Mobile Electronics Magazine - December 2025

December 2025

me-mag.com

FOR

THE MUSIC

LEARN WHAT INSPIRES THESE TOP 12 INSTALLERS & RETAILERS

AN EXCEPTIONAL JOURNEY

TRUST YOUR GUT

Ken Koga shares insights and lessons learned from his long, unique career in mobile electronics.

Tomas Keenan offers strategies to help businesses grow.

Volume 57 Issue 11 ADVERTISING SALES

sales@mobile-electronics.com

EDITORIAL Rosa Sophia EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

978.645.6466 rosas@mobile-electronics.com Chris Cook E D I T O R - AT - L A R G E

CREATIVE LAYOUT AND DESIGN

36 FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

12// Industry Awards: One Step at a Time

4

Editor’s Forum

6

Feedback

This year’s Top 12 Retailers recommend slow, steady growth—while Top 12 Installers advise careful planning and warn against underestimating skillsets.

36// Model Mentor: Back to the Future

Ken Koga’s technical, fantastical and unique journey through decades of car audio is highlighted by friends and colleagues who made his career colorful, successful and memorable.

60 From the President ON THE COVER: This month, we feature the Top 12 Installers and Top 12 Retailers. Nominees share what they’ve learned from mistakes, their self-improvement philosophies and where they see themselves as the future unfolds.

Overcoming integration challenges.

50// Strategy and Tactics: Lead

by Example

Get organized, build systems and trust your gut: These 7 strategies will help any business grow.

2 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Published by TM

mobile electronics association

Chris Cook PRESIDENT

42// Tech Today: The New RAM Platform

Articles 56 Installs

Contributing Editor Jamie Sorcher

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978.645.6434 chrisc@mobile-electronics.com Tony Frangiosa CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MEA

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2025

E D I T O R ’ S

F O R U M

ROSA SOPHIA • EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

STARTING WITH THE SMALL THINGS

When it comes to growing ourselves and our businesses, small changes can make big differences.

A store’s presentation is often the topic of discussion. At KnowledgeFest,

from showroom presentation to operational procedures and installation

I remember Kimberly Trainer of Car-Tunes, Inc. asking attendees to con-

techniques. Then, enter the Industry Awards again next year, and keep

sider how their store smells. The invitation caused a few people to smirk

doing it until you get there. You’ve nothing to lose!

or chuckle. It’s something we don’t often think about. Jeremy “Taco” Pat-

How do we notice the unexpected—things like the way a showroom

terson mentions it, too, in this month’s Feedback section. Hearing their

smells, for example? Step outside yourself for a moment. Beyond the

thoughts reminded me of what I’ve observed while on road trips. For years,

mobile electronics world, this is also a simple act of empathy. How is what

I’ve done a lot of driving. Often, while pass-

“

ing through towns, I’ll notice a seedy-looking storefront with a broken sign, a cracked parking lot and a dingy-looking single-bay garage.

The crumbling signage announces car audio, alarms or window tint. Would you buy anything from that shop? Would you trust it?

Sometimes I’m tempted to go inside. Does the interior match the window dressing? But most of the time, I’d much rather keep driving and leave that shop in my rear-view mirror.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STEPPING OUTSIDE OURSELVES Yet another Industry Awards season is upon us. Each year, we go through this process not just to celebrate those who’ve continued to grow and innovate, but to also offer inspiration to other technicians, salespeople and retailers. Some might scoff at the opportunity to pursue such awards, but

“Step outside yourself for a moment. Beyond the

we’re doing impacting others? Consider how you might improve yourself and be of service in all walks of life.

ASK YOURSELF, “WOULD I HIRE ME?” Here’s another example. A week or so ago, I was at the post office when I saw a

mobile electronics world,

shabbily dressed man in a tank top, his

this is also a simple act

surprised me by climbing into the driver’s

torn jeans hanging below his butt. He

of empathy. How is what

seat of a company truck—a lawn care busi-

we’re doing impacting

give a customer? Would you hire that guy?

ness. What kind of impression does this Who knows, maybe he’s the best at what

others? Consider how you

he does, but the way he dresses doesn’t

might improve yourself

tion is a simple first step toward building

and be of service in all walks of life.”

I would challenge anyone who’s not tried it yet to go forth and learn what’s possible.

Working through the process will help you shift your mindset and consider things differently. If you don’t make

”

inspire confidence. Professional presentatrust between retailer and client. The same goes for the crumbling storefront.

A final note. We shouldn’t judge our fellow humans. It’s not our job. Here’s what we should do, though: Take the time to step outside ourselves and say, “Would I hire me?” Or even, “Would I

work for me?” Let’s look at the work we do and envision how we

the lists, don’t think of it as a failure. Instead, think of it as an opportunity

might do it better. With an eye for continued self-improvement, we

to look at what you’re doing and how you might make it better, everything

can’t go wrong.

4 Mobile Electronics December 2025

 feedback

CONSIDER THE DETAILS Industry professionals advise minding the details, learning from mistakes and executing careful plans.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes that I’ve learned from. [One thing I’ve learned is that] communication needs to be number one when building any relationship.”

- Jay Ivey, Branded Customs, Rockwall, Texas “If a guy arrives in the middle of the day and spends an hour talking [to a salesperson] about what he wants to do, but never once looks at his watch, and never once looks at his phone, what does that tell you? He’s the boss. It’s a pretty good indicator that budget doesn’t matter as much to him.”

- Dan Bowman, Titan Motoring, Nashville, Tenn.

“Make sure your showroom smells nice. While it may seem silly, it’s a small detail that customers really notice. If you’re focused on small details, everything from the scent of your showroom

6 Mobile Electronics December 2025

to your customer sales process, to researching their specific vehicle and effectively solving their problems, and making sure you return their vehicle in better condition than you found it, then you can avoid becoming complacent and ensure your customers not only come back to you, but tell their friends about you, too.”

- Jeremy “Taco” Patterson, Speakerbox Autosound & Accessories in Huntsville, Ala. “Always have a game plan. When starting a new project, think through the process, come up with a plan and execute that plan.

There may be times when you’ll need to pivot slightly due to unforeseen challenges, but the plan is still being accomplished.

Design, engineer, fabricate!”

- T.J. Carlson, Musicar Northwest, Portland, Ore.

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WHAT PRODUCTS SOLD AND WHERE WERE THEY INSTALLED FOR 2025?

2025 – Here are the top automaker brands seen in the install bay, and the top product categories sold.

TOP FIVE CATEGORIES

BY REVENUE:

Headunits 2. Speakers & Subwoofers 3. Amplifiers & Processors 4. Remote Start & Security 5. Installation Kits & Accessories TOP AUTO MAKES

BY TRANSACTIONS:

Ford

2. Chevrolet

3. Toyota

4. Jeep

5. Honda

6. GMC

7. Dodge

8. Nissan

9. RAM

10. Subaru

8 Mobile Electronics December 2025

TOP FIVE CATEGORIES

BY TRANSACTIONS:

OEM Integration, Kits. & Accessories 2. Speakers & Subwoofers 3. Headunits 4. Remote Start & Security 5. Amplifiers & Processors

TOP AUTO MAKES

BY REVENUE:

 helpful stuff WHAT TO READ

The Overthinker’s Guide to Making Decisions: How to Make Decisions without Losing Your Mind

BY JOSEPH NGUYEN

If you’ve ever found yourself trapped in endless loops of “what if,” analyzing every option or crowd-sourcing advice, you are not alone. Our brains are wired to overthink decisions, yet it can take hours or days. This book comes in handy when trusting your gut doesn’t give you peace of mind. This isn’t about making perfect choices—it’s about making decisions from a place of clarity, not chaos. Learn to identify the neurological root of overthinking and how to stop mental spirals before they hijack your mind. Silence external opinions and reconnect with your inner wisdom to hear your own voice and discover ‘Mini Trust Experiments’ to build decision confidence in just days.

SITE TO SEE

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10property Mobile Electronics December 2025

WHAT TO READ

Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life

BY ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Many celebrities reinvent themselves to remain relevant, and one of the most famous to do this is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Known as the world’s greatest bodybuilder and one of the world’s highest-paid movie stars, he also served as the 38th governor of California. Schwarzenegger’s huge success didn’t happen overnight. It was all part of a process that included clear vision, big thinking, hard work, direct communication, resilient problem-solving, open-minded curiosity and a commitment to giving back. Schwarzenegger felt guided by the one lesson his father hammered into him: Be useful. This book shares a tour through Schwarzenegger’s tool kit for a meaningful life. He brings his insights to life with personal stories, life-changing successes and failures alike. At an early age, he forged mental tools to build a ladder out of poverty. Now he shares his wisdom—no one’s going to rescue you, and you’ve only got yourself. The good news? You are all you ever needed.

WHAT TO READ

Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu

BY TOM FRESTON Living life on your own terms is a true symbol of success. Tom Freston has done it all—everything from hitchhiking around the world to running a clothing export company, cofounding MTV, and more. He got his MBA, but then bartended his way through the United States and Caribbean. After a brief stint at an ad agency, he walked away from it all and headed to the Sahara Desert. Intrigued by India and Afghanistan, he stayed for eight years and launched Hindu Kush, a design and manufacturing clothing company for export to America and other countries. Freston then joined the original team that launched MTV. He climbed the ladder, eventually overseeing not only MTV but also Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT and other networks. In this memoir of risk-taking, rule-breaking and cultural adventures, Freston shows you how to be successful at living your life on your own terms.

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 Industry Awards

2026 ONE STEP AT A TIME

This year’s Top 12 Retailers recommend slow, steady growth—while Top 12 Installers advise careful planning and warn against underestimating skillsets.

WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA

12 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Titan Motoring NASHVILLE, TENN.

With its team of 29 employees, Titan Motoring is currently working on expanding its e-commerce and production sales. Owner Philip Lindsley reported that he’s recently hired his brother, Jesse Lindsley, to serve as vice president of the company. Additionally, Titan Motoring is now launching Titan Radar, a line of radar and laser kits for high-end vehicles.

Lindsley advised other retailers to grow slowly with “calculated steps,” adding, “Not all money is good money, and it’s okay to say no to a job.”

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 Industry Awards

Westminster Speed and Sound WESTMINSTER, MD.

14 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Based in Westminster, Md., Westminster Speed and Sound has seven employees.

CEO Mark Miller has been in the industry for 38 years. Recently, the business has partnered with Social Media Doctor and placed a renewed emphases on customer content for the website. “We’ve already seen an increase in business, especially in larger ticket items,” Miller said. Over the years, Miller noted he’s learned to become “outcome focused,” due to making the mistake of micro-managing the staff. “I train and educate my team, give them the proper tools and then focus on the execution,” he explained.

Stereo and Video Center TYLER, TEXAS

Tyler, Texas-based Stereo and Video Center has 23 employees, including home audio technicians and salespeople. According to manager James Halter, the business recently added vehicle wraps to its list of offerings, which has increased revenue and given the shop another item to offer to its dealership partners. “This also led to the need for more install space, so we’re in the middle of expanding our bay an additional 14 by 30 feet,” he said.

In the past, the biggest mistake the business made was “trying to expand to multiple locations too quickly.” The attempt spread their resources too thin, Halter said, adding, “It took our focus away from growing the main location.” Today, the goal is to continue growing the shop’s product categories in order to offer a one-stop-shop experience to customers. Along with being among the Top 50 Retailers in previous years, the business has also won the Locals Love Us awards every year since 2013.

“My advice to other retailers would be to plan out your growth and take it one step at a time. Do not skip steps or try to grow too fast without a plan to handle that growth,” he added.

Vernon’s Signature Audio LUBBOCK, TEXAS

Vernon’s Signature Audio in Lubbock, Texas—owned by Leon Winchester and Steve Vernon—has a team of seven. Winchester said the shop has been focusing on developing the team’s skills and acquiring MECP certifications. “We feel this is important because it gives the team the basics of both understanding and industry terminology to communicate better,” he explained. “We also have a platform developed that ties into Shop Monkey, so we can improve customer communications. It will have automated CRMs integrated for customer follow-ups.

We strive to find better ways to keep our community and customers up to date with what we’re doing in the business.”

In the past, Winchester said he made the mistake of thinking he could manage everything by himself. “Creating a good training program and providing advancement and development opportunities for the employees was essential. I learned how to be a team leader and recognize my team’s strengths and improve on deficiencies. This has had a huge impact on team morale and production.”

Today, Vernon’s Signature Audio is building a number of plans for the future, according to Winchester. Among the team’s goals—winning Retailer of the Year. Winchester also offered a piece of advice to fellow retailers: “Invest in yourself and in your team,” he said, adding, “Build a strong company culture.”

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 Industry Awards

KarTele Mobile Electronics WATERBURY, CONN.

16 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Mike Hungerford has owned KarTele Mobile Electronics for the past eight years, and he’s been in the industry for around 20 years. The business consists of Hungerford and Christina Wearne, who handles sales. Most recently, the shop has acquired a CNC router. “We’re excited to see where that leads and what new services we’ll be able to offer.” In the past, Hungerford said, the shop has tried adding different services, only to find “some things aren’t a fit for everyone, so we moved on. We learned to stay in our lane and outsource certain things.”

Every year, KarTele partners with a local fundraising event called Pawtoberfest. “This year, we asked for some help from some of our manufacturers. ARC Audio set up a huge raffle prize—a complete audio package for Harley-Davidson motorcycles valued at over $3,000. It raised thousands of dollars to help feed, house and care for animals. This has also brought further name recognition to KarTele and has had a huge impact on our sales in-store.”

Today, Hungerford said, the business is seeking new facilities, hoping to re-establish at a new location in the next few years. He shared a piece of advice he’s mentioned in the past. He urged retailers to hire talented female salespeople. “It’s a welcome change to our generally male-dominated industry.”

According to store owner Conrad Leduc, Ontario-based Sudbury Car Audio currently has four employees and hopes to hire more in the future. When it comes to the business, Leduc said he’s always taken things slowly, which has kept things going in a positive direction. For 10 years, Sudbury Car Audio has enjoyed steady growth. The business, he added, is also new to the remote start category.

“This will be our second season. We had a late start because we had to wait for our technician to receive his paperwork for passing his certification.” Leduc clarified that Ontario requires a technician acquire a 310K certification in order to install remote starters. The shop is now increasing its sales in the category and projects another revenue increase in the coming year. The fleet division, he said, has also grown—leading to the hire of the fourth full-time team member.

“We’ve signed up two larger companies for our fleet services.” The new clients, he added, have brought in sales of over $100,000 in the last three months alone. “Staying true to our core value of quality over quantity is being recognized in our area and it’s helping us to be very successful. We’ve also added a new product line from Eurostart, and we’re the only store selling and installing BMW remote starters in the area.”

This year, Sudbury Car Audio won seven Community Votes awards in multiple categories.

“My advice to any small store, or one-man operation, would be to manage growth slowly and expand when things are consistent,” Leduc said. “Don’t jump in too deep or too fast. Slow growth is forever growth.” He added that he’s always available to help fellow store owners aiming to grow their businesses.

Sudbury Car Audio SUDBURY, ONTARIO

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 Industry Awards

Traffic Jams Motorsports BUFORD, GA.

Yamil Widy, owner of Buford, Ga.-based Traffic Jams Motorsports, has been overseeing operations and team development at the store for over 18 years. The shop has 21 employees and recently added six. “Our newest and most exciting initiative is the expansion to our third location,” Widy said, adding that it will be dedicated entirely to vehicle wraps, paint protection film (PPF) and detailing. “By giving these services their own specialized space, we’re able to streamline workflow, speed up turnaround times and maintain the high level of quality our customers expect.”

Traffic Jams is also developing a new design center inside its main showroom. “This hands-on space will allow customers to explore customization options—audio, lighting, wheels, suspension, wraps, and more—all in one place. It’s designed to enhance customer experience and make the creative process more interactive.”

Widy said the shop is also adding a 3D print area to its showroom, freeing up workspace in the install bays, which will allow them to hire more technicians and increase

18 Mobile Electronics December 2025

productivity. The business continues to expand its online presence, showcasing its work—everything from classic car restorations to high-end luxury builds.

“By giving customers a behind-the-scenes look at our craftsmanship, we aim to build stronger brand recognition, grow our audience and highlight the expertise that sets us apart,” he said. “Overall, these initiatives are designed to support our growth, elevate customer experience and continue delivering exceptional service across all our locations.”

Early in its history, Widy said the business expanded too quickly without putting the right systems in place. “We learned that sustainable growth requires a solid foundation, strong leadership, efficient processes and investment in the right people. That experience taught us to scale smart, not fast, and to make sure our culture and standards stay consistent no matter how large we grow.”

The business aims to continue on its current trajectory, “expanding regionally while building deeper partnerships with top brands in the industry. Our long-term vision includes developing training programs for future technicians and installers to ensure the next generation of professionals upholds the same level of excellence and passion that built our name.”

Custom Car Stereo OWENSBORO, KY

Stacey Singh is the owner of Custom Car Stereo and has been in the industry for seven years. The shop currently has three employeesn, and Singh said they’ve started carrying a new line—Aucar Auto. “We’re excited about it. It’s bringing Tesla-style screens to older vehicles. I think their product is top notch. It’s plug-and-play and integrates everything factory. You don’t lose any factory features as you would in most aftermarket radios. Even the vehicle’s personal options are still there.

We have installed many of these and we’re very pleased when the customer says it’s the best unit they’ve ever had. If the customer is happy, we are happy.”

Today, the shop attracts business via word-of-mouth and referrals. In the past, Singh noted, they tried radio advertising which was difficult to track and didn’t work very well. In the near future, it’s hoped that Custom Car Stereo will expand to a new location. When it comes to advice, Singh had some technical suggestions.

“Don’t try to shortcut finding the correct wires. Go straight to the plug to verify before sending current. It may be an airbag wire resembling speaker wires, and a curtain air bag could come down and pop you in the head and put you in a huge shock, wondering what happened. Then it’ll cost your company about $5,000-plus to repair.”

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 Industry Awards

Branded Customs ROCKWALL, TEXAS

20 Mobile Electronics December 2025

The owner of Branded Customs, Jay Ivey, has been in the industry for 26 years.

The shop has a team of 16, including Ivey’s twin sons Justin and Jayden. Today, Ivey said, they’re aiming to improve in a few areas. “We’re working on buying our building and land to make other improvements. In the future, we hope to add another building for finish work. We hired a new project manager to help maintain clients and projects.”

Additionally, he added, the shop has updated its Shop Monkey system. “Since we added that in 2023, it’s really streamlined conveniences and made procedures easier. Our clients have liked the communication upgrades, as well.”

This year, Branded Customs has also started its Toys for Tots drive, which will run through mid-December. “We currently partner with a lot of other local businesses for our monthly Cars and Coffee events. All proceeds go to a different charity monthly.”

The shop attends a lot of events, and one of the biggest ones takes place in early December, Ivey said. “We go camping at a car show with 1,000 other cars and trucks.

We’ve been doing this as a team for many years. We take a 250-gallon smoker and cook for the three-day event and spend time with each other and our families.”

As of this writing, the team is working on some high-profile builds—two oldschool convertible Cadillacs for none other than Shaq O’Neal. (Justin and Jayden got their picture taken with him in the showroom, seen here.) “These are complete builds including custom dash and interior, superchargers, motor swaps and of course lots of audio and bass,” Ivey said. “We’ve built cars and other rides for a lot of celebrities and athletes.”

Absolute Electronix ROCKVILLE, MD.

Based in Santa Maria, Calif., Mobileworks / Tintworks has seven employees, including owner George Smith, who said, “The variety of services we offer is a strength, and being able to execute all of them at a high level sets our store apart.”

In the past, Smith regrets investing business funds into a cryptocurrency platform that turned out to be fraudulent.

“I grew the investment to $280,000 before discovering it was fake. It was a painful lesson, but it reminded me to protect the core business first and verify everything.”

His experience can serve as a reminder to other businesses: “Don’t chase emotional or fast financial opportunities. What matters is staying steady and continuing to service customers.”

Mobileworks / Tintworks continues to grow. The business also recommends that other retailers “diversify or be left behind.” Smith added that shops should remember to charge properly for labor, adapt to new technologies and treat every customer right. “Focus on service, not money. Have faith.”

Rockville, Md.-based Absolute Electronix has nine employees, including owner Ata Ehdaivand, who has been in the industry for 30 years.

Currently, the business is aiming to increase its online sales. According to Ehdaivand, the biggest mistake the business made was not expanding when the opportunity presented itself. “I learned to never be afraid to move up,” he said, adding, “Trust your gut. It won’t lie to you.”

Mobileworks / Tintworks SANTA MARIA, CALIF.

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 Industry Awards

John Mueller is the CEO of Laketown Speed and Sound.

He’s been in the industry for 35 years. Currently, the business has nine employees. In the past year, Mueller said, the shop aimed to expand its truck and off-road accessories categories by incorporating lifts, wheels and tires, lighting and overland outfitting. It has also made a point to prioritize training and development of the staff, and continues improving its customer experience. The shop features multiple demo vehicles to help educate about DSPs, staging, imaging and proper installation techniques.

“We’re also leaning into new technologies and production processes regarding fabrication and installation,” Mueller said, adding that the shop is upgrading its tooling for CNC and CAD drawing. “I see us continuing to learn and use cutting-edge techniques to stay ahead of our competition, as well as a greater scope of work being performed as technologies improve.”

Mueller feels his team has developed a unique perspective on shifts in the industry. “We need to embrace new channels of revenue and be proficient in providing clients a better, more positive experience,” he said, adding that the team always faces the challenge of convincing customers who’ve had a bad experience elsewhere. “We have to make it a positive experience to encourage consumers to trust us.”

22 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Laketown Speed and Sound DRAPER, UTAH

Leon Winchester

VERNON’S SIGNATURE AUDIO LUBBOCK, TEXAS

Leon Winchester, co-owner of Vernon’s Signature Audio, has been in the industry since 2002. “I’m highly influenced by instructors paving the way for our industry,” he said. “Without their teachings, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Every day, my team inspires me. Watching them develop and grow has been rewarding and such a privilege.”

Over the years, Winchester said, he’s learned to be more organized and prepared. “Balancing a professional workload and quality personal life is the key to success. Overloading myself with work and commitments put too much stress on me.” If he could do it differently, he added, he’d prioritize his family and his well-being.

Outside of work, he enjoys skiing, snowboarding and spending time with his wife and children.

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 Industry Awards

Dalton Trainer

CAR-TUNES, INC., GREENVILLE, MISS.

Dalton Trainer is the lead fabricator and technician at CarTunes, Inc. He’s been in the industry for 15 years. He said he feels he has strengths in numerous areas. “I’m confident that I can overcome any obstacle that’s presented, but if I were to pick one thing, I would say my troubleshooting and integration skills are my greatest strength in our business.”

He gains a lot of inspiration at industry events such as KnowledgeFest. “I love learning something new,” he said, adding that while he learns a lot from many industry colleagues, his greatest influence continues to be his mother, Kimberly Trainer, owner of Car-Tunes, Inc. “She’s my biggest supporter and always pushes me to take the next step.”

Outside of work, Trainer enjoys going to the gym and working on home improvement projects. He encouraged industry colleagues to stay positive. “I always try to be a positive influence on others,” he said, adding that he enjoys meeting others who feel the same way.

Dave Koz works as the senior tech and fabricator at Titan Motoring, and he’s been in the industry for 21 years. “My greatest strength is my ability to use my imagination to create pieces of rolling art for our customers,” he said. Those who inspire him the most are those who’ve pushed him forward and helped him build his confidence and skillsets, including Bryan Schmitt, Chris Pate, Doug Dobson and Chris Yato. “My biggest influences,” he added, “are my coworkers.

They help push me every day to elevate my skills.”

In the past, Koz said he’s made the mistake of overthinking, which he noted can complicate things. “Don’t second-guess yourself. Learn to step outside your comfort zone and push yourself. Get out and do something with the community.

After 21 years in this industry, the biggest thing I’ve learned is to stay humble and give back. Help mold the next generation by taking a chance on them.”

Dave Koz

TITAN MOTORING NASHVILLE, TENN.

24 Mobile Electronics December 2025

C.J. Silvey

FOSS AUDIO AND TINT, PUYALLUP, WASH.

C.J. Silvey has been in the industry for 29 years, long enough, he said, “to remember when car stereos came with actual knobs and not just a touchscreen that judges your life choices.” He feels his strength is attention to detail, adding that he can “spot a 1/16th-inch gap from across the shop—and yes, it keeps me up at night.”

The list of those who inspire him is a long one: “Some legends are still cranking wrenches, others are now tuning clouds. Huge thanks to Andy, Ed, Angela, Dan, Rob, Mike, Brian, Dave, Jeff, Carrie, Frankie, Jackson, Jim, Margaret, Linda, Ben, Sam, Randy and the countless others who’ve kept me from soldering my fingers together.

You’re the real MVPs.” During his career, Silvey has made plenty of mistakes, noting that most of them were cosmetic—“Like the time I turned a customer’s pristine dash into modern art.

I learned that mistakes are just proof I’m still pushing the limits…and that touch-up paint is my best friend.” When he’s not elbow-deep in wiring, Silvey enjoys skiing in the winter and wakeboarding on the lake during the summer.

Mike Hungerford

KARTELE MOBILE ELECTRONICS WATERBURY, CONN.

Mike Hungerford is the owner and lead installer at KarTele Mobile Electronics, based in Waterbury, Conn. He has been in the industry for around 20 years, and he’s owned his business for about eight. Over the years, he said, he’s learned when to ask for help. “Too many times, we feel like we can do it all. Knowing when to seek assistance from others at the shop or in the industry is something that took me way too long to learn.”

His biggest mistake, he said, has been doubting himself too much. “Sometimes I underestimate my skills, but then I reset, regroup and turn out some killer installs.”

He’s most inspired by industry colleagues he speaks to during a weekly call. “There’s such an eclectic collection of experiences, personalities and styles, and we’re all able to learn from each other.”

He encouraged others in the industry to stick with it, adding, “I started to learn 3D rendering. It was so frustrating and I almost turned away from it completely. But after a bit of trial and error, I can now confidently design and render nearly anything I need.”

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 Industry Awards

Jaime Palafox

AGOURA AUTOSOUNDS, AGOURA HILLS, CALIF.

As the owner, lead installer and fabricator at Agoura Autosounds, Jaime Palafox has been in the industry for 30 years. He said he continues to gain “deep hands-on experience with automotive electronics, installation, system design and customer solutions.” One of his strongest skills, he said, is seeing a project through from beginning to end, “ensuring nothing is overlooked and delivering a complete, high-quality result.”

His greatest influences in the industry are Bryan Schmitt, Tom Miller, Justin Marks, Jeremy Carlson, J.T. Torres and Matt Schaeffer. “Each of them has inspired me through their creativity, organization and the incredible way they visualize and execute complex projects. In the next few years, I still see myself in the industry doing what I love most and continuing to grow in my craft.”

Looking back, Palafox said his biggest mistake was not pursuing training and education sooner, adding, “Investing in yourself is one of the most valuable decisions you can make.”

26 Mobile Electronics December 2025

 Industry Awards

Scott Eisner

TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS BUFORD, GA.

In the industry since 1992, Scott Eisner is on two lists this year—Top 12 Installers and Top 5 Trusted Techs. He feels his greatest strength on the job is complex wiring. “I feel comfortable with it,” he said, adding that he’s able to handle security, full hidden radar systems and European cars “because I know them inside and out.” Additionally, he added, he does very well with multi-channel OEM audio integration.

There are a number of people within the industry who’ve made an impact on Eisner, including Michael Bischoff, Mark Fakuda, Alma Gates, Richard Clarke, Dave “The Fishman” Rivera, Larry Frederick—a 2024 Mobile Electronics Hall of Fame inductee—and Lucio Proni, who was inducted to the Hall of Fame this past summer. Eisner also noted reps like Ceicl Sweet and Chris Anderson, and companies like Hi-Fi Buys, Precision Power, MB Quart, Alpine, Sony, Orion, Zapco and Rockford Fosgate.

He sees himself continuing to innovate at Traffic Jams, adding that he’d like to begin teaching and training others to work under him, “freeing myself up for more in-depth, higher-end cars. I handle most exotic and European cars at Traffic Jams, and this is where my passion is.”

He also hopes to become more comfortable with 3D printing and earn all of his MECP and Master certifications.

Outside of work, Eisner enjoys visiting car shows to get an idea of what people are most interested in. “Me and my wife also enjoy going on road trips to state parks,” he said. When it comes to the daily grind, he advised always showing respect for others. “Everyone starts somewhere. Be kind and take the time to help along the way. This the key to the survival of the 12-volt industry, as well as a good practice for building relationships,” he said, adding, “And make sure you’re having fun. Laughter makes everything better.”

In the industry for 26 years, Archie Speaks is the owner and lead installer and fabricator at Savannah Custom Car Audio in Savannah, Ga. “My biggest strength is combining craftsmanship with innovation,” he said.

“I take pride in executing high-end, detail-driven installs that merge traditional fabrication with modern design tools like CAD, CNC and 3D printing. I’m always looking for new ways to improve sound performance while maintaining a clean, OEM-inspired aesthetic.”

His greatest influences in the industry include Thatcher Vaughn and Marty Adamshack, “along with educators I’ve learned from at industry events such as Mobile Solutions and MasterTech Expo, including Christopher Pate, Wesley Cato and Justin Marks. Each of them has shaped the way I approach creativity, precision and professionalism. Their passion for growth and innovation continually inspires me to evolve and set new standards in my own work.”

Early on in his career, Speaks said he made the mistake of taking on too many projects at once, thinking hard work alone could carry him through. “I learned that proper planning, pacing and communication are just as important as craftsmanship. Now I schedule smarter and maintain higher quality across every job.”

In the near future, Speaks hopes to be leading a full design and fabrication facility, producing signature custom builds and collaborating with top installers nationwide. “Beyond that, I want to help others in our industry gain access to larger-format 3D printers, resin printers and laser welding and cutting machines that are affordable, reliable and competitive in our market. My goal is to make advanced technology more accessible.”

Outside of work, Speaks enjoys working out, traveling and spending time with others in our industry. “I love connecting with other professionals, sharing ideas, helping them with their projects and learning new techniques and approaches,” he said, adding, “These experiences not only recharge me but also broaden my perspective and creativity.”

28 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Archie Speaks

SAVANNAH CUSTOM CAR AUDIO SAVANNAH, GA.

 Industry Awards

Angel Rivera, Sr.

LAKETOWN SPEED AND SOUND DRAPER, UTAH

Angel Rivera, Sr. serves as the installation manager and lead fabricator at Laketown Speed and Sound. He has been in the industry for almost 26 years.

“I’ve been at my current shop for the better part of 22 years, and I have always tried to make sure that I deliver on expectations and promises. Having a good work ethic to see things through is vital to the success of any shop.”

Rivera said his greatest influences are other fabricators who “keep our industry at the cutting-edge of the latest innovative fabricating techniques,” people such as Bryan Schmitt, Tom Miller, Chris Pate, Jeremy Carlson, Jeremy Katz, J.T. Torres, Matt Schaeffer, Gary Bell, Mark Fukuda, Dave Rivera and many more.

Rivera also draws inspiration from young, up-and-coming technicians and fabricators who show up and learn, contributing to the growth and evolution of the industry. “These young guys who invest in themselves have motivated me to continue learning and expand my skill set,” he said. “You can also learn a lot from the younger generation. They have their own vision and perspective [which will] allow our industry to stay fresh and exciting.”

Rivera aims to continue growing and perhaps even become a part of training the next generation of installers and fabricators. Outside of work, he enjoys learning more about working with CAD.

In the industry for 19 years, T.J. Carlson feels his greatest strength is fabrication. “I’ve developed an innate ability to look at a design, or visualize a project, and almost immediately have a plan,” he said. “I can usually determine what techniques are required, the order in which to apply them, and work out any problematic areas ahead of time before I start building.”

Carlson’s greatest influence is Tom Miller, his current employer. “He’s unmatched in automotive interior design and has the unique ability to pull inspiration from a vehicle, and design and build cosmetic parts that complement the existing design.”

While working at a different shop, earlier in his career, Carlson said he made the mistake of under-bidding jobs because they were projects he felt excited to work on. “I learned not to sell myself short just because I was anxious to build something cool, and that my time has more value than I was giving it.”

Last year, Carlson was presented with the Master Fabricator Award at the 2025 Mobile Solutions MasterTech Expo. “This experience meant the world to me,” he said. “I earned the respect of my peers and the people I’ve looked up to for quite some time. It was a humbling, yet rewarding moment that boosted my confidence and gave me even more drive to push myself, continually improve my skills and hone my craft.”

T.J. Carlson

MUSICAR NORTHWEST PORTLAND, ORE.

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 Industry Awards

Ben Freeman

TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS BUFORD, GA.

32 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Ben Freeman works as a fabricator and installation specialist at Traffic Jams Motorsports. He has been in the industry for 28 years. He feels his greatest strength lies in his ability to visualize a project from start to finish. “I take pride in planning and executing builds down to the smallest detail, making sure every element has a purpose. Over the years I’ve also learned how to find creative solutions when things don’t go as planned. That balance of structure and adaptability has really shaped the way I approach my work.”

Gary Biggs and David “Fishman” Rivera were both huge influences on Freeman early in his career, he said. “The creativity, precision and passion they brought to car audio really lit a fire in me. They showed me that this craft can be an art form, not just a trade. Their work made me want to push myself to keep learning, stay humble and never settle for ‘good enough.’” Recently, he’s also been inspired by the work of his co-worker Michael Bischoff, as well as Tom Miller, Jeremy Katz, Phil Cantu, Justin Marks, Marty Adamschek and Charles Brazil.

Freeman sees himself continuing along his current path, in the bay and building cars. “I don’t ever want to lose that hands-on connection to my work. My goal is simply to keep getting better, refining my skills, mastering new techniques and technology, and staying on the cutting edge of what’s possible in this industry. I’d also like to spend more time mentoring younger techs. There’s something rewarding about helping others grow and watching the passion that first inspired me carry into the next generation.”

This year marks Freeman’s third time being named among the Top 12 Installers. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized among so many talented people in this industry,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work on some amazing builds over the past year, including projects for Nelly and Shaq. Those experiences have reminded me just how far this craft can take you when you stay passionate and focused.”

Looking ahead, he said he’s committed to spending more time giving back and sharing what he’s learned. “This industry has given me so much, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

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 Industry Awards

Austin Moore

TEAM WITT CUSTOMS, MADISON, TENN.

In the industry for 13 years, Austin Moore recently moved from Titan Motoring to Team Witt Customs in Madison, Tenn. He feels he does best when it comes to fabrication and upholstering, and he draws a lot of inspiration from other top installers and fabricators. “Dave Koz has inspired me to look at things differently.

Working with him opened my eyes and showed me there are no limits to what you can do as long as you can dream it up.” He’s also inspired by Ray West’s diagnostic skills, Justin Marks’s attention to detail, Terry Dawson’s eagerness for knowledge and Dan Bowman’s determination for showing people what they need and not stopping at what they asked for.

“I hope to return to the SQ competition scene,” he said. “My goal is to bring home some trophies while sharing my knowledge with anyone interested. I am very passionate about advancing future generations in everything car audio and upholstery, and I look forward to participating in training classes and possibly hosting on-site shop training sessions to help others grow.”

In the past, he said, he made the mistake of becoming too comfortable. “About eight years in, I reached a point where I stopped learning or trying anything new. I just went to work and went home. I felt like I’d already learned everything I could.

I didn’t set big goals, and I stopped pushing myself to learn more.”

Then, he attended KnowledgeFest for the first time. The event, he said, opened his eyes. “I started asking questions and talking to people , and that’s when my career truly took off.” From there, Moore went to Titan Motoring where he had the opportunity to be a part of the team and run his own training sessions.

“I wish I hadn’t waited so long. Make changes, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, make mistakes and ask questions. Never be the smartest person in the room,” he said, adding, “Stay humble and always thank those who help you along the way.”

34 Mobile Electronics December 2025

REGISTER

CELEBRATE FEBRUARY 3-5 | 2025

 Model Mentor

BACK TO THE

FUTURE

Ken Koga’s technical, fantastical and unique journey through decades of car audio is highlighted by friends and colleagues who made his career colorful, successful and memorable.

WORDS BY JAMIE SORCHER

36 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Back to the Future

Like many in the industry, Ken Koga felt drawn to car audio as a teenager. He is pictured here with his two sons.

to match his passion for cars. Koga also worked with a local band called Madfox doing production for their shows, and another band called Survivor, led by Jim Peterik and co-founded by Franki Sullivan. Formed in Chicago, the band hit it big in the 1980s with several Top 10 hits.

They’re best known for “Eye of the Tiger,” the theme song for Rocky III.

Audio Mobile and a Mentor for Life

t

alking with Ken Koga is like hyper-speed travel through a 12-volt time warp—the names, products, experiences. Koga is a 45-year industry veteran, with claims to 50 Grand Prix awards and 10 Innovations Design and Engineering Awards. He’s worked for some of the biggest names in the industry—Nakamichi, Cerwin-Vega, Alpine, Infinity and Rockford Fosgate—and in many cases, he was there when these companies were poised for major milestones. Today, he heads his own company, Koga Technology International Holdings, Inc., open since 2008.

All that said, doing a simple search of his name doesn’t bring up a whole lot.

But digging in and doing further investigation revealed he’s a legend in the business. “There was a period of time when I was all over the Internet,” he said Koga started playing with car stereo back in high school in Illinois. He had a car before he was 16 and got his driver’s license on his birthday the moment the doors to motor vehicles opened. He raced hot rods on the street and the local track.

“I was installing 8-track players and Jensen coaxials in people’s cars, and I even installed a Muntz automatic stereo player [Editor’s Note: Look up Madman Muntz!].

That’s how far back my history goes.”

Car audio was a natural for him, he said, given that he had a love of music

Koga attended Western Illinois University for a year and then took a break, he said, adding, “I was still hot-rodding and blasting my 8-tracks, that sort of thing.”

He thought about becoming a recording engineer. “I even went and explored the University of Colorado, Boulder, as an engineering school, and I also looked at Caribou Ranch which was a famous engineering and recording studio.” Situated in the Rocky Mountains, Caribou Ranch hosted artists such as Elton John, Chicago, the Beach Boys, Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Joel and more.

It is no longer is existence.

Eventually, Koga continued his college education at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. “A friend was encouraging me to go to Cal Poly, so we went out to visit, and it was like being in heaven.”

While at school in 1984, Koga worked for Galaxy Enterprises. “I was doing sales and installations out of my garage,” he said. “I was good at selling and I had the engineering skills to do the installations. Through college, I did all kinds of systems.” Through the university, a student could get a job and receive class credits, so Koga wound up working for Audio Mobile. “They made amplifier and speaker systems. The first big car stereo was built by a guy at Audio Mobile named Rich Coe.” This year, Coe was inducted into the Mobile Electronics Hall of Fame at KnowledgeFest Fort Worth.

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 Model Mentor

When Koga joined the team at Alpine, he and Rich Coe collaborated on a comprehensive training program that prioritized hands-on experience.

Here, Koga is pictured with his original Alpine teammates. On the following page is the same team, reunited.

According to Koga, Audio Mobile accomplished many firsts, making this position an incredible opportunity for him. “They engineered the first high-powered BTL amplifier that made 40 watts a channel into two ohms,” he said. “That had not been done before.

The BTL amplifier had been around a long time, but not the idea of getting increased power with impedance. They had big amplifiers, 1,000-watt, 500-watt and the first 1,000-watt system was built

by Rich Coe. That’s where I met Rich. He was my mentor.”

Koga knew he’d met someone who would constantly push the limits, and he was ready for it. “He had a Lincoln Continental with two 15-inch woofers and pods all over for imaging. He was the first one to put pods on the dash—to be bold enough to cut into the dash of a vehicle. I saw what he was doing and I wanted to copy his style.”

38 Mobile Electronics December 2025

After college, for a year and half, Koga said he went high-tech and made nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers—NMRs. “After that, I started working in car stereo.”

His first stop, Nakamichi, where he served as technical support manager.

“It was fun to work with product that I knew was the best. For sound quality, it was absolutely the best at that time in the late ’80s.”

When calls came in from installers, Koga was on the phone to help them. Additionally, he created service manuals featuring technical support information. He most enjoyed the sales team at Nakamichi, he said, adding, “the team and the president, Dean Miller, were interesting folks.

Miller has been president at companies like Rolls-Royce, Bentley Motor Cars, AudioQuest and Bang & Olufsen.

I liked working for him.”

Creating a Key Program at the Peak of Alpine’s Success

It wasn’t long before Koga joined Coe at Alpine. “He recruited me,” he said. Once there, the two collaborated on a new initiative. “We invented the GAIT program—the Global Alpine Institute of Technology.”

GAIT was a comprehensive training program that covered installation technique with a focus of hands-on experience.

“Once it was launched, we went around the country and did training seminars for dealers.” They were part of the technical support group. At the time, Koga said, this was a big deal. “Dealers were in heaven when you went to visit them. For them, it was like having a buddy who worked for a manufacturer.

Not only did we do trainings all over the country, but we also trained the trainers for programs in the international markets. I used to travel to international locations to do these trainings.”

Back to the Future

One of the most distinctive aspects of his time at Alpine, Koga said, was that Alpine was at its peak. “It was fun as hell.

We made the 7909, the flagship CD player, during my time there. [Ed. Note: The iconic Alpine 7909 is considered by many in the industry to be one of the best-sounding CD receivers ever made, as it established a high standard for audio quality in the car.

It was highly regarded by audiophiles and car audio competitors and had a huge presence at IASCA. It has such cult status that even now there is an Alpine 7909 Owners Club group on Facebook.]

“This head unit came out when people were just starting to get rid of their cassettes,” he added. “I went from the most premium cassette players at Nakamichi to the premium first CD players at Alpine.”

Making it Loud at Cerwin-Vega

Koga made a few moves once Coe left Alpine. When Coe went to Infinity, part

of Harman International, Koga joined him once again, staying two-and-ahalf years before being recruited by Cerwin-Vega.

“I worked for the original Cerwin-Vega and Gene Czerwinski,” he said, adding that the company was known at the time for high-performance audio equipment and renowned loud sound quality. Cerwin-Vega’s founder, aerospace engineer Gene Czerwinski, made a lasting impression on Koga.

“I worked in both product development and sales. On the engineering side, I worked with Henry Goldansky, who served as Director of Engineering from 1986-2002. He taught me a huge amount about woofer design. In fact, I got as far as designing woofers, assembling them by hand, and making my own samples.

At Cerwin-Vega, I had a lot of responsibility and was put in charge of the entire car audio division.”

According to Koga, Czerwinski was a bit eccentric and would sometimes come into the office wearing baggy

For those interested in making a career out of car audio, Koga recommended fine-tuning one’s talent.

facebook.com/MobileElectronics 39

 Model Mentor Recorded music has to sound good in all environments, Koga said, noting that most people listen to music while they’re driving.

He is pictured here with Wayne and Celise Harris of dB Drag Racing.

pants and military jackets and go listen to his pro audio stuff. “He had a sound system in one of the studio rooms and it sounded so real, like the band was in front of you. He taught me a lot. What I learned from him was about materials for subwoofer cones. He always tried different fibers and was always in favor of high-efficiency. In the industry, we were known as the loud boys.”

Koga remained at Cerwin-Vega for 10 years. “What I enjoyed the most was helping to develop their brand and then bringing all the technology to the car audio industry. When I started there, the company was barely doing $100,000 in sales and when I left, we were doing over $28 million. I developed a whole product line, and then I went out and sold it.

I used to travel on the road carrying an anvil case with a Stroker in it.”

The Stroker lineup was known for massive power handling, SPL output and physical features like its extended pole piece. “I understood it technically like no one else could because I designed it. I invented the Stroker with Gene. He

40 Mobile Electronics December 2025

made the professional version, but then I modified it for the car audio market. We changed it a lot.”

Czerwinski, he said, made 18-inch Strokers, which Koga said was the woofer used for the premier of the film entitled Earthquake at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. “They had to hang nets because we were knocking chunks of the ceiling out. This is why we were the kings of SPL competitions.”

Talent: An Essential Trait for Working in Car Audio

Hoping to make car audio a career?

Koga said it’s important to dig in and be talented. “There are fewer jobs. The industry is shrinking. I came from a time when it was the height of the car stereo business and the hobbyist sector was strong.

People were building big systems.”

Koga, who finished out his corporate career at Rockford, was then recruited by a speaker factory in China, which led to him founding his own company, Koga Technology International Holdings, Inc. “Today, I represent Chinese factories

making various things. I am still making speakers. I sell to the brands, and we’re making speakers for a lot of brands. I design and work with customers here in the country, get an understanding of what they want technically, and then work with the Chinese companies to build it.”

Retirement is just around the corner, but he’ll miss the crazy times, the cool people and the international travel. “I even went to Moscow,” he recalled. “They used to have SPL contests on frozen riverbeds.”

He’ll be spending more time with his family, who live close, including his granddaughter who is two-and-a-half years old. He still loves to listen to music.

In fact, he said, he enjoys Taylor Swift.

“Having worked with bands and musicians, I appreciate her talent. I told one of my buddies recently—if you listen to her Tortured Poets Department album, it’s engineered for car stereo. Just the way it’s EQ’d. When you’re in the studio, you have to engineer an album or the recording so it’ll sound good in all environments,” he said, adding, “And where do most people frequently listen to music? In the car!”

Back to the Future

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facebook.com/MobileElectronics 41

 tech today

THE NEW RAM PLATFORM Overcoming integration challenges.

WORDS BY CABE SIPES

W

hen I started in the car audio industry, things were much simpler. It wasn’t uncommon to go to an audio shop and find one or two installers who weren’t there for a career—just a normal job like fast food or retail while attending school. That’s because car audio was straight-forward when it came to installing a radio or speakers. Cars only required a dash kit and a simple harness, and you could train someone to wire it in a short time. It didn’t require a high IQ or skills.

42 Mobile Electronics December 2025

Today, that’s not the case. To be a successful installer you need to love the industry and approach it as a lifelong career due to the amount of knowledge required for modern day vehicles. You also need to have the proper tools, disassembly skills and electrical knowledge to work with modern CAN Bus networks.

Additionally, you need to have relationships with those you can trust in the industry, people you can learn from. No matter how much you think you know, you do not know everything.

Facing New Challenges in Integration

With over 30 years of experience, you can imagine my surprise when a 2025 Ram 3500 Longhorn with a Harmon Kardon system came to the shop for an audio upgrade and the job went from two weeks to six weeks. This happened because the new 2025 Rams have implemented a new CAN Bus platform. The CAN Bus is a bunch of paired wires that run through a car from and to all modules. Think of them as CAT5 cables

tying different computers together to create a network of communication.

Computers all need to run on an operating system, like Windows, and have the appropriate access to communicate with each module.

The new Ram trucks are implementing a platform with all new encryptions and permissions to each of the vehicle modules including the Infotainment and audio system. What this means is that any interfaces made by companies like PAC or AXXESS—which allow you to integrate aftermarket equipment into an OEM audio system—will not work. It’s as if you’re trying to add software made for Windows XP to the newest Windows operating system. It just won’t work.

I was aware of these changes, but misinformed on which models were

affected. I believed that the 2500 and 3500 models had not yet been updated, and that only the 1500 series had. With that information, I designed an entire build using a PAC AmpPro for integration and Audiocontrol DM-810 DSP going to an Audiocontrol LC-6.1200 and LC-1.1500 and all new Audiocontrol speakers and subs. Once the vehicle came to the shop, I pulled the radio and plugged in the AmpPro to verify communication and that’s when the first sign of trouble appeared: There was no communication with the network. This 3500 did, in fact, have the new platform. A decision had to be made to either kick the job and move on or accept the challenge and figure out a way to continue forward. I chose to move forward and began the long process of disassembling the interior and looking

for any differences in the audio system compared to previous Rams I’d worked on. I also started photographing any and all harnesses related to the audio system.

How to Identify the New Platform

Does the Ram you’re working on have the new platform? You can tell by looking at the amplifier located under the driver’s side dash, mounted vertically with the plugs facing toward the rear of the vehicle.

You can’t reach all the plugs from under the dash, so the removal of the headlight switch is required.

Using a light, look into the cavity and see the remaining plugs. In previous years, the amplifier had three plugs, but the new models will have four. This is an indicator that the Ram has the new

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 tech today

platform, and at the time of this writing, you won’t be able to use any available integration pieces.

Once the amplifier has been found, it’s time to identify each of the wires in the amplifier plugs. This can be done by blindly probing, which is not recommended—or in a more systematic way by removing each speaker and comparing the wire colors to the colors in the amplifier’s harnesses. At this point, you can use a tone generator to tone the wires at the amplifier harness to each of the matching wires to each speaker.

When I identified each speaker line, I did a polarity pop on each speaker to identify the positive and negative of each channel. With all the channels identified and labeled, it was time to identify any of the remaining wires at the amplifier. I assumed the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) was tied into the amplifier as well because the fourth plug matched the ANC bypass harness from PAC. To verify this, I began removing the microphones from the Ram headliner. There were two in the rear and two in the front, plus a fifth mic for hands-free calling. With the mics removed, I compared the wire colors to the wires in the fourth plug and was able to identify them.

44 Mobile Electronics December 2025

The New RAM Platform

The in-process amplifier rack.

The completed amp rack.

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 tech today

Then, I could integrate using a channel-to-channel solution in which I fed the hi-level signal of each amp channel into a DSP that would allow me to de-equalize and tune each channel independently.

The problem: The original design using the AudioControl DSP and amplifiers wouldn’t work due to the number of channels in the factory amplifier, which in this case was sixteen. The AudioControl DSP didn’t have enough input channels to handle it, so I had to redesign the build using a Helix V18 amplifier and a Helix P One Mk2 for the subwoofers, as well as a Helix P-Six DSP amplifier for separate bed speakers. Before ordering anything, I first

46 Mobile Electronics December 2025

had to verify that I could create T-harnesses for the factory amplifier. The reason for this is more personal preference than requirement. I avoid cutting or tapping into OEM wires, if possible, especially on a new vehicle that still has a factory warranty.

After checking boxes and boxes of old harnesses, as well as the AmpPro integration harnesses, I identified the plugs—PAC AmpPro CH03 and the CH01 with an ANC bypass plug. These plugs allow you to plug into the OEM plug, as well as the OEM amplifier, so a proper T-harness can be created. It would require pins to be added so all the lines are correctly populated.

While I worked on the T-harnesses, I contacted NETAUDIO.com and was told they’d be developing a T-harness for this system soon. They didn’t have one yet, so I had to create mine from scratch. I cannot stress how much work and how many hours it took to make this happen but, in the end, I had a proper T-harness that would allow me to put the system back to stock within minutes. This is very important so the vehicle’s warranty stays intact.

Now that I’d discovered a way to create a proper T-harness, I could move on to creating a pinout and adding wires to any unpopulated pins in the PAC harnesses and creating a schematic.

There are images included in this article

The New RAM Platform

showing the OEM wire colors, pin locations and speaker details. Only use these as a starting point and verify all the information since it’s not uncommon for wire colors to change between the different factories on a new platform.

For example, the RAM I worked on was made in Mexico, but they’re also being made in Detroit. Harnesses can have differences between the two factories.

Why So Many Channels?

When identifying speakers, I realized why there were so few speaker locations but so many wires at the amplifier: Everything in this system is running active apart from the rear doors which are

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 tech today

The T-harnesses for this project had to be created from scratch, which would allow for the system to return to stock within minutes if necessary.

This is very important so the vehicle’s warranty stays intact.

48 Mobile Electronics December 2025

The New RAM Platform

standard coaxial. This means every other coaxial is an active woofer and tweeter, so this requires two channels from the amp to each of these locations.

As far as the speaker sizes and locations, the dashboard has a pair of 3.5-inch active coaxial in the corners and 3.5-inch active coaxial in the center location. The front doors contain 6x9 speakers with one-inch tweeters in the upper sail and 6x9 coaxial in the rear doors. The rear ceiling has a pair of tweeters as well as a 10-inch subwoofer behind the back seat.

To ensure I wouldn’t run into any issues with the factory amplifiers’ surround sound options and other warning chimes, I did a one-to-one speaker replacement as well as retaining each speaker’s original channels when doing the channel-to-channel integration.

This required me to desolder the AudioControl coaxial tweeters from the main terminals so they can run active like the factory speakers. Custom speaker plates were made to put the AudioControl 6.5-inch drivers in place of the stock 6x9 drivers. This choice was made due to the AudioControl 6x9 speakers being

too deep. The front doors hold a pair of AudioControl 6.5-inch components, and the rear doors are have a pair of AudioControl 6.5-inch coaxial. The rear ceiling tweeters were left stock since they’re only used as a filler for the surround sound option.

The subwoofers used were dual AudioControl 10-inch Spike series in a NETAUDIO.com prefabricated down-fire sub enclosure in the Mega Cab section of the vehicle.

Proper Handling of the ANC

The ANC system introduced some strange things I’d never encountered.

Normally, you would need to disable the ANC system to stop any feedback loops being created by the subwoofers. When I did this, I began to hear a test sweep sound that would travel from the rear tweeters and continue forward until ending at the center channel. I am not sure if this is something that was implemented by the stock audio system to keep you from disabling the ANC, but it was strange since it travels through all the channels independently.

To remedy the issue, I re-engaged the

ANC and was able to tune the system without triggering any feedback issues.

This was done by not changing any of the EQ settings in the DSP and leaving them all flat. By not changing the equalizer, the only change that the ANC mics would see is the amplitude difference which I found did not trigger a feedback problem.

On top of the custom T-harnesses, I created a floating amp rack with custom made 36-pin connectors on each end.

The amp rack is mounted on the back wall utilizing the factory child restraint mounting points. All the modules on the back wall were relocated to be below the floating amp rack and are hidden behind the sub enclosure that is below the rack.

This allows the sub enclosure to be independently removed from the truck and allows access to all the modules on the back wall for any future service required without having to remove the amp rack.

The full setup of the build is too much to go over, and this article is intended to cover the technical side of the integration more than the actual build itself. Want to see more? Look up the Custom Audio Reimagined YouTube channel to check out the entire build.

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 strategy & tactics

LEAD BY EXAMPLE Get organized, build systems and trust your gut: These 7 strategies will help any business grow.

WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA

50 Mobile Electronics December 2025

LEAD BY EXAMPLE chooses not to follow the advice. “Sometimes the team member doesn’t have the experience. But we still have to be willing to let our team give us active feedback.”

#1: ALWAYS LEAD BY EXAMPLE

An owner or manager should include the team as they move forward, Keenan said. “Are you willing to help your team level up, to continuously push them and train them so they get better and better?

If you’re not [willing to do that], you’re leaving it up to them.” Some may take the initiative and do it on their own, he noted, but others may not. Additionally, encouraging employees will only help to build confidence.

“You have to lead by example,” he said, adding that an owner should always be working on improving themselves and their business. Keenan begins each day with this in mind: “A morning routine is a big thing for me.” To take care of someone else, he said, one must begin by taking care of themselves.

“These are things I’ve learned over the years. I have to show up as my best self for my family, my team and my clients. This takes a shift in your mindset.

You don’t have to do it all yourself.”

#2: BUILD REPEATABLE SYSTEMS TO BUILD TRUST

At KnowledgeFest Fort Worth, Tomas Keenan offered strategies and advice for businesses aiming to level up, based on his past experience as a business owner.

He touched on many roadblocks faced by business owners, including difficulty in delegating and understanding when and why to say no to a job. Allowing others to offer feedback, he said, is important— even if a business owner or manager

Systems equal trust, according to Keenan. He spoke of Dan Bowman of Titan Motoring in Nashville, Tenn., who aims to be a “go-to” person in the automotive space. [Editor’s Note: Read last month’s Strategy and Tactics column, where Bowman shares his tips on customer interaction.] This involves having a list of people who can help to support not only the business, but also the clientele.

“Have systems for things. When you build systems, they’re repeatable,” Keenan said.

“Systems equal trust. They also help you to stop micromanaging people.”

From a marketing and business operations perspective, he said, “systems will give you feedback on numbers and data.

Then, you’ll start making data-driven decisions in your business—not gut-feeling decisions.” However, he said, this doesn’t mean a person should ever disregard gut feelings: “I think they’re important.”

#3: LEARN TO TRUST YOUR GUT

Have you ever had the feeling you shouldn’t work with someone? Keenan said that sometimes our bodies tell us “this isn’t the client for me.” Sometimes, he added, “we listen. Sometimes we don’t. We go ahead and do the project and it turns into a complete nightmare. There is a place for your gut feelings. And there’s also a place for data-driven decisions.”

Once a business nails down where it’s wasting time, delegation can begin: “One of the key questions I ask is, ‘Do I have someone on the team to whom I can effectively delegate this task to, someone who can handle it? Often, the answer is yes.” Other times, he said, the answer is no. To help narrow it down, Keenan recommended creating an organizational chart.

#4: BUILD AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

The organizational chart doesn’t have to be complicated, and an owner or manager can map it out however they like, Keenan said. It’s comprised of things like, “Who is on my team? In what position? What are their duties?” It doesn’t matter whether or not they have a title, he added. As the chart continues to grow, he said an owner or manager will often find that they’re assigning multiple tasks to themselves.

“You may find you’re a marketer, copywriter, salesperson, CFO.” Understanding all of this, he added, will help an owner to delegate. “This will tell you what your team looks like. From there, we can adapt. As your team grows, you’ll need to build another chart that shows where you are now and the goals you have for the company.”

If a business has been open for 10 years and is generating $750,000 in gross sales, and it has four or five people on the team, Keenan said that business might’ve hit a wall. “You can’t physically do more, but you want to be a million dollar shop.

What does your team need to look like to hit those numbers? What responsibilities do I have as leader of this company that [I need to delegate] because I’m not the best at it?”

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 strategy & tactics

#5: YOU CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO HIRE

In the past, Keenan was owner of a company called Top Class Installations, which installed mainly GPS tracking devices in fleets owned by companies such as Verizon. Top Class had about 10 installers, Keenan said, and an office manager who was responsible for booking the jobs. One day, she let Keenan and his business partner know how overwhelmed she’d become. “She was a strong-willed,

52 Mobile Electronics December 2025

amazing employee. When someone like that raises a hand and says, ‘I need help,’ you need to listen. She said, ‘I think we need to hire one or two more people to help me with scheduling.’”

At the time, Keenan said the company couldn’t afford it. “She finally sold us on the idea,” and it turned out to be the right move.

“My business partner could only do so much. We added another phone

line and another person to take calls.

And here we are worried about where we’d get the money to pay this person.”

Meanwhile, he said, because of the new work they were able to take because of the hire, the company was able to get more than $150,000 in additional revenue that year. “It’s a tough pill to swallow. Especially when you realize, ‘Wow, what if I had made that hard decision six months earlier?’”

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

#6: LEARN TO DELEGATE WITH CARE

During his presentation, an audience member asked Keenan about his metric for delegating tasks. How much experience should a person have before they become the right person to handle a particular job? Keenan said it depends on what’s required. “In the GPS world, one of the reasons we’re able to scale so much is because it’s plug-and-play.”

For the most part, these devices don’t

require the same skillsets as a fabricator or someone who tunes DSPs, he added.

“I can train people who have a lesser skillset to do these basic installs.”

At his previous company, Keenan said the product would be shipped directly to the jobsite where team members would begin by conducting an inventory to prepare it for the installers. “Break things down into bite-sized chunks,” he said. “When you’re done

with A and B, you can pass it to the next person. We would run assembly lines. We’d get to a job site and there would be 40 or 50 vehicles. We would move them into rows. The first guy to go out would be the disassembler. The second guy would label the product on the vehicle. Then the installer would come in. The next guy handles all the documentation and verifies the tracking device is working properly.”

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 strategy & tactics

As employees become more skilled in one sector, they’re able to move up. Eventually, they might be delegated for more complex tasks, according to Keenan.

#7: EMBRACE DISCOMFORT AND IMPLEMENT CHANGES

Creating strategic systems, Keenan said, begins with marketing. “Without marketing, there are no sales. Without sales, there’s no profit. Without profit, there’s no business. In marketing, we’re attracting qualified leads consistently.

Who is your regular client and how do they operate?” A business should also understand its “nightmare clients”: A marketing style should attract the right customers and also repel the wrong ones.

Marketing, he said, “is about telling your story. Word of mouth is marketing [and will bring] more qualified leads into the store.” Sales, he added, “is where we convert leads into revenue with clear, repeatable processes. We face a unique challenge because every

54 Mobile Electronics December 2025

conversation will be different. Sales in this business should be a genuine conversation. Fulfillment is delivering what you sold consistently, efficiently and without you in the middle.”

Keenan then recalled an anecdote from his former business: “A guy came in with a brand new manual Infiniti. He wanted a remote start. I was young, naïve and dumb. The stress of owning my first business put a lot of added weight on me and I wound up herniating five or six discs in my back. I had a pinched sciatic nerve that eventually went all the way down my leg to my toe. When I was working on that car, I went down about halfway through the install and I didn’t get back up. I was in bed for three weeks. What happened to the car? It sat there.”

The customer, he said, had purchased the car at the dealership and driven it right to Keenan’s shop. “He expected it back that day. That’s me getting in the way of the fulfillment process. I didn’t build the team. I didn’t

put trust my team. There were people who had the skillsets and could’ve helped, but [I thought] nobody could do as well as I could.”

Keenan said it’s essential to hire team members who can keep the outcome in mind, not just the task. “Lead with data.

Make smart decisions and keep your team accountable. If you do these things [you’ll have] enhanced productivity, stronger team dynamics and customer satisfaction because you’re delivering a consistent result. This is sustainable growth.” To grow, a person must be willing to expand beyond their comfort zone: “What are you willing to do today to get uncomfortable?”

He ended the class by advising attendees to implement at least one thing back at the shop that they learned at KnowledgeFest. “Come see me next year and let me know what changes you’ve made. I love hearing from other people,” he said, adding, “That’s what fulfills me.”

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Highly visible.

Endlessly adjustable.

OEM integrated.

Wirelessly connected.

Experience the Sony XAV-AX8500.

Highly visible 10.1” anti-glare touchscreen.

Adjustable height, depth, tilt and swivel.

OEM integration with idatalink Maestro.

Wireless connection for Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

sony.com/car 2024 Sony Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony and the Sony logos are trademarks of Sony Corporation. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. ©

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 installs

CREATIVE AND CLASSY This Ferrari’s new audio system complemented its curvy design, accenting its beauty while maintaining OEM look and feel.

SUBMITTED BY: ANGEL RIVERA, SR., LAKETOWN SPEED AND SOUND, DRAPER, UTAH

56 Mobile Electronics December 2025

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 installs The owner of this 2007 Ferrari F430 came to Laketown Speed and Sound to inquire about the shop’s experience with exotic vehicles, according to Angel Rivera, Sr. “It was perfect timing because we’d just completed an audio upgrade on a 2021 Lamborghini Huracan, and it happened to be on-site for him to listen to,” Rivera said, adding that the customer was very impressed.

“My son Junior was sales lead and system designer on this project. We wanted to design a system that not only sounded great and visually complemented the Ferrari, but also the 2007 design.” That particular year, he added, has “swooping” lines—not the “jagged, hard lines” seen in newer models.

“We teamed up with MSC America and selected products from their Helix

58 Mobile Electronics December 2025

line. For the doors, we chose Helix I7 components for their amazing. For DSP and amplification, we went with Helix P6 Ultimate, a great SQ amplifier with a very robust DSP in a beautiful compact package.”

When it came to subwoofers, Rivera said they had to keep in mind that space was limited. “We chose a set of Helix IK W6 6-inch subwoofers in a custom-built ported enclosure between the driver and passenger seats, giving the interior a nice OEM look.” The source unit, he added, “was an Alpine ILX-F509 floating screen.” This was a welcomed upgrade from the factory single-DIN CD player. The DSP amplifier is trimmed with an acrylic cover sporting the Ferrari logo laser-etched and flanked by LED accent lighting.

“I also laser-etched and cut the panel to house the Helix Conductor controller and USB flush mount for the Alpine and Escort radar mute button. The panel was finished with the Ferrari logo. We also removed the deteriorated leather streps that held his tire pump and tools, replacing that with a beautiful new genuine leather set from Two Red Birds Leather Co.” Then, the system was tuned using JL Audio MAX. Rivera said the client was “floored” upon delivery of the car, due to the design and audio quality. “The goal was to design and execute a system that wouldn’t detract from OEM styling, curves or color palette,” Rivera noted, adding, “We wanted the design to feel at home in the interior without being a distraction.”

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

“

Car audio is emotional, and emotion takes over during demonstrations.

Customers want to hear the difference between stock and upgraded speakers, feel the bass and imagine that system in their own car.”

SIX SALES SITUATIONS YOUR CUSTOMERS LOVE Learn to understand what drives today’s buyers, and how to deliver the experience they want.

Walk into any successful mobile electronics retailer and hopefully you’ll notice something immediately. The customers are smiling. Not because they got the cheapest deal, but because they felt something like excitement, confidence and connection. Today’s buyer isn’t just purchasing sound. They’re investing in an experience. The best sales professionals understand this, and they create sales situations that make customers feel heard, informed and inspired. Let’s explore six of those situations that consistently win the sale and the customer’s loyalty. #1: Experience-Driven Demonstrations Nothing sells better than sound you can feel. Car audio is emotional, and emotion takes over during demonstrations. Customers want to hear the difference between stock and upgraded speakers, feel the bass and imagine that system in their own car.

Top retailers invest time and energy in the demo experience, whether it’s a showroom sound demonstration board, a fully outfitted demo car, or even a quick in-vehicle demo. The key is to focus on experience first, explanation second. When a customer grins and says, “Wow, that’s what I’ve been missing,” you’ve already made the sale. #2: Consultative, Solution-Based Conversations Car audio buyers respond best when a salesperson listens first. The days of fast-talking, feature-heavy selling are gone. Customers today want a consultant, someone who helps them solve a problem or achieve a goal. Ask about their vehicle, their commute and their listening habits. Find out what’s missing from their daily drive. Maybe their Bluetooth connection cuts out, or they can’t hear dialogue clearly in podcasts. When you build the conversation around their experience instead of your product list, you earn trust. Trust is what closes the deal. #3: Upgrade and Discovery Opportunities Most consumers don’t realize how much technology has evolved. They might think car stereo still means a new head unit and speakers. It’s your job to open their eyes to what’s possible.

Educate them without overwhelming them. Teach them about digital signal processing, OEM integration, lighting control and smartphone-based system tuning. Short demos, visual displays, or before-and-after sound clips go a long way. The best phrase you can use is, “Let me show you

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something you probably didn’t know your car could do.” Curiosity drives engagement. #4: Visual Before-and-After Scenarios Sound is invisible, but installation quality isn’t.

Customers love seeing photos and videos of your work. It reassures them that their vehicle will be cared for and that the final product will look clean and professional. Keep a gallery or digital slideshow ready, especially featuring vehicles similar to theirs. Seeing another customer’s car done right builds instant confidence. This also gives your team a chance to highlight craftsmanship and attention to detail, the value behind the price tag. #5: Personalized Packages, Not Price Wars Every buyer wants to feel like their system was designed just for them. Offering tiered “good, better, best” options helps customers choose value over price. They appreciate the ability to decide what fits their needs and budget. When explaining differences between systems, tie the price to a tangible outcome, such as, “You’ll notice more clarity in vocals,” or “This setup will handle your rock playlists with deeper bass.” The focus should always be on the result, not the receipt.

The moment your sales pitch turns into a price comparison, you’ve lost the emotional advantage.

Customization keeps you out of the price race. #6: Trust-Based Expert Guidance Finally, customers want reassurance. Car audio installation can feel intimidating—wires, custom fabricated panels, complex electronics—and buyers need to know their vehicle is safe. The most successful salespeople confidently walk customers through the process: how long it will take, how the vehicle is protected, and what to expect after pickup. Testimonials, reviews, and photos of clean installs reinforce professionalism. Your confidence becomes their confidence. As one veteran retailer put it, “I’m not selling equipment. I’m selling trust in my team.”

These six sales situations share one theme: connection. When customers feel understood and guided, they open up, ask more questions and spend more money. They become advocates who tell friends, post photos and bring their next vehicle back to you. The technology we sell changes every year, but the psychology stays the same. People remember how you made them feel. That’s why the best car audio retailers don’t just sell upgrades.

They create experiences that customers can’t wait to relive every time they turn the key.

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