Well, since this group seems to be really good at giving opinions...what do you guys think of these lines...

Resonant engineering / US amps. I really like the RE subs...everything from entry to bad ass

Cerwin Vega...the new stroker pros are pretty awesome...too bad they have such a stupid name

O2 Oxygen audio...I learned a lot about these today...they are actually made in Europe, and they have two higher end lines, as well. And they are really loud

Oz Audio. I've had these in my shop for the last few months, and really like them. They used to be one of the elite brands, back in the day.

Image Dynamics. I'm going to carry their horns, as I have them in my Lexus, and just love them. They also have some pretty good looking subs, as well.

Critical mass / Icon. Other than the $2000 "perfect" sub (which is pretty amazing, by the way) they also have some more realistic subs, that look pretty decent.

Obviously, I'm going to try and base my decision on performance, with value being second. All that being said, its usually easier to sell stuff people actually want. But I also try to avoid the really big (read: overmarketed) names like Kicker, RF, JL, etc. Don't get me wrong, they do have some good stuff, but it seems like everyone has them.

This group covers a pretty diverse market...what are you guys hearing? Any other brands I should look at while I'm out here?

Toby

 

for what it's worth, I'm a brand name guy; I want something that people know and that I know works and is good; I'm not rich, I don't have super high end stuff; I have pretty good stuff but stuff that is name brand and reliable; I have a Sony TV and Dell computers; and I am outfitting my car in Alpine and Kicker; so, if I were to come to your shop, I would be more inclined to go somewhere that had Kicker, JL, Alpine, etc. The only line I know from that list is Cerwin Vega and I only remember their gear being ok.

 

I think having an awesome local RE or Image Dymanics dealer would be great. They both have outstanding subs, from entry level to high end. Once more people had an opportunity to hear them in person, I think they would sell well.

The OZ Audio subs looked well made and seemed like they would perform well from what I saw at the shop. The problem with Cerwin Vega is the Stroker Pros are the only good thing they make anymore, they have fallen from their glory days of the early 90's.

Dont take this the wrong way ShakinIt, but the problem with a small shop selling the name brand stuff, is that they cant compete on pricing. The name brand, mainstream companies are sold everywhere, and especially on eBay, and its very hard to compete with eBay/internet pricing. That, and most of them dont compare head to head against a RE or ID of the same price range...

 

I agree with alot of what joebob said. RE and mainly ID would be a good move. IMO, the Stroker is the only "good" product CV makes. The other brands I don't have a whole lot of experience with, but I would assume many unsuspecting consumers would buy whatever you could make sound decent. I think the RE and ID line would bring in more "enthusiasts", which is the clientele I would personally rather have.

 

What are you talking about? Image Dynamics and RE ARE brand names.

Just because you can't get it at Wal-Mart or Best Buy doesn't mean its not brand name.

That being said, I vote ID and RE all the way. High end quality products. The ability to buy local would be awesome. It's all about marketing. Get it out there and the shit will fly off the shelf.

I forgot Cerwin Vega existed.. heh

 

Resonant engineering / US amps .. ++
Cerwin Vega .. ++
Oz Audio .. ++
Image Dynamics .. ++

 

I dont know man, i always thought Diamonds were a lower name brand and never gave much thought into them until dalton showed me what they were capable of.

I finally removed my polks from my car and switched to 2 D6 12's.... never looked back, the xmax is decent, the power capabilities are more than sufficient and it plays pretty much the whole spectrum very clean...

but i know you've probably had your fill on diamonds toby... just my opinion



as far as the brands you mentioned, i've heard a few negative things on OZ, as far as the clarity. But from what i experienced was different, it was loud and rather good.

I'd really like to hear those other setups though, i've never even heard of the last brand you mentioned -- Critical mass?

 

+1 for ID. i've been wanting a set of those hlcd's for a while now.

 

I wouldn't do RE. Ever since they were bought out their prices have sky-rocketed. There is a local RE shop in Tampa as well though if no one knew. I think ID would be a good way to go. Along with Digital Designs, SunDown, Soundspliter, and Incriminator Audio. Stereo Intergrity, CDT, and Rainbow as well. I am not sure if all those brands will whole-sale though. I would reccomend FI but I know they don't whole sale.

 

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll do some more looking today. ID is a go, if for nothing other than their horns.

727, I have similar feelings about RE, but FI is only internet, and I'm not that familiar with those other brands...do they have complete lines, or just SPL stuff? I have nothing against SPL guys or setups, but I would like a line that can serve more markets.

Shakinit, I hear what you are saying about brand names. My problem with them is that most of them are oversold...you mention two that have been totally, imo, whored out into the market place. I also think that the quality has suffered with both, as for most 'mass market' brands, such as RF, Orion, and PPI. I worry about both Polk and even JL going forward.

I get calls all the time for JL, Kicker, Alpine, Clarion, etc. There are dealers of all of these near my shop, so the call usually goes...'I got a price from x, wanted to see if you could beat it'. That's not a fun game to play.

My theory is to sell stuff that I believe in (many shops believe in it because they sell it, not the other way around) and convince customers to believe in it, as well.

Toby