyer Logistics direct ship.

Visit meyerdistributing.com for more.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (08.01.24) – MB Quart is expanding its RV offerings and solutions with the addition of two BRAND-NEW RV mechless source units for 2024. Coming in either a 3.5” or 10” touchscreen display size – both of these models feature Multi-zone Audio Control and include AM/FM, Bluetooth, and HDMI Pass Through with a full-function remote (included in the box). Take on effortless control that’s easy and simple and integrated into your MB Quart RV audio system.

ABOUT THE RVM-35V1 and RVM-10V1 MECHLESS SOURCE UNITS

Both the RVM-35V1 and the RVM-10V1 touchscreen mechless digital multimedia Bluetooth source units make 160 watts of power and include a full-function remote. Apple Control is integrated within each model and brings quick control and access of music collection with iPhone, iPad, and iPod. With large bezel buttons and a full touch screen LCD display – controlling either the RVM-35V1 or the RVM-10V1 touchscreen mechless source unit is simple and easy.

Integrated in each mechless source unit is Bluetooth Connect allowing your phone or another Bluetooth-enabled device to be quickly paired to the controller without a complicated pairing process. In addition, both the RVM-35V1 and the RVM-10V1 mechless source units feature Quick-Pair technology that seamlessly connects to the last device connected (and for a first-time connection, only select “MB Quart” from your Bluetooth menu and you are connected QUICKLY).

Built-in power brings four channels of output and these channels remain active when running external amplifiers (RCA Output) to run additional speakers in the vehicle. The Video Input Trigger is utilized when the camera trigger is connected to a High Level (12V) and then it will switch to CAMERA source automatically.

Brian Sherman, Vice President of Product and Marketing, said, “Our RV business has shown incredible growth since adding the RVM2.0 and RVDVD3.0 source units so we’ve doubled down with these two new mechless models providing full touchscreen multi-zone control with either a 3.5” or 10” display. These models will provide a user experience more in line with your daily driver or tow vehicle making them simpler to operate and more enjoyable to own.”

Alden Stiefel, President of Maxxsonics, said, “We are excited to be offering these two new mechless model RV source units that feature a full touchscreen with multi-zone control. Coming in either a compact size of 3.5” or a massive 10” display – the RV business has been a critical industry for MB Quart, and I’m thrilled to continue expanding our product offerings in it.”

Enjoy audio and digital devices that are pushed through the source unit to the TV monitor and speaker system with HDMI Throughput. Control volume in two different areas independently, such as the passenger area and outdoor speaker area with Dual Audio Zone Capability innovated in BOTH the RVM-35V1 and the RVM-10V1 touchscreen mechless digital multimedia Bluetooth source units.

Take on the great outdoors with the newest MB Quart RV mechless source units. Obtain easy and simple control in your MB Quart RV audio system and enjoy Multi-zone Audio Control integrated throughout your installation/setup.

The RVM-35V1 and the RVM-10V1 mechless digital source units ARE HERE!

Please make sure to contact your sales representative or customer service at 847-540-7700 immediately to secure your order.

See complete line details on the MB Quart website at mbquart.com.