SQ Competitions?

I have heard of these briefly mentioned, but very seldom are they talked about. Most people are gung ho about SPL. For those of you in the know, how exactly does an SQ competition work? How are the cars judged, at what volume, and typically what music do they play in the competitions? Also, how are the classes setup? Any other pertinent info would be greatly appreciated.

Well, I found a few answers. Good interview with an SQ judge: LINK IASCA SQ Classes: LINK I find it kind of odd that they judge the installation in addition to the sound quality in SQ.

Yep.  SQ Comp is highly subjective and can be very political.  The meter readings don't matter in some cases, although the best SQ competitions tend to use an RTA as well as the SPL meter to test system performance.  Serious SQ guys tend to cherry pick the comps they will enter depending on who the judges will be and if you understand that judge's bias, etc.  I remember one judge in Sacramento who hated Blaupunkt and would dock me no matter what just because of that.  The installation can be much more important than the system performance, again depending on how much weight the judge decides to place on it (even though the total number of points in each category is fixed, some judges are much more likely to dock points in the aesthetic categories than are others. )  At least this is how it was back in the '90s when I played this game.  :)Support the12volt.com

Thanks DYohn, good info. What are typically considered the best cars to use for SQ?

I seem to recall seeing big ass boats used all the time for sq. Things like lincons and buicks. Im assuming this is so because they are quite by nature inside and have ample room for components (not the speakers but equipment in general). I know the last SQ comp I went they were sticklers for instalation but not in an astetic side. They were checking for things like proper termination of wires and routing of the power wire under the hood and how well things were mounted and what not.double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

There is a huge varity in the vehicle of choice in SQ, espically with the juding being also on the installation, detail, compexity, saftey ect ect, so there are getting to be a wide varity of cars involved. There is more info at Soundoff.org about rules and regulations. SQ is a great format, but very very expensive to be competitive in, somtimes I even think more then SPL! I take that back, I know its more expensive to run SQ then it is SPL.    Thats why we are building one one car for each SQ and SPL...I am already feeling the effects of trying to build the SQ car, and it is indeffinatally on hold untill the SPL car is done and ready for finals.2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR

2007 USACI World Champion

2007 World Record

2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place

Yes it can be very expensive.  In 1995 when I quit I had at least $50K invested in my installation (not counting the audio gear) for the Pro Street class.  Some cars are well into 6 figures of mods.  Larger cars tend to be easier simply because you have more room to work with and luxury cars tend to be easier because they are already pretty well constructed with an eye to vibration removal.  The car's setup is the key, not the sound equipment used, so you really need to be good with the welding torch and have good glass skills (or have a partner who is) as most cars need to be completely re-welded to remove vibrations, and factory door panels, etc. need to be modded.  Any car can be set up, of course, if you have the time and money.  My first SQ car was a 1973 Super Beetle, then I moved to a 1988 Honda Accord (the bug was better IMO.)  If I was planning to get back into it I'd probably go for something like a Lexus or Cadillac or maybe a Lincoln Navigator.  And I'd team up with a really good paint and body shop... Support the12volt.com