Rockford Fosgate Shakes Up the Car Audio Industry With Unveiling of Next Generation OEM Systems

Rockford Fosgate, the industry leader in high-performance car audio systems, will unveil two systems for original equipment manufacturers that will chart the future of pre-title car audio. Rockford Fosgate will use two Nissan-built vehicles to showcase the latest, cutting-edge designs, dubbed “Next Generation.” The unveiling will take place in the Palms Ballroom at the Las Vegas Palms Casino Resort., from Jan. 6-8, for representatives from American, European and Asian car manufacturers.

“Offering premium car audio systems can be a significant advantage for car manufacturers,” said Bill Jackson, president of Rockford Corporation. “Rockford Fosgate’s reputation among consumers for delivering a premier listening experience offers OEMs a way to gain a distinct sales advantage in a very competitive marketplace.”

The Next Generation OEM Architecture demonstrates solutions for inherent obstacles of high-performance audio in OEM applications with an ultra-compact subwoofer package, customer control over system dynamics and highly efficient amplification. The systems can be installed at the factory or by the OEM at an import facility before the car or truck is delivered to the dealer.

“We’ve teamed up with select auto manufacturers to bring a higher level of performance than anything ever heard, or felt, before in a factory or dealer-installed audio system,” described Dan Vandenbergh, managing director of OEM at Rockford Corporation. “Our Next Generation Architecture builds on that experience and delivers a premium sound at a very reasonable price.”

The systems to be exhibited include:

— Under-Seat Subwoofer Study

Multiple under-seat subwoofer concepts will allow OEM Product Planners to choose from up- or down-firing configurations and between passenger or driver seat mounting locations. Each one is compact, yet delivers serious sound.

— High Efficiency Amplification

Rockford’s BRT subwoofer amplifier, which is installed in the demo vehicles, provides more power with a significant increase in efficiency for smaller subwoofer enclosure volumes.

— PUNCH(TM) Control

Leveraged from Rockford Fosgate’s high performance consumer products, the PUNCH Controller allows OEM Product Planners to control the dynamics of the system in order to match performance to their target customer using the ecoPUNCH(TM) Upgrade Concept.

— Rockford Fosgate PUNCH Sonic Signature

Developed from over 30 years of sound competition, the PUNCH sonic signature recreates the passion and excitement of a live performance.

By prioritizing the driver seat listening position, Rockford can optimize the system components further for cost for an OEM. For instance, Rockford Fosgate engineers can make rear door speakers simply single-cone midrange speakers instead of multi-element, full-range speakers.

“OEM’s need high performance audio components that draw less power, fit into tight spaces and minimize weight yet don’t generate lots of heat, all at a reasonable cost,” added Vandenbergh. “Our architecture is the building blocks that help automakers reach those goals.”

About Rockford Fosgate
Setting the standard for excellence in the audio industry, the Rockford Corporation markets and distributes high-performance audio systems for the mobile audio aftermarket and OEM market. Headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., Rockford Corporation is a publicly traded company under the NASDAQ stock symbol ROFO. The company manufactures its products under four brands: Rockford Fosgate(R), Rockford Acoustic Design(TM), Lightning Audio(R) and InstallEdge.com. For more information, please visit: www.rockfordfosgate.com, www.rockfordacousticdesign.com, www.lightningaudio.com and www.installedge.com.