posted
Would any one be interested in seeing another Forum Title "Manufactures Forum"?
This would be an additional section on Termpro where manufactures could post information about new products, post test results, answer direct product or company related questions and post web site and tech/customer service support phone numbers.
If so, it shouldn't be a place where people can post product problems or expect on-line tech support (every manufacture has designated web sites and tech support lines for this) and just want to slam manufactures for every little problem thay have ever had with there specific prouct. Of course, there should never be any pricing mentioned except possibly MSRP which is always public info any way. This should also not be a place for manufactures to directly solicit or sell products direct. They can be directed to an authorised dealer for that info.
This could give you an opportunity to see whats new, what's available and get an insider perspective.
Good idea or bad?
Posts: 2029 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I thinks its a great idea John. Should be kinda fun actually
-------------------- Chuck Whitney Jr. '95 VW Jetta III 2008: World Finals:Street Stock A - 4th place Regional 2009: New Season..New Class..getting back to basics
posted
manufacturer sections are the only thing i like about sounddomain. i personally think that this is a very good idea, and would be a good addition to the forums here. maybe each section could have a restricted area only accessible by that manufacturers team members.
-------------------- I dont mean to be condescending (which means to talk down to)......
-------------------- In Loving Memory, David Alfaro
2009 US.Top Cert.St C 158.7 2008 US.Top Cert.St C 158.4 2008 25-48NW NSPL World Champion 2007 U.S.Top Cert. Street A,B,C 2005 Db Drag St A World Champion 2004 Db Drag US.record 642 points 2003 Db Drag Points World Champion http://www.maxxsonics.com/
Back in 02 my girlfriend said I had to make a choice between her and DB Drag....I told that b-tch I've made harder decisions at the Coke machine. Posts: 4826 | From: Suitland,MD USA | Registered: Sep 2001
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-------------------- TEAM Team Kinetik First year competing 2006 Made World Finals and placed 7th Maryland State St C Champ NSPL World Record Holder Pro1201-2400 154.5 db's Posts: 243 | From: Monrovia Md | Registered: Oct 2005
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quote:Originally posted by dBSteve: my concern would be manufactures that dont support dB Drag Racing using this forum to benifit themselfs.
Manufactures have been doing this for years on this forum. I think that because these products are in competitors cars, they are in one manner, (and however indirectly) supporting the dB Drag Association. This idea is for the benefit of the competitors and not necisarily the financial gain of dB Drag Association.
I hope this will allow manufactures to provide accurate information which may even (as a bi-product)reduce the amount of useless arguing that some times happens by having 10 differant opinions on specific "out of the box" feature or power specifications.
Of course I would love to see more manufactures join dB Drag as a manufactures sponsorship but whether or not they are a member, there products still get talked about here.
However, if in the end that only supporting manufactures were allowed direct access to posting info on this section, that would be fine with me because Maxxsonics is a supporting manufacturer.
Any way, I proposed this idea to get differant views and if enough people showed interest, I would propose this directly to Wayne for his decision. I would respect his decision one way or the other.
Posts: 2029 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I could see advantages and disadvantages. Truth is a lot of the manufactures could care less about dBdrag itself these days...and focus alot more of the budget on demo cars / bass race oriented ground pounder vehicles.
Alot of people are shifting towards making products that you can beat on for hours on end without anything breaking. The marketability of "our stuff did xxx.x number" really isn't there anymore. I mean, since Scott did the 180.5 in (iasca outlaw i believe? correct me if i'm wrong) you dont see everybody running out to purchase pioneer amps and subs and kinetik batteries. Just a fact of diminishing marginal returns...why put tens of thousands of dollars in something that your going to generate 30,000 dollars in sales out of?
The marketability of hair tricks and making people go "Oh my" or "holy isht" when they sit in a vehicle that can litterally lay the windshield out of it at the drop of a hat with cheaper stock off the shelf products that they can afford for their own car is by far better from a marketability standpoint. If they can buy that very product that they heard in that bass race vehicle, they'll likely do it. Because it's affordable, and they remember what it sounded and felt like.
Most manufacture's have their own forums now, and things get handled there. I could see some advantages for having them here, but let's face the music head on. Most people who are here are already very established dBdraggers and have been around for years upon years. I honestly don't think you'd attract alot of attention by having manufacture forums here, as far as something that'd be worth the time and effort you would put in it...that would equal out to not a whole lot of return as far as sales are concerned. You may beable to nip the controversy in the bud, but that would be about the extent of it in my eyes.
...just another point of view... -Nick
-------------------- When a marketing guy puts the cookies on the table and tells the tale of how it is. It's real funny that everything all of a sudden changes...
-ex staff :shakes head and walks away:- Posts: 5317 | From: Radford, Va...Radford University! | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I agree, it is what it is in fact imo bass race will soon eclipse pure spl for the simple reason it is much easier for the average enthusiast / consumer to relate to a bass racer than a top secret spl vehicle.
SPL records seem to have a win on Sunday sell on Monday mind set which has it's merits but I believe the real money for companies is in the average consumer relating to products they actually get to experience via demos and then go home with a better understanding than just watching a huge number not taking anything away from that I enjoy watching spl as much as anyone but thats the way I see it.
-------------------- Bruce Dressel
MTX SounDigital Digital Designs
In loving memory of my sister Kerry Ann Johnson 1970 - 2008
But only open to those that sponsor the dBDRA in someway.
-------------------- Ben ----- www.EastCoastChoons.co.uk UK SS 1-2 NW Record Holder Team UK - Team ECC Posts: 3011 | From: Deepest Darkest Norfolk | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
I think maybe some are missing the point and maybe I can make it more clear.
This has nothing to do with money or marketing.
I realize most manufactures have designated team sites (we do also) and the growth of Bass Race is tremendous.
My suggestions has nothing to do with dB Drag Racing, Bass Race or SQ competing specifically. It's a factory direct source of information.
It would provide a place for manufactures to let all of you know what's new (amps, speakers, subs..), what's being changed, what's being discontinued, what shows they will be attending, highlight cool new features and accessories, factual and in depth product features and power points.....
There will be no bragging of XXX SPL numbers, no boasting of hypothetical or exagurated power levels, no "mine is the best and heres why" BS.
It's just a place to let every one know what's going on in the manufactures world. It can also provide a location for manufactures looking to expand the team and what classes may be available for team sponsorship, how to get team sponsorship, contact information (customer service / tech support), warranty information...
It is not a place for manufactures to sell any thing and no prices will be posted.
Here is hypothetical example: XXX Car Amp Company just released there new Microne Series D-Class Strappable amplifiers with built in flux capacitor, impedance matching crutchlink power supply, platinum heat sink, solid gold binding posts and available in 3500, 5500 and 9000 watts. Available January 15th, 2006. Contact XXX Car Amp Company at (811) 222-9000 for a dealer near you.
Some may be interested that XXX Car Amp Company is introducing a new series amp.
Maybe it could go in the "General Announcements" section. There is "News And Announcements", "It could Only Happen to Me" and "Favorite CD's / Music" which a combined 50 posts a month.
[ 12-13-2006, 01:04 PM: Message edited by: Team Maxxsonics - John ]
Posts: 2029 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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There really aren't that many 'new' members here that really care whats going on in the industry. If you were looking at something like that; then look into something that has more of a focus on the people who are really interested in the newer stuff and are just getting their feet wet into car audio and the industry you need to look at other places where the "kids" are more prone to go "wow" instead of around here where the motto is "how do i get it for free? or how do i get it for very cheap? or why whould i run your wonderfully fantabulous new product when this seems to be just as good?"...look into a site that has a ton of traffic something to the likes of caraudio.com
I understand it's not the most optimal forum/website/community, but if you want alot of people to see what is to come in the industry you have to put it where a lot will see it and will be more likely to respond to the information that you release. Here your going to get a response to the tune of "Cool, how much?" [add reply] and never to be seen again. Too many are set in their ways, regardless of what technology is to come on the horizon .
I think it is a good idea, I don't think you are going to see what you would want to see out of it though.
Case in point...we mentioned a new series of woofer on our forum last week and within 2 days it was on every single forum that i visit, people asking questions about it...
-------------------- When a marketing guy puts the cookies on the table and tells the tale of how it is. It's real funny that everything all of a sudden changes...
-ex staff :shakes head and walks away:- Posts: 5317 | From: Radford, Va...Radford University! | Registered: Jun 2001
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Here is your #1 problem. This is DBDRAG forum...1st
Which means....the majority of the population here are VULTURES And will want to know its absolute potential and then how much... If you cannot or will not provide that...you won't get very far.
You want to focus your time on money making ... Nick is right again....... Show yourself to the new folks...not the old ones. DBDRAG is not the place for that..
Incorporate a part of the maxxsonics website into a constantly updated forum that only you can post on...maybe some other choice members of your crew...to show constant progress of whatever and updates of projects and news letters...where who will be...blah blah blah... then get some forum full of new guys to let you have a host forum in their site...they'll welcome you with open arms and you'll be their new hard on for like a year...and all the jibber jabber that is spoken can be responded by you with a link to the proper spot to answer the question on your maxxsonics forum that is READ ONLY to the outsiders....and that will keep the workload on you easy...and keep the mumbojumbo down to a minimum.
Nick is 100% right..... Your sites are set in the wrong direction.
-------------------- Dangerous and Unstable
All fo one...mo fo us...none fo you Posts: 289 | From: Memphis | Registered: Feb 2002
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The reason I would suggest that this forum would be best is because in general, the professionals are here.
Other consumer based forums (caraudio.com) would just turn every post into a pissing match and every DIY knuckle head would be saying "my amp broke, what do I do". "You suck, my subwoofer is not loud enough" type crud.
We would not be addressing new members as much as every one here that competes and wants to know what's new.
I see new posts all the time where some one asks about the power or impedance of a product and gets 10 differant answers and 20 differant application specific opinions.
A manufacture would provide the off the shelf power ratings and specifications. Example: The XXVGoliath provides 5000 watts RMS at 1-Ohm / 13.8 volts and 7250 watts RMS at 1-Ohm / 17.5 volts. The .5, .25-Ohm, single or multi-battery, multi-sub specific information will come from those that actually put them in cars and provided their own reading and results.
Some one may say "wow, I just strapped 2 Goliath's together with these --- subs and did a 164.3 at Carls Car Audio 2X last weekend".
Of course the competitors will try differant impedances, reactive loads, differant voltages and tuning frequencies and are welcome to post results in regard to there experience with the product in topic.
I think the manufacture should only post relative specs in accordance to the design and lab testing such as THD & N, Channel Seperation, Damping Factors, X-Over Range, Frequency Response, RMS Power at 4, 2 & 1-Ohm loads... I don't think the manufactures should get directly involved in specific vehicle conditions and claimed super duper theoretical SPL numbers. Just the facts and nothing but the facts.
We all know that everyones test results will vary and we should not attempt to provide information based on a million differant applications.
If some one is not interested in what a manufacture has to offer, no problem..just don't open that section of the forum.
I personally feel that most people would be interested in new products and detailed product specific information.
I also think that people would like to know about the new T3 12,000 watt linkable amp coming out next week (j/k John D...by the way, that freaked me out at first) But my point is just that.... There is always new stuff coming and it's nice to know about when it's real and not heard through the grape vine.
Posts: 2029 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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Obviously there are atleast 2 people who would not be interested in knowing about new products and your point is made, under stood and appreciated. I also understand this is a "dB Drag Forum #1". That is why manufactures make SPL products and would want to tell you about them.
Fortunately this is not a 2 vote process and if there are other opinions, I would like to know.
I would not make this suggestion if I thought other manufacturers would not be intersted. This is not about Maxxsonics, it's about SPL related products and it's just a suggestion to fill a need I thought may be interesting to dB Drag forum members.
I figured that since there are more posts in "Off Topic" then SPL related issues lately, some one might want this.
If you are interested, say yes and if you are not interested, say no.
[ 12-13-2006, 03:21 PM: Message edited by: Team Maxxsonics - John ]
Posts: 2029 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Which is why we (Chad, Loyd and I) did all of the 3rd party testing sessions with the 12” sub challenge. All of the data and information is posted on ROE, and all of which is in a real world scenario. We’ve been doing independent testing for years, be it testing prototype amps, subs, coils, spiders, you name it we’ve pretty much done it. A lot of the testing has not been posted and released though, due to the manufacture not wanting it to be released until they do so themselves.
I understand your point with the professionalism here and the verge of mental-retardation on the forums at caraudio.com. I understand that completely, trust me.
But if you are looking to post information as a "News Flash" Then do that on a website, or a forum that you own. There is no other reason to post it on a dBdrag forum, unless you are trying draw attention for advertising reasons. Which takes us back to square 1, time, value, money, and marketing. If you want people to see what product X did it given A scenario, you are trying to get sales dollars out of it; Regardless if you would be willing to admit it now or not.
If you are wanting to do that, put a drop down box on the Maxxsonics website on the amps with all of the independent testing that 3rd party people have done. Link to the Team Maxxsonics forum and post up their contact information, so that they could contact the people who did the testing and ask them questions. Or even at that let them have their own threads and be “moderators” of sorts to keep things under control. If people are interested enough in your product the first place they are going to go is your website, not your forum.
dBdrag is a business in and of itself, and its forum should not be used to generate sales dollars from testing/advertising. There is no other reason that you would want to do this other than it being another type of advertising, it is about the revenue that you would generate from the extra exposure besides the Maxxsonics website. If you are wanting to give manufacture specs and make it a read-only forum then you are simply advertising, period. Hand another person a user manual and tell them to have a good day.
Problems have to be discussed, and resolved. Yes they do some times erupt into a huge controversy, but that is something as a tech guy and a businessman that you have to deal with. If we have a problem or a design flaw we jump on it. If we have a customer that isn’t happy with their sub, we get it taken care of and do whatever we possibly can to try to make the situation right. If we have a new sub available, then it is on the website. The general public does not need to know about prototypes or what may be going on behind the scenes, mainly because there are many times that what we want to do just won’t work out the way we want it to.
I’m not barking up your tree, just giving you my point of view and how I see things. Not an argument, just some points from another view. Just trying to help you out and save some future headaches. I’ve already been there, done that and thought about it. Personally I’m very happy where we’re sitting at right now, what we’re doing is working very well.
edit: sorry was writing this and didnt see your other post
-------------------- When a marketing guy puts the cookies on the table and tells the tale of how it is. It's real funny that everything all of a sudden changes...
-ex staff :shakes head and walks away:- Posts: 5317 | From: Radford, Va...Radford University! | Registered: Jun 2001
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actually John I think it is a fantastic idea because it would be a information point for all manufacturers to basically say " Here is our new stuff and here is all the specs on it". This would show everyone what products were available and maybe increase more participation at shows because people will have all the choices for products at their fingertips without having to scout websites of different manufacturers. Bravo John, Great Idea!
-------------------- Danielle Team Extreme Sound Team Maxxsonics! T3 Audio! XStatic Batcaps Extreme 3+ And the second to have RazorLites in dbdrag. Proud owner of BIG JIM
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" - Eleanor Roosevelt
"When we find someone who surpasses us, Be thankful that such gifts are in our midst, a public banquet to which we are all invited" Posts: 848 | From: Baltimore, MD | Registered: Dec 2005
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Thanks Nick and I do value your opinion because it is constructive and meaningful.
I personally really don't look at this as an advetisement nor is this my motive because i am not in sales or marketing. I am the VP of Global Product Development and have a gas making SPL products (no fun in 50 watt amps) I love this sport which is why we are a Manufacture Sponsor of dB Drag, attend tons of shows, trophy sponsorship, booth rental at finals... Beleive me, we get no monitary benefit from our dB Drag Manufactures Sponsorship (which is fairly pricey). We could just as easily come in here and contribute like we do with out being a member as a lot of other manufatures do. Were here to support our passion for high performance products.
Of course we are a business to make money and require sales and profits to exist and of course with out manufacturers, there would be no SPL products for our sport and no team support. The business would all be 25 watt head units and that's no fun.
We spend a lot of money marketing our products every where in the world but this is not one of them. It would be easy to promote our products in every public forum there is but we don't.
This is a an application specific sport (SPL) we enjoy and chose to support and beleieve me, there is not a lot of sales in this big dollar product market but it is fun and allows us to develop trickle down technology that can some day be used in the affordable every day retail products which is where sales volume and profits are made.
Sort of like motor sports. GM doeesn't profit from the racing as much as the sponsors whose logos are on the side.
Any way, I do appreciate the input and in the end, if people are not interested (so far..10 to 2 are), then i will not persue this. It does not benefit me in any way and the time to do it is most commonly at home on my time.
Posts: 2029 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2005
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Good luck in your decision with what other information you find out!
-------------------- When a marketing guy puts the cookies on the table and tells the tale of how it is. It's real funny that everything all of a sudden changes...
-ex staff :shakes head and walks away:- Posts: 5317 | From: Radford, Va...Radford University! | Registered: Jun 2001
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