what is good SQ?
09-01-2010, 08:30 PM
#1
what is good SQ?
so this thread really has two parts. the first I'm hoping doesn't start a huge war, and I hope it does well here and doesn't belong in the beef section.
whats the better way to judge SQ, DB Drag style or IASCA? one uses a machine and what I understand about the other its done by trained professionals.
secondly, in the DB Drag style, what constitutes a good score? like 70's? 80's? obviously 90's, but what would be a good range to shoot for?
whats the better way to judge SQ, DB Drag style or IASCA? one uses a machine and what I understand about the other its done by trained professionals.
secondly, in the DB Drag style, what constitutes a good score? like 70's? 80's? obviously 90's, but what would be a good range to shoot for?
09-02-2010, 05:46 AM
#2
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
There is nothing in the db drag system that can correspond to the concept of SQ it is measuring things that have nothing to do with good sound. it is a good way to have a measurable outcome (fair, repeatable and objective) but it does not measure 'SQ'
09-02-2010, 11:13 AM
#3
I'm not a competitor, so I can't comment on the competitions. However, I can't see anyway in which you'd be able to measure SQ in any quantifiable way, and likewise, there's no real meaning in a subjective SQ determination except that all involved accept the judging criteria. I guess that's why I've never been interested in SQ comps. I've heard many high end SQ set up cars and I just don't like the way they sound when competing, though most sound really good in day to day set ups. Just my 2 pennies.
09-02-2010, 12:21 PM
#4
isn't a flat response curve good? which is what psychlone measures, no? I hope I'm right that its for sq, or else this thread is lame
and veeman it seems you're saying that sq competitions are pointless and are biased to whomever the judge of the show is
and veeman it seems you're saying that sq competitions are pointless and are biased to whomever the judge of the show is
09-02-2010, 12:39 PM
#5
No, i didn't say that...it's perfectly relevant to those that compete in it and accept the judging criteria as any other competition is. I choose not to compete as I don't really care what anyone else (except my circle of friends and family that care about sound systems...not too many) thinks sounds good. That's not to say I don't want or take criticism...one of my systems a decade ago had a serious hole in the frquency response that I didn't really observe until a friend pointed it out...it was due to a poor cross over point and was fairly easily fixed and sounded much better to me after. Competitions are great for that aspect. I just don't have the patience or time for all the other little nit picks like wires secured every 2" or whatever, but I certainly appreciate the time and effort that makes a good comp car. As far as a flat response, I think most people don't really like the SQ of a flat response...so even though it might be technically perfect, human hearing is far from that.
Last edited by veeman; 09-02-2010 at 12:45 PM.
09-02-2010, 03:16 PM
#7
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 730
Bingo. A flat response IS optimal, however an individual's hearing isn't. For example, I can hear 2khz-8khz down to 0db, but for 1khz-2khz I can only hear down to 20db (just went to a hearing center out of curiousity sake)... So if I had a vehicle that meters a completely flat response, I would percieve a dip in the response @ 1k-2khz. I can't speak for dB Drag on this, but I would assume that this is what they are aiming for when they meter the cars to get the frequency response. Just because your hearing isn't perfect, doesn't mean the car shouldn't be... Everyone's hearing develops/deteriorates differently after all. To me, if you were to take the time to build an SQ car that had a flat response on the meter, (and you have the time alignment correct, and have done the install to optimize the soundstage positionally) you could take the time to go get your hearing tested and all you would have to do for yourself to percieve the flattest response is simple eq adjustments on frequencies you don't hear as well.
Last edited by RomanticMoments; 09-02-2010 at 03:19 PM.
09-02-2010, 07:11 PM
#9
Having a judge is the best. There must be solid reference tracks and an extremely experienced judge. The judge must know EXACTLY what sounds to listen for in the track and must know exactly what it is supossed to sound like. This is why SQ guys are more likely to have a high end home theatre system and a dedicated listening/theatre room.
