Visionary Hifonics Founder Passes Away

News was announced this week, that Helmut Richard Leo Stieglitz, founder of the iconic Hifonics car audio brand passed away at his home near Seattle at the age of 71.

Libertyville, Illinois – April 10, 2017 – Maxxsonics USA is saddened by the passing of Helmut Richard Leo Stieglitz the visionary founder of Hifonics. His vision was to develop car audio amplifiers that were higher powered, superior quality and stellar sound.  Mr. Stieglitz could not have known that his vision would still be inspiring enthusiasts, installers, and retailers more than 35 years later.

From a small 10’ x 10’ booth at the 1980 Consumer Electronics Show (Pictured on the left) in Las Vegas Mr. Stieglitz and the Hifonics team launched a product, a brand and a lifestyle with their first amplifier, Series I, that was built in South Africa. By 1982 manufacturing moved to the USA when the brand began its meteoric rise to fame.

Mr. Stieglitz passed away last week knowing that he had launched a lifestyle and we are all thankful for his vision which became POWER FROM THE GODS.  

Maxxsonics USA purchased the Hifonics brand in 2001. Alden Stiefel, President and CEO of Maxxsonics said,

“Helmut was a very smart, friendly and warm person. He often called me to check up on his brand. He loved the Hifonics brand and the people who had come to be passionate about the music it produced.”

Mr. Stieglitz and his Hifonics engineering team identified the need for truly well-built sound quality amplifiers that could deliver high power. In fact, they delivered more power than any mobile audio amplifier line being produced in the early 1980’s and into the 1990’s.

Some old school “mini truckin’ with Helmut’s daily driver, packed with Hifonics

This passion for exceeding expectations was only befitting a brand that identified its products with the mythology of Greek and Roman gods – The Colossus launched by Mr. Stieglitz is, to this day, the most recognizable family of amplifiers available in car audio, and still available today from Hifonics, manufactured by Maxxsonics USA.

“Helmut will be missed. His vision and marketing acumen still drives the strategy of Hifonics today,” concluded Stiefel.

In his later life, Helmut found a passion for wine. Having spent a lifetime traveling the world for business he became a celebrated guide through global vineyards and hosted wine tasting tour throughout the world and founded his own company that was an International Distributor of wines.

He was planning a tour of South African vineyards when he passed in his home in the Seattle area where he has been a resident for 20 years.”

Mr. Stieglitz is survived by a large family including his wife Beverly, five children and ten grandchildren.

THANK YOU HELMUT!!