Let me clarify a bit here… I recently had a client purchase some speakers and express “disappointment” over the fact that they were actually manufactured overseas. This disappointment came despite my explaining to this client that they had purchased a great product by a company that oversaw every aspect of its product’s design and manufacture.

One of the best things about Ask the Advisors is what’s in our name. That is, the benefit of being able to ask experts within the industry just about anything regarding Home or Car Audio and Video. I’ve been asked what makes some brands better than others- and one of the solid reasons I’ve always given has been the retention of great QC (Quality Control) as opposed to some overseas entities that fail to provide a good level of consistency in design & manufacture.

In my previous blogs, I’ve always stated that many of the brands some of us grew up worshiping have long since been sold to overseas companies that design and manufacture far inferior versions of these classics. Names like Fosgate, Polk, Infinity and MB Quart are perfect examples of this- as they no longer have “roots” in this country and generally have everything handled overseas. The exceptions to the rule here include a handful of overseas companies- like Morel- that design, manufacture and bring a superior product to market from Israel.

In today’s audio market, you can still find companies that either manufacture everything themselves- or at least retain control over how their specifically designed products are manufactured outside the US. These companies are few and far between, but they all share the same passion for audio and dedication to the quality of their products.

Now on to my pet peeve…

There IS A DIFFERENCE between “Made Overseas” and “Made Overseas.”
I’m going to compare “Company A”, which could be any one of the aforementioned “American Classics” listed against JL Audio.

“Company A” was once located in the US and provided a good reputable product that many of us knew and loved. Ask the Advisors sold many of these brands back then!
“Company A” ran into tough times when the market changed and was eventually bought out by another company that ended up moving “Company A” to an overseas plant. In the end, there was no continuation of the original design or quality control for products produced by “company A” and the results have been (and continue to be) inferior clone products that don’t come close to the originals.

Take a look at some Infinity or Fosgate car speakers and you can see and feel the “cheapness” here! Crappy lightweight basket designs, poorly engineered speaker cones and I won’t even go into the tweeters or crossovers! Yikes!!

JL Audio began as- and continues to be- a company headquartered in the US. Although JL Audio manufactures most of it’s products at it’s Florida plant, it does have some if its speakers and amplifiers manufactured overseas to save costs, which are passed on to the consumer. Where this DIFFERS from “Company A” is that the folks at JL Audio actually handle ALL the design and QC from start to finish- AND- set standards that their overseas plant must meet.

In the end, you as the consumer still receive a product which meets or exceeds JL Audio’s strict standards for performance and construction.

And that’s what we’re looking for in car audio gear…

Ask Chuck about JL Audio

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When looking to upgrade your car’s existing speakers, you have many choices. It’s our job at Ask the Advisors to make your selection easier, thanks to over 28 years in the business and some pretty reliable brands that we offer.

When searching for replacement car speaker systems, always remember that this IS the most important link in your car audio systems chain, so invest wisely. Many of the brands you and I used to know and love- such as Fosgate, Boston, Polk and Infinity are not the same as they once were- now being cheaply manufactured overseas. You always want to shop for brands that provide great performance, reliability and value!

One such brand we are proud to offer is JL Audio.
(www.jlaudio.com)

JL Audio has been in the industry for over two decades and has consistently brought products to market that are reliable, great sounding and a solid value. One strong point to make in favor of JL Audio is that they are primarily a speaker and amplifier company- which means they can concentrate on these areas while other companies that offer products in all areas of car audio tend to offer less quality.

The Speakers:

JL Audio offers a full line of replacement car audio speaker systems to meet most budget and performance needs. Whether you’re simply replacing the OEM speakers or upgrading for improved performance, you’ll find a great solution within JL Audio’s line of car audio speakers.

Check out models including the “TR”, “C2”, “C3” and “C5” Series, which are available in sizes to fit any vehicle application. All of JL Audio’s speaker lines are available in Component and Coaxial designs and provide consistent performance.

JL Audio’s 5x 7 inch, 3.5 inch and 5 Inch OEM Replacement Speakers

JL Audio’s ”TR” series offers a great entry-level OEM replacement, while the “C2”, “C3” and “C5” systems provide significant upgrades in performance and sound quality. Best results are achieved with the higher end models when adding a power amplifier.

JL Audio brings more of its expertise to the table in the “C2”, “C3” and “C5” models, which incorporate design improvements including silk-dome tweeters, high performance basket/ motor designs and better crossover components.

JL Audio’s C-5 Component Speaker System

JL Audio continues to improve its product lineup and has some exciting items this year. With the newly introduced “C3” series, JL Audio has designed these speakers to be “convertible” so that the user can take advantage of the speaker’s quality regardless of whether it is mounted as a coaxial or component set-up in the vehicle.

JL Audio’s C-3 Convertible Speaker System

Whether you’re replacing speakers that have been in your car since day one or you’re looking for some serious performance capabilities, you’ll find the right product with JL Audio’s line of quality speakers.

Ask Chuck about JL Audio

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Sharp Corporation will introduce into the Japanese market four models in the new LV Series of 3D-compatible AQUOS Quattron 3D LCD TVs with four-primary-color technology. In addition, Sharp will introduce four new high-image-quality models in the LX Series and two models in the XF Series of AQUOS Quattron LCD TVs. Both 2D and 3D images are vividly reproduced based on four-primary-color technology.

Sharp developed four-primary-color technology based on its proprietary UV2A technology*3 . This technology newly adds Y (yellow) to the three RBG (red, blue, green) primary colors, dramatically improving the ability to faithfully reproduce colors. In particular, it enables both 2D and 3D images to be reproduced with outstanding quality by vividly rendering colors such as brilliant yellow, brassy gold, and emerald green, which are difficult to reproduce using the three conventional primary colors. Further, a significant improvement in light utilization efficiency yielded a reduction in power consumption by approximately 10% compared to previous models with UV2A technology*4.

The 3D-compatible AQUOS Quattron 3D LV Series not only achieved vivid color image rendering, but also increased light utilization efficiency, providing a brightness approximately 1.8 times greater*5 than three-primary-color LCD panels, enabling users to enjoy impressive 3D images. Further, the combination of FRED*6 technology—Sharp’s proprietary high-speed LCD drive technology—and Scanning LED Backlight technology*7 that reduces image lag enables 3D images to be reproduced with an exceptionally realistic sense of depth and with extremely low crosstalk.

The AQUOS Quattron LX Series also features the ability to render rich colors, and these models deliver outstanding image and audio quality for 2D pictures.

The AQUOS Quattron XF Series features an edge-lit LED backlight system to deliver outstanding image quality in a stylish full-flat slim design (only 3.9 cm thick*8).

Sharp will gradually shift to making all of its LCD TVs AQUOS Quattron models. These models will be introduced around the globe and lead the way into a new era of color video.

Major Features

1. Four-primary-color technology faithfully renders colors to provide vivid, high-quality images.
2. Impressive 3D images with screen brightness approximately 1.8 times*5 higher than previous models (LV Series).
3. ARSS*9 eight-speaker system*10 integrates video and audio, plus Duo Bass*10 low-vibration woofer (LV/LX Series).
4. Stylish models feature thin and seamless full-flat design just 3.9 cm thick*8 (XF Series).
5. Expanded range of applications, including Familink connection to mobile phones, USB hard drive recording*11, and support for wireless LAN adaptors*11.

Read the rest of the press release here.

In this blog, I’m going to discuss the line of car audio speakers we offer by Morel.

Morel offers over thirty years of loudspeaker design in both the home and car arena and it’s no surprise that the company’s efforts have more than paid off- as this is a speaker line engineered like no other. The company offers multiple levels of speaker performance to meet any price point- and you’ll find evidence of the same technology from the flagship models to entry level. Ask the Advisors proudly offers Morel models including Elate, Hybrid Ovation, Dotech Ovation, Integra Ovation and Tempo. These speaker systems are available in component and coaxial designs and fit most vehicle applications.

Technical Prowess:

When the engineers at Morel designed their speaker systems, they left no stone unturned. Morel is of the world’s first companies to use Neodymium Magnets, which are much stronger and lighter in weight than conventional magnet structures. All Morel drivers are based on the company’s unique “Hexatech” technology whereby a hexagonal shaped aluminum wire voice-coil design results in higher efficiency and power handling. The company also utilizes it’s External Voice Coil (EVC) technology used for constructing speakers, resulting in excellent in sound accuracy and tonal balance.

Morel utilizes various advanced technologies in its speaker designs.

Morel’s tweeters are designed for high-end systems, combining a flat, pancake type motor construction with high magnetic power of the Neodymium magnet. Because Morel uses a larger than normal tweeter diaphragm, this tweeter can play at a lower frequency range than any other tweeter on the market- further improving sound quality.

If the technology facts don’t impress you, hold one of the Elate Series Mid Bass Drivers or Crossover Networks in your hand and you will not only see, but feel the quality that has been invested here.

In one word, bulletproof.

The Attributes:

Take anyone’s midrange or mid bass driver. Take a good look at the construction of the driver. Besides the magnet structure, look at the size of the voice coil. This can be a dead giveaway when it comes to how well this driver will perform from power handling to bass response. Size DOES matter here!

Morel starts with a one-inch voice coil in its Tempo line of speakers, a two-inch size in the Hybrid Ovation line and rounds out with a monstrous three-inch voice coil assembly in the Elate and Supremo speaker models. No corners are cut here!

Morel’s Elate Series 2-Way Component Speaker System

If the construction of the drivers isn’t enough, Morel has also done it’s homework when it comes to the crossovers. Yes, they look a bit strange, but they more than make up for looks in performance! Morel’s “Accuset MX” crossover design enables optimal soundstage and performance by providing tweeter level attenuation and crossover slope adjustments. Other features include bi-wire and bi-amping capabilities, further enhancing sonic performance.

Lastly, if the loads of great technology and design don’t convince you, I’m sure that taking these speakers for a test drive will seal the deal. Heck, in this case, I’m even ok with checking the Forums, as they agree in just how wonderful these speakers are!

Ask Chuck about Morel

SunBrite outdoor TVs

SunBrite TV’s can withstand almost any weather condition Florida has to offer. Driving rain, up to 122° heat and even that one or two days per year that it drops into freezing territory (actually it can withstand -24°, but if we see a day like that in Florida, I don’t think anyone will be watching TV outside).

The SunBrite outdoor series offers a super-bright and crisp image that is about 2-3 times brighter than your regular TV so it’s viewable even on the sunniest Florida day. When you combine that with a spectacular Ask The Advisors outdoor installation, you have the makings of one great summer. Also with the World Cup only days away, why not kick back and watch the world’s most popular game floating in your pool or on your patio with friends and family.

SunBrite Outdoor TV’s are also great for office parks, college campuses, and outdoor shopping plazas. With a few properly placed SunBrite outdoor TVs, you can stay in constant contact with your customers and employees no matter where they are. Now that’s communication!

Ask Jason About SunBrite Outdoor Televisions

I’ve seen this countless times.

There is one common denominator here-

These systems were most likely purchased and installed either by the client or installed by a novice installer at a poor shop.

Let’s face it; cars are not simple like they were when I was a kid. These days, you have full-blown computer systems controlling almost every vehicle function, and one misstep during system installation can do a good amount of damage.

Sure, there are aspects of car audio installation that can be relatively simple, but for the most part, you’ll usually encounter issues ranging from different speaker mounts to difficult dashboards- and I haven’t even mentioned compatibility or noise problems that can lurk around every corner.

Cherry pick the shop like you would the gear…

If you’re purchasing a car radio and speakers, it’s always a good idea to “cherry pick” so that you have specific products from manufacturers that are good in those areas. In other words, there are brands that make great radios but crappy speakers and so forth.

This same philosophy should be applied when looking to have your gear installed. It’s always a good idea to have someone who’s done car installation handle your vehicle. If it feels like it might be over your head, it probably is!

My recommendation is to have your local shop handle your system selection and the installation. What this does is provide you with solid advice when designing and purchasing your system, local support (which beats that 1-800 number any day!) and reliable installation services by technicians who are fully trained and certified.

I’m personally able to share my experience (more than 20 years) in this industry to assist you in selecting the right system for your vehicle and I’m proud to say that I have two elite car installers on my team here at Ask The Advisors. Tom (the veteran) has been with us for over 24 years and Mike (the “rookie”) has nearly 20 years under the dash.

Anyone who has dealt with us over the years knows the level of quality we provide- and it’s this combination of product and service you should always look for.

Steer clear of the “Forum Circus”

Some of the worst advice comes from forums. On a forum you have no idea who you’re dealing with, their background or what qualifies them to give any kind of advice. They might throw their two cents in even when they’re totally clueless on the subject. (You probably know people in real life that are just like this.) The best issue I run into with so-called “Forum Pros” is the “magical wiring solutions” they sometimes come up with to solve problems that the real experts apparently can’t remedy. Here’s a news flash…It’s considered a proper solution when it’s done properly! I’m sure the idea of your vehicle’s wiring being questionably tampered with won’t sit well with you, either.

There are very few “true experts” on most forums- mainly because they don’t have time to fight with every know-it-all that has all the answers. There are plenty of posts that say things like “ABC” sucks and so forth. In the end, opinions are like…well, you know where I’m heading with this one!

What a tangled web we weave…

Everyone’s trying to save money these days and I’m totally in-line with that. If you can get the same quality for a little less, it makes sense.
STOP…WAIT. I want you to re-read this again. -Getting the SAME quality for a little less. This is where the mistakes are made and troubles begin.

It seems everyone wants to check the internet to see if they can get a lower price- and in some cases- they can. After you’ve determined that you are actually shopping dealers who are authorized, you’re still in for some potential surprises and maybe letdowns. What’s missing here is the value of dealing with someone local who is knowledgeable and can recommend system changes while offering expert installation.

Maybe you’ve already had this “nice experience”- having to dial the 1-800 number and speak to a “specialist” that wasn’t very special at all. Better yet, maybe you’ve decided while having wheels and tires installed to take the plunge and buy some of that car audio gear on display (you know, next to the vending machine) and have the guy that balances the rims handle navigating your wood-grain dashboard and CAN-BUS system.

How well did that one work out for you?

It’s here that I must stress that spending a few extra dollars on good advice and professional installation is worth far more than the minimal internet savings.

Do your homework, ask questions and have it done right the first time!

Ask Chuck about Professional Installation

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Really you ask?

Yes really, but I thought I would re-visit it for all you avid readers of mine. Although we have been doing this for years, the problem is that sometimes there just is not very much cool gear being offered to us; which is part of why I am writing this blog. We want more interesting and important older Audio gear to be offered to us, so I am going onto the Internet to ask for it.

If you have some older gear that you are no longer using, or a system that you want to upgrade give us a call so we can discuss what you have. If you have gear we are interested in we will ask you to bring it to us so we can see the condition and check the gear for functionality. After that we will make you an offer. It is just that simple. But remember, we do not want everything used out there…we are really after cool and interesting used stuff. A 2 year old Japanese Audio / Video Receiver does not qualify as interesting; a 25 year old McIntosh Tube FM Tuner does. So be sure and call us to talk about what you have before you bring it in so you do not waste any of your time on something we cannot help you out of.

Ask Ron About Buying, Selling, and Trading Used Audio Gear

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Kenwood’s Excelon…..

car audio lineup will unveil its flagship model later this spring, and judging from the design and operation, this should be a home run.

For 2010, Kenwood introduces a new flagship double-DIN multimedia / navigation receiver, the DNX9960 ($2,000.00 suggested retail price).

Advanced 3-D navigation technology by Garmin is included, offering three-dimensional buildings and landmarks with many images being photo-realistic. Lane Assist with Junction View are two new features that reduce highway interchange confusion and improve driving safety.

The DNX9960 also includes built-in NAVTEQ Live Traffic service that is free for the life of the product. For maximizing fuel efficiency while driving, the DNX9960 offers the Garmin-developed EcoRoute™ feature that measures the impact of your driving habits on the environment and suggests routes that will provide the most efficient fuel consumption. That’s right! This unit actually helps the driver!

Kenwood’s voice control feature allows the user to fully operate the navigation system and utilize features such as entering addresses or phone numbers, choosing menu options and select points of interest. The voice control system will also operate the audio and video systems, allowing the user to change between multiple sources, seek out music and video files and access station presets. In addition, the DNX9960 can decode MPEG4 and AVC/H.264 and WMV video files from an external USB drive.

The DNX9960 utilizes a “Dynamic 3-D Transition Effects (FXUI™ Technology)” graphic user interface (GUI) with selectable skins and movable, drag-and-drop icons for complete customization. A high-resolution WVGA 6.95” touch screen with Dynamic Brightness Control provides the best looking DVD video, iPod video, USB video, navigation maps and source icons. The latest Parrot Bluetooth module is built into the DNX9960 and is compatible with almost all cellular telephones on the market.

Ask the Advisors is proud to offer the full line of Excelon car audio from Kenwood!

Ask Chuck about the Kenwood DNX-9960

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I am fond of telling my wife that as I age I realize that I only need 5 things to live within my definition of “contently”.  In no particular order they are: shelter, electricity, food, indoor plumbing and a flat panel TV with surround sound!

Think about it… When you’re stuck at home on a rainy day, waiting on a storm to roll away what do you do to make the time pass?  Read a book?  Some of us do some of the time, but not as much as we used to, right?  For many of us, the first thing we look for is the remote control.  Push that wonderful button and you can envelope yourself in a wondrous adventure, tense drama or hilarious comedy for a few glorious, worry free hours right there in your living room as the nasty weather hopefully slips away. Now wouldn’t it suck if that option wasn’t available at the moment you wanted it, nasty weather or not?  For that matter, what about the other equally if not more important non-entertainment systems throughout your home?

For example, most of us have some kind of security system at the ready to protect us, to warn us of fire or smoke or even home invasion.  Some of us even have electronic water “bugs” tied to our security systems that alert us when water gathers in places it shouldn’t.  And when’s the last time you checked the batteries in your smoke detectors?  What about the one in your security panel (the brains that runs your system, usually hidden out of sight and out of mind in a closet or garage, where it is usually ignored), and how about the batteries in your back up units you were smart enough to buy that keep your electronics on long enough to protect your data from catastrophic damage or loss when sudden brown outs or black-outs shut them down instantly and without warning, potentially destroying whatever it is you were doing the moment?

And don’t forget about surge protection equipment, which may be the most important link in the chain.  Is yours working?  Do you have enough of it installed to protect your valuable and delicate system components and computers from mother nature’s wrath?  Your “stuff” adds up to a sizeable investment in both time and money.  You probably use it every day, and you most likely depend on it in your daily routine without even realizing it.  We can and will help you protect it all the best you can.  All you have to do is Ask the Advisors!

South Florida is the lightning capital of the world!

The sheer quantity of lightning strikes and power surges ought to be enough to spur you into action to proactively protect your usually sizeable and expensive electronic investment.  Please understand that if it comes down to a fist-fight between your home electronics and mother nature, mother nature will usually win no matter how vigilant you were, but generally speaking the damage inflicted is limited significantly when compared to what could happen if you do too little to protect your gear.

Ask the Advisors can help.

Just call our service department at 561-478-3100 and schedule an appointment.

We will give your home an electronic check-up, and recommend the right type and size of protection for your home’s delicate equipment.  We’ll develop a solution that will bring you peace of mind going into hurricane season that you otherwise will not have.  We’ll make sure your batteries throughout are good, and replace them on the spot if they’re not.  We’ll make sure your satellite dish is securely mounted to your home, that your gates and lights, both indoor and out, work as intended.  We’ll make sure your phone, fax, computers and entertainment systems have adequate battery backup and surge protection.  If you have a whole-house generator we can check that it is operating as it should.  We’ll make sure that it will power on the products and systems in your house that you want it to, like lights, security, a refrigerator, your garage door and your HVAC system in the event of a total power loss.

In this economy protecting what you’ve got is one of the smartest investments you can make.  When you Ask the Advisors, we’ll help you make the right choices to protect your valuable systems so that they have the best chance to withstand the worst that south Florida summer storms can bring .

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain….

.

Ask Wayne About Storm Preperation

It’s getting to be that time of the year again, when you roll the “SS Beerfest” out from dry-dock and prepare for those weekend voyages.

Whether cruising the Intercoastal, offshore or hanging out at Peanut Island, you’ll want to have some nice tunes aboard- so I figured it might be time to explore the Marine Audio arena and provide some helpful advice when selecting your gear.

Looking at the Marine Audio market, you’ll quickly find a multitude of brands, which makes selecting the right stuff even more critical.

-Remember, this isn’t the inside of your F-150 or Accord…

When shopping for Marine Audio gear, you need to be aware of two factors.

HOW the product is designed for a marine environment and WHAT level of marine testing it has endured.

The “How”

In today’s “watered down” market, bringing a marine audio product to market can be fairly easy, if you cut corners. There are many manufacturers touting marine audio products that aren’t even marine grade products at all! In some cases, the manufacturer simply takes an existing car audio speaker or amplifier and merely “coats” the speaker cone or paints the speaker grill or amplifier cover in marine white.

Some brands offering Marine Audio include Alpine, Aquatic A/V, Clarion and Jensen and JL Audio.

The marine industry has set guidelines for electrical components, which covers everything from gauges to lights to propellers.

These guidelines help to determine the durability of any component under typical marine conditions- which are mainly salt-air and moisture.

The “Salt Spray” test; or ASTM-B117; is a standardized test method used to check corrosion resistance of coated samples. This is an accelerated corrosion test that produces a corrosive “attack” to the coated samples in order to predict durability in a marine environment. The appearance of corrosion in the form of oxides is evaluated after a period of time. Test duration depends on the corrosion resistance of the coating; the more corrosion resistant the coating is, the longer the period in testing without showing signs of corrosion.

Salt spray testing is popular because it is quick, well standardized and reasonably repeatable.

Salt-Fog Testing Equipment

While many manufacturers do not subject their products to this extreme testing, some of the more reliable brands do- and even go beyond the “accepted standards.”

JL Audio (www.jlaudio.com) is an example of one such brand that has remained at the forefront of marine audio technology and performance. The company has taken much of it’s existing car audio expertise and completely designed an entire marine line of speakers, subwoofers and power amplifiers that are second-to-none when it comes to durability and performance in the marine environment.

ALL of JL Audio’s Marine components are designed using robust materials able to withstand the toughest ocean environments: marine-grade stainless-steel fasteners, powder-coated aluminum amplifier chassis, solid-brass connectors, UV-resistant Centrex, polymer speaker baskets, and moisture-proof driver diaphragms.

JL Audio’s Marine Grade M770 Coaxial Speakers and M4500 4Channel Amplifier

The “What”

When selecting marine audio components for your boat, the last thing you want to do is sacrifice durability and performance for price.

If you compare the standards used for measuring durability and longevity of marine components in a salt-fog test, you will find that JL Audio has it’s own salt-fog testing facilities- AND- puts its products through advanced simulated testing equivalent to years in a marine environment.

In fact, JL Audio’s testing procedures EXCEED the typical industry standards BY A FACTOR OF 300%.

It is this commitment to quality that has set this line of marine audio gear apart from the competition since it cam to the market a few years ago.

JL Audio offers a complete line of power amplifiers in traditional design as well as it’s newly introduced HD Series amplifiers.

JL Audio’s M900/5 HD Series Five-Channel Marine Amplifier

The company also offers a full line of coaxial, component and subwoofer speaker systems- all available in various grill designs and either white or black finishes.

You will find that JL Audio components cost a bit more than the competition, but as always- you get what you pay for.

-And what you get is simply the best marine audio gear…period.

Ask Chuck about Marine Gear

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