Who doesn't love music or movies? Now, every truck has to have the best sound and entertainment system around. Whether it's listening punk, dance, classical, metal, or good ol' country or just watching a DVD, enthusiasts always look for the best systems available. In this buyer's guide, we give you the info you need to find the systems and components to make your truck boom.
Dream
For balanced music and sound, Rainbow Audio Components offers the KX coaxial systems and the SLX component systems. Since the components have been upgraded, it allows for powerful sound inside the car. The new silk tweeter with a neodymium magnet is placed in the sideview mirror or dashboard, while 16cm speakers are installed as midranges in the original stock locations and give a light, dry bass sound inside the truck. For more information, contact: Rainbow Audio Components, Dept. TR, www.car.rainbow-audio.com
Digital Amps
Zapco's digital programming network controls up to 16 DC amps. With these new digital DC series amps, separate controls for input sources will increase input sensitivity and output volume. The system allows balancing of all channels in multi-amp systems. To control it all, Zapco includes a disk with the control program for a PC. An optional DRC-SL in-dash controller that mounts in the front of the vehicle is also available. For more information, contact: Zapco, Dept. TR, 413 S. Riverside Dr., Ste. D, Modesto, CA 95354, (209) 577-4268, www.zapco.com
Lite-Speed Enclosures
The Lite-Speed enclosures by Alumparo have been designed with an ultra-lightweight composite construction. The enclosures feature metal cone technology, a rigid cast-alloy frame, and suspension and motor venting. These new enclosures are less weight for your truck and are fitted for 100-300-watt RMS amps and are available in 10- and 12-inch models. For more information, contact: Alumparo, Dept. TR, 11936 Oak Creek Pkwy., Huntley, IL 60142, (224) 569-3650, www.alumapro.com.
Navigating
Pioneer introduces a new way to avoid getting lost with the AVIC-N2 and AVIC-D1 navigation system. If you're looking for a better route with less traffic or congestion, Pioneer's newest full-featured in-car navigation systems will allow you to instantly take different routes. The system warns you of a traffic jam ahead and helps re-route you around the problem area. For more information, contact: Pioneer, Dept. TR, www.pioneer.com
Raising Eyebrows
Swiss Audio's new silver-bodied SPL1291 12-inch Ultra Excursion Subwoofer will give you bass response ranging from 22 Hz to 500 Hz and a super-high efficiency rating. The new woofer is designed to deliver hours of aggressive bass for your system. With bolt-tight construction and cooling vents, the new woofers are capable of producing high SPL numbers and natural sounds. For more information, contact: Swiss Audio, Dept. TR, 114 S. Berry St., Brea, CA 92821, (714) 998-0380, www.swissaudioinc.com
Head Bumpin'
Digital Audio released two new head units that offer two different and efficient systems. The DA113 head unit features a detachable face; a blue-mask LCD display; front, rear and subwoofer outputs; an auxiliary input; a wireless remote control; and the ability to play different formats like CD-R and CDRW. The DA114 fold-down, detachable-face head unit is satellite ready and MP3 compatible. For more information, contact: Digital Audio, Dept. TR, (866) 897-7155, www.digitalaudioinc.com.
Boom Mat
Design Engineering offers improvements in audio listening and driving comfort with its new Boom Mat. The Boom Mat will absorb unwanted noise while providing silence in the interior for better fidelity. Manufactured so that heat will not affect it, the Boom Mat is made out of a rubber-based polymer layer with aluminum foil and is also corrosion resistant. The Boom Mat can be placed on door panels, floors, hoods, or trunks. For more information, contact: Design Engineering, Dept. TR, 604 Moore Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012, (800) 264-9472, www.designengineering.com.
It's A Sledgehammer
MTX Audio announces a new line of enclosures for '01-and-later Escalades, Yukons, Denalis, and Tahoes: the SledgeHammer. This enclosure offers ground-shaking performance and proven reliability. The SledgeHammer is a new design that utilizes the minimal space behind third-row seating to incorporate down-firing dual 10-inch woofers. The enclosure uses a specifically designed slot vent that provides a greater impact and more accurate bass over the traditional round vent designs. Two different versions of the SledgeHammer are available. For more information, contact: MTX Audio, Dept. TR, 4545 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85042, (800) 225-5689, www.mtxaudio.com
N.I.C.E
Clarion provides the navigation market a solution with its transportable Navigation In-Car Entertainment system (N.I.C.E.) This unit allows drivers to navigate, listen to music, watch video, and enjoy Sirius Satellite Radio capability. N.I.C.E. is a full-featured GPS navigation unit. Key features include point-to-point visual directions using its touch-screen, 7-inch digital TFT LCD screen that includes turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic route recalculation with 2 million points of interest. For more information, contact: Clarion Corporation, Dept. TR, 661 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena, CA 90247, (310) 217-4207, www.clarion.com.
Wide View
For better visuals inside your truck, Directed Electronics presents its new OHD070 7-inch widescreen. An all-in-one monitor and slot-load DVD player, the OHD070 offers reliability with some new features, including a pivoting screen, left-and-right-wired headphone jacks with volume controls, and built-in speakers. The unit also features an IR transmitter built in for wireless headphones. For more information, contact: Directed Electronics, Dept. TR, 1 Viper Way, Vista, CA 92801, (800) 876-0800, www.directed.com.
Boom And More Boom
Subtomix announces the Subtom Type-R line subwoofer enclosures for your audio system. This enclosure features heavy-duty simulated leather in one of five colors. Featuring chrome hardware and computer-machined end plates and mounts, the Type-R is available in four sizes, ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 cf for 10- and 12-inch subwoofers. For more information, contact: Subtomix, Dept. TR, P.O. Box 1764, Glendale, AZ, www.subtoms.com.
'N-Dash
Kenwood's new Double-DIN In-Dash Video monitor and receiver comes with new features. Both models come with a motorized slide-down front panel, an advanced GUI interface with touch-screen control, a dedicated back-up camera input, and a new wireless remote. The two new models can be used with an optional Kenwood TV tuner. For more information, contact: Kenwood, Dept. TR, www.kenwood.com.
Oz Subs
Oz Audio is pleased to introduce its new Power Series subwoofers. To produce intense output, the new subwoofers are designed with a quad 1-inch, copper-clad aluminum wire voice coil coated with resin for optimum reliability and power handling. The speaker's cone is made up of a two-layer, braided glass fiber. The Power Series subwoofers are available in 12 or 15 inches and use a chromed and engraved back plate. For more information, contact: Oz Audio, Dept. TR, 1181 S. Rogers Cir., Ste. 18, Boca Raton, FL 33487, (800) 673-3748, www.ozaudio.com.
Free Yourself
JP Customs has a new hands-free car kit. The TellPhone 4000 Blue offers a new way of voice command. The TellPhone 4000 Blue allows you to program numbers, names, and simply recall the information through voice commands. It also automatically mutes the radio when a call is coming through. For more information, contact: JP Customs, Dept. TR, 29360 Mckinnon Rd., Ste. D, Fulshear, TX 77441, (281) 533-9900, www.jpcustoms.com.
XM-Ready
Audiobahn announces the A1200N, an XM Satellite-ready head unit that can accept an Apple iPod. The head unit gives the convenience of digital music to the user's vehicle without FM transmission or wiring complications. This head unit will be able to play multiple formats like CD, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA, and features CD text for MP3s. The A1200N has an RMS power output of 20 watts per channel and a peak output of 45 watts per channel. For more information, contact: Audiobahn, Dept. TR, (800) 488-8595, www.audiobahn.com.
Black Ice
Scosche Industry announces its new aftermarket Black-Iced distribution blocks. The blocks are designed to match the line of EFX Hyperdrive Pro amplifiers, giving the system a custom look. Also, the new line feature a case designed to complement the EFX Hyperdrive Pro amplifiers. For more information, contact: Scosche, Dept. TR, 1550 Pacific Ave., Oxnard, CA 93033, (800) 363-4490, www.scosche.com.
More Bass
MTX has a new coaxial speaker set that offers crystal-clear sound and is easy to install. The new 6-inch MTX Thunder Dome-Axial provides an easier installation for direct-replacement speaker applications. The new speakers have a soft dome tweeter that improves the sound of your truck's system. For more information contact: MTX Audio, Dept. TR, 4545 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85042, (800) 225-5689, www.mtxaudio.com.