Donating Member
Coming Soon Car Audio Products...?
Are there any sites or anything that lists future or coming soon models for some large car audio manufacturers?
Im about to get some amps but I don't wanna spend alot of money if a new model is coming out in a few months, and im looking at Soundstream and they've released a fair bit in recent months. New reference range and XXX-10,000D and then new look Human Reign Crypt which has now been followed by the Lil Wonder III series in a similar design. So im thinking Tarantula/Picasso/Xstream are next perhaps?
Does anyone know?
Put a post up on MEA, You will get alot more info on there as many of the distributors are on that site
the distrobutors will not release info on to a car forums over an official press release!
besides whats the point for a distrobutor or manufacturer to tell you there is a new product coming, when they could clear out their stocks of the older gear to you first.
Donating Member
That is true, but Soundstream seems to do it a fair bit. When they release their catalogue it normally has products not out yet and on their website they have press releases all the time for products still not out.
i.e. R1 is coming, LW III is coming etc.
Soundstream rep is in Adelaide next week so i'll just ask him for some info.
You guys do realise most of the generic products, like brands which are mass produced only in reality change COSMETICALLY, not actually internally.
Car audio is about performance not looks. I would look to a company which still handmakes and researches their products.
You will find these products dont change if ever.
Why fix something that aint broken.
Donating Member
Yes but if I can get the same performance in a better package... Then why not?
But also as an example, the new LW III amps have "updated circuitry that yields lower distortion (THD) for an overall cleaner output. The gain management stages have been altered to produce a higher Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) with lower noise floor. The all new circuitry also raises the damping factor for better control, higher input impedance to avoid overworking your source unit which reduces level and lowers distortion even further. All of the new amplifiers are 10%-15% more efficient due the more intelligent power supply. This results in less current draw from your battery and less heat to dissipate via the heat sink chassis. Turn-On and Turn-Off pops are reduced due proper sequencing during start-up and shut-down. The crossover section is greatly improved for versatility and maintaining uniform slopes at all frequencies. The ground to audio ground isolation has also been improved for less engine noise problems. Rather than having speakers/subwoofers damaged by DC, a new protection circuit will automatically shut the amplifier down. We also added a direct input for the 5th channel for great control on the 5-channel model. The monoblock model has a new remote control that is much more linear throughout the adjustment range, rather than from the mid to max range only. Quite possibly the greatest improvement on all models is the higher quality MOSFET output transistors resulting in improved reliability. "
The rest of the gear I mentioned is also all new. The R1 subs, T5 woofers, new Reference series amps, RW woofers, XT series speakers, Xstream components, Picasso Limited series, XXX-10000D amp, Reference series components, the Human Reign Crypt amps have changed specs as well.
So they're not just cosmetic changes. Im mostly asking because im curious if there will be a Reference series released in the co-axials and the Picasso series amps havent been updated in a long time and im about to buy co-axials and a picasso monoblock amp. They may only be small gains or changes, but i'd rather get as much for my money as I possibly can. I see no harm in waiting a month or two to get a better product especially when the new Soundstream Reference gear that i've heard is very good stuff (reference splits, R1 subs).
Last edited by 1991_Vn2nV; 15-11-2007 at 10:33 AM.
yeah changed specs, they will be minor changes.
its like whats the difference between a vy ecotec and vs ecotec? SFA! just a ecyu remap and a few other litle things, still the same engine!
Donating Member
I'd say its more like a VT compared to a VXOriginally Posted by garfa
Cosmetic changes as well.
But if the price is the same... What would you rather? A newer, better looking VX with some minor upgrades... Or a VT?
Id rather a hand built amp, which doesnt change looks.
Oh and untill someone does a proper test on those amps, dont beleive whats written on the box.
Donating Member
Im not going to spend $1500 on a hand built amp to run some co-axials in the rear though. If I can however get a better product for the SAME price, thats a different story.
Im also not going to buy something that I havent heard in person. This isn't about what I am and am not going to buy, this about WHEN I am going to buy. Do I buy it now, or do I wait 3 months for some new models... Listen to them and make a choice then?
Not a valid input....
Wait until you hear that $1500 handbuilt amp! LOL
we dont really care what you do mate, you know our opinions on the subject.
Donating Member
Obviously, but I did not need to be told, nor did I ask to be told that new products would only change cosmetically. I provided a list of products by the relevant manufacturer that are ALL NEW products, with other products having different specs and being changed internally also (whether its minor or not is irrelevant).
I understand what you are saying Garfa, but I have my own opinion on the topic which is i'd rather wait 3 months if there are going to be new products so that I can see what they are like.... Which is why the thread is here... Because I wanted any info if there was any on what products MAY be coming. However I got no info and it is clear I will get nothing more from this thread so I will get my info elsewhere (which I expressed in post 4... Which is when this thread should have ended). I do not care what you or anyone else for that matter thinks I should do... I did not ask what you think I should do... I purely asked for information, rumours, anything that might tell me whether new products are on the way so that I can make a decision myself on what I am going to do.
EDIT: That was not meant to be a rant, but it seemed to turn into one. It was not directed at garfa either, just a general opinion on this thread. No offense intended to anyone trying to help or offer advice.
Last edited by 1991_Vn2nV; 15-11-2007 at 04:56 PM.
So if you dont want to listen to someone like me, who obviously deals with these things on a daily basis, or listen to anyone elses opinion, then by all means champ wait 3 months just to get a 0.000001% improvement on the spec sheet.
To me that means nothing because untill you can truly understand amplifier specification, what they mean and how they are applied in your circumstance, really your pushing **** up hill.
And you dont need to spend $1500 on a handbuilt amp for a pair of coaxials. I got some awesome handbuilt American amps here for below half that price.
Anyway also not having a go at you, but if you ask a question sometimes you should expect a differing opinion.Im only trying to help and explain to you that if you worry about specifications or cosmetic changes on new models, then you will never settle on anything because brands based on looks, change model EVERY YEAR.
George
Donating Member
I dont really consider soundstream just to be based on looks. Im not after all buying audiobahn. All those model changes I listed though mate were more than just cosmetic changes... Most were completely new models, not updates or anything of the sort.
Im not going to wait a year for the gear to come out, but I figured there may be some stuff coming out within the next month or 2 for the 2008 catalogue and I don't want to wait 2 months for nothing... Which is why I am asking if there is anyway I can find out if something is coming soon RIGHT NOW.
All I am trying to do... Is make an informed decision.
I respect your opinions and I realise you know alot about car audio mate, but the opinions expressed in this thread are not relevant to the question I asked and the handbuilt amp suggestion involved no actual models or brands. Im looking for 3 amps, one a 2000wrms @ 1 ohm monoblock, a 4x120wrms @ 3ohm 4 channel and a 2 channel 2x200wrms @ 4ohm. If you can suggest some handbuilt amps to suit these specs that would be excellent, and rough prices. But I want to keep all 3 amps the same brand.
Look i used to be a Soundstream rep. The product is mass produced in China, same as Audiobahn same as Cadence, same as Fusion same as a thousand other brands i can mention.
If anything the newer products coming out are cheaper to make due to the ever increasing market for cheap equipment.
If you want to make an informed decision do some research on the net into some amplifiers which are entirely researched and built in their country of origin.
Audison and Hertz come to mind, same as Tru Technology, then there is Audiosystem, Rockford Fosgate and so and so.
Look into those brands and dont base your judgement on a brochure. Make sure they come birth rated with birth certificates which will guarantee their authenticity, oh and also make sure they are CEA compliant.
George
APS: you must have been a crap rep! no offence, but i dont get the feeling you up sold the new stock very well! :P or were you a regional manager and didn't have to deal with the stockists?
No i was a very good rep, who do u think gave Soundstream Australia their biggest account to date.
While i was a rep my job was to sell Soundstream and i did it very well, just my personal account topped over $5k worth of sales a month on top of the 10 stores i managed. I am now no longer a rep i own a car business and i deal with over 30 brands, and i cant be biased towards a brand. There is nothing worse then walking into a store and being told BRAND A u got recommended is crap, or BRAND B is crap. There is no crap product, there is just value for money, and some are built cheaper than others but have higher retail values. Even the worlds highest sought after product can fail, so i dont base brands on one being crap over another.
So im pretty sure you analysis of the situation is wrong especially when you dont know me, nor do i appreciate it when my professional relationship with my job is questioned.
So unfortunately your feeling or attempt at being a psychic and trying to evaluate my situation is WRONG.
But anyway i will no longer offer my opinion since obviously in these circles everyone is more of a professional than someone with years of experience.
So carry on with the thread, and there is no need for personal attacks.
Donating Member
This is not a personal attack but I thought all soundstream reps were based in melbourne at their head office i.e. Richard and AJ and I think its Heather and the rest.
I do not just shop out of a brochure, I listen to all my products before I buy them and I wouldn't get much opportunity to listen to the brands that you mentioned from an authorised dealer.
Soundstream treat me extremely well and I get a very good price for all their products and I have the opportunity to listen to all their products before I buy. If anything does go wrong with the product even if out of warranty they will replace it free of charge with a new product. Something I doubt would happen with some of the brands mentioned.
Car Audio is about personal choice, and im happy with my choice of brand which is Soundstream especially when they have extremely good customer service. Atleast I have the opportunity to deal with the actual brand, not just a store.
Last edited by 1991_Vn2nV; 17-11-2007 at 05:08 PM.
I used to be a rep two years ago.
So what you are saying is you buy your products direct from Soundstream is that right?
Thats strange but good on you none the less.
And when it came to technical knowledge ask Richard what im like, or what i used to be like, im sure he will explain to you that i dont just run a store but i also carry a wealth of knowledge.
Anyway if you are happy with Soundstream no dramas i never said they were not a good product, all i said was dont get to hung up on upcoming models you can buy something from the current range which will suit you just fine.
Oh and dealing with the actual brand would mean you would know the boss of Soundstream which is based in the USA, dealing with the Australian distributor is not dealing with the brand, you are dealing with the sales people who bring the brand into the country.
And please dont insinuate the brands i mentioned do not support their products, as thats blatant slander because they do. If its product failure it gets replaced or repaired simple as that.
By the way, you had the two Reference subs correct?
Because i think you said they were the only two they were bringing in, but i just booked in a customer for a huge custom job yesterday on his Ford which also has the Reference woofers.
Donating Member
There are 12 R1 12's, 2 R1 15's. There are also the standard Reference woofers.
I purchase through a store obviously but with contact through the soundstream rep and I receive discount through both the store and the rep (lower cost price). For instance I paid $1,100 under retail for the 2 R1 subs.
I didn't say or mean those companies do not support their products, im saying I doubt they would replace products that are out of warranty though.
I find a sense of security being able to deal with a 'distributor' as opposed to simply dealing with retail stores.
Alloytec Garage
there looks to be too much ego boasting for me to be bothered reading, was this answered?Are there any sites or anything that lists future or coming soon models for some large car audio manufacturers?
Donating Member
No it wasn't unfortunately. As far as I know, there doesn't appear to be anyway to know other than simply waiting for the company to make a press release or actually release the product. And a consensus appears to be its not worth waiting for any car audio products.
Posting Permissions
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote