It was a year of many changes in the car audio industry and in the tech world in general. EV sales soared and then leveled, EV trucks hit the road, ChatGPT launched…
In car audio, some top companies changed hands. JL Audio was sold to Garmin and AudioControl was sold to Stinger Solutions (AAMP Global).
US Amps was purchased by a group of TEAM US Amps competitors and others including new CEO Michael James. Orion was acquired by Sound Pros (formerly Alphasonik), and Roadwire was sold to Katzkin Leather.
Motorcycle audio was big this year. Some say Pro Audio grew. The first Tesla audio products hit the market. The market got a new amplifier standard and Dual was the first to offer an amplifier under the new certification (the subject of our top story with over 17,000 clicks).
We also want to take this time to recognize the passing of some of our fellow industry members including Loyd Ivey, MTX founder and industry pioneer; Joe DiFazio, founder of Jo-Di’ Sound Centers, CT; Todd Ramsey long time MECP leader and industry expert; and Larry Frederick, founder of Cicada and design inspiration at many leading car audio companies.
Feel free to mention in the comments any other industry members you wish to honor who passed this year or any other 2023 happenings that deserve recognition.
Here are the top 10 stories of the year in CEoutlook:
Dual is First With New Amplifier Standard
Two New JL Audio Products
KICKER Intros Truck-Specific Sub Enclosures
JL Audio to Be Acquired
First Streaming Device for Any CarPlay Module
Audi Gets Aggressive With Remote Start
Sub Box Makers Lower Prices
Pioneer Intros New Receivers
AudioControl Officially Enters Subwoofers, Speakers
Skar Tells Us it’s True: $100M Revenue
Other stories right behind these in terms of clicks include: PCA Sub Enclosure Newcomer, Top Selling Car Subwoofer First Half 2023, Massive Audio Switches to US Manufacturing, US Amps is Sold and ESCORT Intros New Custom Radar Detector.
We would also like to thank everyone for their fond memories of Joe D! In such difficult times it has surely helped our family to hear some of the ways he made an impression on people. Joe believed cars were made for driving fast and listening to music loud – even before he started in 1970. He would be happy and humbled to know what an impact he had.
Thank you all.
The DiFazio family
Thank you for recognizing Todd Ramsey! His influence will live on in many ways. His family and I appreciate all the well wishes and prayers as we navigate this “new normal” without him. Thank you to EVERYONE in our Industry Family for your support!
~ Judy Ramsey