This Guy Remote-Tunes Audio

By James Chevrette

Jeffrey Hald of Total Tuning USA took his JL Audio Max measurement tool and created a business where he remotely tunes car audio systems for clients around the world.

In a recent interview, Hald explained how Total Tuning USA tuned 103 cars in 2024 alone, with customers in Dubai, Chile, Canada, Mexico, and all over the continental US. For roughly $1,000, customers can get a world-class tune by a car audio world champion in sound quality and three-time Triple Crown winner. A Triple Crown means Hald has won a total of three “Best of Show” awards at the IASCA (International Auto Sound Challenge Association) World Finals.

Hald works at Mobile Toys in College Station, Texas during the day and runs his tuning business after hours. His business model uses technology to his advantage. The hardest obstacle to overcome is the microphone—microphones for measuring vehicle acoustics are all slightly different due to abuse, age, etc.

This is how Hald’s tuning method breaks down:

The customer selects the type of tune based on 9 channels, then pays an extra cost per channel after that ($575-$675 plus $40 per additional channel).

Once the customer books the equipment, a complete kit is sent to the customer. This ensures that Hald knows the exact equipment being used in the testing. This provides a consistent procedure in testing that is 100 percent repeatable every time.

Total Tuning then sends out tuning equipment to the customer. He charges a security deposit for the following:

• JL MAX: $3,500
• Laptop: $400

The deposit is fully refundable once service is completed, the product is returned and everything is inspected.

The procedure takes roughly two hours (after setup is completed by the customer).

This business model can also be applied to car audio dealers that do not have the technicians or equipment to properly tune a large system. Hald’s services expand outside of car audio industry. His business model can include home audio and marine audio applications (fresh or salt water vessels). Total Tuning recently added two-seat vehicle tuning for those using the Riven DSP.

Hald has figured out a way to service consumers and dealers from around the world while leveraging his knowledge gained from competing at the highest level.