this was going to be the year l would do the crime.
finished my install in april and went to 9 shows and joned iasca
my set up is 3 years old and at the end of the season l am going to implement what l learned.
dont be intimidated, l used coaxials all the way around and 4 subs
my cd and processor are optically connected.
l built and tuned the system myself with the help of a few test cds and db meter and hooked up with a board member to use a rta.
overall it was a good experience and still have the bug for next year.

if your me next year heres the goods
-tweeters must be in the a pillar
-your 5-6 inch must make solid kick bass
- subs gotta do the low, 30-20hz
-when the judge is done ask where your lacking . this is where the focus on improving will make the biggest gains
-this winter take pics of what cant be seen during install. a picture book makes a rookie feel like a pro
-when you go to a show you have to kill 4-5 hours. have a cd you know and listen to other cars. at least you will learn why your set up has kinks to work out.
hope to see new poeple next year. good luck

dont tell friends and family you got a wicked system. tell the world and get out there and compete
l never once heard anyone laughing at someones system. even the big dollar set ups got beat. lm pretty sure you could get an awesome system through the classifieds at half the price and the board can help trouble shoot.
thx dave

 

I agree with all but your first point. A-pillar tweeters are currently in favour, but are not the only option.

 

^^^^Agreed. Do some fooling around with speaker placement. You might just find that "perfect" location.


Oh, stay out of my class....LOL!

 

super noob question......how is SQ judged?

 

As usual.. Dukk and I agree

Tweets can go on the dash in the door, on the floor, most anywhere (I was going to make this rhyme like 'Sam I am'). The top IASCA/MECA/ USACi put their tweets in the usual and the unusual locations... some even in coax arrangements.

 

Using the IASCA test cd, different tracks are played and the judges are to listen for certain things...some of the judging criteria include "width", "height" and "depth"..Other things include 0 bit noise test and so forth...the test can take anywhere from 10-20 minutes...then you have to do spl test and must hit above certain number or you lose points..You will also get judged on complete system installation

 

every show l went to the players had a pillar tweets.
dash= narrow
door= lack of hieght
floor=more of above
all the above will give little depth

a pillar gets you width, hieght, and depth. its the easiest way to get started and be successful. lf you want to burn the off season with a different location for the tweets, best off luck.

for a first year guy this is my observation in the field.
my tweets were in the dash, the biggest hurdle was width.
lf you plan to come out next year and disregard this ,then enjoy your trouble.
if popularity is a contest then A pillar placement wins

 

Well while your 'First Year' observations are certainly important, John up there has been a competitor and all around SQ resource for forever. I've been around the block a few times myself and like to think I know what I am talking about

Currently I have Apillar tweets myself. I have been equally successful with Kickpanel placed tweeters though and have found that width is way easier in a KP tweet than Apillar tweets in many cars. Height is the biggest advantage of Apillar locations and may be an issue if you don't know how to aim a KP but near field intensity issues are prevalent for Apillars so it's a pick-your-poison sort of game. Generally Apillar drivers need some sort of time alignment to balance things as the pathlengths are way different.

To universally rule one location superior though is near sighted at best.

As for your popularity contest - the Toyota Camry is the most popular car in Canada. Is it the best, or obvious choice?

 

Here is a link to USACi's Advanced scoresheet: http://www.soundoff.org/supportfiles...05ADVANCED.pdf

That's top shelf though - go here to see the rest and maybe read the rules that go along with it: United States Autosound Competition International Rules

 

Its like figure skating........your fate is in the hands of a judge!