Libertyville, IL-– Maxxsonics USA announced the passing of Helmut Richard Leo Stieglitz the visionary founder of Hifonics.
Mr. Stieglitz never could have known that his vision of car audio amplifiers that were higher power, superior build quality and noticeably better sounding would still be inspiring enthusiasts, installers and retailers more than 35 years later.
From a small 10’ x 10’ booth at the 1980 Consumer Electronics Show (pictured above) in Las Vegas, Mr. Stieglitz and the Hifonics team launched a product, a brand and a lifestyle with their first amplifier called Series I, that were built in South Africa. By 1982 manufacturing had been moved to the USA when the brand really began its meteoric rise to fame.
Mr. Stieglitz passed away last week.
Maxxsonics USA purchased the Hifonics brand in 2001. Alden Stiefel, President and CEO of Maxxsonics said, “Helmut was a very smart, friendly and warm person. He often called me to check up on his brand. He loved the Hifonics brand and the people who had come to be passionate about the music it produced.”
“Helmut will be missed. His vision and marketing acumen still drives the strategy of Hifonics today,” said Steifel.
For more information on Maxxsonics visit www.maxxsonics.com
He was very Nice person had the pleasure meeting him and working with him as a sales rep for his line of car audio which had the Lion amplifier which was a beast back in 1999. Just as the line was taking off he ran into difficulty with a supplier making his amps and closed since he only wanted the amps made inside USA.
I had long talks with him at Ces shows and over the phone about HiFonics and other things about car audio. We had Great conversations. He will surely be missed.
Hifonics was the first amp line I sold in my store in 1990, and just two years ago I had a guy in that bought two of them from me in 1990 that are still working. Mr. Stieglitz surely had a great product and I was honored to sell it.