The Smokies have their own energy — and the Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion represents it … but somehow, #TEAMDS18 always manages to make it LOUDER! Like last year, Mr. DS18’s Exotika stole the show. It shook the streets so hard the cops showed up. That’s the kind of energy we live for — and that’s the reason we keep coming back!
Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion Recap
Every year, the crowd gets denser than the fog the city is covered in. The Smokies aren’t just called that for no reason – they cast an incredible haze over the LeConte Center and bring over 50,000 Jeepers to Pigeon Forge every year. Nearly 300 vendors filled the place inside and out, showcasing the latest upgrades while the mountains outside reminded us why Jeep culture runs so deep here. With 800 miles of trails in reach, there isn’t a more perfect spot to celebrate the world’s favorite off-roading rig.
And our booth was at the center of it all! Some fans drove hundreds of miles just to rock with #TEAMDS18. There were even locals who had attended last year’s show and came out this year with an upgrade — that was the real highlight. That’s the beauty of this community. And nothing brings that to life better than our own demo vehicles.
DS18’s Monster Jeep Builds on Display
Every day had it’s own rhythm. We linked up with Jeep Audio legends like @extreme__soundz, and @amplifieddesignsllc kept it jumping from sun up till long after sunset. The Speedway never stopped shaking — and neither did our demo rides. But enough about the vibe — let’s talk hardware.
Here’s what we rolled out at the show:
Big Bad Wolf 3.0: LOUDER Than Ever!
Countless hours of tuning went into making The Big Bad Wolf's sound system go harder, and get LOUDER than ever before!
Drenched in a hyper-stylized wrap that mixes electric blues, vicious magentas, and jagged streaks of crimson like slashes from a beast that just tore through the sound barrier. And those wheels? Massive, blood-red, deep-dish monsters that look like they were forged in the underworld.
Around back, the real chaos lives. A full stunt wall built into the trunk — no gimmicks, no half measures. This wall is the party: rows of DS18 high-output mids and tweeters stacked with militant precision, and behind it, twin 15-inch subs locked in a coffin-like enclosure designed for one thing: obliteration.
What makes it legendary isn't just volume — it's how clean that volume is. This thing delivers ground-pounding bass with razor-sharp clarity. No distortion, just pure, calibrated chaos.
Big Bad Wolf isn’t chasing trends. It is the trend.
Exotika: Bigger, Better, LOUDER!
You could hear it before you saw it. Exotika made its return to the Smokies with an all new Wynwood-inspired wrap, decked out in wild graffiti featuring a cyber queen and a psycho bunny. But underneath all that? The same savage sound system that made it famous.
Let’s talk about what’s pushing all that air:
- Four EXL-X12 Subwoofers — With 1250W RMS and deep frequency response, they punch hard and low, making your chest rattle before you even see the Jeep.
- Two PRO-XLNEO12 Mid-Bass Loudspeakers — lightweight neodymium magnets, 1000W RMS power, and the kind of punch that cuts through open air like a blade. These things get LOUD without breaking a sweat.
- Screaming PRO-DRNCOAX Compression Drivers — engineered for clarity and presence, they blast mids and highs with pinpoint accuracy, even when everything else is shaking.
The 24: #BuiltNotBought
You can spot it a mile away — blinding High Velocity Yellow, crawling through the crowd like it owns the lot. But this year, The 24 came with something new: the official debut of NVY by DS18. This exclusive luxury series brings presence and performance.
This is the setup that turned heads all weekend:
- NVY-JLSBARLD Jeep Soundbar — Wrapped in black leather, packed with four 8” NVY-M8 midrange speakers and four PRO-TW4LD bullet tweeters. Designed for factory bolt-on fitment with zero cutting required, this plug-and-play soundbar delivers intense mid/high clarity — plus digital LED lighting and a digital DS18 badge that lights up!
- NVY-M8DTP Marine Tower Speakers — 8” coaxial towers built with Kevlar cones, neodymium magnets, compression horn drivers, and integrated RGB lighting. IP65-rated for durability and locked to our JL-TUBEUP/BK roll cage mount so they stay tight — no matter how rowdy the ride gets.
Put it all together? High-end finishes. Visual firepower. NVY is how DS18 does luxury. And LUXURY just got LOUD!
Home of the Jeep
All weekend, our booth was packed with Jeepers trying to smell what DS18 had cooking. Imagining how these setups could take their own rigs to the next level. From bulletproof durability to earth-shaking sound, every product we showcased was built with one goal: to turn a regular Jeep into a rolling concert on wheels.
Here are a few standouts the crowd couldn’t stop talking about:
NVY-M8DTP Marine Tower Speakers
The Minion pulled crowds on sight — and when the sound hit, it was game over. All thanks to the new NVY-M8DTP Marine Tower Speakers, part of the exclusive NVY Series by DS18.
What makes them different?
- Power & Clarity → 200W RMS / 400W MAX, tuned with Kevlar cones and neodymium magnets for crisp highs and hard-hitting mids.
- Built to Shine → Integrated digital RGB lighting + white dome light that glows even brighter at night.
- Tough as They Come → IP65-rated, UV-protected aluminum basket, ready for rain, mud, or blazing sun.
- Locked & Loaded → 360° adjustable clamps keep them steady no matter how wild the ride gets.
Fans swarmed The Minion to see — and hear — the difference. NVY doesn’t just bring luxury finishes; it brings luxury that gets LOUD.
SMD-300.4AB: 4-Channel AB Class SMD Amplifier
Built in collaboration with Steve Meade, this 4-channel Class AB amp isn’t just about performance — it’s about standing out.
- Exclusive SMD Design → Clear acrylic window, integrated RGB lighting, and a built-in VM-1 voltmeter to keep your system in check.
- Power & Control → High-power Class AB circuit design with selectable crossover filters, bass boost (30–60Hz), and 2/4 channel input modes.
- Durability → Heavy-duty Korean board design, dual cooling fans, and bonded components for vibration resistance.
- Precision → Professional Tiffany RCA terminals, remote level control with clip indicator, and accurate clipping protection — as precise as an oscilloscope.
Fans at the show loved how it looked, but what really sold them was the sound — that’s what the SMD300.4AB brings: show-ready style with competition-grade performance.
Ready to Make Some Noise? Upgrade your Jeep with DS18's elite audio gear and steal every show. 👉 Shop Jeep Audio Upgrades Now – Let the world hear you coming.
🔥 How to Upgrade Your Jeep with DS18 Gear
If the builds at the Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion blew your mind, bring that energy home. DS18 makes it simple to take your ride from stock to show-stopper. Here’s how:
1. Always Start with the Soundbar
o Your soundbar is the heartbeat of your Jeep system.
§ JL/JLU & JT Drivers → The JL-SBAR.HT packs four 8" speaker slots and four pre-installed PRO-TW4L tweeters, built into a weather-ready, UV-protected shell.
§ JK Owners → The JK-SBAR.HT brings the same layout plus two PRO-DRNSC1.5 compression drivers for even more power. Both options are plug-and-play — no headache, no cutting.
2. Add Some Bass
o Want that chest-thumping low end you felt at our booth?
§ JSUB.2 Enclosure → Sits over your rear fender wells with rom for dual 12s and integrated RGB lighting.
§ JBASS Tailgate Box → Dual 10" shallow-mount subs pumping 600W RMS / 1200W peak — all tucked neatly into your tailgate.
3. Upgrade Your Dash
o Don’t sleep on your dash speakers — they bring out the detail.
· JP6 Pods → Loaded with PRO-JP6NEO 6.5" speakers for 150W RMS. Installs in under 30 minutes with basic tools.
· JP6NEO.FR → Adds Silver Bullet Resonator tweeters for even sharper highs.
4. Max Out Your Gladiator
o Gladiator drivers, your options go big:
· JT-S64 → Four 6.5" subs under the seat.
· JT-S62 → Two 6.5" subs for a sleeker setup.
· JT-TUBE Package → Four NXL-X8TPNEO 8" tower speakers clamped to your roll bar — perfect for trail days.
Ready to make your Jeep the one everyone talks about? Stand out with DS18’s elite Jeep audio upgrades — because stock just isn’t loud enough.
'Til Next Time Tennessee!
From the streets of Pigeon Forge to the trails of the Smokies, DS18 left its mark on every inch of Tennessee this year. The builds were louder, the crowds were bigger, and the energy never let up.
But what really set this year apart — was the people. Jeepers from all over pulled up and reminded us why this community feels more like a family. So when the next trail ride or Jeep meet comes around – pull up loud.
Follow the Noise
Join the loudest crew on social and stay locked in:
- TikTok: @ds18audio
- Instagram: @ds18audio
- Facebook: DS18
- X (Twitter): @DS18Sound
- LinkedIn: DS18
Upgrade with DS18 and let the whole trail know you’ve arrived.
👉 Explore Jeep Audio Upgrades — because every adventure deserves a soundtrack.
