With CES, a launching of a new event and various small projects under development, there's been a lot going on. The only respite from it sometimes is to get in the car alone and play some music, preferably at night with no traffic. Aside from working on home recordings in the wee hours when everyone else is sleeping, it's the closest thing to meditation I have in my life. You don't have to be a car audio enthusiast to figure out how important a simple thing like getting in a car and playing music is. Carmakers understand this; that's why practically all the major manufacturers have TV ads emphasizing their audio systems. One version of the Ford Fuzion commercial starts out like an ad for Apple's iPod. Another for Honda looks like it was meant for Gibson or Fender. The Buick Lucerne also is promoting its factory audio system. VW is doing its part on TV and in their cars. We look forward to listening to the new Passat with the Dynaudio system. The Lucerne should be delivered to us any day now. At CES, Bang & Olufsen announced its deal with Audi. And I have to say, if it sounds like it looks we just may have a new standard for OE audio. Contributor Doug Newcomb had the chance to listen to it at the Detroit Auto Show and was impressed. If/When a press vehicle becomes available, we'll let you know what we think after long-term listening. Perhaps it'll be so good that it won't need any aftermarket upgrades. Maybe. But how many people can afford a new S8 with a B & O setup? For the vast majority of vehicles, aftermarket is the way to go. Anyone I've ever talked to about upgrading their car's audio still remembers the shock they felt when listening to the improved sound quality and the power of the music.
Ultimately, that's the goal with our new event, Trifecta. We want car enthusiasts that think of A/V as secondary to see it as more as an integral part of the vehicle, not just an add-on feature to draw a little extra attention. Maybe they should actually listen to their systems instead of just showing it off! With the help of other magazines in our group to promote the series, we hope to develop an event that will wake people up to what they've been missing out on. Perhaps they'll take the next step and enter sanctioned sound competitions.
Speaking of show cars, there were plenty at this past CES. Seemed like everyone stepped up their games. Write in and let us know which one you think is the best. We'll send you out some stickers, a shirt, what have you and we'll do a feature on the "Reader Pick" of the show. Cars weren't the only things worth checking out in Vegas. This year we decided to do a poll of the most exciting products at CES. We did create top ten lists, but did so based on the info/access provided at the show. Look for test reports as the new gear starts rolling in for the real top ten. In the mean time, this issue provides as comprehensive survey of '06 products as is reasonable for a 100-page magazine. For the total picture you can see next month's Annual Directory issue.
Finally, following CES Car Sound & Performance magazine announced that it would no longer be published. On the heels of Road Gear's announcement to go online exclusively, it stunned a lot of people. I've had people say to me that this must be great for Car Audio. Well, yes and no. Multiple titles in a category can be considered a sign of the well-being of the industry the publications cover. Beyond that, it's a shame to see any business go under. But the fact that they are gone doesn't necessarily mean that the audio/video industry can't support magazines that reach out to niche consumers. It doesn't mean that focused magazines such as Road Gear, Car Sound and Car Audio have lost their value either. Audio product sales may not be growing enough to satisfy a manufacturer, but a company can survive, and even thrive. The same logic applies to the magazine business. It's just a matter of how we manage things through the tough times. Enough said.
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