Located just northeast of Phoenix in Scottsdale, Arizona, is Audio Edge. In February 2021, the visionary mother-son duo of Lori and Colin Buckeye embarked on a mission to redefine the car audio industry through their shared passion for exceptional sound and cutting-edge technology. Whether it’s a daily-driven SUV, the weekend toy, a work truck, the family boat or a powersports vehicle, their team has audio or lighting upgrades for anything you can imagine.
The Birth of a Dream
Colin tells us that Audio Edge was born of a desire to break free from the constraints of conventional in-car audio systems. Frustrated by the limitations of available solutions, Colin saw an untapped opportunity with his expertise in audio engineering and custom fabrication and his mother’s business experience. Their goal was simple yet ambitious: offer solutions for audiophiles and enthusiasts where art and technology can combine to deliver world-class mobile entertainment systems.
An exceptionally well-equipped fabrication room allows Colin to create custom solutions efficiently.
A spacious installation area ensures that Colin has enough room to work efficiently on client vehicles.
Lori is the first point of contact for clients. She greets visitors when they come to the store and handles email and phone inquiries. Her presence is critical to getting the ball rolling on new projects. When it comes to the day-to-day operations, Lori also handles accounts payable and receivables. She maintains inventory and orders items specific to any upcoming projects.
Colin tells us that communication between the two of them is seamless, verging on intuitive. This leads to impressive efficiency and exceptional customer service.
Once a client’s needs are qualified, Colin steps in to offer solutions and demonstrate products in the showroom. His experience is essential to designing a solution that meets their expectations and budget. From there, the installation process falls exclusively on his shoulders. Having his mom handle the other tasks lets him work efficiently to complete projects.
A Canvas for Creativity
What truly sets Audio Edge apart is how they embrace automation technology. By integrating advanced equipment like CNC routers, lasers and 3D printers, Audio Edge has all the tools to deliver stunning custom fabrication solutions. Whether it’s a simple dash insert with labels or a custom-engraved acrylic trim piece edge-lit with RGB LED lighting, no job is too large or too small. The investment in tools extends beyond exotic fabrication to add efficiency. If Colin has already drawn a set of speaker mounting adapters in CAD, cutting a set for a client with the same application takes very little time.
This is an example of a laser-engraved acrylic window on the front of a subwoofer enclosure for a pair of Sony Mobile ES subwoofers.
Colin constructed a custom miniature door panel during a fabrication training session at Mobile Solutions USA.
Note the attention to detail in the wiring on this rack for a pair of Wet Sounds marine audio amplifiers.
Brand-Defined Solutions
Audio Edge is selective about the brands it offers, choosing them for their flexibility and reliability. Car audio products from Sony, including the Mobile ES line, are their go-to for source units. Morel is another essential brand among the Audio Edge offerings, as the line extends from high-performance, affordable options to studio-grade speakers and subwoofers. Helix offers flexible and highly configurable electronics, while BLAM speakers deliver that unique French sound.
Audio Edge built a demo vehicle dedicated to Sony’s Mobile ES line of premium car audio products.
Interactive displays allow clients to audition products before work begins on upgrading the sound systems in their vehicles.
Marketing: A Symphony of Strategies
Mobile electronics retailers always face the challenge of communicating with the right clients. Audio Edge uses a balanced mix of digital advertising and social media marketing to highlight its services. The current push is to focus on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. We can attest to the quality of their videos.
This Tesla Model 3’s custom wrap highlights the Audio Edge brand on the road and at consumer and industry trade shows.
Looking Ahead
From enhancing customer experiences to embracing continuous innovation, Audio Edge’s future is filled with opportunities for growth and excellence. Their clearly defined goal to invest in tools and training and their focus on understanding how to integrate new technologies into modern vehicles set them apart. If you live in Scottsdale or the Phoenix area and want to upgrade the audio system in your car, truck, boat or powersports vehicle, drop into Audio Edge at 7740 E. Gelding Drive. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. Be sure to mention that you learned about them from BestCarAudio.com!
