Class D amplifiers have really become the standard for powering large subwoofer systems, and Crossfire was one of the first companies to embrace the new technology a little over a decade ago. Like many technologies, Class D amplification had its share of inherent hurdles to overcome, such as reliability at low-impedance loads (for every manufacturer), and the actual efficiency gains over traditional Class AB amplifiers.

In late 1988, as George Michael's "Faith" topped the year-end Billboard charts, Ernie Uy purchased an '89 Acura Integra with the hopes of building a badass audio system. Being a teenager with limited funds, however, Uy couldn't afford to load the car with high-end parts and had to settle for more meager modifications. After finishing college and locking down a 9 to 5, he was finally able to build his ideal audio system.

Image Dynamics CTX-6.5
MSRP: $169
Image Dynamics is known for treading a different path. And, like the company's HLCDs and iDMax subs, the CTX-6.5 coaxial won't be confused as run of the mill. To start, there's a total disregard to ease of mounting with a depth just shy of 3 inches and a motor hanging from its backside that is subwoofer large. Its size is so immense that each driver weighs nearly twice that of most others in its price range. Unconventional as it may be, the guys at Image Dynamics had design objectives to adhere to: achieve competition-level sound quality, high output, and reliability. So, if you're purchasing them for your Honda Civic, know that fitment wasn't high on the priority list as you space, cut, and structurally reinforce the mounting area to secure the drivers.

Just a quick peek inside Mike Penfold's Mercedes-Benz G500 and one thing becomes instantly obvious: This Benz box is a boon to the boom. It had better be, since it serves as the flagship for his Elma, N.Y., firm, Kustom Workz. Penfold picked up the Teutonic mini-tank in 2006, seeing it as the perfect demo platform from which to flex his firm's I.C.E. install skills. If grease runs through the veins of dedicated gearheads, then Penfold must have sparks in his blood. "I have always been involved in the 12-volt world, even before I had a car," he says. At 26, he says his own high expectations for quality inspired him to open Kustom Workz: "So I could do it my way." The black-and-bling Benz requires few exterior mods to exude a subtly menacing presence: A chrome brush guard serves notice to obstacles that they'd better move and get out the way. An AMG exhaust allows the G unit to clear its throat more freely. To make sure the vehicle is seen as well as heard, the whole assemblage sits poised atop 22-inch Omega Genesis 774 luxury wheels, complete with Swarovski crystal accents. But the real jewels, of course, await inside.

Matt Kouyoumjian found his calling around the time most young men are still forgetting their locker combinations. "I got into car audio when I was in high school when I heard one of my friend's stereo systems, and I knew then that I wanted to own and install high-quality audio systems," he says. "A few years ago I had the opportunity to start my own business and bring my love for car audio to my customers by providing excellent service and high-quality stereo systems."

The first car that I ever covered on the sound-off circuit was Todd Matsubara's Thunderbird. This was in the early to mid-'90s when we still had some decent sound competitions in Southern California. Todd, being the meticulous and thorough guy he is, had a meticulous and thorough audio system, one of the best-sounding cars at the time. Today, he runs TM Engineering, which specializes in automotive aftermarket parts. Mark Fukuda had one of the most extraordinary vehicles in the history of car audio. Actually, he still has his SQ/SPL championship-winning Blazer. Part of the time he spends running his rep firm but for the most part, he's not engaged with the industry on a day-to-day basis. Of course, plenty of people started competing as enthusiasts and then moved on to positions with top mobile audio companies. Steve Brown is an excellent example of that. He's now a big marketing guy at Alpine. And there's Dave Rivera, who had a great run with Metra and today has his own custom shop in Fresno, Calif. Bryan Schmitt started Mobile Solutions and has been doing quite well with his products and trainings. Gary Biggs has had a very nice career, being with JBL for some time now. Chris Yato started at a shop in San Diego, built amazing cars at Alpine and currently runs Elite Creations in Corona, Calif. The list goes on.

The first car that I ever covered on the sound-off circuit was Todd Matsubara's Thunderbird. This was in the early to mid-'90s when we still had some decent sound competitions in Southern California. Todd, being the meticulous and thorough guy he is, had a meticulous and thorough audio system, one of the best-sounding cars at the time. Today, he runs TM Engineering, which specializes in automotive aftermarket parts. Mark Fukuda had one of the most extraordinary vehicles in the history of car audio. Actually, he still has his SQ/SPL championship-winning Blazer. Part of the time he spends running his rep firm but for the most part, he's not engaged with the industry on a day-to-day basis. Of course, plenty of people started competing as enthusiasts and then moved on to positions with top mobile audio companies. Steve Brown is an excellent example of that. He's now a big marketing guy at Alpine. And there's Dave Rivera, who had a great run with Metra and today has his own custom shop in Fresno, Calif. Bryan Schmitt started Mobile Solutions and has been doing quite well with his products and trainings. Gary Biggs has had a very nice career, being with JBL for some time now. Chris Yato started at a shop in San Diego, built amazing cars at Alpine and currently runs Elite Creations in Corona, Calif. The list goes on.

Not all the best car audio guys are on the West Coast. Plenty of talented customizers are east of the Mississippi. Jeremy Katz of Advanced Audio Designs (AAD) in Sharon, Mass., is one of them. The proof is in the type of clients he gets-a steady flow of high-end car and car audio aficionados and their luxury rides. Bucking the trend of "fiberglass and paint explosion" installations, Katz created a subwoofer system for a client with artfully carved MDF. After posting the construction and finished pictures online, it caught the eye of another customer, who was looking to create a unique masterpiece with his Mercedes-Benz. The AAD crew was naturally ready for the challenge of making an ultra high-end audio system worthy of an SL600.

For Mark Vickers, owner of Sound Sensations in Marietta, Ga., no car compares to the '99 Mercedes-Benz CLK430.By making it the demo car of his shop, he could keep his former daily driver at the forefront of custom, placing all thelatest technology at his disposal. For the last two years, Vickers has participated in Pioneer's Sound Build-Off compe-titions, coming in Third last year. This year, with creative and solid installation of the sanctioned Pioneer gear, he impressed the IASCA judges enough to win First Place.

Valor Multimedia seems to adhere to specific business strategy-give consumers the biggest possible bang for their buck. The company's double-DIN source units pack in as many features as top-of-the-line offerings from more established manufacturers while maintaining much lower street prices. But when you can get a full-featured double-DIN multimedia navigation unit like the NVG-670W for hundreds of dollars less than a similarly featured product from Alpine, Kenwood, Eclipse, or Pioneer, you know something's gotta give. What exactly do you get when you purchase this wallet-friendlyhead unit?

(Torrance, CA) August 20, 2008 - ECLIPSE , manufacturer of popular mobile electronics and subsidiary of leading mobile electronics manufacturer Fujitsu Ten Limited, announces the second "ECLIPSE Driving Music 2008" online sweepstakes, giving consumers another chance to win one of three ECLIPSE navigation systems to "navigate" their way to superior in-car sound quality and performance, just in time for one more summer road trip.

(Torrance, CA) August 20, 2008 - ECLIPSE , manufacturer of popular mobile electronics and subsidiary of leading mobile electronics manufacturer Fujitsu Ten Limited, announces the second "ECLIPSE Driving Music 2008" online sweepstakes, giving consumers another chance to win one of three ECLIPSE navigation systems to "navigate" their way to superior in-car sound quality and performance, just in time for one more summer road trip.

(Torrance, CA) August 20, 2008 - ECLIPSE , manufacturer of popular mobile electronics and subsidiary of leading mobile electronics manufacturer Fujitsu Ten Limited, announces the second "ECLIPSE Driving Music 2008" online sweepstakes, giving consumers another chance to win one of three ECLIPSE navigation systems to "navigate" their way to superior in-car sound quality and performance, just in time for one more summer road trip.

It's time to finish up the installation on our '08 Road Warrior Class C motorhome/toy hauler. We finished the roof-mounted marine speaker installation last month, and now it's time to add some bass to complement the system. An Alpine SWR-1522D 15-inch Type R subwoofer was chosen for the task, housed in a custom-built ported enclosure. A single PDX-1.1000 mono subwoofer amp powers the subwoofer system. Follow along as we show you how to build this custom subwoofer enclosure and install it in the RV.

At the '07 SEMA show in Las Vegas, Digital Designs unveiled their latest rolling audio masterpiece, an '07 Civic Si. Built by Jason Carson and Brad Firgard at Performance Audio in Enid, Okla., the Si was used to showcase DD's latest audio components, such as its new 1508 8-inch subs. Though the installation only took a few weeks, the results are impressive. Using some old-school techniques with some modern materials, Carson and Firgard created a unique showpiece that proves you don't have to go over-the-top to be different.