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Originally Posted by Dean
The only "competition" cars I have seen are for loudest, not fidelity, so I just don't know.
What do they compete based on?
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Depends on the class you compete in, but generally...
1. Proper left to right imaging and stage height (You should be able to tell where each instrument is playing from, and stage height should be dash level or higher.)
2. Seamless transitions between different speakers
3. Having the bass frequencies feel like they are coming from up front with the rest of the sound.
4. Accurate reproduction of the source material.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean
With the driver and passenger in the car?
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Usually just one judge in the driver's seat, but I've heard of some classes that use two judges.
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Originally Posted by Dean
Do the windows still roll all the way down?
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I'm not sure if they are required to, usually judging is done with the windows up and doors closed.
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Originally Posted by Dean
And across what frequency range?
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Judging is done with music, so generally most of the human hearing range. Generally that's around 20 hz up to 20,000 hz, but everyone's hearing is different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean
I'm just wondering if competition cars have any relationship to the real world. If there are no humans with fat legs and pants in the car and just a test microphone at headrest height, I could see front stage only making flat response.
With live clothed humans, working windows and a stock dash I don't know how you get anywhere near flat response with only a front stage. It would be great, but I can't see the acoustics easily allowing it.
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No microphones are used in an SQ (Sound Quality) competition, just live judges. You're thinking of a SPL (Sound Pressure Level) competition where a mic is placed in the vehicle and the object is to get the highest decibel level possible. I don't see very many winning vehicles that have a truly flat response. Usually, the environment does not permit a flat response to be accurate to the source material. Also, the fact that the judges are human makes it very subjective, and even in the home setting a perfectly flat response isn't very pleasing to the ears.
Obviously, once you get in the car, roll down the windows and start driving, all of your musical accuracy goes out the door.