Quarterly
issue 2 month 2012
mesa super show Mesa Super Show Coverage 2012
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ow do you get over ten thousand people to sit out in the sun all day long when temperatures are climbing up to one hundred degrees? Give ‘em ice cold Budweiser and fill their ears with good music from high powered Fosgate systems! We’re talking about the annual Mesa ‘Super’ Show going off right here in our backyard of Mesa, Arizona. They call it ‘Super’ because they’ve stepped up with a loaded concert line up and a hydraulic HOP contest. This year Rockford jumped on to support as co-title sponsor along with Lowrider Magazine and Budweiser. Sounds like the three kings right? Well this match made in heaven wooed the crowd, drawing what could be one of the largest collections of custom and classic lowriders in the Southwest. 667 exhibitors came from all over for their chance to compete for over $12k; or better yet, just show off their dedication and hard work. For most it wasn’t about the money but just the laidback vibe and cold sippin’ as they strolled through the rows of polished pieces of art. Impalas, Cadillacs, Monte Carlos…
each shined brightly in the mid-day heat while owners answered questions from onlookers, describing each detail put into their specific masterpiece. Paint
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Catching up with Casey Currie PAGE 7
Dealer Spotlight
jobs that obviously took weeks. High fashion interiors. Custom audio set-ups that looked like they were from space. On display were some of the best of the best. Car clubs organized in collective groups, some having separated chapters coming together to show strength in numbers. Rockford Fosgate systems were a common string among brothers from different cities and states. The RF display area was stacked deep as eager onlookers waited their turn to see the latest gear. A few friends let Rockford show off their RF laced whips, like off-road racer Casey Currie and his 2010 Chevy 1500. Car Builder Tim Ferguson had his completely custom Dodge Dakota R/T, absolutely blowing people’s minds. Big Time Threads founder Adam Kroll with his ‘08 Chevy 3500HD Dually dropped so low, the headliner was scraping the paint off the parking lot lines! But the crème de la crème had to be Rockford’s very own
facebook.com/rockfordfosgate
youtube.com/rockfordfosgate
Mister Cartoon posing for pictures and signing autographs next to his ’61 Chevy Impala “Dr. Green Thumb”. He was debuting his newly formed line of car care products known as “Mister Cartoon Sanctiond™”. Items included a growing collection of 15 products, including car wash, waxes, polishes, spray detailers, interior cleaners & conditioners, and a trio of innovative tire shines. Rockford Fosgate will have exclusive distribution rights of Sanctiond auto care products throughout their Car Audio retail channels. Over 1,000 samples were handed out to some eager guinea pigs anxious to try out the new formulas, supporting the man and the style they have grown to love. All told the Mesa Super Show was the perfect ‘fiesta atmosphere’ for homies to hang and have fun while sharing stories and ideas for the next car build. Rockford will always look to support real events and real people like this, giving back to the dedicated fans that have given so much to them over the years.
@rockfordfosgate
@rockfordeng
McCain Mobile Audio
@rfsoundlab
PAGE 2
Dealer Spotlight
Columbus Car Audio PAGE 5
Rockford Rocks it with Hart & Huntington
PAGE 4
Rockford Fosgate Mobile App PAGE 6
@rockfordmktg
@rockfordrtti
Quarterly
Dealer Spotlight McCain Mobile Audio
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ood old fashioned values. Not a bunch of hype… Everything you need, and nothing you don’t. These are the principles that have kept Andrew McCain in the mobile audio business for over twenty years strong. Has it been easy..? Ha, yeah right. We’re talking surviving through recessions.. partner split ups... and just about everything else life can throw at you. But Andrew really isn’t into car audio to ‘get rich’... more so to educate the surrounding community on something he’s passionate about. And it just so happens he’s very passionate about Rockford Fosgate. Many years ago Andrew started out like most successful shop owners, with a budding backyard operation, installing components in his friends’ cars, hoping nothing would burn out or explode! After some years of self taught tinkering, he landed his first installer job in 1991. Preferring performance over flamboyance, competition became his focus with an eye on some regional SPL and SQ events. Throughout the nineties, Andrew fine-tuned his craft with the help of some good people including Gabriel Sanchez, Luke Gray and Greg Cobbs. In 1999 he opened his own shop with the same focus on quality, performance and honesty. This gave him some better resources for competition product (including Rockford Fosgate). With help from friends and dialed in components, he put himself in position to knock out the big boyz and eventually win four separate USACI world championships! Along the way he set three world records, and while not even hitting his personal best, locked in a verified 169.3 db level! For those unfamiliar with these levels, that’s far louder than a shotgun blast or a jet engine. And this is for a street drivable vehicle!?! Anyway, you obviously can’t hit these levels unless you know what you’re doing. Andrew has taken that street cred and strong moral values to make sure McCain Mobile Audio takes care of every customer they have. A Fosgate retailer for over 10 years, Andrew says, “It’s not about selling off the fanciest component we can get you to buy, but
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Product Spotlight really about what works for you and what you need.” The local community takes this belief to heart, as they are a multi-cultural blend, connected through their diversity. Farmington, New Mexico is home to many dedicated Native Americans, some connected to McCain, working as the devoted staff, with an even more dedicated supporter/wife/boss Priscella. The entire crew shares responsibilities from installation, to sales, customer service and if need be, mopping the floor. A complete, unified and well-versed team that’s always capable of handling just about anything you can throw at them. Heck, they’ll even give you diagnostic help for free, and that’s if you have never before even set foot in their store! Just drive right up after you’ve been tweaking on a self install in your garage all day long, and shop manager Stephen Wauneka or another dependable soul will help ‘make it right’. That’s just how they operate. Andrew puts back into those who support him by sponsoring a number of youth athletic sports teams and functions. This has made the shop the number one choice in the community without having to buy TV commercials or pay for radio airplay. Popular word of mouth and referrals from clientele play a huge part in generating new business. Every few months, McCain Mobile likes to flex some muscle on what helped peak Andrew’s interest in the car audio world, hosting some local “sound off ” events. Just a good reason to gather some old friends while attracting new ones, by letting true car audio enthusiasts pump up their systems against each other for some prizes and store credit (don’t forget bragging rights). Rockford has come out to support with pop up tents and promotional vehicles along with
staff to answer any questions about new products. Be persistent enough and maybe they’ll tip their hat to the next double top-secret project you’re ‘not supposed to know about’…...yet. Good tunes + good food = good times for all on hand with the photographic evidence hitting the shop FB page at www. facebook.com/mccainmobileaudio Andrew happily offered up his opinion when asked saying, “Rockford Fosgate is by far the best vendor we have worked with…whether you’re talking about quality and finish of the product, or the diversity of components, or the buying program offered, they make it easy to be my premiere selection of brands to work with.” He went on to add, “The people I have developed relationships with over there are the kind that would answer my phone call late into the evening, to help me out with any situation I might be facing… that really means a lot to me and ultimately my customers.” It often seems flashy, big chain stores grab the customers’ attention long enough to make a quick sale, driving up their stock value… but earning a customer’s trust for a long term relationship will pay dividends for years…most notably with friendship. We couldn’t be happier supporting McCain Mobile Audio in their thirteenth year of business, but more importantly, we appreciate great people like Andrew and Priscella McCain for their continued support of Rockford Fosgate.
McCain Mobile Audio
4000 East Main Street Farmington, NM 87402 facebook.com/mccainmobileaudio
3Sixty.3 - Powerful Processor Delivers A Massive Punch
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he new 3Sixty.3 interactive signal processor is the perfect solution for Car Audio Fanatics® who want to integrate with a factory source unit, to connect external devices, and want complete control over their audio signal. This powerful processor allows full factory integration thru its DSP that restores missing spectral content by summing multiple input signals from the source (patent #7,778,718). Using the Optical Input, you can connect the 3Sixty.3 to a TOSLINK interface (mObridge DA1/ DA2). It’s also great for aftermarket surround systems with 8-channel RCA inputs allowing connection to an external mobile device or game station with its Auxiliary RCA input. The 3Sixty.3 gives you ultimate control of the audio signal thru full Phase and Time delay, 248 bands of EQ with four programmable presets, multiple slope and class independent crossovers, all with up to 8 Volts output. Includes Bluetooth connectivity that wirelessly streams audio and a programmable dual function remote for Master Volume, Sub Volume or Sub EQ.
Issue 2 | august 2012
Catching up with Andrew Pierce
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ndrew started riding early, showing great balance on a bicycle as early as two! Family friends that raced egged his dad on to get him a starter bike. On his fifth birthday the magical present arrived in a life changing moment that will never be forgotten. The learning curve was steep and Drew’s first race had him standing atop the podium. Now with the seed planted, the Pierce family had no idea what was going to take over their lives! Unfortunately the winner’s circle was out of sight for the next few years. Andrew himself admits he hit a ‘dry spell’, not getting his next victory till he reached the ripe old age of eight. Now, recently turning sixteen, AP picked up his first four wheel ride, an ’08 GMC Canyon pick up, and brought it straight to the install bay for some rocking Rockford power! We locked in a 4-channel amp(T600-4) which
powers one set of 6.5” 2-way full range speakers(T165) for the back doors, and a set of 6.5” component systems(T1652-S) for the front doors. Then anchored it with a mono amp(T500-1 bdCP) to focus all forces on a T1 12” subwoofer(T1D412). That should shake Andrew’s brain… “Rockford Fosgate is a dream come true sponsor for me, I have been interested in car audio systems for awhile and always wanted a car audio sponsor. Rockford Fosgate is by far the best sounding system made, and I love listening to music while I am in my truck heading to the track.” What does your typical sixteen year old boy spend most of his day doing?.. Give up? I bet you didn’t say ‘winning championships’. That’s because most typical sixteen year olds don’t have the drive and the motocross skills like Andrew. Only a quarter of the way through the year and Andrew has six, count ‘em six amateur championship titles so far. Places like the Oak Hill Spring National and the World Mini Grand Prix. Not too shabby, pappy. Our little “Hell on Wheels” has been blazing through every track he comes upon, and with a backing sponsor like Brian Deegan and the Metal Mulisha, you know he’s going to be pushed hard!
Product Spotlight Punch Power Loaded Is An All-In-One Bass Solution
I
f you need to quickly add bass to a system or don’t want to mess with separate amplifiers and subwoofers, the Punch powered enclosures are right for the job! The P300-10 features a Punch 10” subwoofer and the P300-12 features a 12”, both housed in a custom sealed 5/8” MDF enclosure and powered by a mighty 300 watt amplifier. The system is all-inclusive, so you only need to run power, ground and signal from the source. For installation flexibility, both low level RCA and speaker level inputs are available, in addition to an intelligent turn-on/off function. Tuning the enclosures are a
piece of cake with the help of a builtin 0°/180° phase switch, adjustable 12dB/Octave low-pass crossover, and adjustable bass boost that includes a remote control. The enclosures are finished with a durable exterior that resist scrapes and
bumps while in the trunk or cargo area, and can be quickly removed by the use of quick disconnects for signal and power/ground.
The other kids at the local track are going to be jealous. RF is proud to have Andrew newly signed up on the team and looks forward to watching him compete at the upcoming Loretta Lynn’s Nationals. Goodluck Andrew!
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Quarterly
Consumer promotion
RF Fanatics
Rockford Rocks it with Hart & Huntington
Junior Flores
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ast quarter RF announced our new partnership with the Dodge/Sycuan/ Hart & Huntington race team. Building off a successful string of consumer promotions, it made sense to keep the love going and set up some lucky Facebook winners with a VIP package Donald Trump would be jealous of. Thousands of submissions were received with nine winners getting paired up for a supercross stop near their hometown. The Rockford invitees got exclusive H&H pit access, sipping some cold beverages and grabbing a few autographed posters as evidence of their outing. At each stop a H&H team member, (with a little help from one of our winners), gave out tons of RF swag and a set of speakers to the
rowdiest race fan. Come season end, one fortunate fanatic walked away with the grand prize of a complete RF audio system including subwoofers, amplifiers and speakers. Now as any good Supercross attendee will tell you, it’s really about the prerace fun down in the pits. Every event the stadium parking lot gets converted into a celebrity circus of “who’s who and what do you do?” If you’re lucky enough to be holding a coveted pit pass, chances are you’ll be able to rub elbows and talk face to face with some of the 4
legends of the sport. Maybe even talk your way into some free stuff ! Down in the Dodge/Sycuan/Hart & Huntington pits, our contest winners got to chat it up with team riders like Tedesco, Hill, Hansen or Partridge. The H&H team pit area has the reputation, becoming a natural selection for RF to partner up with. Winner Kurt Griwicki is a 15 year Supercross veteran that claimed bragging rights while uploading Facebook photos to his Houston buddies during his experience. Salt Lake City winner Grady Lundeen spent most of his time grabbing autographs and free swag, while Toronto native Becky Hill was more focused on the ‘extra attention’ and high fives from the riders. Niiiiice Becky! All in all, nine lucky winners scored the VIP treatment with the team meet and greet, then Fosgate dropped ‘em in prime seats for the main event. Ahhh yes, the high intensity action will never let you down. Pulse rate increasing as the 30 second sign drops..(or maybe it’s from the Monster girls?)..a unified engine roar as bikes shoot off the starting line in unison. Smell that race gas burn as you feel the 450 thunder flying high overhead. Rockford’s got you sitting center stage for all the action. (And let’s not forget, each VIP winner got to bring a wingman!) The complete list of winners were: Kim Ay - Daytona FL, Scotty Streigel – Indianapolis IN, Becky Hill – Toronto, CAN, Kurt Griwicki – Houston TX, Jonathan Crappell – New Orleans, LA, Jessica Gerlack – Seattle WA, Grady Lundeen – Salt Lake City UT, Steven Wingard – Las Vegas NV. This was just another cool contest concocted from the fun freaks here at
Fosgate. Don’t miss out on the next party! Rockford promotions are always in the works so make sure to stay on top of things from our Facebook page or on the main website @ www. RockfordFosgate.com. We’ll see you out at the next event!
Product Spotlight P3 Shallow Loaded Skinny Enclosures Deliver Big Bass
H
ave a single cab truck or a subcompact car with virtually no room behind your seat? Our new Punch P3 shallow loaded enclosures are the solution! Available in single 8”, 10” or 12” models, these enclosures look small, but play very loud.
J
unior Flores from sunny Mesa, AZ has been “addicted” to bass since age 15. “I can still remember like it was yesterday - it was a Rockford amp and Rockford 10” bass tube - I thought I was bumpin’!” Flores loves bass and the reaction he gets when people hear him coming down the street. His 1984 Buick Regal needed deep, rich bass, so he installed four (P3D415) Punch P3 15” Dual 4Ω Subwoofers and two (T15001bdCP) Power 1,500 Watt Constant Power Mono Amplifiers! “When I have a bad day, I jump in my car for a ride and just bump.” Flores’ friends wonder how he can handle that much bass. “It’s easy, you just have to be a Fanatic!”
All enclosures feature a sealed slim-line wedge design for optimum mechanical power handling, durable carpet with a stitched Diamond-R and quick-release input terminals. The enclosures are also wired exclusively with Rockford Fosgate speaker cable configured for a 1-Ohm load. Combined with a PBR300X1 – or if you use our Gain Tutorial the PBR500X1 – these compact mono amplifiers efficiently pack a Punch in a tiny space. P3S-1X8 – Single P3 8” Shallow Loaded Enclosure rated at 150 watts RMS P3S-1X10
PBR300X1
P3S-1X12 – Single P3 12” Shallow Loaded Enclosure rated at 400 watts RMS
PBR500X1
– Single P3 10” Shallow Loaded Enclosure rated at 300 watts RMS
– 300 watt BRT Mono Amplifier rated @ 1-Ohm – 500 watt BRT Mono Amplifier rated @ 1-Ohm
Issue 2 | august 2012
Dealer Spotlight Columbus Car Audio
W
hen the going gets tough, the tough….go golfing? That’s precisely what Todd Hays has on his mind most of the day, and for good reason. No he’s not a doctor, and he’s
their sales have steadily increased for the past five years, and that’s even through the recession! Rockford has supported CCA with promotional materials and SoundLab showings including their recent event “Turn Up Tune Up” highlighting basketball player Jared Sullinger. Bad weather didn’t dampen the turnout where people lined up for
installs at a car show, teeing it up for a charity golf tournament or tailgating at the Buckeyes game, getting face to face with people translates to sales for Todd. Maybe that’s because he’s well informed and so damn likable. For better or for worse, this business is all Todd has ever known. Since starting on the bottom rung as his ‘first ever job’, he has worked
SoundLab’s Journey Continues
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s the Rockford Fosgate SoundLab travels up the east coast, several stops to authorized Rockford Fosgate dealers have drawn crowds of Car Audio Fanatics! On April 19th, the SoundLab stayed in Warren, Michigan for the “2012 R&D Rockin’ Out The House” event. This event allowed authorized dealers to meet, share car audio techniques, and look at the newest car audio products. Dealers commented that new PUNCH PRO speakers are LOUD and are blowing away expectations along with the CLASS-D amplifiers!
probably not going to make the PGA tour one day either. You see Todd, along with his wife Danielle, own Columbus Car Audio and they’ve found marketing for their store is everything. Sponsoring golf tournaments, in-store promotions, radio spots and a barrage of e-mail and electronic marketing, keeps the shop name on the frontal lobe of the people of Columbus. It seems to be working as
autographs and sale specials. “I was taken back with how many people showed up,” Todd explained “..we’re already planning for the next event like this one, it was great. “ The live promotional events tend to work real well for Todd. “It’s all about just getting in front of the public’s eye.” He went on, “I’ll create that opportunity any way I can.” Whether it’s showing off a few custom
his way to the top, eventually taking over the business with Danielle. Todd’s two store locations have distinct characteristics and personalities, but each team member knows his role and is held accountable to be on point. A strong relationship with over 30 car dealerships lets CCA deliver a premium experience to new car buyers in the area. Car audio is the foundation, but CCA offers a wide array of upgrades from lasers to leather, all of which can be found on their comprehensive website. Facebook connections along with e-mail blasts are Todd’s most cost efficient form of promotion and they reach the widest audience. The next few years are looking bright as sunlight for the entire Columbus Car Audio crew, where a possible third location is on the horizon, and Todd gets to tee it up all in the name of selling more Rockford Fosgate goodies. …..lucky dog.
columbus car audio
2975 Morse Rd # A Columbus, OH 43231 columbuscaraudio.com
According to Dave Russell, R&D president, attendance was higher than last fall’s event. David Stahl, the evening’s Rockford Fosgate SoundLab engineer, noted that Rockford Fosgate had the most presence with around 30 dealer
stores waiting to experience the 10,000 watt pressure chamber. Admittedly, the SoundLab’s “Panic Button” was pushed a couple of times. Rounding out the evening was a live guitar musician along with a delicious BBQ dinner to keep everyone satisfied. I just hope they ate AFTER the SoundLab! Check the event calendar on Rockfordfosgate.com or follow the SoundLab crew on Twitter, @RFSoundLab 5
Quarterly
RF Fanatics - international
Dilraj “Rocky” Samai
I
n the southern Caribbean ocean resides Trinidad, Tobago and Dilraj Samai from Exclusive Designs. “Rocky”, as he’s
A Must For Every Toolbox
O
ur new Rockford Fosgate Mobile App gives car audio installers and DIY gurus an edge for installing subwoofers. Based on our popular RFTECH online tools, the App provides all the methods needed to calculate, wire and build a subwoofer enclosure. Available currently for users of iPhone/iTouch/iPad, the RFTECH app is FREE and provides these features:
WiringWizard - Learn how to properly wire woofers to your amplifier. Configurations support up to four woofers and four voice coil types. BoxWizard - Calculate available air space inside woofer enclosures. Four different box configurations available including Rectangular, Wedge, Wedge 2 and Hexagon designs. BoxAdvisor - Find recommended enclosures for subwoofers. Displays Sealed, Vented or Infinite Baffle designs. SPL Meter - A fun little utility allowing customers to compare the 6
known around town, tells why his 2004 Toyota NZE Corolla earns him respect; “Rockford Fosgate is like being a ‘big boss’. Once someone sees you with an RF system they show you respect because they know you mean business.” A Power T600-4 4-channel amplifier runs a pair of T3652-S 6.5” components speakers, a Power T600-2 2-channel amplifier runs auxiliary speakers, and a Power T1500-1bdCP mono amplifier pushes two P3D4-12 12” subwoofers! “I like Rockford Fosgate products because they focus on more than just one thing, they are loud and maintain quality.” With that much bass, we wonder if Rocky can “focus” while driving?
Sound Pressure Level of smaller systems. Find Dealers - Find Rockford Fosgate dealers near you. Search in USA, Canada & World Wide. Settings - Easily switch units of mea¬sure between Metric (Liters/mm) and Imperial (cu.ft./inches).
Issue 2 | august 2012
Catching up with Casey Currie
RATS Overview
D
o you ever wonder what your ride would sound like if you added a subwoofer? Would extra bass improve how your music sounds? The install gurus at Rockford Fosgate are giving you information to answer those questions. That’s why they designed Rockford Amplified Tuned System (RATS). Look up your vehicle type (Truck, SUV, Sedan/Coupe, or Hatchback), then pick a subwoofer and watch how Rockford Fosgate products can punch up your audio system!
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hat does a kid with A.D.D. do when he just can’t sit still? Apparently he starts his very own short course race program and turns into a champion! I’m talking about the newly inducted Rockford Fosgate 24/7 fanatic, So.Cal based, off road racer Casey Currie. With a family history in racing, Casey carved his own path enroute to an overall season championship in the TORC series for 2010. After double duty racing both the TORC and LOORS series last year, A.D.D. boy wisely decided to focus his efforts where it has earned him a spot on the podium early in this year’s events.
Rockford pinned Casey down, just long enough to lace up his daily driver with a shocking new system. Keeping the back seat functional, RF dropped a PBR300X2 2-channel amp down the middle to handle the four sets of T1652-S 6.5” 2-way component speaker packages. Now flanking the sides, two PBR300X1 mono amps each individually power two R2SD2-12 12 inch subs in a custom built enclosure. Just like ninjas, totally hidden but deadly. Now his work truck, on the other hand, might be a bit more difficult, as it is usually flying high through the air at a racetrack near you.
RATS will display the subwoofer response of a common factory system and compare it to a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer system. RATS gives you the ability to choose which Rockford Fosgate subwoofer and amplifier you’d
As if team owner/manager/driver/ dictator wasn’t enough, Casey has been working Pro Lite truck racing into the stadium scene where he organized some demonstrations last year alongside monster truck events. HEAVY METAL THUNDER!! We won’t get into his other business ventures, but add on the fact he just moved into a spanking new 10,000 sq ft race shop in Corona AND bought a new house, and you can see why our boy has his plate full at the moment. We can go on and on but to keep up, you’re just going to have to follow him yourself (@caseycurrie or facebook. com/OfficialCaseyCurrie).
like to try. Simply choose a configuration and a factory system profile to see which one will sound the best and play the loudest! Through Rockford’s painstaking research in real vehicles, you can now easily determine what Rockford Fosgate equipment best complements each other in your vehicle. Our comparison engine allows you to evaluate four configurations at once! By displaying the Frequency Response and SPL (Sound Pressure Level) for each design, you can see how the same system performs in different vehicle types. You can also compare a PRIME, PUNCH and POWER system against each other or calculate the SPL difference between Sealed, Vented and High-Output enclosures. See how your system ranks at http://rats.rockfordfosgate.com 7
issue 2 | august 2012
2012 PUNCH | WEAR AVAILABLE ONLINE ROCKFORDFOSGATE.COM/PUNCHWEAR
on line
rockfordfosgate.com