Competition Day Procedures
SPL Competition:
Pre-run checklist:
- [ ] All windows fully closed
- [ ] All vents sealed (tape or plugs)
- [ ] Doors closed and latched (handle not engaged on some vehicles)
- [ ] TermLab meter positioned and calibrated
- [ ] Voltage measured and recorded
- [ ] Hearing protection on (mandatory — 160+ dB causes instant hearing damage)
The run:
- Start vehicle, let electrical system stabilize (2-3 minutes)
- Verify voltage >13.5V
- Begin test tone playback
- Smooth increase to full power over 2-3 seconds (avoid clipping transient)
- Hold at full power for 10-15 seconds
- TermLab records peak SPL
- Power down smoothly
Between runs (if multiple attempts allowed):
- Let voice coils cool (5+ minutes minimum)
- Check voltage — recharge if needed
- No adjustments to system (against rules in most orgs)
SQ Competition:
Judging procedure:
- Judges arrive at vehicle (typically 2 judges)
- You demonstrate the system (play judge-selected tracks or demo tracks)
- Judges listen from driver seat, passenger seat, rear seats
- Installation is visually inspected (points for cleanliness, hidden wires, professional finish)
- Judges score independently, then average
What judges listen for:
- Center image placement (vocals should be at dashboard center)
- Stage width (instruments spread left to right naturally)
- Stage depth (perception of front-to-back layering)
- Tonal accuracy (no unnatural coloration)
- Noise floor (system silent at idle)
- Dynamic range (soft passages to loud without compression or distortion)
Presentation tips:
- Be ready to play specific tracks judges request
- Know your system (be able to describe speakers, amps, processing)
- Don't oversell or make claims ("world's best imaging") — let system speak
- Volume should be 85-95 dB — comfortable listening level
- Clean vehicle interior (vacuumed, no clutter)