Audio companies went out of business this year

[d77543020 10+ year member]

powerbass

Hey leave powerbass alone one of the few companies out there with decent products with fair priceing I'm sort of surprised that there is still a fair amount of high end companies still around with the economy and all who still has 3000 for a nice focal set

 

[JoeK 10+ year member]

powerbass

If anything, Powerass isnt going anywhere. They even had to expand into a bigger building to keep up with the demand

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

I like how Audiopipe hasnt been said once... Guess all the haters know **** well they arent going any where...

 

[Electrodynamic 10+ year member]

My list:
Flxx

Kenwood (only really have the headunit market)

Mtx

Memphis

Obsidian (I just feel their bid to the market is just not strong enough)

Interesting perspective on Obsidian Audio although completely erroneous and ill-informed. Our bid on the market isn't strong enough? What data do you have that will support that thesis? Doesn't really matter though as it is irrelevant and not based on any factual information. We are doing quite well and we do have a very good "bid" on one particular section of the market that is proving to be a fantastic hit with the internet car audio market. Let alone the other woofers we sell that keep increasing in sales at a steadfast rate.

flxxearthquake

psi

db drive

hifonics

would be my list

psi? Surprised to see that mention as I don't see David going under that quickly. ...at all.

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

This is the part nobody tells you about. The industry needs these "cookie cutter" brands. The "Skars", the IAD's, etc etc. Without these, and the new up and coming lines and brands, the industry would run stagnant and we again would be left with just a couple "mainstream" brands. Not to say the mainstream brands don't serve their purpose, (they have the money needed to really push the technology forward) and this will sooner or later find it's way into the other brands.

Without the competition from the lower cost brands, the price point would be so high that nobody could afford it, and of course the interest in car audio will again start to wane, probably to the point it did a couple years ago.

I love car audio, but it's still a business, and the people that put back into the industry should be the ones that are supported the most. These companies are the ones that compete, that sponsor guys to get the word out (even if you think it is just for self promotion) it is still helping support the industry.

I am really waiting on the next amazing technology breakthrough. I am fascinated by this industry and it's resilience. I hope to see even more companies in the future helping further the positive aspects, and hope the industry can help educate more people about it's worth to communities.

Just remember though Competition=Lower prices

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

This is the part nobody tells you about. The industry needs these "cookie cutter" brands. The "Skars", the IAD's, etc etc. Without these, and the new up and coming lines and brands, the industry would run stagnant and we again would be left with just a couple "mainstream" brands. Not to say the mainstream brands don't serve their purpose, (they have the money needed to really push the technology forward) and this will sooner or later find it's way into the other brands.
Without the competition from the lower cost brands, the price point would be so high that nobody could afford it, and of course the interest in car audio will again start to wane, probably to the point it did a couple years ago.

I love car audio, but it's still a business, and the people that put back into the industry should be the ones that are supported the most. These companies are the ones that compete, that sponsor guys to get the word out (even if you think it is just for self promotion) it is still helping support the industry.

I am really waiting on the next amazing technology breakthrough. I am fascinated by this industry and it's resilience. I hope to see even more companies in the future helping further the positive aspects, and hope the industry can help educate more people about it's worth to communities.

Just remember though Competition=Lower prices

It also means that the business is going to the lowest bidder. Which no matter who says what, mean slower quality(this is fact). Which means as price goes down the quality of the product goes down. You do typically get what you pay for, at least for the most part anyway.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

My list:
Flxx

Skar

Sonic sound labs

Dc (not now but will happen soon) I think they're going downhill

Rockford

RF is the elephant in the room. It ain't going anywhere anytime soon. If you want a big box that may not exist in 5 years, look up Kicker.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

RF is the elephant in the room. It ain't going anywhere anytime soon. If you want a big box that may not exist in 5 years, look up Kicker.

I don't see Kicker having any issues what so ever. Just like RF, JL, MTX, and a few others.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

I don't see Kicker having any issues what so ever. Just like RF, JL, MTX, and a few others.

Moving to Walmart will make or break them. Walmart ruins companies that can't keep up with it. They will force production to increase and price to decrease, which lowers quality just like you stated earlier in this thread. They will (already have) shun small distributors for that fast money Walmart offers them. Once their product has gone by the wayside, and they come crawling back to the stores that used to be 25 year dealers, the dealers will have replaced them already and have a bad taste in their mouth. Once (if) they severe ties with Walmart, they are as good as gone. This isn't an industry that will allow them to return as some industries do w/ Walmart endeavours.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Moving to Walmart will make or break them. Walmart ruins companies that can't keep up with it. They will force production to increase and price to decrease, which lowers quality just like you stated earlier in this thread. They will (already have) shun small distributors for that fast money Walmart offers them. Once their product has gone by the wayside, and they come crawling back to the stores that used to be 25 year dealers, the dealers will have replaced them already and have a bad taste in their mouth. Once (if) they severe ties with Walmart, they are as good as gone. This isn't an industry that will allow them to return as some industries do w/ Walmart endeavours.

Sony Xplode is still around. People still think thats good audio. Kicker will be fine

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

Moving to Walmart will make or break them. Walmart ruins companies that can't keep up with it. They will force production to increase and price to decrease, which lowers quality just like you stated earlier in this thread. They will (already have) shun small distributors for that fast money Walmart offers them. Once their product has gone by the wayside, and they come crawling back to the stores that used to be 25 year dealers, the dealers will have replaced them already and have a bad taste in their mouth. Once (if) they severe ties with Walmart, they are as good as gone. This isn't an industry that will allow them to return as some industries do w/ Walmart endeavours.

The dealer market is a failing market anyway, they did the best business move they could. Being setup with Wal-Mart and Best Buy they are just fine. Combine that with them selling overflow old stock in bulk they have minimal issues in the next 10 years. Considering they already moved to a cheap build house and their "bulk pricing" is by far cheap enough to work with what they have going on. Remember Wal-Mart will only have their lowest line. All though I did hear the some Sam's will have a mid grade line as well.

The took nothing away from their dealer network other then a new lower-end line that will be at Wal-Mart. When they made the Best-Buy move they did leave several dealers in the way side.

 

[skylineTT 10+ year member]

Lol RF, MTX, and Kenwood/JVC aren't going to fall anytime soon.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Lol RF, MTX, and Kenwood/JVC aren't going to fall anytime soon.

99% of our car audio community still think those brands are at the top of the list.

 

[rebelfromva 10+ year member]

I don't see dc going anywhere anytime soon either?

 

[skylineTT 10+ year member]

99% of our car audio community still think those brands are at the top of the list.

Yeah, all of those brands sell like crazy in all of the shops i've been to. JBL/Harman/Infinity is doing really well too.