[Millefune]

I know nothing about car audio, but I need to get some stuff done to the lady's car. Because I am a fierce supporter of my fellow American brothers and sisters, and I want to keep my money here rather than some other country, I want to buy product that's made in America and owned by an American company. I know it may not be the "very best" in car audio, but we don't need the very best, just something that works.

I know that the following brands are not American, but I don't know about the rest out there:

Aiwa
Alpine
Blaupunkt
Clarion
JVC
Kenwood
Pioneer
Samsung
Sony

Can you guys please tell me which brands out there are American? Thanks for your time.

 

[eurohazard]

Many of the powerful amplifier companies are American. Phoenix Gold, Rockford Fosgate, Soundstream, Kicker (Stillwater Designs)....among others are the biggest names I can think of. Not that many of their items are made in America it seems. But they are (or were last I knew) American companies.

 

[doh]

Isn't Bose American? I was told many years ago "For car audio, buy Asian head units, N.A. Speakers. Put 75% of your budget into the Spaekers."

 

[ksr]

I don't know what is actually manufactured domestically now.

Harman-Kardon makes a great product. At least some of their stuff is domestic, and that might include some of the car audio.

My home H-K amplifier and speakers (JBL, an H-K brand) were actually manufactured in China. The company is American, still run by the Dr. Sidney Harman, who is 89 years old.

You can't go wrong with Harman, and at least the company is American so the money does stay here. They have a great stable of brands, Harman-Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Mark Levinson.

What about Marantz? I think the company is now owned by Philips, but they may still produce in the U.S.

 

[ksr]

Isn't Bose American? I was told many years ago "For car audio, buy Asian head units, N.A. Speakers. Put 75% of your budget into the Spaekers."

Bose makes terrific products. American company, probably not manufactured in the U.S.

But kind of overpriced now. At one time, Bose was ahead of the curve and could justifiably charge a premium. But IMO, other brands have now caught up to them in sound quality, and do it at a cheaper price.

 

[roberto57]

Bose Corporation is a privately-held, American company, based in Framingham, Massachusetts...

...Because of integration with a vehicle and adjustment for its acoustic parameters, Bose audio is not available aftermarket.

Bose is American but apparently you can't get aftermarket parts.

 

[wildgoosechase]

Rockford Fosgate used to build their head units in the US, I think they were even made by Delphi. That was a few years ago, I don't know if they still are.

 

[ksr]

Bose is American but apparently you can't get aftermarket parts.

Didn't Delco buy a chunk of Bose a number of years ago? Or am I remembering that wrong?

 

[Htay7500]

Mcintosh (which clarion owns). I wish they were available in USDM subarus. Its only in foreign market subarus. Their head units look AMAZING.

 

[F14CRAZY]

HELL YES Mcintosh, very very high end stuff. The kind that puts Bose to shame. Check ebay

 

[kool_zx3]

Didn't mcintosh make the headunit and stereo for the Ford GT?

 

[Htay7500]

Didn't mcintosh make the headunit and stereo for the Ford GT?

Why yes they did:

It was an option, and could only play a single CD. I'm so there for their products otherwise. :dro:

 

[Xenon]

Mark Levinson is American, I believe.
Edit: Come to think of it, almost every high-end audio maker is American.

 

[Pedal 2 Metal]

Harmon Kardon, Boston Acoustics

 

[Millefune]

Thanks guys! I'm happy now. I was having so many issues trying to find something. Clarion, however is Japanese.

 

[Xenon]

Thanks guys! I'm happy now. I was having so many issues trying to find something. Clarion, however is Japanese.

What's ironic about this is that all the Amercian brands suggested are top-shelf stuff used by premium brands (Benz, BMW, Lexus). So its win-win for you.

 

[ksr]

Mark Levinson is American, I believe.
Edit: Come to think of it, almost every high-end audio maker is American.

Part of the Harman family, along with Harman-Kardon, Infinity, JBL.

How much is manufactured in the U.S.?