Car audio supplier Rockford Corp. is going to International CES with new products under the Rockford Fosgate and Lightning brands, and it's putting the Blaupunkt brand back into the North American marine-audio market after an absence of at least three years.
Products from all three brands will be displayed at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for first- and second-quarter shipments.
The Rockford Fosgate products include mono and stereo amps in the Power line, a new Punch equalizer that can be added to almost any aftermarket sound system, and the first direct-fit motorcycle amplifier/speaker systems, which are intended for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Also under the Rockford Fosgate name, the company will add to its high-end Power series line of component speakers, update all six models in its Prime R1 subwoofer series, expand its marine amplifier series with one new model, and offer the brand's first direct-fit speakers for BMWs.
Here's what's coming from the three brands:
Rockford Fosgate: The brand's three new Power amps are designed to be efficient enough to make them suitable for installation in hybrid and electric vehicles as well as in motorcycles and side-by-side UTVs, the company said.
The three Rockford Fosgate amps, priced from $499 to $549 MAP, feature high efficiency Class-AD and Class-BR technology, with the two Class-AD models adding multi-impedance constant power. All models come with input/output clip detection, top-mounted controls and dual-fan forced-induction cooling and ship in the first quarter.
The $499 T400X2AD measures 1.6 by 4.25 by 7 inches and is rated at 2x200 watts into 4 and 2 ohms and 1x400 watts into 4 ohms bridged. The $499 T400X4AD measures 1.6 by 4.25 by 8.3 inches and is rated at 4x100 watts into 4 or 2 ohms and 2x200 watts bridged into 4 ohms. The $549 T500X1BR measures 1.6 by 4.25 by 8.3 inches and is rated at 1x175 watts into 4 ohms, 1x300 watts into 2 ohms, and 1x500 watts into 1 ohm.
For 1998-2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the brand will offer complete two- and four-channel systems consisting of a matched amplifier and speakers, and amp mounting plate, and a wiring harness. They will ship in the second quarter for installs in Harley Davidson's Street Glide, Electra Glide, and Ultra motorcycles.
The R1-HD2-9813 is the two-channel amplified speaker system, and the R1-HD4-9813 is the four-channel amplified speaker system.
Also in the second quarter, the brand will ship the $74-suggested RFPEQU Universal Punch EQ. Compared to past models, it adds a built-in line driver, which enables connection to an amp's input jacks to noise problems, the company said.
The EQ adds the brand's Punch EQ bass and treble boost, which punches up response by 0-12dB at 45Hz and 12kHz.
It also features a high-level signal input with auto turn-on capability and adjustable sensitivity to match any audio source. Output voltage is 10.5V RMS.
In its high-end Power series line of component speakers, the brand is adding the $999-suggested two-way, 150-watt 6.5-inch T4652-S with asymmetrical 12dB Butterworth crossover. It ships in the first quarter.
The high-efficiency speaker system is positioned as delivering Rockford Fosgate power handling with audiophile sound quality.
The T4's liquid crystal polymer tweeter features an aluminum phase plug to guide high frequencies toward the listener. The woofer features a VAST butyl rubber surround to maximize cone area and frequency response.
In updating the entire six-model Prime R1 subwoofer line, the brand will unveil 10- and 12-inch subwoofers and four sealed-enclosure options. They ship in the first quarter.
The line is positioned as delivering "high-performance bass at an unbelievable value," said Jake Braaten, Rockford Corp.'s director of product development.
To update the line, the company designed different models for use in sealed or vented enclosures. They also now come with an integrated trim ring and increased power handling.
The 2014 models feature an aluminum curvilinear dustcap to dissipate heat generated by the increased power handling. They also come with a solid stamped-steel frame and integrated frame-mounted compression terminals.
The Prime R1 line up starts with the $59-everyday R1S4-10 10-inch 4-ohm sub with single voice coil, 4.4-inch mounting depth, and 200-watt RMS (400 watts peak) power handling. The line tops out with the $249-everyday R1-2X12 12-inch dual-voice-coil sealed-enclosure sub with 400 watts RMS (800 watts peak) power handling.
For the marine market, the brand will unveil the $499-suggested 1,200-watt (RMS), five-channel, M600-5 Prime series amplifier, which ships in the first quarter.
The compact amp features high efficiency and independent front, rear, and subwoofer outputs.
The new amp expands the marine audio line to five amplifier SKUs.
It delivers 4x50 watts plus 1x200 watts into 4 ohms and 4x75 watts plus 1x300 watts into 2 ohms. It also features 12 dB/octave Butterworth crossovers, MOSFET power supply, marine grade two-part epoxy-coated PCB, UV-resistant powder coated heatsink, and top- mount controls for crossover, phase, input switch, and Punch EQ. A remote is included.
The brand's first direct-fit speakers for BMW consist of three two-way component speaker pairs, each at a suggested $599/pair. They're designed for BMWs from model years 2004 and up. The speakers feature 4-inch woofer with tri-laminate injection-molded fiber cone, a 1-inch treated fabric tweeter with neodymium motor, an inline passive crossover, and a BMW factory connector for plug in installation.
Power handling is rated at 50 watts RMS and 100 watts peak.
The T3-BMW1 is designed for BMW OEM frame style 1, the T3-BMW2 is designed for OEM frame style 2, and the T3-BMW3 is for OEM frame style 3.
Blaupunkt: Under the Blaupunkt name, Rockford is launching a head unit, Bluetooth dongle, and three coaxial speakers.
The $159-suggested Capri 220 source unit is a mech-less head unit with AM/FM tuner, MP3 playback via USB mass-storage device, 4x25-watt RMS power, a waterproof face, an RCA aux input, and salt/fog- and UV-exposure resistance. It can be connected to an optional $49 BT UP dongle, which has a 12-volt power supply and connects to the head unit via an aux in.
The three coaxial speakers in the MSx series also adhere to marine specs and are available in 4-, 5.4-, and 6.5-inch sizes. They're priced at a suggested $64.99, $74.99 and $79.99 per pair.
The products ship in the first quarter.
The head unit will be compatible with the planned iBoat iPhone dock, due in mid 2014 to charge a docked iPhone. Additional details were unavailable.
Lightning Audio: With the new Lightning Audio amps, Rockford is rounding out Lightning's selection of speakers, subwoofers and source units.
The new LA Series amplifier line consists of the 2x40-watt L-2125, 150-watt mono L-1250, 4x50-watt L4300, 4x100-watt L-4600, 4x50-watt plus 1x120-watt L5600, mono 125-watt L1500D, and 250-watt mono L11000D. All ratings are into 4 ohm, but the amps also operate at 2 ohms or 1 ohm depending on the model. Prices range from $99 to $299 MAP. They ship in the first quarter.
