<Bz45f"HelveticaNeue-Roman">Sounds count in today's car
And the need to have the best in-car audio systems has kept Custom Acoustics boss Antoine Place in business for years.
He said all of the manufacturers are now ensuring their systems are IPOD compatible. Eclipse CD players start at $399 with a $99 IPOD adapter while the Clarion unit, at $165, allows the IPOD to be played through the system with the controls remaining on the little portable gadget.
One of the biggest trends is multimedia motoring with systems that play DVDs, CDs, MP3s, Cirius Satellite radio and TV.
Clarion make two sizes suitable for SUVs and also smaller vehicles.
The larger monitor allows the motorist to easily scroll through the options via the touch screen.
Sirius satellite radio now has much better coverage with the new receivers — no longer is dropped service typical while driving up and down Bermuda’s hilly terrain.
“You could drive the length of Harbour Road and be lucky if you got the signal once or twice.
“With the new generation of receiver we are getting probably higher than 90 percent coverage. It’s much, much better.”
Plug and play allows listeners to move the receiver between docking stations in your car, boat and home.
“It’s very economical — it’s $199 for the car receiver and docking station and then additional docking stations are $75 each.”
Sirius listeners can get 110 channels of the commercial-free service for a monthly price of around $14. A lifetime’s licence is $499.
Mr. Place enthuses about the latest Rockford Fosgate amplifiers.
Long a leader in the auto audio industry the firm’s 2007 amplifiers are 40 percent smaller than standard and are great for Bermuda’s cars which are on the small side.
“It means we can put nice sound systems in cars and not take up a lot space and still get the same power we get from the larger amplifiers.
“These have been well received — people are buying them like crazy. They will fit anywhere.”
Four channel amplifier pumping out four times 60 watts goes for $399.
A lot of established auto audio companies are now diversifying into marine audio, said Mr. Place.
“We can now provide the same type of performance that car customers are used to - in their boats.
“They have purpose-built speakers which can take all the abuse that the elements can throw at them.
“JL Audio has raised the bar — traditionally marine grade speakers — you may get a season or two out of them but JL has redesigned speakers.
“We have speakers out their approaching their third season and they are showing no signs of deterioration and the company has told me because of manufacturing process we should get at least double or maybe three times the life out of their speakers before they need to be replaced.
“The sound quality is there. Bass has always been a challenge on boats — the car acts as an enclosure, it’s easy to get base. The boat is all open.
“So they have designed an infinite baffle which, as long as you put it on a sturdy surface, it will throw out a tremendous amount of bass. That’s been one of the biggest things in the marine market.”
He said Clarion make the best marine head units with one CD player designed to fend off the weather after being mounted in a centre console boat.
“It’s a unit where the water is being poured directly on to it — it can survive those downpours. The unit is totally sealed.”
Multiple waterproof controls can be put on a boat allowing a swimmer to reach over and change CDs without getting out of the water.
Satellite commercial-free radio is a popular maritime option while WOW TV can now be put on a boat.
“Some people think a boat is to getaway from all of the things in the home, but a lot of people want to go on the boat and still have all the same amenities.”
