Michael Sears
(1964-1995)
Michael Sears Electronics
In 1976, Michael Sears received an electronics kit which inspired his interest in electronics. 18 years later, he designed and introduced his own car amplifier, the Sears Electronics Model 2100HDP. Sears designed the amplifier using his own brain and a calculator, and it included a unique Automatic Power Control protection system. Sears opened his own electronics repair shop after serving in the army and working for cable and telephone companies. The Sears amplifier has received positive reviews, but he has only managed to finish and sell five units.
 |
| Prototype Michael Sears Electronics 2100HPA |
Despite only selling a few units, the Sears Electronics Model 2100HDP has generated a lot of interest, with calls for information coming in from all over. Those who have used the amplifier have praised its power and sound quality, with one loyal supporter even winning first place in a competition with it.
Sears' interest in electronics began during his adolescence when he spent hundreds of hours working on various projects while his friends played sports and socialized. He later served in the army as an electrician and worked various tech jobs before opening his own electronics repair shop in his cousin's garage. It was during this time that he noticed that many car amplifiers had similar issues with power supply burnout and weak output.
 |
| Circuit Board of the 2100HDP |
Although Sears didn't expect to do better than other companies at first, he saw an opportunity to develop a better design for car amplifiers. His use of a Casio calculator was key to the design process, allowing him to write custom programs that he couldn't do with computer-aided design (CAD) software. The resulting amplifier includes custom programs for wire resistance, amplifier power, and "maximum junction temperature," as well as the unique Automatic Power Control protection system.
While Sears has only managed to sell a few units of the Sears Electronics Model 2100HDP, he gained recognition in and around Elizabeth City, NC. He had loyal supporters, such as Kenny Proctor and Jesse Purkett, who enthusiastically spread the word about the power and sound quality of his amplifier.
Despite only producing and selling five units, Michael Sears had already generated a buzz in the audio industry, and many people were eagerly waiting to see what he would create next. Sears was not only skilled at designing audio equipment, but he also had a talent for marketing and generating interest in his products.
After the success of the 2100HDP, Sears continued to develop new audio products, including a line of high-end car audio amplifiers that received critical acclaim. However, he faced challenges in scaling up production and distribution, which limited the availability of his products and prevented him from reaching a wider audience. He designed several models for the company Dr. Crankenstein, including the DC3200. This amplifier had a retail price of $2799 and was said to produce nearly 4000 watts, an incredible feat in the early 90’s.
Today, Michael Sears is recognized as a pioneer in the car audio industry, and his legacy lives on in the innovative designs and technologies that he created. Unfortunately, Michael Sears passed away in 1995 in an automobile accident. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, it is possible to achieve success and make a lasting impact in any field.
Note: if you have a Michael Sears Electronics amplifier, no matter the condition, please contact me as I would love to share it with the car audio community along with Michael's story with help of his brother Steve.
Michael Sears and his 2100HDP Amplifier