July 13, 2017 By Ocala Car Audio

Ocala Client Comes To OCA For Scion XB Backup Camera Solution

A local client came to Ocala Car Audio in search of a backup camera solution for his 2006 Scion XB. The client has done business with us before.

We showed the client a few options for displaying the camera image. We started with a replacement rear view mirror, then showed him a multimedia radio. The Kenwood DDX-9903S offers a dedicated rear view camera input that shows up when the vehicle is put in reverse. This source unit also includes Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The customer loved the added features of the radio and the fact that the camera image would be displayed on a 7-inch screen.

We used an ADS Maestro RR and the TO1 harness to allow the new source unit to display information from the vehicle. The Maestro interface taps into the car’s CAN bus and shows information like tire pressure, battery voltage, coolant temperature, engine RPM and vehicle speed. We mounted an AIS LCCAM1 camera above the license plate.

The customer likes the camera system and loves the new radio.

If you are interested in a similar package for your vehicle, contact us here.

July 6, 2017 By Ocala Car Audio

Ocala Client Upgrades Her Harley-Davidson Road Glide Audio System

A client from Ocala brought her 2016 Harley-Davidson Road Glide to Ocala Car Audio for an audio system upgrade. She and a few friends planned a cross-country ride and she wanted the audio system upgraded before she left. This bike has the navigation system that was introduced with Project Rushmore. There is no value in replacing the radio, so we suggested adding an amplifier and new speakers to handle the power. She loved the plan, so we scheduled an appointment.

We took the front fairing apart and installed a Kenwood KAC-M3004 in a bridged configuration to power the front speakers. This amp, wired this way, produces up to 150 watts to each speaker. To handle that power, we installed a set of Hertz HCX-165.4 6.5-inch coaxial speakers from the Hi-Energy line. We set the gains up on the amp to ensure the client could turn the radio up without the system distorting.

When the client returned to pick up the bike, she hopped on for a listen. The difference in performance from the anemic factory speakers was like night and day. There was more clarity and a lot more volume.

For more information about our motorcycle audio services, drop by or contact us here.

June 13, 2017 By Ocala Car Audio

Ocala Client Gets 2015 Ford F-350 Bass Upgrade And Door Panels

A client from here in Ocala dropped by for 2015 Ford F-350 bass system upgrade quote. We offered a fair price, but the client chose to have the system designed and installed elsewhere. Shortly after the system was installed, he asked us for some help with a few small issues. After realizing that he had been sold used equipment and charged for new, he had us remove the system.

The original shop built three different enclosures – all of which failed under extreme pressure from the subs. We built a new enclosure for four JL Audio 13W7 subwoofers, each with its own Jl Audio HD1200/1 amplifier. A JL HD600/4 powers the mids and highs. We built new door panels that improved the audio system’s performance and style. We used an AudioControl LC6i to source a signal from the factory head unit.

To feed the amplifiers, we ran six runs of AWG power and six runs of ground cable from the pair of 270 Amp alternators under the hood. Four AC Delco AGM batteries ensure the amps are happy.

The client loved the way the new system sounded.

If you are planning an audio system, contact us here. We’d be happy to help.

May 18, 2017 By Ocala Car Audio

2013 Chevrolet Silverado Audio System For Ocala Based Client

A client from Ocala, Florida, came to Ocala Car Audio for a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado audio system upgrade. He wasn’t impressed with the way the stock system sounded. He wanted the system to play louder and be clearer. There was one caveat: He also wanted to maintain a storage location for his toys. We had a look at his truck, then designed a system to meet his goals.

The client chose a Kenwood DNX892HD receiver and a Maestro RR integration module so that the radio it could display vehicle information. Tire pressure, vehicle speed and engine RPM are just a few of the pieces of information that the RR extracts from the CAN data network.

The Kenwood receiver feeds audio to a Memphis Car Audio PRX700.5 amp. The amp powers the factory speakers and a shallow-mount subwoofer. We created a custom enclosure under the rear seat that holds the sub and the amp, and still has room or the client’s toys.

The client loves the way the system sounds and is impressed with what we created for his gun.

If you are looking for an audio upgrade for your car or truck, drop by Ocala Car Audio or contact us here. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

May 4, 2017 By Ocala Car Audio

Ocala Referral Gets Awesome Fountain 38TE Audio Upgrades

The owner of this 2009 Fountain 38 Tournament Edition boat contacted Ocala Car Audio about having an audio system installed. We had installed an audio system in a boat for a friend of his and got the referral based on our workmanship. This client wanted the best for his boat, so we designed an audio system using JL Audio marine amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers. The client loved our plan and gave the OK to start the project to upgrade his Fountain 38TE audio system.

Stage One: Speaker Upgrades

Three speakers and one subwoofer were squeezed onto this panel for a LOT of audio output!

The storage locker speakers required a bit of live-well modification, but it was worth it!

The overhead speakers help ensure everyone has great sound.

We choose JL Audio’s top of the line marine speakers for this boat.

The client wanted something that would get loud. Not just a little loud – very loud! We started by choosing a location for a pair of JL Audio M12IB6-SG-WH 12-inch subwoofers. Each of these monster subs was flanked by three M880-CCX-SG-WLD-B 8.8-inch coaxial speakers. Think about the sheer cone area of that combination! These speakers provide sound for the forward seating area.

We mounted another pair of M880-CCX-SG-WLD-B coaxial speakers in the aft storage locker. We had to reshape the live well to allow the speakers to fit. A slight modification to the well was a better option than making spacers for the speakers.

We mounted the fifth pair of speakers in the overhead radio box. The speakers point straight down at the helm. We used sound deadening to damp any vibrations from the radio box itself.

The last pair of speakers is on the stern of the boat to provide sound to swimmers or friends while the boat is anchored at the sandbar.

Stage Two: Amplification

JL Audio provided the power that rocks this boat.

Dual zone control is just one of the benefits of the Fusion radio.

Since we had a total of 12 speakers and a pair of subwoofers, we needed that many amplifier channels as well. We created an amp rack for three JL Audio MHD600/4 and two MHD750/1 amplifiers. The amp rack is mounted in the locker under the helm and is constructed of starboard. Each speaker in the system has its very own amp channel. We configured the Fusion marine radio that was already on the boat to provide two volume zones. The speakers in the radio box can be adjusted separately from the rest.

It took us two weeks to complete the project. We used T-Spec V10 power and ground wire with Stinger distribution blocks. We had to enlarge many of the factory speaker openings and cut new holes to accommodate the massive 8.8-inch speakers. We treated every speaker to a run of new speaker wire for maximum efficiency and reliability.

Fountain 38TE Audio System Delivery

When the client returned to Ocala Car Audio to hear his system for the first time, he was both stunned and thrilled with the way it sounds.

If your boat needs an audio system upgrade, drop by the store or contact us HERE to get started.

April 12, 2017 By Ocala Car Audio

Uniquely Ocala, the History of Ocala Car Audio

A recent interview with Ocala Car Audio owner Parish Tanner gave some unique insight into the story behind this great business. Read on to learn all about Ocala Car Audio history.

Growing Up with Music

Since he was born, Parish has been surrounded by music. Growing up, his parents owned a few bars that always had jukeboxes playing music. He can’t remember a time when there wasn’t music playing in his home. At the age of 13, he began to help run the soundboard for his church’s worship team. Parish thoroughly enjoyed learning about the system and helping the worship team make the service sound great. When he was 16 years old, he got a job at WDBR 103.7 in Springfield, Illinois, as a board operator. Later on, he became an on-air DJ, going by the name Parish Priest. Music was the soundtrack of his life.

Once high school started and Parish got his first car, he began playing around with car audio. His first CD player was in his 1978 Thunderbird. He taught himself about OEM integration at a young age as he rigged his portable CD player up to the factory eight-track player in his car. He learned how to get the music he wanted in his vehicle without changing the radio. He didn’t realize it at the time, but he was laying the early foundations for his career.

A Dream Come True

As Parish grew up and fell more and more in love with car audio, he dreamed of the day he could make his first purchase of new equipment. He had spent years purchasing used items because when you only make $2.85 an hour, it’s hard to save up. Once he found the speakers he wanted to purchase at a local shop, he decided he’d do whatever he could to get them. After talking with the salesmen, they agreed to put the speakers on layaway for him. To this day, that is the reason Ocala Car Audio offers layaway to their clients. One of his closest friends to this day, Claudio, was a layaway customer more than 20 years ago.

A little further down the road, Parish installed his first “real” system in his 1986 Dodge Daytona hatchback. The Blues 10” subwoofer in his Dodge introduced him to bass – something that is irresistible to him to this day.

A First for Everything

A few years later, after a stint in the Navy, Parish moved to Florida. He decided to try to make money doing what he enjoyed. Despite no real experience in this industry and no résumé, he set out to find a job doing what he loved and went to every single car audio shop he could find. Each time a shop would turn him down, he’d ask where another one was and go there. Eventually, he met Eric Canto at Safari Audio, and Eric set Parish up with an interview with his business partner, Peter Magee.

Parish was quite broke, with very little money for gas, but he made it to the interview. After spending two hours getting to know this young man, Peter offered Parish his first job at a car audio shop. He started out doing all of the grunt work, but by being around the shop, he was learned a lot. He also made some lifelong friendships that he is grateful for to this day.

Meeting Many Valuable People Along the Way

After a period of time, Safari Audio moved Parish to their AudioWorx store, which was basically their discount site. There, he moved up the ladder to become the lead installer and then the sales and store manager. This progression allowed him to see many aspects of running a business, which has proven to be invaluable.

Over the next several years, Parish moved around a bit with his jobs. He ended up going to work in Ocala for AutoSound Addiction, helping Vern Goin open up his Ocala retail store. After Vern’s store was up and running, Parish left retail and went to work for a car audio distributor. There, he learned the wholesale side of things and connected with many more retailers around Florida. That is where he met Joe Cassity of Alarms ETC. and strengthened his relationship with Omar Jawad of Sound Depot and Performance, whom he had met earlier during his time at Safari Audio.

Once again, each part of his career journey gave Parish the knowledge and experience he’d need down the road.

Learning Every Step of the Way

Parish went back and forth between retail and wholesale for the next season of his life. Eventually, he landed a job as a product specialist for a marine audio and RV audio supplier. He worked directly with the engineering departments of some of the best builders in the industry: Grady White, Regal Marine, Monterey Boats, Sea Ray, Donzi, Chris Craft, Cigarette and more. It was his job to help design the audio/video systems for the crafts, teach their staff about proper usage and installation, and then to do line audits for quality control.

During this time, Parish was even able to help a couple builders get the coveted JD Powers Award for their AV systems. He also earned his American Boat and Yacht Council E-11 Electrical certification.

The Beginning of Ocala Car Audio

In 2008, the marine industry began to decline and Parish began to lay the foundation of Ocala Car Audio. He started by securing the domain name for a website and began to work from his home as Parish Tanner Services. By the end of 2008, he had secured his first semi-retail location by subleasing a space at Arnette Tint and Signs. The owner, Earl, was the tinter to whom everyone in the area referred all of their work back in the 1990s.

In 2009, a company called Audio Pros contacted Parish to try to help turn their business around. They were in a predominantly retail location, with very poor management. He decided to work with them for a period of time to try and help them out, but after about a month, it was clear there was no helping them. Parish teamed up with one of their owners and partnered up under his company name of Ocala Car Audio. He then leveraged his domain name and Google Places page to help get them going. With all of his industry contacts, knowledge and customer service philosophy, Ocala Car Audio came into its own.

Big Changes Ahead

Ocala Car Audio continued to grow and make a name for themselves. In 2010, they were named one of the Top 50 Retailers in the country by Mobile Electronics magazine and. In 2011, they won Retailer of the Year, which is the most prestigious award in the industry.

By this time, though, some stresses in the business partnership began to show. In 2014, Parish found and secured a new building for the company and decided to sever all ties to his partner and their staff. “I felt that to meet the needs of the clients who had begun to trust Ocala Car Audio, we needed to focus on our customer service philosophy, and the best way to do this was with a fresh start,” he said.

A Fresh Start in Ocala Car Audio History

To help staff the new location, Parish knew he could call on his friends. His high school friend, Jeff, moved from Texas to help out any way he could. Larry, whom Parish had worked with at AutoSound Addiction, was the owner of Ocala Tint. Ocala Tint merged with Ocala Car Audio.

Over the past few years, the team has grown and changed a bit, but now Ocala Car Audio is staffed with the best of the best.

The Ocala Car Audio You See Today

Today, Ocala Car Audio has a 5,000 sq. feet building, providing a better opportunity to house their installations. A big fenced-in back lot allows the largest RV coaches and boats to be parked and turned around easily. Recently, boats, RVs and motorcycle audio have become an increasingly larger part of their business.

Ocala Car Audio history is unlike many others. It’s proven to be more than just a company. It’s about lifelong relationships and the community around them. When you step foot into the Ocala Car Audio store, you’ll feel like part of the family. Stop by their store in Ocala, Florida, today and check them out for yourselves. You can also contact them here for more info.

March 22, 2017 By Ocala Car Audio

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Audio Upgrade For Ocala Client

A local business owner from here in Ocala, Florida, dropped by Ocala Car Audio with his wife to talk about making some upgrades to this 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. The truck was to be a gift for their son’s 16th birthday, and they wanted an audio system and some accessories installed as a holiday present. The client found us through our website and online reviews. We put together a proposal for the client and, on his approval, scheduled an appointment to begin work on this Silverado 2500HD audio upgrade.

Starting from the Front

The addition of the Kenwood radio gives this truck top-of-the-line technology and features.

The front camera was flush mounted in the bumper.

The client chose a Kenwood eXcelon DNX893S double-DIN source unit. This unit features a 7-inch screen and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. We installed the Kenwood unit using a Best Kits BKGMK317 mounting kit and integrated the radio with the vehicle data bus using an Idatalink Maestro RR module. The module provides audio connectivity and vehicle access functions on the screen of the Kenwood.

The Kenwood radio has dual camera inputs. We used the rear factory camera and added a front camera from AIS. We mounted the LCCAM1 front camera in the center of the front bumper. The rear camera shows on the screen as soon as the vehicle is in reverse. The client just has to tap a button to bring up the camera image and can easily toggle between the front and rear camera displays.

JL Audio Amplifiers, Speakers and Subwoofers

JL Audio C3 speakers are a huge improvement over the stock speakers.

The JL Audio Stealthbox is contoured to perfectly fit under the rear seat.

With the seat down it looks like the enclosure could be a factory option.

We ran three sets of Memphis Car Audio 17-etp-12 interconnects from the source unit to a pair of JL Audio HD Series amplifiers. We used an HD600/4 to drive the front, and rear speakers and an HD750/1 to power the subwoofer enclosure. We used a T-Spec v10-rak4 V10 Series 4-AWG power kit to connect the amplifiers to the battery under the hood and a Stinger SPD570 power and ground distribution block to split power delivery between the pair of amplifiers. Our team mounted the amplifiers to a panel on the rear wall of the truck.

The client chose a set of JL C3-650 convertible components for the front of the truck. We mounted the midrange in the door on BKGMSB356 adapter plates after applying a thorough layer of Roadkill sound-damping material to the door. The sound-damping dramatically improves the performance of the speaker by sealing off any openings in the door that might allow cancellation of bass and midbass frequencies. For rear speakers, the client chose JL Audio C3-525 speakers that drop right into the factory locations.

The client wanted much better bass performance from his new system. We ordered a JL Audio SB-GM-SLVCC2/12TW3/BK Stealthbox for the Chevy. This enclosure fits perfectly under the rear bench seat of the truck and is home to a pair of 12TW3 subwoofers.

Cosmetic and Lighting Upgrades

The door trims were also upgraded with the silver accents.

The silver trim package really freshens up the interior of this truck.

The taillights not only look great, they enhance the safety of the truck.

The new headlight upgrades look great!

Even the third brakelight and bed light got a lighting upgrade!

The cosmetic upgrades began with the installation of a CarID aluminum interior trim kit. We prepped all the surfaces with wax and oil remover before mounting everything using the provided two-sided tape.

The factory headlights on the truck were starting to fade and simply did not look “fresh” any longer. We looked at several lighting options for the truck before finally settling on Anzo 111281 replacement headlights. These light assemblies feature dual projectors and a U-bar accent strip around each one. We installed a set of Racesport H1 and H3 HID headlight upgrade kits to provide maximum light output.

The client also requested a set of Anzo 311226 smoked LED tail-light assemblies for the truck. These look much better than the factory lights and make the truck look newer than it is.

The last component was an Anzo 531067 third brake light and truck bed light. This light uses LEDs for excellent output and efficiency.

Silverado 2500 Audio and Lighting Upgrade Delivery

The client and his family returned to Ocala Car Audio to pick up his truck and listen to the new audio system for the first time. They were stunned by how much better the system sounded. They said it was not only a lot louder and had more bass, everything was clearer and had more detail.

If you are interested in upgrading the audio system in your car or truck, drop into our store, call us at 352-512-9897 or send us an e-mail HERE for more information.

December 30, 2016 By Ocala Car Audio

Outsmart High-Tech Thieves With Smartphone Based Security

Years ago, everyone was worried that radio frequency remote controls, like the one that you used to open your garage door, were easy prey for someone with a code grabber. If you have seen the Nicholas Cage version of “Gone in 60 Seconds” from 2000, then you’d think that stealing a car was as easy as walking up to it with a magical black box and pressing a button. We are here to tell you that it’s not that easy. Let’s look at why, and how smartphone based security can protect you from the new wave of thieves.

The Original Codes

Some of the original car alarms used simple 8-, 10- or 12-bit codes. Imagine a row of 12 switches, each of which could be On or Off; that would represent a 1 or 0 in the digital domain. When you pressed the button on a remote control, the remote would send this string (or series) of numbers to the receiver in your car or garage door opener. If the codes matched, it would open, unlock or do whatever you requested. If the codes didn’t match, nothing happened.

After a while, thieves, hungry for another way to make money, figured out how to capture these codes using a computer and a receiver. They could play the codes back once you were out of sight, then help themselves to the contents of your vehicle. These devices were called code grabbers. Security: defeated!

Rolling Code Solutions

The mobile security industry responded with a system called a Rolling Code Transmitter. This system never uses the same code twice. Each time you press the button on your remote, it transmits a completely new and different code. The receiver processes any code it receives to determine whether it is valid, based on the original remote pairing. The basic concept is that the new code had to be a multiple of a previous code. The latest transmitters also use frequency-hopping to add another layer of complexity and protection against thieves.

Saved by the Internet

If you are looking for maximum security, then the Internet is the solution. If your vehicle has a telematics interface like SmartStart from Directed Electronics, you send commands to their server over the Internet from your smartphone. The commands contain nearly impossible-to-hack checksums (serial numbers) that are authenticated before being sent on to the cellular receiver in your vehicle in another protected data stream. The in-vehicle receiver authenticates that command, then processes the message onward to the brain of the remote starter or security system in a third digital data stream to be executed. Code grabbers of any complexity or speed are helpless.

Stop By To Learn More About Our Smartphone Based Security

If you are looking to protect your vehicle from theft, or just want to add the convenience of a remote starter to get the air conditioning working, then drop into Ocala Car Audio or contact us HERE. We’d be happy to help.

December 6, 2016 By Ocala Car Audio

Safer Driving With Apple CarPlay

At Ocala Car Audio, we work hard to offer our clients the latest and greatest technologies for their vehicles. Of course, safety always remains a top priority in everything we do and sell. Did you know you can now use your iPhone safely while driving? The only way this can be done is with Apple CarPlay. We are thrilled to offer this new technology to our clients; read on to hear more about it!

What is Apple CarPlay?

So what is Apple CarPlay? Great question! CarPlay is a software designed by Apple themselves to work specifically with an iPhone. It is compatible with any iPhone 5 or newer. This software is also built into many of the aftermarket radios that we sell here at Ocala. By having one of these radios installed in your vehicle, you’ll gain access to this incredible technology that allows you to use your iPhone while driving.

Siri Does the Work So You Can Focus on Driving

You’re probably wondering, “How can I possibly use my phone while driving and remain safe?” The answer is ‘Siri’! She does all the work so you can keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. When you step into your vehicle and connect your iPhone, it instantly syncs with the CarPlay software in your radio. With one tap, you select the app icon on your radio that you want to use and the rest is done through voice control/Bluetooth. You tell Siri what to do and she does it. Simple as that.

What Apps Work with CarPlay?

Most of the common apps that you use most are available on CarPlay. This includes messaging, phone calls, maps, music and reminders. Additional apps such as Audible, Pandora, Spotify and Stitcher are also available. Imagine driving down the road and wanting to send a text message. Instead of picking up your phone and typing it word for word, you just tap the messaging icon on your radio. Siri will then ask you who you want to text. Through Bluetooth, you tell her who it is you want to message and then she will ask what you want the text to say. You tell Siri and then she confirms the message with you before sending it. If the person texts you back while you’re still driving, Siri will even read the message to you! The same system works for all the other apps available as well.

Stop by Ocala Car Audio Today

If you want the convenience of using your iPhone safely while driving, stop by Ocala Car Audio today. Our store is located in Ocala, FL and one of our team members would love to chat with you about which options are available in your vehicle. You can also contact us here for more info.

December 5, 2016 By Ocala Car Audio

Not All Tint Jobs Are Created Equal

Ocala Car Audio has a long-standing reputation for providing the finest tint jobs in the area for your car, truck or SUV. Almost every day, we field calls and have conversations with clients about inexpensive tint jobs. The simple reality is you get what you pay for. Follow along as we explore why not all tint jobs are created equal.

Our Tint Jobs Won’t Turn Purple

Have you ever driven up the road and noticed a vehicle with window tint that looks purple? It sure doesn’t look very good. What you are looking at is an inexpensive tint job that used low-quality film in the installation. These cheap, offshore products use low-grade dye to create the smoke color we all love. After it gets exposed to the sun for a few short months, though, the red dye in the tint starts to go bad, and the film turns purple. Film from Ocala Car Audio will never turn purple because we only use color-stable films that are designed to keep their smoke color for years and years.

Bubbles Are a Bad Thing

Another thing you may have noticed is a vehicle with huge bubbles in the window tint. That is another example of low-quality film going bad. To offer a low price, that vendor used substandard glue to hold the film together. After being exposed to the sun for a while, that film begins to delaminate, creating those nasty bubbles. Our 3M brand film uses the highest-quality construction in the industry, so this will never happen to your vehicle when you choose us.

Darker Tint Doesn’t Mean Better Heat Rejection

Many people think that all they need to do to have a cooler car is buy darker window film. The reality is that the coating on the film makes the single biggest difference in heat reduction. The difference between cheap window tint and our high-performance window tint can be a 70% difference in the amount of heat reduction in your vehicle.

We Have a Dedicated Window Tint Facility

Most inexpensive window tint jobs are done in a parking lot or driveway. That never happens at Ocala Car Audio. We have a dedicated window tint bay that is kept sparkling clean and that we designed for tinting from the ground up. The benefit to you is a finished product that looks better and lasts longer.

Stop In and See Us

We invite you to stop by Ocala Car Audio and get to know us better. Our team will work with you to find the best window tint for your needs. Let us show you why more people in and around Ocala choose us for their window tinting needs, year after year. You can also contact us by clicking HERE.