Mobile Electronics Magazine - KnowledgeFest Las Vegas

January 2024

me-mag.com

MAPPING OUT THE JOURNEY This year’s nominees demonstrate a commitment to continued growth and a willingness to share their knowledge.

INSTALLS

THIS SIMPLE, CLASSIC 1958 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE STOLE THE SHOW AT KNOWLEDGEFEST DALLAS

Volume 56 Issue 1 ADVERTISING SALES

sales@mobile-electronics.com

EDITORIAL Rosa Sophia MANAGING EDITOR

978.645.6466 rosas@mobile-electronics.com Chris Cook E D I T O R - AT - L A R G E

CREATIVE LAYOUT AND DESIGN

12 FEATURES

ON THE COVER:

mobile electronics association

This year’s nominees share important lessons learned: Always listen, understand when to ask for help and—most of all—know your own worth.

Here’s how to make sure a business is prepared to withstand life’s unexpected changes.

52// Tech Today: What is GaN?

Learn about GaN technology and why SounDigital thinks it’s so important to the future of car audio.

Chris Cook PRESIDENT

978.645.6434 chrisc@mobile-electronics.com Congratulations to this year’s Industry Awards nominees! Featured on the cover are just a few of the installers, sales professionals and retailers who offer their knowledge and expertise to help support their peers. Join us at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, February 2-4, to celebrate their accomplishments and the continued growth of 12-volt.

ARTICLES 38 Retail News 58 Installs

DEPARTMENTS 4

Editor’s Forum

6

Feedback

2 Mobile Electronics January 2024

Published by TM

12// Industry Awards: Pros Set Goals for Next Step

46// Strategy and Tactics: Is Your Business Ready?

Contributing Editors Jamie Sorcher and Laura Kemmerer

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Richard Basler E XECU TIVE DIRECTOR MEMBER SER VICES

978.645.6449 richb@mobile-electronics.com Tony Frangiosa CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MEA

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E D I T O R ’ S

F O R U M

ROSA SOPHIA • MANAGING EDITOR

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE We’ve all heard about growth mindset.

But what’s the best way to harness it?

It’s almost time for KnowledgeFest Las Vegas and another round of

they can bypass continued education and just try. “Confidence and

the Industry Awards. Over the past year, I’ve had many conversations

effort became goals in and of themselves instead of means to goals,”

with technicians, sales professionals and retailers. I want to know how

she writes. If we don’t have the right tools, it’s hard to accomplish

you work, how you face challenges and what that means to you. Here’s

much. To truly implement the growth mindset, then, we must do the

an easy question to ask, but maybe it’s not your accomplishments? (If you see me on the show floor February 2-4, let me know!)

Passion is a driving force for most of us. Continued education must always be a focus. Many of my chats with 12-volt professionals bring me around to something that’s become important for a lot of people: the growth mindset. We have an idea of what it means—but what’s the best way to apply it?

WE CAN CHOOSE TO GROW, OR WE CAN STAY THE SAME I recently discovered a book called Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

by Carol Dweck. This book explores how a person’s opinion of their own abili-

hard work and understand what it really

“

so easy to answer: To what do you credit

means to apply it.

Also in Mindset, Dweck writes about

If I learn from something, I can’t possibly regret it.

parents who endorse a growth mindset, but react negatively to their children’s mistakes as if they are bad, instead of helpful. Studies have also suggested that when parents step in to solve a problem or handle a crisis, this actually leads to a lower sense of self-worth. Mistakes, then, are important. Our mistakes provide the greatest lessons of all.

BUILDING A LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS So, what’s the healthiest way to apply a growth mindset? If you’re reading this article, you’re probably working on it already. If you’re a business owner, supporting the growth mindset of your

ties impacts how much they’ll achieve.

team might mean delegating tasks and

It sounds simple: If we know we can

letting go. When we try something on

improve our skillsets and continue to grow, we tend to achieve more. On the flipside, someone with a fixed mindset might give up more easily in the face of a challenge.

”

our own, we not only have an opportunity to learn a new skill, but also to make new and precious mistakes along the way.

We must continue to educate ourselves. We must learn from our

Maybe it’s because it sounds simple that the idea has been further

mistakes. Here’s my mantra, and you’re welcome to use it, too: If I

simplified. I’ve been reading a book about teaching creative writing.

learn from something, I can’t possibly regret it. If it taught me some-

(I know we’re in 12-volt, here, but stick with me.) In her article, “It’s

thing, it’s an experience well-earned. It’s only negative if I choose to

Such a Good Feeling,” Anna Leahy posits that the growth mindset

see it that way. Take the lesson, jot it down for future reference and

might have been simplified a bit too much, leading some to believe

carry on. You can do this.

4 Mobile Electronics January 2024

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 feedback

FINDING THE WAY FORWARD Some of this year’s Industry Award contestants offer their best advice based on mistakes made, past experience and personal insight.

“You should always be learning. Everything is always evolving and new products are always being released. You should always try to diversify. I started early in my career just selling 12-volt. It was great, but once I started looking into being able to sell accessories, performance work, wraps, wheels and tires, it just opened up a whole new avenue of clientele, which allowed for more revenue. The more people I can reach, the more people I can sell to. I wish I had started that earlier. I see a lot of shops that only focus on audio. The advice I would give them is to broaden their horizons, because it will open up a lot more avenues for them and for their businesses.”

-Yamil Widy, Traffic Jams Motorsports, Buford, Ga.

6 Mobile Electronics January 2024

“Flying by the seat of your pants in this industry doesn’t work anymore. Be the professional, and offer the right solutions.”

- Dan Wilson, Columbus Car Audio & Accessories, Reynoldsburg, Ohio “Don’t listen to outside noise, and keep doing what you do to the best of your ability. I wish I would’ve listened to that advice, which was given to me a long time ago.”

-Michael Bischoff, Traffic Jams Motorsports, Buford, Ga. “Know your value—both shop owners and technicians. Never take advantage. Create a relationship where no one is better than the other. Instead, build a team of equal greatness.”

- Dave Koz, Titan Motoring, Nashville, Tenn.

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 stats

Mobile Electronics

TM

INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE 2023

vs 2022

mobile electronics association

The Mobile Electronics Association reports specialty retailer performance and the forecast for 2023.

2024

up

16%

Down

2%

2023

vs 2023 Forecast Down

8%

vs 2019

*MEA Forecasted 2023 to be flat as compared to 2022

2023

vs 2022 Retail Sales

Historical Data 2020 vs 2019

SECOND QUARTER UP

UP

%

%

5 %

UP

15 16 %

11

FIRST QUARTER DOWN

2021 vs 2020

THIRD QUARTER DOWN

2018 vs 2017

4 %

UP

FOURTH QUARTER DOWN

4 %

2022 vs 2021

2019 vs 2018

8

DOWN

11 2 % %

DOWN

DOWN

2 %

%

2024 Forecast

Key Observations While 2023 was slightly down over 2022 the industry is still up as compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019.

THIRD QUARTER DOWN

Average transactions per location in 2023 were down 7% as compared to 2022.

FIRST QUARTER DOWN

Average dollars per location in 2023 were down 5% as compared to 2022.

%

10

SECOND QUARTER DOWN

12 %

Data owned and provided by the Mobile Electronics Association. © 2024 Mobile Electronics Association 8 Mobile Electronics January 2024

2023 vs 2022

7%

FOURTH QUARTER DOWN

5 %

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 Industry Awards

PROS SET GOALS FOR NEXT STEP This year’s nominees share important lessons learned: Always listen, understand when to ask for help and—most of all—know your own worth.

WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA

12 Mobile Electronics January 2024

Michael Bischoff

TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS Buford, Ga.

With 32 years of installing behind him, Michael Bischoff said he’s grown a lot in recent years: “My biggest strength was one of my biggest weaknesses in the past,” he explained, adding that today, he feels he’s better able to step in and help wherever needed. “I’ve learned to slow down. One of the biggest mistakes I made in my career was cracking a Rolls Royce door panel.”

Four of his greatest influences in the industry are Ben Freeman, Erick Markland, Jeff Smith and Yamil Widy. “They all believe in me and have the ability to pick me up when I am down,” he said. “Five years from now, I can see myself in more of a design and ownership role at Traffic Jams Motorsports.”

Beyond his work-related duties, Bischoff enjoys playing golf, smoking meats and watching Georgia Bulldog games.

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13

 Industry Awards

Adam Devine

DEVINE CONCEPTS AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN Naples, Fla. As an installer for the past 25 years, Adam Devine spent much of his career in big-box retail before opening his business. He completed the course at Mobile Dynamics in 2002 and earned his MECP Basic and First Class certifications. One of the things he enjoys most about his work is troubleshooting. “It’s sometimes difficult for me to reach out for help,” he said. “But if the amount of time [spent on something] far exceeds being productive, or what’s best for the client and the business, then you have to utilize those resources and learn [from your experience].”

Nicholas Frazier INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS Wilbraham, Mass.

In the industry for 17 years, Nicholas Frazier owns his own shop.

In 2019, he was named Trusted Tech of the year. When he first started out, he recalled always taking other people’s word as the truth when it came to installations. “While something may not be easy to accomplish, there’s usually a solution,” he said. “You just have to be determined and confident in your ability to prove it.”

14 Mobile Electronics January 2024

Dalton Trainer

CAR-TUNES, INC. Greenville, Miss.

At family-owned Car-Tunes, Inc., Dalton Trainer grew up around 12-volt. His mother, Kimberly Trainer, owns the business. Of course, one of Dalton’s biggest influences is his mother, who he said taught him how to conduct business with customers to high standards, adding that she has always “backed me 100 percent” when it comes to attending trainings, both in-person and virtual. “She sent me multiple times to Mobile Solutions, and even in-store trainings by industry professionals like Nick Wingate.”

Other influences in his career include Matt Schaeffer, Bryan Schmitt, Chris Pate, JT Torres, Tom Miller, Adam Devine, Carlos Parra and Joe Giallombardo. These and many others, he added, influence and inspire him to improve his processes every day.

Phil Cantu

MOBILE TOYS, INC. College Station, Texas

In the industry for 17 years, Phil Cantu serves as project manager, technician and fabricator at Mobile Toys, Inc. He feels his greatest strength is his ability to adapt and overcome problems throughout a build. “I see building a car like solving lots of little problems,” he said. “Hundreds, if not thousands, of issues are solved when building a full interior.

It’s important to not get overwhelmed and address them and plan for them as they come.”

Cantu added that the mistakes we make aren’t as important as how we deal with them, “how we learn from it, and how we adapt.”

A number of people have inspired him throughout his career, including Chris Pate, Jeremy Carlson, Tom Miller, Brian Mitchell, Matt Schaffer and Bryan Schmitt. “They’ve shaped the way I think and how I approach my projects,” he added.

Outside of work, he enjoys golfing with friends and family.

facebook.com/MobileElectronics 15

 Industry Awards

Steve Ledford

CARTUNES OF ATLANTA Atlanta, Ga.

Cameron King

Titan Motoring, Nashville, Tenn.

Chris Lawson

Custom Audio Reimagined, Cutler, Ind.

Dade Makarrall

Sound Connection Inc, Brainerd, MN

David Brewer

Solar Pro Tint n Tunes, Warrensburg, MO

Isaac Schertzer

Devine Concepts Automotive Design, Naples, Fla.

Brian Murphy ADS

Chris McNulty elettromedia-USA

Doug Dobson HKI USA

Josh Bowen JVCKenwood

Matt Mergenthal L Audio

16 Mobile Electronics January 2024

After 29 years in the industry, Steve Ledford feels one of his greatest strengths is problem-solving, whether it’s 12-volt- or automotive-related. He got started in a shop in his hometown at 15 years old, sweeping floors and mowing the grass. The shop, he said, did mostly basic installs and dealership work.

After one employee left, Ledford had the opportunity to become an installer.

“I studied installs in car audio magazines and started trying techniques with fiberglass fabrication,” he recalled. “I got some tips from guys at a local body shop who thought what I was doing was interesting. I like to keep up with industry trends, and I use a lot of different techniques to stay current.”

The biggest career mistake he ever made, he said, “was working for less money than I’m worth and staying at some shops long after things had run their course in order to avoid change. Change can be good sometimes. People will take advantage of you if you let them. It’s one thing to give the customer a little more than they paid for every now and then, but if it’s too much, too often, it will bury you.”

Outside of work, Ledford enjoys traveling, boating and jet-skiing. “I’m also building a couple of cars from the ground up,” he said, adding that he hopes to finish the project vehicles and do a cross-country Route 66 road trip with his wife in his 1970 Dodge Dart.

 Industry Awards

Dan Wilson

American Radio Georgia / Florida

Sound FX Delaware

Titan Motoring Tennessee

Davis Distribution Systems DOW Technologies GoFast Solutions

18 Mobile Electronics January 2024

COLUMBUS CAR AUDIO & ACCESSORIES Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Dan Wilson started working in the industry 22 years ago. He feels his strength is his ability to think outside the box and come up with a good solution, rather than a compromise. He also said he is good at troubleshooting.

His biggest mistake at work, he said, was a mishap with a customer’s vehicle while parking in a tight space. “My lesson learned: Pay attention to your surroundings.”

His greatest influences include “anyone who’s able to do whatever needs to be done at a high level. My all-time influences, though, would have to be Tom Miller and Bryan Schmitt. Their attention to detail at every step of the process is next level in everything they do.”

In the future, Wilson hopes to take on a training or leadership role. “I believe that my technical knowledge and my ability to innovate could spark new ideas and positive change in the front and the back of the store,” he said. Outside work, he enjoys vacationing with family and watching his kids play sports.

Dave Koz

TITAN MOTORING Nashville, Tenn.

Dave Koz has been in the industry for 18 years. He recalled the biggest mistake he’s ever made in his career: “It happened this year when I severely injured my thumb in a table saw,” he said. “I learned that no matter your skill set or knowledge, it’s important to stay 100 percent focused when doing your job.”

In the future, Koz hopes to be “unrecognizable from who I am today.”

He said he prides himself in never-ending progression, adding, “I want to move forward both personally and professionally.” He hopes to continue that self-improvement and be a positive influence, helping those around him the best he can.

Ben Freeman

TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS Buford, Ga.

Been Freeman has been in the industry for 25 years, and feels his optimism and positive attitude is one of his strengths. Over time, he said, he’s learned to better delegate tasks to team members. “I used to try to do it all by myself because I had issues trusting others to do things the way I liked them done,” he explained. “I have learned to rely on everyone’s unique talents. Not only has that made longer projects more bearable, but we all collectively learn from one another and we all grow. I think this is key in a well-run shop. It’s the embodiment of teamwork.”

While Freeman said he’ll continue to enjoy his work in fabrication, he hopes to teach more in the future. Outside of work, he enjoys reading science fiction novels and drawing. “Drawing was my initial career choice when I was younger,” he said, adding, “I still take on commission work doing portraits and illustrations. Other than that, my kids take up most of my free time. I have three under the age of five, and that can be quite demanding!”

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19

 Industry Awards

Terry Dawson

CARTRONICS

Madison, Tenn.

12 Volt Marketing Group 12 Volt Specialist Momentum Marketing Team Progressive The Progressive Group / M.A.G. Sales

Bill Freeman Progressive

Chris Brinkley AAMP Global

Elias Ventura HKI USA

Jonathan Mercado GoFast Solutions

Lord Phil Chartier The 12Volt Specialists

20 Mobile Electronics January 2024

In the industry for over eight years, Terry Dawson is currently the installation manager at CarTronics in Madison, Tenn. He recalled one of his greatest mistakes while on the job: “Several years ago I didn’t fully seat the hatch grommet when running a camera and ended up having to replace the headliner,” he said. “It taught me to take your time with every install because the smallest mistake could cost you money and a client’s trust.” In the future, Dawson hopes to continue growing with the company, “doing bigger and better builds.” He said he’d also like to share more of his knowledge, as well as “start designing 3D models and renderings” to enhance customer experience. Outside of work, he enjoys snowboarding, skateboarding, paintball, cliff-jumping and riding his dirt bike.

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 Industry Awards

Carlos Parra AUDIO ADDICTION Temecula, Calif.

Carlos Parra has been in the industry for 15 years, and currently works as the install manager and fabricator at Audio Addiction in Temecula, Calif. He feels his greatest strength is designing and building systems, as well as troubleshooting.

Most of all, he said, he is very good at multi-tasking. While managing the team, he added, “I’ll fabricate a box, run the laser and troubleshoot an issue with another tech.”

His biggest mistake on the job, he explained, “was mounting an amplifier in a boat and thinking I was mounting it onto wood—but I actually drilled through the wall of the boat. I didn’t have enough depth and didn’t measure first. What did I learn? It’s the oldest saying in the book: Measure twice, cut once.”

Those who’ve inspired him over the years include Joseph Norton, Dalton Trainer, Jaime Palafox and Bryan Schmitt. One day, Parra hopes to share his knowledge and mentor others in the industry. Outside of his day job, he enjoys woodworking.

Chase Beaujean SOUND EVOLUTION, LLC Houston, Texas Chase Beaujean is the install manager at Sound Evolution, and he has been in the industry for seven years. He said he’s always willing to try new things. “I’ve always dove headfirst into jobs or projects, often not exactly sure how I would get to the end,” he said. “I do my best to adapt and learn new skills to get it done.”

Beaujean said he draws inspiration from the team at Musicar, and looks up to Matt Schaeffer: “I’ve always thought, ‘I want to be able to do what he does one day.’”

In the past, he added, he worked too much and experienced burnout.

“My work and personal life suffered. I’ve learned that to perform at your best, there must be a balance. It won’t happen overnight. Don’t stress the little things so much—they will come with experience.”

Outside of work, he and his wife enjoy playing pickleball. “We both played sports at a high level growing up, so it’s fun to be competitive together,” he said. “We also like to go hiking and climbing with our two Rhodesian ridgebacks. They keep the house from ever being too quiet!”

22 Mobile Electronics January 2024

Devine Concepts Automotive Design Naples, Fla.

The owner of Devine Concepts Automotive Design—Adam Devine—has been in the industry for over 20 years. Until recently, he was his business’s only employee. At last, the staff is growing. Devine said the biggest challenge recently has been effective time management. “Our traffic has increased substantially to the point where we had no choice to hire,” he said.

iNNovative Concepts Wilbraham, Mass.

When business owner Nicholas Frazier started out in 2006, it was in a big box store, which he said gave him confidence. “It also put me a little behind when it comes to custom fabrication,” he said. “It wasn’t until I left for another shop that I got to dip into the creative side of fabrication. From there I’ve somewhat been self-taught.”

Frazier also attended law school, graduated and passed the bar exam, but when he began practicing as an attorney, he found that he missed 12-volt and wanted to return. “In the legal community, we use the term ‘client’—someone who has a continued relationship with us,” Frazier said. “I wanted to offer a relationship between consumer and shop, not just a passing conversation or interaction.”

For a long time, the business was a one-man shop. “Giving up some control is hard, but necessary,” Frazier said. “The amount of growth we’ve had has made it very difficult for one person to handle.”

facebook.com/MobileElectronics 23

 Industry Awards

Titan Motoring Nashville, Tenn.

Years before opening Titan Motoring, Philip Lindsley started in the industry by sweeping floors as a teenager. “I opened a shop at 21, and closed that shop at 29,” Lindsley said. “I opened Titan Motoring at 31 as the only employee.” Today, the business continues to grow and has 26 employees.

The long-term goal? Franchising. Lindsley added that his father inspired him to achieve the highest levels of professionalism and work ethic possible. “My expertise was driven by my first boss [in the field of custom cars], Mike McClanahan, when he told me to hone my craft” and relentlessly pursue career goals.

Traffic Jams Motorsports Buford, Ga.

Over the years, Traffic Jams Motorsports has been a steadily growing business. Most recently, the team has expanded, joined

by Scott Eisner this past May as a 12-volt technician. Eisner was quickly named a Top 50 Installer since joining the staff. Additionally, Ben Freeman rejoined the team in June after working elsewhere for six years. Traffic Jams also added Melvin Washington to its sales team in April, and Vanessa Rodriguez also joined the sales team, but in February. The team also reports new vendor partnerships with MSC America and AudioControl, as well as expanding the Paint Protection Film and auto sales departments.

24 Mobile Electronics January 2024

 Industry Awards

Sudbury Car Audio Val Caron, Ontario

AUTOSOUND & PROCESSING elettromedia USA (Audison, Hertz) JL Audio SONY

ACCESSORIES & MATERIALS Metra Electronics Mobile Solutions Stinger Solutions

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26 Mobile Electronics January 2024

Conrad Leduc has owned Sudbury Car Audio for the past nine years. He said his biggest personal mistake was “trying to do everything myself as the store grew beyond the ability of one person.”

He then learned to delegate work to outsourced professionals, “and I hired great staff to help me run the store and continue to grow.” Today, his business’s mission is to deliver clients the best possible solutions.

Leduc also values his ability to be honest on the sales floor. “I have a drive to install [at the high level of quality] I would want done on my own vehicle,” he said.

Sudbury Car Audio has accomplished its previous goal of purchasing a building and expanding its footprint. In five more years, the business aims to rent out other available units in its building, allowing the business to have more financial freedom.

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 Industry Awards

KarTele Mobile Electronics Waterbury, Conn.

The owner of KarTele Mobile Electronics, Mike Hungerford, has been in the industry for about 22 years.

KarTele has been named Best of Greater Waterbury in the car audio and electronics category three years in a row. “We’re really proud of that,” Hungerford said, “and we hope to keep the winning streak going within our community.”

He said the company also partners annually with different foundations.

One of the business’s favorite events is PawToberfest, which benefits a local dog shelter to provide food, medicine and comfort to the animals. Most recently, KarTele promoted Christina Wearne to store manager. She has been with the company for two years.

MARINE elettromedia USA (Hertz) JL Audio Kicker

MOTORCYCLE & POWERSPORTS elettromedia USA (Audison, Hertz) HKI USA (SounDigital) JL Audio

OEM INTEGRATION ADS (iDatalink Maestro) RDVFL Stinger Solutions (PAC)

LIGHTING Lucas Lighting Metra (Heise) RaceSport Lighting

28 Mobile Electronics January 2024

Sanford Sound Sanford, Maine Jack Bogard, owner of Sanford Sound, said he’s proud of how clean and well-merchandised the store is. “It smells great when you walk in and our customer service is top-notch,” he said, adding that he always aims to lead by example.

Over the years, the team has had a lot of experiences—both good and bad. “Our objective is to always make the customer happy,” Bogard said. “You just need to listen to them and find common ground. The long-term results will outweigh the short-term. Referrals come from many places, so always treat customers fairly. My biggest piece of advise to other retailers would be to embrace change. Don’t be afraid to learn new things. We are always evolving, and if you don’t get behind that belief, you won’t survive.”

Freeman’s Car Stereo Cornelius, NC As CEO of Freeman’s Car Stereo, David Wall stressed the importance of cultivating positive store culture as well as “keeping a tight ship and turning a profit.”

While it’s wonderful to have a great-looking store and produce beautiful work, “it won’t last” without solid processes and procedures in place. A well-run business, he said, “is equal or greater in importance to the things that can be seen on the exterior.”

The company continues to grow and move forward: “We have some big ideas we’re working on,” Wall said.

“In the future, I see us having more stores and covering more area while continuing to improve our alignment with our core values and mission statement.”

CarTronics Madison, Tenn.

Nathan Dunn is the general manager at CarTronics. The business was founded by his father, Kevin Dunn. In the next five years, the business aims to expand: The goal is to grow from four stores to six. Additionally, Dunn said, “I hope to grow our online business on our website into a prominent nationwide car audio shopping source. I also would like to implement 3D scanning and 3D printing to our automation catalog to be able to provide more precise solutions for our in-store and online clients.”

Dunn said he feels DSP should be a focus for any car audio retailer. “If a business calls itself a car audio shop and has not embraced DSP, it is already obsolete,” he explained. “Do not rely on your staff to become experts in the fields you service.

YOU must also be an expert to be able to provide your staff with the necessary tools, training and desire to become an expert in your field.”

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 Industry Awards

Cartunes of Atlanta Atlanta, Ga.

Dave Koz

Titan Motoring, Nashville, Tenn.

Dave Koz’s specialty is fabrication, and his greatest influences include Bryan Schmitt, Doug Dobson, Chris Pate, Brian Mitchell and many others. “I met Bryan Schmitt about 10 years ago,” he said. “Seeing what he’s brought to the industry, and his style of an OEM+ finish, heavily influenced the way I design and execute a project.”

Ben Freeman

Traffic Jams Motorsports, Buford, Ga. Early on, some of Ben Freeman’s influences included David “Fishman” Rivera, Chris Yato, Gary Biggs and Mark Fukuda.

In recent years, he’s been inspired by the work of Justin Marks, Tom Miller, Matt Schaeffer and Dave Koz. “These guys are true craftsmen and they constantly showcase what’s possible with proper planning and execution of a build,” he said. “I’ve learned to take more time in the planning stages because of what I’ve learned from them.

I didn’t have the luxury of a mentor when I first started to develop my skills, so I had to piece together each technique observed from these guys on my own— pushing myself and finding my own way and style in the process.”

Phil Cantu

Mobile Toys, Inc., College Station, Texas Phil Cantu said he feels that his work represents a culmination of professional influences, including Tom Miller, Chris Pate, JT Torres, Jeremy Carlson and Bryan Schmitt. Cantu hopes to reach a point where he can one day teach and train on a regular basis.

32 Mobile Electronics January 2024

Columbus Car Audio & Accessories Reynoldsburg, Ohio

As co-owner of Columbus Car Audio & Accessories—a business with two locations— Danielle Hays said she recommends any business owner focus on developing systems and processes, and always keep it top-of-mind. “Everything that’s done from the back end of the office and warehouse, to the front end in sales, to the job completion in the garage, should be in writing,” she stressed. “It’s a tedious undertaking, but once it’s done, it will free you up and help put everyone on the same page and head toward the same goals.”

The company’s goal for the coming year, she said, is to continue investing in its staff. “Our biggest goal for 2024 will be to finalize a decision on a complete Operating Software Solution Package for our Retail – Wholesale - Service Business. We have been researching for some time and we need to commit and put the project in motion.”

Sound Evolution, LLC Houston, Texas

Brothers Jesh and Jake Jesty opened Sound Evolution seven years ago. Five years from now, the team hopes to acquire a larger facility to allow for more automation and to offer more solutions to its clientele. One of their greatest influences, according to Jesh Jesty, “are the guys at MSC America. Larry Penn and his team have been our greatest supporters and they’ve always helped us out in terms of what we needed to do to overcome some of our challenges. They offered solutions to help us improve and elevate our clients’ experience at our store.”

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 Industry Awards

Adam Devine

Devine Concepts Automotive Design, Naples, Fla. Todd Ramsey, said Adam Devine, greatly influenced him in terms of his professionalism and work ethic. (Check out Devine’s perspective in “Troubleshooting the Professional and the Personal” in Mobile Electronics magazine’s November / December 2023 cover feature “Model Mentor: Leading Light.”)

Devine said he’s learned a lot over the years. “In the early days, I thought I would save time by trying to disassemble less to increase productivity,” he said.

“Most of the time, it would take longer than if you were just to completely disassemble the area you were working on, and do it correctly—versus trying to take a short cut.”

Nicholas Frazier iNNovative Concepts, Wilbraham, Mass.

Nicholas Frazier said he has many industry influences: “Some in wiring, some in fabrication, some in radar systems. The list could go on. One person who has most inspired every aspect of what I do is Tom Miller. His OEM+ designs coupled with his tremendous skill to deliver is really what I strive for in my own work.”

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, working on cars and playing video games.

34 Mobile Electronics January 2024

Kimberly Trainer CAR-TUNES, INC. Greenville, Miss.

In 2001, Kimberly Trainer purchased Car-Tunes, Inc. and has been owner ever since. An early influence in her career, she said, was sales trainer Eddy Kay. “Bryan Schmitt of Mobile Solutions is also a key inspiration for the creativity and planning process when collaborating on advanced systems and custom installations,” she said. “Mike Cofield of Custom Sounds has also inspired me with unique tips for inventory planning and maximizing profitability on the sales floor. There’ve been so many more nuggets of information gained in training at industry events like MESA summits, KnowledgeFest, MasterTech Expo and vendor trainings.”

Trainer said her greatest strength is her ability to consider the customer’s perspective. “At least once a week, I enter the showroom with a client’s point of view in mind. I take in the atmosphere, noting where my eyes are drawn, what music is playing, how it smells and how the staff is communicating with other clients. I ponder how all of those things together make me feel about making a purchase here. The answer allows me to correct any potential issues so I can effectively interact with my clients in a way that makes them feel comfortable. I want them to be able to trust our team to solve whatever dilemma they are experiencing.” In the coming years, Trainer anticipates loving her career even more than before.

Johnny Bouldin

EARMARK CAR AUDIO & TINT Plano, Texas

Johnny Bouldin has been in the industry for 12 years and said one of his greatest strengths at work is his good memory. In the past, not providing all the details to the customer caused issues for him. “From now on, I lay it all out for them,” he said.

His greatest industry influence is Odin Mattes. In the future, he said, he envisions continuing to lead Earmark in a positive direction, and balancing his work and family life.

John Brettle

PRO AUDIO 4×4 Provo, Utah

In the industry for 30 years, John Brettle now works as general manager at Pro Audio 4x4. His biggest mistake in the course of his career, he said, was “assuming a client understood what we’d be doing.” As a result, “I learned to clarify and go over everything step by step.” Brettle’s greatest influences in the industry include Chris McNulty, Ken Ward and Jason Kranitz. “Chris’s drive to do things differently than the standard pushes me to try new things,” he added. In the future, he sees himself continuing his current work, “focusing on the entirety of the shop and helping to grow and elevate it.”

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 Industry Awards

Parker Lopez CAR STEREO ONE Toledo, Ohio

Parker Lopez has been in the industry for seven years. Two of his greatest strengths, he said, include multi-tasking and problem-solving.

“The biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my career is taking on too much work for my team. I’ve learned to say no or to request more time with the vehicle,” he explained.

One of Lopez’s industry inspirations, he said, is Mike Coefield. “He has helped me to become a better salesperson with his sales seminars.”

Outside of work, Lopez enjoys coaching his son’s football team and spending time with family and friends.

Yamil Widy

TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS Buford, Ga.

In the industry for over 30 years, Yamil Widy feels that his greatest strength is his ability to solve problems and his high energy level. He’s had a number of industry influences, as well, including David “Fishman” Rivera and Mark Fakuda.

“Their creativity is a trait I admire,” he said. Some of his other influences include people with whom he works closely—like Micheal Bischoff, Ben Freeman and Chris Anderson.

“Chris Anderson was there at the start of my professional career and taught me the ins and outs of running a shop. Guys like Kevin Mutters, Tim Girtz and Jeff Smith taught me a lot at the beginning of my career when I was frequently making mistakes,” he explained, adding, “Today, people like Jason Kranitz, Ricardo Rangel , Elais Ventura, Jason Cook and Robert Kowatch have helped me in the evolution of my career as a sales pro. I call them first when I have a problem I may need insight on.”

In the future, he hopes to take on more of a training or mentorship role for future salespeople at Traffic Jams.

“I also see myself on the beach in the Dominican Republic or somewhere in the world with my wife, retired,” he said. “I will still be coming back to check in on the guys and given them any support they need from afar.” Outside of work, he enjoys boating and sports, and spending time with his wife and family.

36 Mobile Electronics January 2024

The new GS series speakers offer high performance, high value and long-term reliability.

Contact your authorized Sony car audio representative for more details.

sony.com/car ©2023 Sony Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony and the Sony logos are trademarks of Sony Corporation. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

 retail news

Business Owner Adam Devine Shares Tips on

HIRING OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA

Naples, Fla.-based Devine Concepts Automotive Design has grown to a staff of four—plus a dog.

According to owner Adam Devine, this took six years to manifest. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said, “because it’s the right team.”

Isaac Schertzer is one such team member, who is among the 2024 Top 5 Rookies of the Year.

“I’m so proud of him. You can’t slow him down. We brought him to KnowledgeFest in Orlando and he won the NASCAR driving simulation and got a free Sony radio. He’s where he wants to be, and it’s fun watching him evolve.”

38 Mobile Electronics January 2024

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 retail news

After a chance meeting and a conversation about car audio, Isaac Schertzer joined the team at Devine Concepts and is now among the Top 5 Rookies of the Year for 2024.

Wesley Nichols (left) and Daniel Garman are two recent hires at Devine Concepts Automotive Design.

The shop’s newest employee, Kristofer Sosa, previously worked in big box retail as a technician. Welsey Nichols, the shop’s lead technician, has been with the team for over a year. Daniel Garman, Devine said, has been with the shop for about six months. “He’s older and has varied experience. He’s a jack of all trades and he’s done ditch digging, construction and low voltage electrical work. He knows how to use

40 Mobile Electronics January 2024

scopes and meters and understands DC electrical, but never worked on car audio professionally.”

Devine met him through his dentist, he said: “She told me about her husband who was working at a brewery, but loves our industry. I gave him a few hang days to hang out, and it was a perfect fit.”

Hiring new talent can involve “finding unicorns” who have background knowledge and just need a little redirecting,

according to Devine. But how can business owners locate these candidates?

Don’t stop looking, he advised, as the perfect person might be found through the most unlikely of places.

Schertzer, for example, was working at AT&T as a wireless manager when Devine met him. The two got to talking about SIM cards, CarPlay and automotive. In the course of conversation, Schertzer revealed he’d once worked as a service writer at a Porsche dealership.

“Before that, he was detailing cars at a dealership that sold exotic vehicles,” Devine said, adding that he invited him to come check out his shop.

“He was hooked. While he has a ton of knowledge in terms of cars, he didn’t have the hands-on experience with tools and vehicles. We moved him to the front in sales and he found his niche. Now, he’s working on being our in-house CAD designer. Instead of hands-on fabrication, he’s more geared toward digital design.”

According to Devine, he stopped looking for talent within the industry for a variety of reasons: Some people don’t want to move to a new location. Others are happy where they are. And Devine also feels there’s a shortage of talented, motivated individuals. When he looks for potential candidates, he said he seeks “passion, education and a sense of pride and commitment”—regardless of background. The rest, he added, can be taught in-house.

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 Hot Sellers

OPTIONS AND UPGRADES Top industry retailers share their experiences in demonstrating and selling the latest in audio and security technologies.

ALPINE ELECTRONICS OPTIM8 8-CHANNEL SOUND PROCESSOR AND AMPLIFIER SUBMITTED BY:

Jack Bogard, Sanford Sound, Sanford, Maine MAIN SELLING FEATURES:

“The Optim8 from Alpine is a total audio upgrade to your factory system. We can keep the factory radio and enhance the sound in the car. The results are great with either factory or aftermarket speakers. The ease of tuning makes this a win with installers as well as with the customer.”

PRIMARY OBJECTION:

“My staff and customers can’t believe the benefits from this product. It’s hard to believe the results you get at this price point. The same results from other manufacturers cost double. We also explain the benefits of DSP to the customer.”

HOW TO OVERCOME:

“Our shop has been around for 28 years and has carried great, cutting edge products the entire time.

People come here because of our experience and reputation. We gain their trust and meet objections on these reasons alone, along with the referrals of past customers.”

42 Mobile Electronics January 2024

SONY XAV-AX4000 DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA RECEIVER SUBMITTED BY:

Conrad Leduc, Sudbury Car Audio, Sudbury, Ontario MAIN SELLING FEATURES:

“This head unit, released September 2022, quickly became our best-selling unit. The price difference in the wired to wireless version along with the newly added iDatalink features makes this specific unit an easy and budgetfriendly solution for any client’s needs. It offers a very reliable, safe solution for wireless voicecommanded text messaging without the need to own a cord, plug a cord into a phone or find a spot in the vehicle for the phone.”

PRIMARY OBJECTION:

“The only real objection would total overall price when the head unit is combined with installation time and parts. Every client wants the newest and best technology but with many modern vehicles requiring hundreds of dollars of install

parts and modules, the cost can sometimes increase well beyond the price tag of the unit itself that the client came in to buy. When a client comes into our store for a head unit upgrade, we start by looking up the parts required for the job, quote them along with install times and then find the head unit to complete their package for their chosen budget.”

HOW TO OVERCOME:

“We have a financing option to help overcome price objections, or we can also offer to work on the radio upgrade and compensate elsewhere in the audio package. Most of our clients are coming to us for more than one item at a time, so we can help them choose a different model of speaker, subwoofer or amplifier that would still suit their needs, but open up some budget for the radio upgrade. Although we would make the same money either way, selling them a high-end speaker line versus the wireless radio, clients love the fact that they receive a safer product for themselves or their family.”

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 Hot Sellers

SOUNDSHIELD CONTOUR SOUND SEALING SPEAKER STRIPS

rings. The sound difference is so remarkably evident that every client says, ‘Wow, I need that!’”

SUBMITTED BY:

PRIMARY OBJECTION:

Kimberly Trainer, Car-Tunes, Inc., Greenville, Miss.

“We don’t usually see objections.”

MAIN SELLING FEATURES:

HOW TO OVERCOME:

“I use a better sound display that plays music on one speaker mounted in a simulated door panel, then plays the same music on the other speaker mounted on a simulated door panel treated with SoundShield and contour speaker

“If there is any cost concern, I overcome this by offering a lower cost speaker option while still including the SoundShield Contour Speaker treatment to ensure quality sound while lowering the overall ticket price.”

IGLA ALARM DIGITAL ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SUBMITTED BY:

Johnny Bouldin, Earmark Car Audio & Tint, Plano, Texas MAIN SELLING FEATURES:

“The Igla Alarm is the only product proven to provide protection against automobile theft.

The customer can have comfort knowing their vehicle will be right where they left it, whether they’re at home or out of town.”

PRIMARY OBJECTION:

“First and foremost, the price starts at $1,200.

Secondly, customers are concerned with the serviceability of the vehicle after the install.”

HOW TO OVERCOME:

“I describe the value. You won’t have to file an insurance claim and pay a deductible, and your insurance rates won’t go up. Then I describe the service mode, which allows anyone to operate the vehicle when needed.”

44 Mobile Electronics January 2024

COMPUSTAR PRO T13 PRO 2-WAY RFX BUNDLE W/ LTE MODULE SUBMITTED BY:

Nicholas Frazier, iNNovative Concepts, Wilbraham, Mass.

MAIN SELLING FEATURES:

“The part that really hits home is relating the features of the PRO T13 and/or its companion product, the PRO R5, to a customer’s everyday life. For example, how convenient it would be for the vehicle to unlock automatically for you as you walk up to it, installing a modern feature in an older car, or an additional feature to a new car.”

PRIMARY OBJECTION:

“The price point.”

HOW TO OVERCOME:

“Explain the value added by these additional features, the conveniences, the range and the peace of mind. If these features were part of the original vehicle, the cost would be much greater and the functionality would be less.”

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 strategy & tactics

IS YOUR BUSINESS READY?

Here’s how to make sure a business is prepared to withstand life’s unexpected changes.

WORDS BY JAMES SMITH

In every entrepreneur’s journey, there comes a moment when unforeseen circumstances demand stepping away from the business. It might stem from personal injury, a family member’s illness, or even the loss of a loved one. The harsh reality isn’t if it happens—but when it happens.

I’ve encountered this twice in my career. Both instances marked the sudden loss of a family member. In 2019,

46 Mobile Electronics January 2024

my younger brother passed away. At that time, my business relied heavily on me.

I was its core. Stepping away meant disorder and a decline in quality output.

Though I took a brief break to attend to pressing matters, I quickly resumed work, compensating with extended hours to make up for lost time.

However, this rush back to work deprived me of properly mourning my brother’s passing which was a

consequence of my failure to build a business capable of operating independently of me. It wasn’t due to incompetent employees, but my own failure to outline clear expectations for them.

In 2023, tragedy struck again with the unexpected passing of my wife. This time was different because I had laid the groundwork: Systems were in place, and I had a reliable team. In the midst of emotional turmoil and depression,

IS YOUR BUSINESS READY? I could step away from work to grieve while knowing my business was in capable hands.

Five weeks went on. The sustainability of my business was put to test without my constant presence. To my relief, everything ran smoothly—customers were satisfied, operations were intact and finances were stable. The pivotal moment came when my lead employee only needed information about a few parts, indicating my business was thriving independently. So, what sets these two experiences apart?

It all starts with a solid foundation.

Understanding your business’s essence, objectives and its intended audience is crucial. You can’t have a vague idea.

Specifics are essential. Without a clear direction, your business may go adrift, like taking a trip on a small budget without specifying a destination.

I focused on several objectives over the years in order to obtain the freedom I now have within my business. I worked on each of these, one at a time, and defined them clearly to help build a culture in my store that works for myself, my employees and our clients.

UNDERSTAND CORE VALUES

What are your core values? These are the ideas you believe in and want your company to live by. These values create the foundation for how you and your team will make decisions, everything from hiring employees to taking on new customers. If your team knows your values and what you believe in, they can make better educated decisions that are in alignment with what you want for your business. At the end of the day, if you don’t have core values in your store, they will be created by someone else. And that someone else is usually a negative or dramatic employee, which means the core values will be based in that negativity.

KNOW THE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPS)

Standard operating procedures create a clear map for all the outcomes on all jobs and processes within your shop. In this industry, it’s hard to document every

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 strategy & tactics

product and every vehicle, but you can document what the end results should be and the guidelines you will use to get there. When your team knows the expectations for the final product, you can guarantee the same quality outcome to all your customers.

HIRE BASED ON CORE VALUES AND TRAINING TALENT

I used to hire based on talent. I started hiring based on core values and training the talent. Imagine an entire team of people who believe in the same mission and goals, and have the same drive to evolve and move forward together.

This mentality would help to accelerate

48 Mobile Electronics January 2024

growth much better than a team of people who aren’t on the same page. Core values can’t be trained as much as technical skill. Your best fit is a skilled person who believes in your values. However, it’s not always possible.

There are times when you might have a talented employee who consistently adopts a negative perspective. This can be especially challenging when their attitude contradicts your company’s core values. For example, if an employee repeatedly complains about company policies or expresses pessimism about projects, it can create a ripple effect, dampening team morale and even impacting customer interactions. It’s

crucial to address such situations proactively, both to protect the positive work environment you’ve built and to support the individual by offering guidance or resources to help them align with your company culture.

ARE YOU PROACTIVE OR REACTIVE?

In 2019, I was very reactive. I ran around my business putting out fires and dealing with everything myself. Truly, it was easier to do it myself—which led to very long days. I did many studies to finetune where I needed to be and where I was at the time. I did this yearly in order to get a closer look at my progression. Each time I carried out a time study to see where the

IS YOUR BUSINESS READY?

business could be more efficient, I learned something that would help me step away more and more. One of my biggest takeaways was discovering that many fires didn’t need my attention at all. In some cases, I could take a little bit more time to address an issue. I was putting too much priority on everything at once. I learned to stop and consolidate problems. I became more proactive with my time, increasing production and decreasing run-around.

LEARN STRATEGIES FOR EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Investing in my employees is the most important thing I did for my store.

I couldn’t do this without focusing on

the above first and freeing up my time.

I chose to get to know my employees, coach them and care for them on a personal and professional level. This has increased their loyalty to me, my store and my mission.

Also, in getting to know my employees, I learned that not all employees are motivated by money—some are motivated by encouragement and a pat on the back. I learned who needed what in order to feel appreciated. Here are some of the ways I’ve invested in my employees: • Regular one-on-one meetings create a level playing field where we both get to voice expectations, concerns and

ideas. These candid conversations have prevented potential issues down the line by addressing concerns early on. For instance, during a recent one-on-one, I learned about a communication gap between two team members. By facilitating an open dialogue, we were able to clear the air and improve their collaboration, leading to a more positive and productive team dynamic.

• Every quarter, we come together for a big store meeting where we conduct a SWOT analysis—a strategic tool to assess our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It’s a great way to collectively reflect on our performance

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 strategy & tactics

and chart a course for the future. But work isn’t the only focus! Following the meeting, we unwind and celebrate as a team, enjoying fun activities like bowling, axe throwing or casual barbecues.

• My ultimate goal is for each employee to become one percent better every day. This daily coaching doesn’t involve micromanagement. It’s about providing constructive feedback, identifying areas for growth and celebrating small wins. For example, I may help a cashier refine their customer service approach or assist a sales representative in developing stronger negotiation skills.

50 Mobile Electronics January 2024

DEFINE AND SET GOALS FOR THE FUTURE

Now that I had more free time, I was able to sit down and define my goal and where I want to be. This put me on a fast track to success. It allowed me to get very specific and intentional with the business, helping guide my decisions more carefully.

In the past, I knew I wanted my store to be bigger. I knew I wanted to be successful, and I knew I wanted more for my career. But I didn’t necessarily understand the specifics. Would my next decision bring me closer to my goal, or not?

I wasted a lot of time growing bigger in the wrong ways, and once I truly defined what I wanted, I had to backtrack. I realized I’d wasted a lot of time making decisions that didn’t help my true end goal.

I see myself as a visionary: I’m always thinking of new ideas and new plans.

These are all great concepts, but some just don’t fit into the current plan and will typically flop, wasting time, resources and causing frustration. Now that I’ve set clear goals, I can access each of these ideas and ensure they align with my current goal before executing them and wasting time and resources.

COME SEE THEM IN ACTION AT THE SHOW. AND ASK ABOUT OUR MEA SHOW SPECIALS.

CALL: 720-583-3835 // EMAIL: mototv@mototvnetwork.com

 tech today

WHAT IS GAN? Learn about GaN technology and why SounDigital thinks it’s so important to the future of car audio.

WORDS BY JACOB BROWN

T

hroughout our careers, we have always been told that Class-D topology is not the right choice for a true Sound Quality (SQ) oriented audio package.

We all know this mindset isn’t mutually exclusive to those of us who’ve been around, but many of our clients also have this stuck in their heads. Is what they remember from 20 years ago still true? Is Class-A king, Class-AB the runner-up and everything else is for the birds, again, as we’ve always been told?

While Class-D amplifiers have gotten better and better over the years with regard to noise, distortion, frequency response, stability and all the other keywords we use to describe what “sounds good,” the amplifiers themselves have always been limited to the capabilities of the hardware used to build them. In fact, it felt like the

52 Mobile Electronics January 2024

wheel would never be reinvented, only improved. Now, that’s not to say that Class-D is not a good choice for the everyday customer, but when it comes to critical listeners, it’s always been a no-fly zone.

The History and The Future of GaN Technology

GaN Technology is not a new thing.

It’s been around in other aspects of electronics for quite some time—everything from microwave and cellular applications, LEDs and even lasers (Blu-Ray). The GaN transistor has been utilized for decades. Regarding the audio industry, though, the adaptation of GaN has been limited to audiophile-grade home amplifiers where price is usually no object. Therein lies the problem: Innovation is expensive, scarry or sometimes just not accepted.

In 2016, SounDigital broke into the “Audiophile” world with the first GaN Hybrid amplifier, bridging the gap between SQ and Class-D at the disbelief of reviewers. Described as “dimensionally accurate, transparent and dynamic,” this amplifier ranked among some of the most highly regarded SQ amps of the time. No fan or fins and plastic trim with almost zero weight made it seem like SounDigital was playing a joke on the SQ world. They were not. They swung for the fences, and knocked it out of the park with this limited-edition amplifier.

The amplifier was built as a one-anddone series to show the audio industry that SounDigital wasn’t playing around with innovation, but they were also never to be heard from again, put away on shelves to be kept as a prized possession.

Did SounDigital receive calls asking for

What is GaN? this style of Class-D to make a comeback?

Of course they did. Was it widespread across the entire population of audio enthusiasts? No, not a chance. How is it possible that an amplifier this good could be so overlooked, except by a handful of people? That’s a question that’s plagued innovation since the beginning.

For the last five years, SounDigital USA has been working with the team in Brazil for some new and exciting amplifiers to reignite passion for the car audio market in the U.S. The U.S. team wanted to change the way the industry felt about multichannel amplifiers (with five or more channels) and utilize SounDigital’s small, powerful designs. With a couple of prototypes floating around—and after the project sat idle during the COVID years— we were met with the latest in GaN. The engineering team in Brazil took all of our requests and rolled them into one series of amplifiers. Let me say, I think we all got a little more excited than we should have. Fast forward to 2023: SounDigital announced a new series of GaN amplifiers at KnowledgeFest Dallas.

The Tech Behind GaN Amplifiers

What makes GaN amplifiers so special is the utilization of a Gallium nitride transistor in place of the traditional MOSFETs used in Class-D amplifiers. A GaN transistor’s key benefit is that is operates at a much higher PWM frequency (roughly double) than that of a traditional MOSFET. The result of this one single concept is an almost perfect waveform free from artifacts and unwanted effects in the output signal. This also correlates to the amplifier’s extremely high signal to noise ratio, and extremely low total harmonic distortion numbers, which is now much more on par with the feeling and performance of high-end Class A and AB “SQ” amplifiers.

Now, when I say key benefit, that’s not the only characteristic worth mentioning. Due to low internal resistance and current capacity, GaN transistors do the job being asked of them much more efficiently, creating less heat and taking up less space, requiring less devices. This is ideal in situations in which large power and small footprint are required at the

THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE A non-SounDigital affiliated friend of mine had the opportunity to audition a GaN 1500.5 Prototype while it was in its final development stages. He had the chance to run it through its paces in his critical listening rig. Here is John Wanamaker’s feedback on his listening experience: On this life long road of audio discovery, I’ve experienced events that I like to call mile markers. The GaN 1500.5 has evoked an unforeseen mile marker event— the ushering in of high-end class D into my life.

I sat down in my usual listening position and made the decision to use musical reference material with which I’ve had very little listening time. Somewhere shy of two hours into this initial listening session, the 1500.5 had me questioning my past amplifier choices.

How can this little amplifier produce such air in the soundstage? Is the era of the surfboard 5-channel amp over? Does this amp solve current issues with high-end SQ amplifiers? How can I get my hands on one for use in my personal car? A flood of questions and potential scenarios washed over me.

I could speak volumes of accolades about this amplifier, but this would be a weak process compared to the sheer listening experience. The biggest takeaway from this evaluation is an observation within certain harmonic bandwidths: The 380hz ~ 920hz range and the 3000hz ~ 9800hz range stand out in unique ways. Instruments within these ranges have a definite position in the soundstage and with a large amount of detailed air around these instruments.

This air surrounding instruments is very rarely reproduced to this extent and within these bandwidths (which just so happens to be critical bandwidths for holographic reproduction, directly related to psychoacoustics). Those who live by the creed of “amplifiers have little to no influence in sound quality” will be eating crow when this amplifier is released.

Complex ohm loads from my SWANS towers were not an issue. Low voltage scenarios were not an issue.

Confined airflow conditions were not an issue. The fan was very quiet and quick with adjusting the variable speed (quick mute situations). It featured silent noise floor when digital zero signal applied, and had a very efficient power supply and a sub section which produced more than rated power. This amplifier will be welcomed with open arms in the global sound quality community.

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 tech today

CHANNELS 1- 4

CHANNEL 5

P OWE R @ 4Ω: 4 X 125 WR M S

P OWE R @ 4Ω: 1 X 6 6 0 WR M S

P OWE R @ 2Ω: N /A

P OWE R @ 2Ω: 1 X 1000 WR M S

P OWE R B R I D G E @ 8Ω: 2 X 250 WR M S

P OWE R B R I D G E @ 8Ω: N /A P OWE R B R I D G E @ 4Ω: N /A

P OWE R B R I D G E @ 4Ω: N /A O P E R ATI N G VO LTAG E: 9V – 16V C U R R E NT D R AW (M U S I C): 65A C U R R E NT D R AW (MA X): 13 0A R E C O M M E N D E D F U S E (M U S I C): 8 0A

O P E R ATI N G VO LTAG E: 9V – 16V C U R R E NT D R AW (M U S I C): 65A C U R R E NT D R AW (MA X): 13 0A R E C O M M E N D E D F U S E (M U S I C): 8 0A TOTAL E F F I C I E N CY: 8 0%

TOTAL E F F I C I E N CY: 8 0% DAM P I N G FACTO R: 150 F R E Q. R E S P. (-3dB): 6H Z ~ 65.25 K H Z

S N R: 105dB

S N R: 105dB

S U B S O N I C: 8H Z ~ 20H Z

SOUNDIGITALUSA

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DAM P I N G FACTO R: 75 F R E Q. R E S P. (-3dB): 6H Z ~ 500H Z

C R O S S OVE R H P F: 45H Z ~ 850H Z

C R O S S OVE R LP F: 6H Z ~ 500H Z

C R O S S OVE R LP F: 45H Z ~ 850H Z

BAS S B O O ST: 0dB ~12dB @ 50Hz

SOUNDIGITALUSA

What is GaN?

P OWE R @ 4Ω: 8 X 165W R M S

C U R R E NT D R AW (M U S I C): 8 8.3A

P OWE R @ 2Ω: 8 X 250W R M S

C U R R E NT D R AW (MA X): 176.6A

B R I D G E P OWE R @ 8Ω: 4 X 33 0W R M S B R I D G E P OWE R @ 4Ω: 4 X 500W R M S

TOTAL E F F I C I E N CY: 8 0.44% DAM P I N G FACTO R: 95.94

F R E Q U E N CY R E S P O N S E: 6Hz ~ 40kHz P OWE R CAB LE: 21M M² (4 AWG) C R O S S OVE R LP F: 45Hz ~ 850Hz S P EAK E R CAB LE S: 2.5M M² (13 AWG) C R O S S OVE R H P F: 45Hz ~ 850Hz O P E R ATI N G VO LTAG E: 9V ~ 16V

R E M OTE CAB LE: 1.5M M² (15 AWG)

S N R: 114.7dB

R E C O M M E N D E D F U S E (M U S I C): 100A

I N P UT S E N S ITIVIT Y (R CA): 0.4 ~ 10V

R E C O M M E N D E D BAT TE RY (M I N): 100AH

W W W . S O U N D I G I TA L U S A . C O M

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 tech today

same time. Now, the term “efficiency” was just used to talk about heat and size, but let’s also mention that current draw is vastly improved in amplifiers using GaN transistors. This results in an amplifier that’s small, sounds incredible, runs cool, uses very little current in comparison and seems to check all the boxes.

Due to the behavior of this transistor, this technology also lends itself to helping that amplifier operate with a

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much wider pass-band. The frequency response is extended at least an octave over the 20kHz range that most Class D amplifiers shoot for, and across all channels, which is a goal in and of itself. This extended range allows the amplifier to properly reproduce almost any, if not all, pieces of information in the signal chain—making the amplifier function without being a limiting factor in the audio package.

What does it mean when you combine the needs of the industry, the desire to stand apart, the ability to innovate and the technology that’s often overlooked?

It means GaN should be the next step in the evolution of car audio as we know it. It feels as if the wheel has been reinvented, and the rules have changed. A new benchmark has been established.

From here, the road is ours.

What is GaN?

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 installs

58 Mobile Electronics January 2024

CLASSIC SIMPLICITY This 1958 Volkswagen Beetle stole the show at KnowledgeFest Dallas with its sleek appearance and stellar sound system SUBMITTED BY: BENNY BROYLES, SOUND DECISION, JOHNSON CITY, TENN.

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 installs Featured in the DOW Technologies booth at KnowledgeFest Dallas, this 1958 Volkswagen Beetle aimed to deliver “a clean, simple system with great sound.” Built by Sound Decision in Johnson City, Tenn., the system features Sony Mobile ES equipment and an AudioControl DSP, with two amplifiers—a mono-block and a four-channel—in the front and a fivespeaker system.

“We built the entire interior and all the audio in the car. The door panels are a one-off design, made from scratch, along with the seats,” said Benny Broyles, general manager of Sound Decision. “Everything in the car is 100 percent reversible. It has custom wheels, fenders, chassis and air ride.”

The customer, he added, was excited about having it featured. “It’s been well-received. I think you can have an old car and still have great sound.

What this build demonstrates is you don’t have to cut everything up to make something nice. You don’t have to have a ton of equipment in something for it to sound good. Sometimes less is more.”

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

DOES NETWORKING AT KNOWLEDGEFEST MAKE YOU NERVOUS?

Networking in person can be difficult for some, especially if this is your first-time planning to attend KnowledgeFest. Here are some tips on how to break the ice so that you can build and maintain productive relationships within the industry.

Networking is the art of communicating with longtime friends, as well as meeting new people while focusing on a rich exchange of information that supports you both personally and professionally. This is the opportunity you have at KnowledgeFest.

Networking truly is an art. And like any art, each of us have a different approach. Regardless of your personality type, to build relationships that benefit you and others, you must be prepared for discussion, and you must take time to listen on a variety of topics. You will also need to take the time to engage others.

If you don’t talk enough, you may be perceived as unapproachable or standoffish. If you talk too much, others may perceive that you are too self-centered. It’s a delicate balance and it may take some time to get it right. To help you avoid some of the common pitfalls, I will outline some tips that will go a long way toward making your social time more productive.

you going to meet new people and expand your network? Have you ever noticed that some people are always part of the same group regardless of the event? I get it, you’re just hanging out with your friends. But this is networking time that should be focused on expanding your influence and learning about others. Enjoy your time with friends and take the time to make new ones, as well.

THE INTRODUCTION

BUILD CONNECTIONS

Share who you are and what you do, and then ask the same of who you’re talking to. Make sure you tell them what you do in a way that engages them. Ask real questions that show you’re interested in this person and their professional focus. Think of ways that you might be able to help them with something, even if it is just a sincere piece of advice based on your experience. Let them know that you would be glad to be a resource for them in the future.

It’s one thing to chat it up with someone new and another thing to learn something about that person. Look for commonalities or differences. Take the time to share your successes and failures. When you find a good connection, make sure you offer an exchange of contacts and then follow up with an email to confirm the conversation. If action is warranted, set a date and time for the next discussion.

DARE TO LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Networking should be fun. Don’t let it turn into work. Your mission is to discover new people, reconnect with those you know and be part of a passionate industry that sees value in getting together to share knowledge and experiences. As an event, KnowledgeFest includes over 40 hours educational workshops, 70 hours of manufacturer training, and many great networking opportunities. It is your best chance to speak one-on-one with people you could be doing business with or sharing information with. Every major manufacturer and many specialty manufacturers will be in attendance with training sessions that are designed to make you an expert in your market. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran, or a relative newcomer to mobile electronics, networking at KnowledgeFest is an opportunity that should not be missed! See you in Las Vegas.

Cliques are formed by those who tend to stick with the same people. It is natural to gravitate toward the same group. It’s comfortable. You may only see these people face-to-face at events like KnowledgeFest—maybe once or twice a year. It’s easy to only hang out with people you know you get along with, and it can be tempting to stay with them for most of the time while you’re at an event.

But don’t be afraid to venture into the unknown and talk to another group of people with whom you may not be as familiar.

DON’T BE A FOLLOWER There is nothing wrong with spending time with your best friend, but you should avoid always hanging out with the same person. Otherwise, how are

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BE POSITIVE It is easy to fall into the trap of talking negatively about others. Some people make it their mission to disparage others. I am not saying you need to defend those whom others tend to malign. You should, however, consider with whom you are speaking. If this is someone you have just met, you should hold your tongue and not engage in negative chit-chat. You never know what the future holds. The person you are talking about may be the person you need for a new business relationship or advice.

AND FINALLY, ENJOY KNOWLEDGEFEST!