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Lots of companies publish how-to articles, but how many can say they've been doing it since 1975? Back then, using costly catalog pages for articles was a risky move. But readers loved the helpful info, and 49 years later, we’re still at it.
Today's Crutchfield writing staff includes a few veterans of the company's early days. They're joined by some passionate newcomers who bring a fresh perspective.
Indulging my passion for great car audio, whether by turning a wrench or turning a phrase.
I've been a huge fan of car audio ever since I tried (semi-successfully) to build my own custom truck speaker enclosures as a 16-year-old. I joined the Crutchfield car writing team way back in February of the year 2000, and proceeded over the years to write about nearly every product category we carry.
In 2007, I assumed my current role of Car A/V Editor for our catalog, a position that helps me channel my passions for both music and driving. It also gives me regular opportunities to install new audio gear in other people's vehicles.
A fan of technology that makes your life better.
I came to Crutchfield in 1999. During my six years as a Crutchfield Advisor, I learned a lot about the technology behind great car and home audio. I learned even more about what people wanted in their car stereo systems.
I've written about car audio gear and fitness tech (like running watches and cycling computers) at Crutchfield since 2005. I also carved out a niche producing demo videos for our in-dash car stereos. The hands-on experience I got with car stereos while making these videos was an invaluable aid to me in learning about their exciting features and then explaining them to our customers. I began editing for our outstanding team of writers in 2021.
Before coming to Crutchfield, I spent 10 years teaching music in Charlottesville area schools. I keep my musical interests satisfied by volunteering as a classical music DJ at a local community radio station, and I stay up to date with the latest in outdoor tech by cycling, running, and backpacking.
Fun facts: I've completed an Ironman triathlon, run the Boston Marathon, hiked 1300 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and lost on Jeopardy!
Wordsmith for mobile electronics, Demo Days dude, and a generally swell guy.
During my 16 years as a Crutchfield Advisor, I helped thousands of customers pick out the right gear for their applications. I quickly learned what kinds of problems they want to solve and what they need to know to get there.
In 2013, I joined the Creative team as a writer for our mobile audio categories. I still pull on those countless hours of conversations with our customers when I'm researching new products.
A few years ago, I began our in-house "Demo Days" project where I regularly set up product demos. These demos give our Advisors even more opportunities to see, hear, and touch many of the home and car audio products we sell. In fact, I often call upon Advisors to help assemble these demos, to add to their real-world installation experience with the gear.
I've always enjoyed playing with electronics and stereo gear — from setting up a stereo system for the after-prom party, to solving some of the A/V issues in our family's home. It never occurred to me that I'd be lucky enough to keep on doing it for a living.
Eating up the highway with clarity and volume.
During my first few years at Crutchfield, I served as one of our Advisors, helping our customers choose new audio components for their homes and cars. That helped me learn what's really important to our customers. Eventually, I moved to the writing team and spent a decade researching new products and getting even more hands-on with car audio gear.
As the editor of Crutchfield's car audio web articles, I couldn't ask for a cooler job. We listen to music and play with car audio gear every day!
Like most of us here, I've always been into music and the electronics we use to listen to it. I installed my first car stereo system before the family car was even mine. In college, I helped friends and roommates install their car stereos and set up the sound systems in their apartments. I was a volunteer DJ for the local community radio station for a few years (playing late night metal and Sunday morning bluegrass & alt-country). That's where I also first learned a little bit about sound mixers.
I love playing role-playing games, board games (there were nearly 200 board and card games in our house at last count), spending time with my family, and watching horror movies when they aren't around.
I'll do my best to make videos that are helpful and interesting.
I've been a camera nut since I was a kid. I got really into it around age 12, when I got hold of a Pentax K1000 35mm camera. My father is a photo nut also, and we had access to a darkroom. Ever since then I have delighted in trying out new cameras, lenses, and photo techniques. Working here at Crutchfield, I get to handle all the new and cool camera gear I can get my hands on.
I'm also into audio, from car audio to home audio to headphones. I'm a music lover, and an eye-opening moment for me was discovering just how much more there is to musical recordings when you listen using high-quality gear. It's an experience I try to pass along to others as often as possible. I truly believe that having good quality gear in your car or home can really enrich your life.
I started getting into the video side of things early on in my Crutchfield career while I was a copywriter for car audio products. In those days our video program was just getting started, and many of us pitched in when our writing and editing duties allowed. Today, we have a dedicated team that makes hundreds of videos a year, including spotlights on products and product lines, how-to videos, videos that shine a light on our company, end everything in between. I am proud to be a part of that team and of the work we do.
My job is a lot of fun because I get to play around with all the cool stuff you see on our website while I'm making videos. Getting hands-on with the gear helps me see what I should show you about a product, and I look at our videos as a way of having a conversation with you when you are considering a purchase. If I do my job well, you should come away from a Crutchfield video understanding why you do — or don't — want that product. In the end, it's gotta be something you enjoy.
I love the pursuit of great audio and making its technology clear to others on that same path.
I've spent more than two decades as a freelance writer, musician, teacher, and even film actor. Writing about home audio and video for Crutchfield is a natural fit for me.
Refining my gear has been a way of life since even before my dad helped me put together my seventh grade hi-fi. I like to pair vintage and modern components. And I've experimented with virtually every vacuum tube known to audiophile and electric guitarist alike.
I've got hands-on experience with a wide variety of amplifiers, processors, microphones, speakers, cables, adapters, power supplies, headphones, and basically any and all types of gear that makes music sound great.
My extensive studio and stage work has taught me two lasting lessons about gear: How crucial it is to get the technical details right. And the value of finding the clearest path to great-sounding audio.
From car racing to car stereos, I've written a lot of words about cars. Different words, even.
I spent years writing about cars and motorsports for some magazines you might've heard of (emphasis on "might've") despite having only the most basic understanding of what a carburetor does. It was that experience writing about cars that drew Crutchfield's attention. I began as a freelance contributor, using their vehicle research to write articles explaining how to install audio gear in specific vehicles.
Things went so well that they brought me in as a full-time writer and eventually made me an editor. Now I continue to write those vehicle profiles, other web features, product descriptions, and Crutchfield catalog articles. Let's just say I know some pretty cool stuff that'll help you install your car or marine audio system. Hopefully you'll have some fun along the way.
Before I joined the Crutchfield team, I honestly thought that good audio was anything loud enough to annoy pets and/or the neighbors. I was completely and amazingly wrong. The house sounds awesome these days and the latest car is next. And yes, we'll probably write an article about that, so stay tuned!
International woman of mystery with an eye for composition and an ear for surround sound.
A lot of people at Crutchfield know me for my photography expertise. I've spent years developing my camera skills and countless hours post-processing photos, so there isn't much I couldn't tell you about how to create amazing images. The cool part is once you have all the techy stuff down (and even if you don't!), you'll only keep improving with practice.
I also happen to know a whole lot about home theater. Most of the Saturday afternoons of my childhood were spent getting lost in stories, being immersed in sights and sounds in a dark theater. And my dad had the first real surround sound system I ever saw, way back in the '90s, so I've always had a preference for powerful movie sound.
I spent the first five years of my Crutchfield career as an Advisor in our Spanish/International department helping customers from all over the world (I'm also fluent in Spanish). And I've been happily writing about cameras and awesome audio gear since joining the Crutchfield writing team in 2015.
My mission in life: cool guitars, Asian food, and helping you build a great car audio system.
I played rock'n'roll professionally from the 1970s up to 1995, and had a great career travelling up and down the East Coast playing clubs and opening shows for bands like The Kinks, The Beach Boys, James Brown, George Thorogood, Little Feat, Bob Weir, and lots of others. The time came for me to get off the road in 1995, and I'd heard that Crutchfield loved to hire musicians. I came straight here to apply for my very first job at the age of 44, and I've been happy working here ever since.
I first worked as an Advisor here at Crutchfield. Spending time on the phones, I soon learned that our customers trust us to give them accurate info and to recommend the right products. My experiences assembling PA systems for my bands put me in good stead when it came to helping people put together systems for their cars.
After a couple of years, I started writing for the Crutchfield catalog, where I learned the value of getting to the point quickly. Our web site really started taking off, and I was offered the job of writing about our products online.
I still play music frequently so I get to hear the latest pro audio gear on a regular basis, including a lot of the products we sell. I haven't been able to live with the stock sound system in any of my vehicles since I started at Crutchfield, and I've learned a lot by putting new systems in all my cars. And I have also put together a really nice home audio setup that has rekindled my love affair with records.
My life has always been about music, and Crutchfield allows me to continue that passion. We literally think, talk, and write about audio and video products all day long — and that's a good thing!
What's most important about audio tech? Only how close it brings you to your music.
As a composer and audio producer, I've always been most concerned about sound quality. I know firsthand what instruments sound like. So I listen for how true the fidelity is when I'm researching and writing about wireless speakers and wireless multi-room audio systems.
My passion — and training — is in classical music, but I enjoy many other genres, too (ask me about Northern Soul sometime). I've hosted classical programs on WTJU since 1984, and regularly contribute reviews to their website. I also produce the WTJU Composer Cameo podcast, and, in my spare time, help run the #ClassicsaDay Twitter feed.
I belong to a culture of fine sights and sounds, and I like spreading the word.
I've been tinkering with electronics ever since I was a kid – starting with taking apart and putting back together televisions and radios. I always got them back together again and working. I took courses in radio and electronics as a teenager, and became a ham radio operator. I worked in my high school's stage crew, running sound, lights, and a movie projector. After college, I joined a rock 'n roll band as the soundman and learned how to lug around and operate the gear that helps make music sound good and loud.
Working in a music store in Austin, Texas, I spent a few years manufacturing, installing, repairing, and operating sound systems. Our customers were recording studios, nightclubs, and touring bands. Eventually I moved back to Charlottesville, Virginia and opened a small demo recording studio. In 2006, I finally came to my senses and got this job at Crutchfield. They actually pay me to ramble on, rant, and explain the things I love about music, electronics, and getting good sound.
Given my background, they put me to work writing about some of the most complex electronic products Crutchfield sells: car amplifiers, digital signal processors, wiring, professional sound mixers, and PA systems.
Favorite grammar rule: 'i' before 'e' except after Labor Day.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. My family is full of singers and instrumentalists, so I grew up listening to recitals, concerts, records, and radio. These days I get to write about turntables, stereo amps and preamps, speakers, and the fascinating world of commercial audio. It's challenging, rewarding, and fun!
When I went to college at the University of Kansas, I got a student job as a sound engineer and announcer at the on-campus radio station, and that got me hooked on great gear. I've continued to share great tunes with my local community, first as a professional, and then a volunteer radio announcer.
My role at Crutchfield has drawn all of my passions together into a job I love. I started as an Advisor, which gave me a chance to learn more about home, car, and commercial audio. Directly helping customers choose the gear that makes them happy was an enlightening and enjoyable experience. Becoming a copywriter let me flex the writing chops I've been honing over the past couple of decades - it's a perfect fit.
Lover of wisdom, music, storytelling, and pretty words. Accepts butterscotch pie as payment.
I'm proud to say I spent close to a decade working directly with our customers and training other folks here at Crutchfield to do the same. It's been exciting to channel that experience and my passion for helping people into my writing here. And even more exciting to spend some serious hands-on with the cool toys we sell! Who doesn't want to pass time flying a drone on the clock?
I've been notorious for years as "the guy that's always dancing." It's hard to keep still when you dig your work. Whether it's wordsmithing articles about the advanced tech hiding inside your TV or researching the latest banging sound bar system, I love rolling up my sleeves and diving into all the nerdy details.
Whether you're looking to chill to your favorite tunes or catch up on the latest Netflix obsession, I'm here to make sure you've got all the right gear for a stellar experience.
I've installed car audio gear in a pumpkin. True or false?
I've driven all over – up, down, and coast to coast – and my best memories all have a soundtrack. Music is something I don't leave home without, and after enduring my fair share of crummy systems, I know that quality gear makes a long drive a joy. On those golden days, when the windows just have to go down, I need power and speakers that can handle it.
While I've clocked a lot of highway miles, I've also logged a lot of hours listening to car speakers from the best in the industry. And I've installed those speakers in a variety of vehicles, from sport coupes to minivans. Every listening environment is unique, every series of speakers has its own sonic stamp, and speakers perform differently depending how they're used. And while it's easy to get overwhelmed by specs, my best advice is to ask yourself. what's gonna put the biggest grin on your face when you just gotta turn it up?
Audio fanatic, bookworm, and RPG/board game enthusiast with a boatload of headphones and DACs.
When I don't have my nose buried in a novel, manga, or comic, I can often be found enjoying some tunes using one of my many pairs of headphones or my Klipsch tower speakers. As a lifelong music lover who grew up around musicians of all kinds, I appreciate just how good audio can sound. That's what led me to joining Crutchfield as a Sales Advisor in 2017.
After helping thousands of customers throughout my tenure as an Advisor, I moved to Crutchfield's Creative team in 2020. And let me tell you — the team is stuck with me! Writing and educating are passions of mine. Being able to break down and share cool things with our customers, like complex technical specs and why they matter, is something that brings genuine joy to my heart.
I've written about some rad products too, like high-end amplifiers and speakers, portable high-res players, wireless earbuds, and DACs. I've even penned longer pieces about vintage audio gear and brand histories.
Not a goddess, but an oracle of audio.
I was a nerd before it was cool to be one. I watched "Star Trek: The Original Series" re-runs as a child, and I saw "Star Wars" in the local cinema when it was released. Or, maybe I was a really hip kid, because during that same time period, I was spinning Fleetwood Mac on vinyl with my uncle on his (now vintage and long-gone) stereo system with the giant speakers. Fast forward to today, and I have my own home theater system that allows me to revisit the music, movies, and television programs of my childhood.
As a Sales Advisor at Crutchfield, I spent five years sharing my expertise and passion for home audio and video equipment with customers. If you bought Klipsch speakers and a Marantz amplifier or receiver between 2017 and 2022, there's a good chance you took my advice! Now, I get to write about all this cool stuff and reach more people.
I have a ridiculously large couch so all my animals and people can be comfy for movie nights.
Before I snagged this sweet Crutchfield gig, I spent a decade at a software training company making sure we explained complicated programs like Photoshop and Pro Tools in an easy-to-understand way. I've tried to channel that idea in my writing here by getting right to the heart of what I find cool about a product. That's usually easy to do since I regularly get hands-on with the gear — sometimes I even get to take a TV for a test drive!
I love geeking out with my colleagues about the latest Sonos gear or new ways to use our smart lighting. I'm constantly astounded by the knowledge and enthusiasm that I've found in every corner of this company. Many corners here also contain dogs, which is nice.
I've been to Hollywood, I've been to Redwood, I've crossed the ocean for great music.
For as long as I can remember I've been fascinated by music. I've been singing since I was a kid, started playing guitar in 1970, DJed at rave events in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 00s, and did pirate radio broadcasting for several years at the Burning Man festival.
This broad exposure to a wide variety of music and technology taught me a lot about what you need for good sound. I'm here to translate that knowledge into information that will help you choose equipment that helps give you the sound you need. These days, my work is primarily focused on car subwoofers, car stereo installation gear, and pro audio products.
When I'm not writing for the Crutchfield website, I'm playing guitar and experimenting with new effects, traveling out of town for live concerts, spending time in the outdoors, or playing with my cat.
Concert junkie seeking fulfillment through high-quality audio/video in the car and at home
I started writing for Crutchfield in 2006. I've written about nearly everything we carry for vehicles, but my main specialties have been car audio, GPS navigation, and radar detectors. I've also helped with advertising and in-store signage for our retail locations in central Virginia, which has introduced me to more ways that Crutchfield connects with our customers and communities. My involvement with Crutchfield's social media team helps me learn what drives our online fans to keep coming back, year after year.
I'm a huge fan of live music, and have been since my high school days. As a relatively new dad, it's a lot harder to get out to concerts these days, so now I spend more time listening to music at home on headphones – but I'm always looking for that "rush" of a good show. I also listen to a LOT of podcasts.
I keep a close eye on trends in the music, concert, and film/TV businesses, and look for interesting ways those intersect with what we offer at Crutchfield. I love that my coworkers are also fans of a wide range of audio and video entertainment. They're better than nearly any algorithm when it comes to finding something new to listen to or watch.
I've worked at several record stores and served as a DJ for a community radio station for over 20 years, allowing me to form bonds with other music lovers and fans of great sound. I used to write record and concert reviews for a handful of blogs and local publications, and you can find more of my writing in the book "Schools That Rock: The Rolling Stone College Guide."
In danger of being trapped under the growing pile of headphones on my desk.
How did I earn the nickname "headphone guy" here at Crutchfield? Through extensive training, research, and good old-fashioned hands-on experience. I've spent thousands of hours listening to different models, and thousands more writing about them.
My love of headphones started back when I was in elementary school, and my parents gave me a Walkman. I still love the intimate, wonderfully detailed sound you can get from the right headphone setup.
I spent the first eight years of my Crutchfield career in our customer support department. Listening to thousands of customer stories gave me real-world insights into what makes people happy.
Working on the Crutchfield website every day to bring you the gear that rocks your world.
I found Crutchfield through my lifelong love of music. I've been a drummer and die-hard music fan my whole life. So when a bandmate turned me on to Crutchfield in 1994, I was already an "old hand" with home and pro audio gear. I spent the next five years working as an Advisor and Team Leader. Talking to customers and helping them build their audio systems was an amazing experience.
In 1999, I joined our writing team, which gave me the chance to put another lifelong passion to use. Over the years, I've worked on thousands of presentations about home audio/video products. And as you can imagine, I've accumulated tons of hands-on experience with the gear. It's a real treat getting to play with such cool stuff and helping other people find the stuff that will bring them joy.
A house without music is not a home.
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