The SEMA Show is truly an epicenter for automotive products. Besides the inevitable show cars and models, this event showcases vehicle performance parts, mobile accessories, auto restoration devices, and motorsports gear. Here’s a quick breakdown of the SEMA Show 2009: there are a total of 12 sections, including Business Services, Hot Rod Alley, Mobile Electronics & Technology, Paint / Body & Equipment, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, Tires / Wheels & Equipment, Racing & Performance, the Restoration Marketplace, Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Tools & Equipment, Trucks /SUVs & Off-Road, and finally, OEM. Throughout the week-long event we compiled tons of original footage covering many of these sections, though our footage mostly focuses on the Mobile Electronics & Technology industry and OEM equipment.

Many of the industry’s top car audio and mobile electronics manufacturers were on-site. The list of attendees included brands such as KICKER, Pioneer, Scosche, Metra, Kinetik,Motevo Crimestopper, Beltronics, ScyTek and Garmin USA. The brand booths displayed products and knowledgeable representatives were on hand to discuss their latest products. Many of the car audio booths featured flashy show cars loaded with their brand’s best line of car audio products.

The KICKER car audio booth featured a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. This awesome show car was equipped with custom OEM Kicker car audio products, including midwoofers in the front door panels! These midwoofers sounded almost as loud as subwoofers and really caused the sound system to stand out. Though the midwoofers were custom designed by the KICKER team, they were similar to Kicker CVT subwoofers. Kicker showed off their iKick portable stereo systems, which are designed for the iPod, and their latest desktop alarm stereo. They announced that they have teamed up with a custom sticker company so that consumers can personalize their iKick and desktop stereos with custom stickers. Kicker also introduced their Marine ZX amplifiers, which use the same technology as their typical line of ZX amplifiers, only these Marine amps are specially designed to withstand water exposure. In fact, they are sealed around the outside of the amp to shield it from water. Internally, all of the boards are conformal-coated to help protect the circuit board from moisture. Kicker also displayed their HP1973 headphones, retro style headphones that are designed to provide listeners with a full range of acoustic frequencies.

Kicker was also well-represented in the competition field. Mouse Prosen’s competition car, a yellow 2006 Mustang GT, was fully loaded with Kicker car audio products. The Mustang, named Saphira, included L5 subwoofers, ZX amplifiers, SS speakers, RS speakers, and KS speakers. Other car audio products in the Mustang included the Alpine IVA-W505 in-dash head unit and a Clifford alarm system to guard against theft. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that his Mustang’s custom Stroker produces an astonishing 750 horsepower! Mouse did an amazing job with his vehicle, both inside and out.

The Scosche Industries exhibit was definitely worth a look, as they had two remarkable show cars on display. Their Nissan Cube had a custom orange and white paint job with the EFX logo painted across its side. The car audio system was designed with a “cube” theme, which included rotating square enclosures loaded with subs in the cargo area behind the back seat. These illuminated subwoofer boxes were constantly rotating and lit up with an orange glow. The Nissan Cube also featured four amplifiers mounted into the floorboards. Scosche used plexiglass to seal off the amps so that the amps remained visible beneath the passengers’ feet. The Scosche booth also featured a Subaru STI, which included a subwoofer mounted in a plexiglass box for a unique and custom look.

Besides a back wall of iPod accessories, the Scosche exhibit also featured EFX amplifiers, speakers, and subwoofers. Scosche mounted their EFX products into plexiglass for an eye-catching display. Scosche’s team informed us that the EFX amplifiers were designed with three heat sinks in order to help maximize air flow into the amplifier and dissipate heat efficiently. Scosche also displayed their Earthquake SWS shallow subwoofers at the SEMA Show. According to Scosche, these shallow subwoofers can provide up to 2” of excursion while only requiring up to 2.5” of mounting depth. Besides subwoofers, Scosche also showed off their EFX competition speakers. These convertible speakers can be installed as coaxial speakers, or you can use them as a component system by mounting the tweeter separately.

Besides manufacturer exhibits, the SEMA Show contains plenty of show cars. One of the most stunning show cars on display was the HTT Plethore LC 750. This supercar blows you away with its shapely yet sleek carbon fiber body and frame. The driver’s seat is positioned centrally to simulate the experience of competition racing. The HTT Plethore is packed with audio equipment featuring an in-dash OEM radio, amplifier, and speakers. Its suicide scissor doors open and close automatically with a remote control. Equipped with 750 horsepower and an 8 cylinder engine, the Plethore can go to zero to sixty in a heartbeat. It retails at around $380,000 in US dollars!

Another car that stops you in your tracks is the Cheap Tricks Dream Police Chevy Avalanche. This Rockband-inspired vehicle actually has the RockBand 2 drum set built into the tailgate of the truck. A 32” LCD monitor lies directly above the bed of the truck, allowing users to play the RockBand 2 video game on the flat screen. The state of the art sound system features a total of 6 subwoofers, 20 speakers and five amplifiers! Four of the MB Quart DWI254 subs are in the bed of the truck, and the other two are mounted into the back seat of the vehicle. The Dream Police Tactical Vehicle features two MB Quart DSC4125 4-channel amplifiers and three DSC500.1 monoblock amps to power its audio components. These components include two DKH 116 6-1/2” speakers, two DKH 113 5-1/4” speakers, and two DSH 215 6-1/2” component systems. This truck has all of the bells and whistles, including a fog machine, laser lights, and even strobe lights. These extras help simulate the on-stage experience. Bonus points for the original idea to use guitar-head style side mirrors and for mounting the drumsticks on the door panels!

By: Gideon V.