Hollywood Sound Labs, a niche 90’s brand known for competition US-built subwoofers has returned to the US car audio market.
About 2.5 years ago, it officially re-launched in the US OEM market, supplying amplifiers for a 450 volt electric vehicle. “We developed a magnetic power supply for electric vehicles that can work anywhere from 48 volts to 480 and probably higher,” said JR Mares of Hollywood Sound Labs and former VP Sales & Marketing at Massive Audio.
Less than a year later, Hollywood Sound Labs re-entered the US consumer home and car audio markets with new amplifiers. Now, it plans to show at CES in January, new car audio systems with woofers and sub boxes, expected to ship in the first half of 2027.
Mares said Hollywood re-entered the US market, “Because we saw a need. Everyone’s making these big woofers that no one can use, in their normal cars, and that’s what people want. I think we’re alienating the consumers, because we’re not giving them what they need.”
The boxes, amps and subs are designed to work together although they can be used separately. The subwoofers are highly efficient with the box and amplifier tuned to match. After tuning, Hollywood rewound the toroid in the amp “to give maximum power.”
He added, “People tune these boxes at unrealistic frequencies…you have these 1,000 watt amps that are putting out 200 watts because they’re at 6 or 8 ohms.”
The aim is to maximize the system for 1,500 watts where you don’t need a separate battery. “In 2000, that’s what put Hollywood on the map. Consumer subs at $159 set a regional [competition] record in the US and then in Europe, just making efficient product.”
Models and pricing will be announced soon. Prototypes are almost finalized and a website is on the way.
While the subwoofers are built in China, Hollywood Sound Labs is also working on US produced woofers. “We’re importing first and then we are going to introduce two drivers that we manufacture here in the US. The problem is, I can’t find all the parts here, and I don’t want to lie and say that this is an American woofer when we’re using all the Chinese parts, like everyone else. “
The company is considering 3D printing necessary parts in small batches.
Hollywood Sound Labs is the US arm of Hollywood Sound International. It is family owned and led by Chris Ueng. Mares has 30 years experience in car audio. In addition to executive posts at Hollywood and Massive Audio, Mares has held positions at US Amps/RE Audio and Atomic.
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