SHREVEPORT, LA (03.18.24) – In today’s world, and the 12volt world, it’s hard to find positive news. The 12volt News, and the 12volt Central Studios staffs, work to deliver positive industry news each business day. Creating the 12voltSTP Tool was another example of making it easy for industry members to deliver their company’s brand and activities to members of the 12volt industry.

With your smartphone simply Snap and Txt an image, with a few words, to 318 465 0844. PRESTO…your company’s positive could be delivered to the 12volt industry by the 12volt Central Studios.

Check out the images below for examples of posts made the last few days with images from 12volt industry members who utilized the 12voltSTP Tool.

Today, a vast percentage of people spend hours and hours on their mobile devices each day. Reports are the average person spends 4+ hours a day on their smartphone.

To deliver fresh industry news to members of the mobile electronics industry the 12volt Central Studios makes multiple posts on Instagram and Facebook each business 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 318-465-0844. 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 1000 posts #12voltstp on Instagram.

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

NEW YORK, NY (03.18.24) – SiriusXM will offer listeners nationwide extensive coverage of NCAA® March Madness®, carrying live play-by-play of the entire 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, as well as live play-by-play coverage of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship from the Sweet 16 through the Women’s Final Four®.

From the First Four® on March 19-20 through the Men’s Final Four® and National Championship game on April 6 and 8 in Phoenix, SiriusXM listeners will have access to every game – from the tip to the final buzzer – of the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

For the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship games, SiriusXM will also air live play-by-play of every game from regional play, March 29-April 1, through the Women’s Final Four, to be played April 5 and 7 in Cleveland, plus select early round matchups.

All of the Men’s NCAA Tournament game broadcasts, and the Women’s NCAA Tournament game broadcasts from the Sweet 16 through the National Championship, are provided to SiriusXM by Westwood One, the official network audio partner of the NCAA.

SiriusXM listeners nationwide can access tournament coverage and analysis across Mad Dog Sports Radio (channel 82), SiriusXM College Sports Radio (channel 84), and CBS Sports Radio (channel 158) both in-car and streaming on the SiriusXM app. SiriusXM’s new and improved app will feature a special page dedicated to March Madness®, making it easy for listeners to access live and upcoming games, tournament-related interviews, analysis and more.

Tournament matchups and SiriusXM channel assignments will be available at siriusxm.com/sports starting Monday, March 18.

Beyond the action on the court, fans will also get the most in-depth expert analysis leading up to and throughout the tournament on SiriusXM’s multiple sports talk channels.

Selection Sunday®

On Selection Sunday®, March 17, SiriusXM listeners will get up-to-the-moment coverage as tournament teams and first round matchups are announced:

• On Mad Dog Sports Radio (SiriusXM channel 82), Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Steve Torre will host special Selection Sunday coverage live from 5 – 9 pm ET.
• SiriusXM College Sports Radio (SiriusXM channel 84) will air Selection Sunday specials from 5 – 11 pm ET. At 5 pm ET, Kris Budden and Sean Farnham will host coverage of the men’s bracket reveal, then Chris Plank and Nicole Auerbach will take over as the women’s bracket is announced at 8 pm ET.
• The official NCAA Tournament Selection Show produced by Westwood One will air on CBS Sports Radio (SiriusXM channel 158) from 6 – 9 pm ET. Hosts Jason Horowitz, PJ Carlesimo and Debbie Antonelli will cover the reveal of both the men’s and women’s tournament brackets.
• SportsGrid Radio (SiriusXM channel 159) will also be live on Selection Sunday from 7-10 pm ET, with Ben Stevens and “Coach” James Young hosting.

Basketball and Beyond with Coach K

Hall of Famer and five-time national champion former head coach of the Duke Blue Devils Mike Krzyzewski will host his SiriusXM show, Basketball and Beyond with Coach K, twice a week during the tournament run on the SiriusXM College Sports Radio channel and on the SiriusXM app. Coach K will share his insight into what teams face as they prepare to play on college basketball’s biggest stage, and react to performances by players and teams as they advance through the bracket.

Final Four® Special Programming

SiriusXM will also have live programming airing from both the Men’s and Women’s Final Four cities, with pregame shows on location in Phoenix and Cleveland, as well as live coverage of the Naismith Awards Brunch, where the Women’s and Men’s Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards are announced.

Throughout the tournament, SiriusXM’s sports channels will offer daily expert analysis from former players, coaches and other college sports insiders. These channels will be a place for fans to call in and discuss the performances of their favorite teams and conferences.

Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM streaming for free. Click here to sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer. See Offer Details.

PALM BEACH, FL (03.15.24) – Gooichi Motors and ZyCoat is proud to announce an extraordinary event set to take place at the Palm Beach International Boat Show. For the very first time in Florida, we will be unveiling our remarkable BMW GT3 Z4, powered by a Supercharged M120 Engine and the exhaust system coated with ZyClear the revolutionary high temperature, high gloss, corrosion resistant coating, aboard the prestigious Mega yacht “Far Niente.”  ZyCoat will demonstrate ZyClear’s technology innovation & applications for the marine industry while on board.   

This historic occasion promises an unforgettable experience for attendees and media alike. The Palm Beach International Boat Show is renowned for its luxury, elegance, and innovation, making it the perfect backdrop for our debut. On March 21st-24th , visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to witness the marriage of automotive excellence and maritime grandeur with ZyClear treated, Gooichi Motors SEMA Race car takes its place on the back of “Far Niente.”

This groundbreaking event marks a significant milestone for Gooichi Motors and ZyCoat and highlights our joint commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and engineering. This 1500hp Street-legal BMW GT3 Z4 represents the pinnacle of automotive innovation, delivering unparalleled power, precision, and speed. This vehicle made its debut at the 2023 SEMA show, where it earned recognition by securing a position in the top three for the SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle Award.

Visit https://www.gooichimotors.com, https://zycoat.com, and https://www.pbboatshow.com for more.

ANCHORAGE, AK (03.15.24) – Known by so many throughout the industry as “Big Bro”, SoundShield founder and CEO, John Schwartz has earned that title by doing whatever he can to help others be their best. At the next Knowledgefest event, which takes place in Nashville, TN from April 19th through April 21st, Schwartz’s company will continue that tradition by sponsoring the seminar entitled “Cast Off the Crutches”. This seminar, which will be delivered by Jon Kowanetz of Pathways Coaching & Consulting, aims to help attendees to identify and overcome the obstacles that are holding them back from getting to where they want to go in both their personal and professional life.

Through the sharing of personal experiences with habit and behavior change, Part 1 of this seminar seeks to empower others to proudly acknowledge the areas in their own lives that they would like to change and shows them how doing so could benefit them both at home and at work. Whether the habit is as seemingly harmless as nail biting or excessive social media usage, or as destructive as alcohol and drug dependence, attendees will learn a step-by-step process to overcome it.

Part 2 of Cast Off the Crutches is a workshop that builds upon what attendees learned in Part 1, by giving them an opportunity to use that same step-by-step process to create an actual plan to change their unwanted habits and behaviors, in a way they may not have encountered before. “We all know that in order to change a habit or behavior, we must first acknowledge it,” Kowanetz said “But to create the desire to actually make that change, we need to clearly define why it is a problem for us, how much it could negatively affect our lives if we don’t change it and how much our lives could improve if we do!”

“Look, we all need to make money, sell more, install better and there are so many classes at KnowledgeFest that will teach people how to do those things,” said John Schwartz of the sponsorship “But what is all that worth if we are not good within ourselves? The industry needs a class like this and SoundShield is proud to support it!” 

Part 1 of “Cast Off the Crutches” will be delivered at 8:00 am on Saturday, April 20 2024 in room 103 A and Part 2 will be delivered at 10:30 am on Sunday, April 21 2024 in room 103 A, as part of the Knowledgefest Nashville event, being held at the Music City Center in Nashville TN. 

Please contact Jon Kowanetz at Pathways Coaching & Consulting with any questions. 

Visit https://www.soundshieldusa.com for more.

NORTH ANDOVER, MA (03.14.24) – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is thrilled to announce an innovative addition to this year’s KnowledgeFest in Nashville — the highly anticipated Truck Expo. This dynamic event will spotlight a variety of truck and off-road categories, featuring top-notch products such as truck bed covers, step and nerf bars, weather protection, and much more.

RealTruck, the premier global manufacturer and digital destination of accessories for trucks, Jeep, and Bronco, will be a highlight at the Truck Expo, showcasing leading brands including AMP, Go Rhino, Retrax, AVS, Husky, and more. In addition to RealTruck, numerous other truck accessory exhibitors will be on display, providing attendees with an extensive range of products and innovations, and Meyer Distributing will be hosting several truck accessories partners to exhibit and demonstrate their products.

The Truck Expo will offer a main stage on the exhibit floor, hosting key industry speakers, product demonstrations, and hands-on demos. Chris Cook, President of MEA, emphasized the significance of the truck accessories category, stating, “The truck accessories category is a great way for our member companies to enhance their business. We welcome dealers/jobbers to explore traditional mobile electronics products as well.”

KnowledgeFest, already renowned for its comprehensive educational workshops, will feature over 150 hours of sessions covering key topics for owners and managers, sales and marketing, as well as technicians and fabricators. The Truck Expo aligns with MEA’s commitment to provide diverse opportunities for growth within the industry. Attendees can look forward to engaging seminars, insightful workshops, interactive demonstrations, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Truck accessories retailers, even those not currently MEA members, will receive special invite codes from exhibiting manufacturers and distributors, enabling them to register for free and explore the exciting offerings at KnowledgeFest. MEA anticipates about 250 additional attendees.

As an added incentive, retailers registering and attending KnowledgeFest will have the chance to win a Ford F-150, loaded with products from participating exhibitors.

MEA invites mobile electronics retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and industry enthusiasts to mark their calendars for all the KnowledgeFest 2024/25 events and be part of this exceptional opportunity to revolutionize the mobile electronics landscape.

Upcoming KnowledgeFest events:
• April 19-21, 2024 – Nashville, TN
• June 7-9, 2024 – Atlantic City, NJ
• August 23-25, 2024 – Dallas, TX
• January 31 to February 2, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV

Learn more at mobile-electronics.com

EDMONTON, CANADA (03.14.24) – Eleven Engineering, Inc. is proud to announce that Jessica Ritchie has joined the company’s growing Research & Development Design Team.

“We have seen a continued need to grow our R&D department the past couple years due to unrivaled growth for Eleven Engineering,” said Rex Whitehead, Eleven Engineering executive vice president, sales & marketing. “Jessica’s education and drive make her a perfect fit for our Research & Development Design Team.”

Ritchie graduated the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering with a biomedical engineering minor. 

“I was initially drawn to Eleven Engineering because of my interest in RF technologies, and I was also intrigued that they designed their own processors as this is almost unheard of in wireless audio,” said Ritchie, whose current responsibilities include writing firmware for products such as Dillinger Labs’ Death From Below subwoofer, and improving internal software tools. “It was obvious Eleven Engineering is doing something unique and I wanted to be a part of it. Since joining, I have already learned so much about audio engineering and embedded systems, and I am very excited to be part of the team.” 

SKAA has become the go-to wireless solution for the emerging PSM (Party Speaker Market) due to its long range and the fact that no network is required. Additionally, SKAA wireless lets the integrator easily create a dedicated multi-room home audio superhighway with a range up to 150 feet with a robust, interference-free low-latency signal eliminating lip-sync issues with TV and gaming. SKAA-enabled products can stream music between them, up to four sets simultaneously – one transmitter to four devices. In environments laden with heavy Wi-Fi and Bluetooth traffic, SKAA navigates through these hostile environments with best-in-class reliability. SKAA also allows for uninterrupted audio signals that are delivered with the highest sound quality to all speakers without the latency that is inherent in other wireless solutions.

SKAA is available as a built-in technology not requiring an external transmitter in purpose-designed partner products. SKAA transmitters work with iOS & Android mobile devices, Mac & Windows computers, televisions, and just about any product with a line output or a headphone jack.

Eleven Engineering breaks down the Seven Deadly Sins of WiFi Audio on its YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw2iSCuT0x8).

For more on SKAA and the Seven Deadly Sins of WiFi Audio, please subscribe to https://www.youtube.com/user/SKAAwireless and visit SKAA.com.

For additional information, contact Rex Whitehead at 480-650-3979 or email whitehead@eleveneng.com. For more information on Eleven Engineering, visit www.elevenengineering.com, SKAA wireless YouTube channel, and Facebook/.

GRAPEVINE, TX (03.13.24) – Southwest Sales & Marketing is now on the road in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana with the THINKWARE Dash Cam line on their brands line card.

Billy Alexandre, THINKWARE Sales Manager, stated “We are moving forward with setting up a rep firm network across the US and recently appointed Scott Ringo and his team to represent the THINKWARE brand in their territory. Scott and his team Tommy McClure and Taylor Williams hit the road to see 12volt retailers. Those dealers can showcase the important dash cam category to their customers.”

Ringo offered ‘Our firm had not been looking at this category. One day I overhead my wife, an insurance claims adjuster, talking about the importance of drivers installing dash cams to document and accident that could occur and result in a claim. I then learned more and contacted Billy at THINKWARE. The dash cam category offers many opportunities for specialty retailers who utilize consumer focused sales presentations in their stores. The THINKWARE line is loaded with top features that are very beneficial to consumers driving safely on the road.”

Alexandre related “The THINKWARE dash cam lineup includes models with advanced technology features like radar parking mode, Bluetooth and dual-band WI-FI connection along with speed and red-light camera alerts. Front and rear cameras make the THINKWARE a premium in-vehicle connectivity dash cam line.”

Southwest Sales & Marketing represents HKI, Epsilon, Maxxsonics, Cicada and Beyma along with THINKWARE. see swssalesmarketing.com for more or contact 214-212-9049 for more.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (03.13.24) – DISCUS is BACK! Get ready to experience NEW HIGHS in treble performance with Discus Speaker Systems. ALL-NEW for 2024 — Discus speakers deliver much brighter highs and trebles in every song through inverted dome tweeter technology. Hear and take in incredible clarity in every note with undistorted sound through the innovation of Discus speakers. Deeper sound meets LOUD.

It’s time for your TREBLE GAME to transform to new heights of sound!

The MB Quart Discus speaker line includes: 3.5-inch coaxial speakers, 4-inch coaxial speakers, 5.25-inch coaxial speakers, 6.5-inch coaxialspeakers, 6.5-inch shallow mount coaxial speakers, 4×6-inch coaxial speakers, 5×7/6×8-inch coaxial speakers, 6×9-inch coaxial speakers, and a 6.5-inch component speaker system. Hear more sound. Feel more LOUD.

For complete details on each speaker model – follow the link HERE.

ALL-NEW Discus speakers set the bar in audio playback through inverted dome tweeter technology. Embrace more detail in every song with improved tweeters brightening highs, steady mids adding layers of richer sound, and an overall speaker upgrade to your MB Quart audio system.

FEATURES ACROSS THE MB QUART DISCUS SPEAKER LINE
TWEETERS – Aluminum inverted dome tweeters deliver great sound with increased reliability.
SURROUND / CONE COUPLING – Butyl rubber surrounds provide durability and deeper mid-bass impact.
CONE MATERIAL – Lightweight thermal-formed Polypropylene cones enable faster midrange response.
VOICE COIL / FORMER ASSEMBLY – Pure Copper voice coil creates a strong magnetic field with a very thin extrusion. Kapton voice coil former is lightweight and efficiently dissipates heat.
SPIDER – Natural fiber allows flexibility, while the infused epoxy gives strength during the manufacturing process.
MOTOR – Ferrite magnet motor creates a strong magnetic field while remaining small enough to fit in nearly every application.

Enhanced butyl rubber surrounds provide consistent durability adding deeper mid-bass impact in every beat as the cone/surround connection utilizes a high-temperature adhesive, which assures the cone and surround do not separate in high power uses or extreme weather conditions.

Inverted dome tweeter technology has arrived through MB Quart Discus innovation. Get ready to embrace deeper treble impact through innovative layers of Discus technology. Hear more of your sound through Discus speaker systems and elevate your MB Quart car audio system NOW!

Learn more HERE about the line of MB Quart Discus Speaker Systems.

GASTONIA, NC (03.12.24) – Make your plans to attend the 2024 Shiflet & Dickson Dealer Show. The event kicks off Saturday night at 7 pm with a St Patty’s Day party featuring live music along with food and refreshments in the company’s facility in Gastonia. Sunday is the show day that runs from 9 am until 5 pm with over 20 brands represented in the showroom. Outside there will be live vehicle demos. Food and refreshments are on the menu on show day Sunday also.

Shiflet & Dickson’s David Holland stated “This will be our 32nd dealer show! Many dealers have not had the ability to go to a show recently to see the newest 12volt products. With vendor motorcycles and other vehicles in the house we plan on letting our customers hear what these products sound like in a real world setting… other than a YouTube video on a smartphone or laptop.”

Continuing Holland offered “We will have trainings on Sunday with certain vendors as well as having reps on the show floor to meet with and answer questions. We start the St Patty’s Day party Saturday night with food, refreshments and live entertainment with a rock’n roll band.”

12volt brands to be showcased include Kicker, JVC Mobile, CRUX, Metra, DB Drive, Jensen, AudioControl, Polk Audio, PowerBass, Nakamichi, Audio Enhancers, SD Lighting, XPERT, Maximum Power, Planet Audio, MaxPro Film, Rydeen, LinksWell and SoundStream.

Concluding Holland stated “Our show is like having our large family come into our facility for a large get together. We also have many of our vendors that have offered us special discounts before and after the show to make our dealers more profitable on their sales floors. The floor have been polished and we look forward to seeing our extended family on Saturday and Sunday, March 16th and 17th.”

Contact your Shiflet & Dickson inside or outside sales person to make sure you are able to sit down and take advantage of the special pricing being offered for dealers at the show. Contact 800-222-9411 for more.

Visit shifletdickson.com for more.

ELKHART, IN (03.12.24) – ASA Electronics, LLC—the leading provider of premium marine, agricultural, commercial vehicle, and recreational vehicle audio solutions—announced today a new heavy-duty (HD) stereo lineup that brings unmatched sound and durability to the everyday farmer, driver, and road brave-heart in town. 

Bluetooth Stereo with DAB+ 

The JHD62 and JHD962BT are built to deliver crystal-clear personal music and enable hands-free calling above the worksite or road noise elements. The compact size of the Mini version (JHD962BT) allows for tight installations without compromising powerful sound in harsh work conditions, making it an ideal choice for fully loaded cabs and close quarters. 

Bluetooth and Weatherband Stereo 

The JHD22 and the much-anticipated successor JHD922BT (upgrading from JHD91022BT) go beyond expectations with Bluetooth and an array of additional features, including the ability to withstand dust, dirt, grime, and water with a UV and water-resistant front panel (rated at IPX5). The Mini version (JHD922BT) boasts a compact size that enables snug installations without sacrificing sound quality, even in loud and rugged environments. 

“After 17 years with this company, this might be one of my favorite product launches,” says Mark Wojtys, Vice President of the HD Division at ASA Electronics. “ASA has a strong history of durable, heavy-duty products that last years for our customers. We have brought and continue to bring audio solutions tough enough for construction equipment and powerful enough for powersports vehicles. As one of my final projects before I retire, I couldn’t be prouder of the legacy I’m leaving behind.” 

The lineup gets its slogan “Harsh Conditions Certified” from ASA Electronics’ engineering team’s commitment to exceptional longevity and durability. Through rigorous testing procedures, each stereo is equipped with features like circuit board protection and UV and water resistance to withstand the challenges of rugged work environments. A unique membrane behind the screen protects the unit against dust, ensuring a clear display and optimal functionality for years. Additionally, ASA evolved the new HD lineup to include Bluetooth technology in lieu of the CD deck, allowing users to customize their experience and enjoy an extensive library of songs without physical storage constraints. The absence of deck openings and moving parts in the solid-state internal hardware enhances durability, allowing for better tolerance to external elements like shock, vibration, dust, and heat. 

Contact Joe Camacho, successor to Mark Wojtys, at jcamacho@asaelectronics.com for more information or visit https://www.jensen-electronics.com/jensen-heavy-duty/ to find stereos that straddle the line between utility and entertainment.