SQ Competition

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

I am not knocking any SQ guys on here that compete, but just be aware that SQ competitions are very meticulous on the judging criteria. And the winning system may not be the best sounding system. The overall goal of the competitors is to achieve the flattest response possible in an automotive enviorment, while utilizing a top quality install. There are so many things taken into consideration when judging a vehicle that don't pertain to the overall sound quality of the system.
My advice is to attend a couple of shows before you build anything for competition purposes. Look at the sytems and installs that are in the classes your interested in. Talk to some of the competitors, see if they can get you started in the right direction. Sound Quality is so subjective, you may be happier just building a system that you enjoy and forget about competition all together.

x2

In order to make a car for an SQ comp, the wires have to be perfectly run, with labels and wrapped... It's pretty ridiculous.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

is there IASCA in TX?? Figure out what org you want to compete in, then go to a couple of shows and see how SQ is judged, etc.

I know in USACi you're supposed to have progress pics, fusing, loom over your wires and the list goes on. Opposite of SPL.

 

[C3 Customs 10+ year member]

is there IASCA in TX?? Figure out what org you want to compete in, then go to a couple of shows and see how SQ is judged, etc.I know in USACi you're supposed to have progress pics, fusing, loom over your wires and the list goes on. Opposite of SPL.

Was in touch IASCA and he told me that they have alot of judges in TX and are really looking for people to host the shows. So I guess you can say IASCA is in TX just finding a show in TX may be a little difficult.

 

[appleyard 10+ year member]

IIRC Dan Wiggins stated that SQ is actually about achieving the flattest response in all speakers but a lot of people disagree because flat response does not sound good to certain people.

 

[C3 Customs 10+ year member]

Visit the diymobileaudio.com forum it is geared more towards sound quality rather then sound pressure level, you should find alot of good information to better help you achieve your goals.

 

[chunky cumz 10+ year member]

there is no way my wallet or my brain could handle SQ....

in all seriousness, SQ is big baller shyt. which is why i do streetbeat

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

I am not knocking any SQ guys on here that compete, but just be aware that SQ competitions are very meticulous on the judging criteria. And the winning system may not be the best sounding system. The overall goal of the competitors is to achieve the flattest response possible in an automotive enviorment, while utilizing a top quality install. There are so many things taken into consideration when judging a vehicle that don't pertain to the overall sound quality of the system.
My advice is to attend a couple of shows before you build anything for competition purposes. Look at the sytems and installs that are in the classes your interested in. Talk to some of the competitors, see if they can get you started in the right direction. Sound Quality is so subjective, you may be happier just building a system that you enjoy and forget about competition all together.

x2
In order to make a car for an SQ comp, the wires have to be perfectly run, with labels and wrapped... It's pretty ridiculous.

A couple years ago IASCA created a format they call SQC which focuses only on the sound characteristics of the system and requires no judging of the install.

"The SQC (Sound Quality Challenge) format is judged and scored on Sound Quality only and is designed for those who focus on the sound quality of their vehicle, not necessarily the level of detail in the installation.

....... Scoring is based on the IASCA judging criteria of; Tonal Accuracy, Sound Stage, Imaging, Sound Linearity, and Absence of Noise."

 

[chunky cumz 10+ year member]

A couple years ago IASCA created a format they call SQC which focuses only on the sound characteristics of the system and offers no judging criteria for install.
"The SQC (Sound Quality Challenge) format is judged and scored on Sound Quality only and is designed for those who focus on the sound quality of their vehicle, not necessarily the level of detail in the installation.

....... Scoring is based on the IASCA judging criteria of; Tonal Accuracy, Sound Stage, Imaging, Sound Linearity, and Absence of Noise."

that is waht is needed, sq in other comps are based way too much off of opinion... opinion in competition is always a problem.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

IIRC Dan Wiggins stated that SQ is actually about achieving the flattest response in all speakers but a lot of people disagree because flat response does not sound good to certain people.

The "RTA portion" of the judging is based on flat system response. I would have to read the current rules, but IIRC IASCA used to allow a different setting for the RTA portion & the listening portion. So the response might have been set to "flat" for the RTA judging but not for the listening session.

This is why so many "old school" analog setups had so many EQ's....some were setup for RTA & some were setup for the listening session and they were switched on and off accordingly. This has mostly been replaced by presets on digital processors, so the need for multiple EQ's has been largely diminished.

 

[00RedRT 10+ year member]

The best thing you can do is read the rule books for whatever sanctioning body (IASCA, MECA, USACi, etc) you're planning to compete in. They have pretty clear rules for what they listen for when judging for SQ competitions.

I just started competing in IASCA in September in the SQC 1 seat class. I have faired pretty well in two events I've entered thus far. You learn a lot from these events and listening to other SQ cars gives you an idea of what to listen for.