The madcap maestros from Miramar need very little introduction. The technical expertise and flamboyant installs associated with Dave "Fishman" Rivera have set a stereo standard that's legendary in the industry. Fishman had been doing outrageous systems for several years before he made the decision to relocate from the cold Northeast to balmy and sunny Florida (Miramar is just a few miles north of Miami). He hooked up with Manny "Mad Dog" Machado and Fishman Audio was born. (The name comes from Dave's penchant for somehow working tropical fish into the install.) As a result of their talent and notoriety, Fishman Audio is on top of the list of a dozen manufacturers who regularly call, asking the team to create head-swiveling, "eargasmic" rides, guaranteed to sound cool, look hot, and draw crowds like metal filings on a magnet. They've done all the standard installs plus some not-so-standard stuff like water craft, motor scooters, and golf carts. Check them out at www.fishmanaudio.com for more information.
Understandably, when you have that kind of talent it's hard to keep it quiet (or for that matter, to find free time). Word gets around and work pours in. But the pair wanted to expand their reputation for creating innovative - make that outrageous - factory demo vehicles. Dave and Manny were looking for individuals who were more concerned with quality than price. For instance, sports figures. They were looking for a type of buyer who could afford what it takes to engineer a system properly and enhance it with all the details that Fishman Audio is famous for.
One day the phone rang from a sports agent, Fishman was working on an install, and ankle deep in fiberglass dust. He almost missed the call. It was Mike McIntyre, calling about a system for Jevon "The Freak" Kearse, defensive end for the Tennessee Titans. McIntyre explained that Kearse wanted a stereo in his new 2002 Cadillac Escalade; he also provided a few specifics on monitors, subs, and games, then asked Fish if he could do it. Fishman jumped at the opportunity. The original deadline was two weeks; Fish suggested five. They compromised on three, but as it turned out, the eight hour days turned into 12 and then round-the-clock, as the deadline neared.
When the charcoal gray SUV arrived at the shop, rolling on 22" KMC Bofa rims and Toyo Proxes rubber, it was already an impressive vehicle, loaded with quality touches you'd expect from Cadillac. After a quick inspection, Fishman and Mad Dog decided no additional sound deadening was required since the Escalade came well dampened from the factory. Since Alpine was specified, Mad Dog explains, "We chose the Alpine CVA-1003 head unit with the 7-inch screen because it was XM ready. It comes equipped with the band necessary for satellite radio; and when the service is offered in this area, Jevon's Escalade can receive it." Unfortunately, the simple two-hour installation process turned into almost three days. To avoid clearance problems with the shift lever and the Alpine flip-face screen, they had to cut and re-work the stock Cadillac housing, relocating the head unit an inch to the right. The Alpine DVA-5205 DVD player was installed below the head unit. Because there were multiple video sources, an MA Audio AV-43A Multi-Switcher was incorporated to handle the DVD player, PlayStation I & II, and the MA Audio VCR. The same remote that works the radio also works the DVD player, now controlled via an eye-sensor mounted in the air-conditioning vent, just to the right of the head unit. A second remote works the Alpine NVE-N851A navigation unit that plays on the Alpine screen.