HISTORY
Unparalleled Experience
In 1972, when true high fidelity in an automobile was considered an unrealistic goal, Reus Systems began designing and installing component audio systems establishing audiophile quality within the mobile environment.
Those systems were built utilizing separate woofers, component tweeters and a Crown 150 watt amplifier modified for mobile use. Recalibrated Lear Jet and Delco AM-FM tape players provided extraordinary sound reproduction. One year later, a three channel version of the design, with built in equalization, would influence several auto sound executives, through Reus, to steer the industry in a new direction... leading to the golden era of car audio where most of the creative engineering and design concepts were actually developed.
Our resume of innovations either set or raised the standards of what is now taken for granted in the mobile audio industry. Concepts such as:
Adjustable Equalization - Vehicle Specific Band Pass Enclosures - Close Coupled Woofer Systems - Polymer Transducers - Electrostatic Speakers - Phase and Time Aligned Configurations - Adjustable Azimuths etc. were explored or developed by Reus Systems years before they became applicable to the mobile audio mainstream.
Reus Systems continues to master the new era of high tech car audio. To fully appreciate the depth of the passion and intensity, for what we do, is to understand our connection to the history of mobile audio.
Today, our deep-rooted instincts... evolving through decades of experience... guide the development of audio systems considered a reference standard for performance, while remaining "in sync" with the technology of today's software driven vehicles.
Our own history of design innovations and patents is listed below. The Reus Systems Team hopes that learning more about our past will lead you to join us in our shared future… We love music and want to share The Reus Audio Experience with you.
1972
First Production System
Launched the first production 150 watt, component audio system for the Chevrolet Camaro... followed by the rest of the GM line.
1973
First 3 Channel System
Launched the first 3 channel, 7 speaker 190 watt, calibrated audio system for distribution through Chevrolet and Pontiac dealerships.
1974
Custom Calibration
Introduced the recalibrated version of the AM-FM 8 track tape players at 7.5 ips.
1974
First Mobile FM Equalizer
Introduced active FM de-emphasis circuits to be installed in all Reus audio systems. This was first equalizer designed for mobile use and directly led to the development of the Clarion 100 EQB which became one of the most successful products in car audio.
1975
Polymer Speakers for Mobile
Began the development of their polymer speakers which after finalized, were launched several years later.
1976
RTA Based Designs
The 3rd octave real time analyzer became the standard instrument for calibrating all Reus designs. Years later, the RTA became fashionable in promoting the industry.
1977
Production System
Introduced their first aftermarket production speaker system for the Mercedes-Benz. Installations number in the thousands.
1978
Door Pocket Tweeter
Introduced the door pocket tweeter... later becoming standard in all Reus installed systems for Mercedes, BMW and Audi.
1979
Electrostatic Speakers
Tested system designs featuring electrostatic speakers. Although never released for production, the knowledge gained influenced later speaker designs.
1980
First Adjustable Azimuth
Designed the first adjustable azimuth for the Concord cassette deck, enabling audiophile clients to precisely match their tapes to the audio system. This concept was shared with Nakamichi and later incorporated in their head units.
1981
First OEM Designs
Contracted by the Clénet Coachworks, Inc. to design and supply audio systems for the Series III vehicles.
1982
First Focused Soundstage
Developed and produced their first phase and time aligned speaker systems focusing on depth and image of the soundstage.
1984
Nakamichi Featured
Negotiations with Nakamichi commenced to place them as the featured head unit in all Reus Systems designs. The Nakamichi TD-1200 even today, remains among the finest audio products ever made.
1985
Band Pass Woofers
Introduced their first dual band pass woofer designed for the Mercedes SL and Porsche 911. Several years later, band pass designs became an industry reference standard. 1987-CD-Changer.png
1987
First CD Changer Housing
Released their first thermally controlled and suspended CD changer housings initially launched for systems in Mercedes-Benz with other vehicles to follow.
1988
First OEM LOOK CD Changer Design
Introduced their first completely OEM type aftermarket CD changer system for the Mercedes-Benz S Class.
1988
Opened in Hong Kong
Expanded the company into Hong Kong to satisfy demand in the Asian Markets.
1991
Lexus Upgrade Launched
Introduced their first aftermarket fully plug and play OEM systems for Lexus automobiles. Every Reus System since has followed the OEM spec plug and play configuration that the industry is now trying to emulate.
1992
SST System for R129 SL
Launched the SST system for the Mercedes SL R129.
1993
R&D Modular Designs
Began R&D of advanced modular designs for the Porsche 993 and Ferrari vehicles... later launched in 1994.
1998
Began Negotiations
Negotiated terms with Chrysler Corp through Mopar to develop and supply OE audio systems starting with the Jeep Wrangler.
1999
R.J.C. is OEM Division
Established R.J.C. a sister company focused on developing audio systems exclusively for automotive manufacturers.
2000
R.J.C. Patent Granted
Granted US and foreign patents for systems designed by RJC for Daimler-Chrysler.
2001
SST for Porsche and MB
Launched the SST audio systems for the Porsche 996 and Boxster while expanding the SST concept to all models of Mercedes-Benz.
2002
Tunnel Woofer Developed
Developed the tunnel woofer to be incorporated in the Porsche 996, Boxster and Ferrari systems - later expanding to Lamborghini. This was the first woofer to produce fundamental deep bass response in small interiors without taking usable space.
2003
First Reus Class AB Amp
Launched the Reus RS100 mini module high power monoblock. The first of many proprietary Reus designs, it featured a fan cooled Class AB technology where its performance equaled or exceeded much larger amplifiers and was years ahead of the current Class D craze.
2003
SST for R230 SL
Launched the SST system for the Mercedes-Benz SL - R230. Combined with the prior R129 version, several thousand were installed.
2004
Reus RS200 Audiophile Amplifier Released
Launched the Reus RS200 discreet class AB amplifier... an absolute "no compromise" design, it was and still is, geared for extreme audiophiles... later becoming the flagship amplifier in all Reus installations up to 2012.
2005
Low Profile Woofer
Jointly developed one of the very first low profile woofers with a Detroit engineering firm. Testing of servo controlled versions followed. Years later flat woofers became commonplace within the industry.
2009
Advanced D/A Development
Began R&D to develop and configure systems with advanced digital to analogue conversion laying the groundwork for the Reus SOTA systems that followed.
2012
Musical Class D Systems
Introduced the first Reus Class D powered system... no cost was spared in its configuration to create the efficiency of Class D with Class AB level performance.
2013
SOTA Digital System
Launched the SOTA dedicated super high resolution audio systems beginning with the design for the McLaren. Vehicle specific versions were later launched for Ferrari - Rolls-Royce - Mercedes-Benz - Bentley and Audi vehicles.
2015
Flex Digital SST Systems
Developed and later released their initial Flex Digital SST Systems designed to minimize the complexities of the tech oriented (CAN and MOST) factory head units.
2016
Continued Innovation
Reus Systems continues to launch newer technologies that are still ahead of the mainstream industry. Targeting solutions which allow Hi-Res music files (MQA, FLAC, WAV etc.) to coexist with lossy audio sources (such as a phone connected via bluetooth) through advanced “D/A” conversion is among many of the concepts we are integrating into mobile audio. They not only refine earlier designs, but allow a much smoother integration of today’s convenient technology when it is judged useful, safe and productive for the end user. Just as when the company was founded, proprietary techniques in design, applied technology and installation techniques continue to set a benchmark which much of the industry will attempt to emulate over the next several years.