What makes a SQ car sound "good?"

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I am one of those naysayers when it comes to SQ competitions. Why? Because this is MOBILE audio and the judges sit there listening to the car, many times with the engine not running, at "reference" volume levels. I don't know about anyone else on the forum, but I rarely sit there with my car off listening to music for hours and hours on end. The only exception is when I install a new piece of gear because I will spend hours trying to tune it.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

I am one of those naysayers when it comes to SQ competitions. Why? Because this is MOBILE audio and the judges sit there listening to the car, many times with the engine not running, at "reference" volume levels. I don't know about anyone else on the forum, but I rarely sit there with my car off listening to music for hours and hours on end. The only exception is when I install a new piece of gear because I will spend hours trying to tune it.

I personally turn my car on when I give demos, main for A/C //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I personally turn my car on when I give demos, main for A/C //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I've already decided that I will get my vehicle sounding as good as I can, within reason, and not going overboard like I had in the past. As for designing this awesome system that sounds good while just sitting there... I am currently designing a home theater setup that should easily shame any vehicle, with the exception of thunderous sub bass response. What I can do with one 8" sub in my Civic can not be replicated in the home due to the fact that there is no transfer function/cabin gain in my house.

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

It all about how it sounds

if you are listening to rap music you wont really hear to much of a change

If you pop some jazz or something with alot of vocals, then you will notice a change

Once you listen to a SQ set up, your hooked. They are typically not bass heavy. You can make your set up bass heavy, but im just letting you know.

Most SQ people like the sub to be more musical rather than boomy.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

Imaging is cool stuff. IMO, it causes OCD!

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

tonality/spectral balance.

imaging. height width depth. center

dynamics?

low noise floor

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

I think equipment has a lot to do with it. Speakers mainly. Motor/woofer design plays a big role in how/if a speaker can replicate a recording. Low distortion motor design is important, as well as low inductance mids/subs to be able to handle difficult transient passages. Thankfully, you don't have to pay an arm and a leg for good speakers, you just have to know where to look and what to loom for.

 

[Brian_smith06 10+ year member]

trial and error x100

my car has a long way to go before it is where i would like it to be.

 

[Bumpin' Goalie 10+ year member]

trial and error x100

my car has a long way to go before it is where i would like it to be.

Same. I'm not striving for SQ comp-ready, but my ears have become very fickle. I have a slight dip from 80-150hz and a peak at 35-40hz that are making me loco. Gotta get that fixed.