CES 2013 jan8-13

[djjdnap 78]

Just a couple of things i saw that looked cool

First Under-the-Hood Bluetooth Radar Detector

New Driver Fatigue Sensor System for Cars

Memphis Intros its First Mini Amp Series for Special Vehicles

Memphis Car Audio announced it will offer a series of mini amplifiers for special vehicles to ship in January. Additionally it will deliver its first 3-channel amplifier.

The new “Special Application” amps measure about the size of a paperback book and are intended for use in motorcycles, ATVs or other vehicles.

“It’s no longer enough to expect our dealers to sell car audio for cars and trucks. We’re going to grow our business by helping our customers to more applications in more vehicles,” said Andy Allen. Director of Product & Marketing.

The amps join a Bluetooth device for specialty vehicles that Memphis

Rockford Offers First Punch 2-Ohm SVC Subs

Rockford First With Speaker “Klippel” Verfication

he speakers are also certified under the Klippel verification for loudspeakers. They handle power from 200 to 250 watts RMS (depending on the model). And they feature an anodized aluminum voice coil former with spun laced Nomex collar for superior heat dissipation (100 degrees cooler at full power levels).

The company’s products going forward will bear the “Klippel Verified” label, which should assure consumers of the speakers’ quality in design and production.

“Unlike an amplifier, no one really supplies a tool for testing speakers. Speakers are heavily subject to how they are assembled. If they are put together a little off, the speaker can be affected. So we want to keep a tight hold on manufacturing,” said Jake Braaten, Rockford’s Director of Product Development.

New Bluetooth Passive Keyless Entry System

With the new device, entering the car is completely automatic, after the phone is paired with the system for the first time. “The unlock/lock process is entirely automatic, requiring no input from the consumer,” said Mark Cann of Mobile Enhancement Specialist.

Best Buy is Gradually Going out of Business: Forbes

A Forbes story Monday gives Best Buy a few more years before it goes out of business.

Competition with Amazon and also Apple Stores and the failure of 3D to take off is only part of the reason. For the most part, Best Buy’s demise is its own fault, claims Forbes contributor Larry Downes.

Despite the exit of Circuit City as a competitor, Best Buy is losing marketing share. Its stock has lost 40 percent of its worth. Analysts give it a rating of B-.

Forbes’ biggest complaint is with the shopping experience at Best Buy. Clerks are unhelpful. Returns are limited. The in-store pick up of merchandise ordered over the web doesn’t always work smoothly.

ESCORT Intros Dyle Mobile DTV for iPhone

Radar detector maker ESCORT has launched a Dyle Mobile DTV dongle for an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.

It delivers live TV including local broadcasts to a phone, tablet or iPod when used with an app.

New Android-Based Car Radio

Ca-Fi the China-based maker of one of the first aftermarket Android car radios (that actually runs the Android OS) will soon ship a new model with a larger screen.

The new top-of-the-line Dashlinq double DIN model has a 6.9 inch multi-touch screen with pinch and zoom. This is a small step up in screen size from its original 6.2-inch model.

The unit is fully loaded and runs Android version 2.3.4. It offers optional 3G or WiFi. It has steering wheel control support as well as Bluetooth audio streaming and hands free calling; navigation, and digital sound processing.

This new model also has fewer buttons, using the standard buttons found on Android devices including ‘home’, ‘menu,’ ‘back,’ ‘volume’ and the ‘power’ button; but in this case it also adds an “eject” button.

Users also get dual zone support and an SD card slot.

Unlike the original Ca-Fi, it does not appear to offer OBD II port support.

The Dashlinq ships in January at a retail price of 499 euros (or about 657 US dollars).

Parrot is shipping next month (after a delay), a double DIN Android based radio introduced first shown at CES last January. The Asteroid Smart has a 6.2 inch multi-touch screen at $599.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Would be interested to hear those RF subs.

[EPerez 236]

What is special about the klippel? I read the link but all it reads to me is that it is higher quality and doesn't build up heat as much lol I know there has to be more that that.

[Quentin Jarrell 671]

What is special about the klippel? I read the link but all it reads to me is that it is higher quality and doesn't build up heat as much lol I know there has to be more that that.

And here lies the problem. Then again Rockford has the time and money to educate the public so we will see.

[djjdnap 78]

its just another standard they're trying to implement for car audio.

Since there are really no standards that companies must follow.

The first one was cea certified amps, now i guess it will be klippel subs.

[///M5 2,833]

What is special about the klippel? I read the link but all it reads to me is that it is higher quality and doesn't build up heat as much lol I know there has to be more that that.

There is nothing special about the klippel. It is a measurement device. Actually somewhat of a crude one at that. As with any measurement tool it isn't using it that helps, but understanding what is measured and then changes made based on what is found.

[slim2fattycake 85]

its just another standard they're trying to implement for car audio.

Since there are really no standards that companies must follow.

The first one was cea certified amps, now i guess it will be klippel subs.

if its anything like the cea certification, its almost worthless to me.

[Quentin Jarrell 671]

This is nothing new. Every large manufacturer already implements Klippel R&D and QC. And I don't mean just RF or JL, the actual people like Sonovox in China who are physically building the drivers.

It's not only testing for design but quality control on the assembly line testing each and every driver for things like coil offset and rub and buzz.

I see two problems that will need to be addressed. 1) the Klippel QC has allowed variances that the user can adjust. And 2) how will Klippel actually regulate and monitor its usage in the field.

[EPerez 236]

So this just another thing to make the people, that don't know anything, think it's a better sub? Probably raise price too huh?

[Quentin Jarrell 671]

So this just another thing to make the people, that don't know anything, think it's a better sub? Probably raise price too huh?

I wouldn't see why it would justify price increase. CEA certs are only 300-500 a year per product. I don't see Klippel charging much more. That's nothing spread of 100's of thousands of units.

[EPerez 236]

So this just another thing to make the people, that don't know anything, think it's a better sub? Probably raise price too huh?

I wouldn't see why it would justify price increase. CEA certs are only 300-500 a year per product. I don't see Klippel charging much more. That's nothing spread of 100's of thousands of units.

Ohh I thought it would increase based on them stating it's all higher quality and stuff like that. Since it's a mainstream company, a lot of ignorant car audio users would only be able to read that it's all new and higher quality. They would think it's so great, so they would be willing to pay a little more.

[pmureika 31]

Smoke and Mirrors!