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- From: ianbjor@mobileaudio.com (Ian D. Bjorhovde)
- Newsgroups: rec.audio.car,rec.answers,news.answers,uk.rec.audio.car
- Subject: rec.audio.car FAQ (Part 5/5)
- Followup-To: rec.audio.car
- Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2004 06:54:31 +0000 (UTC)
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- Summary: This article describes the answers to the frequently asked questions in the rec.audio.car newsgroup. This article is posted once per month.
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- Archive-name: car-audio/part5
- Rec-audio-car-archive-name: FAQ/part5
- Version: 4.54
- Last-modified: 05 March 2004
-
- 6 Competition
- ******************
-
- This section describes the competition branch of the car audio world -
- what it is, and how to get involved.
-
-
- 6.1 What is IASCA, and how do I get involved? [JSC, HK, IDB]
- ===============================================================
-
- IASCA is the International Auto Sound Challenge Association, a
- sanctioning body for car audio competitions held throughout the world.
- Competitors earn points at each competition, and those that perform the
- best each year can advance to the finals. Prizes (trophies, ribbons,
- and sometimes cash) are usually given out to the top competitors in
- each class at every competition.
-
- IASCA memberships can be purchased at your local car audio retailer, if
- they are an IASCA member. You can call IASCA at 602/437-4678 to get a
- list of IASCA shops in your area.
-
-
- 6.2 What is USAC, and how do I get involved? [HK]
- ====================================================
-
- USAC is another sanctioning body, similar to IASCA. However, USAC
- places greater emphasis on SPL measurements than IASCA.
-
-
- 6.3 What are the competitions like? [HK, CD, IDB]
- ====================================================
-
- [HK writes:]
-
- They are much like loud car shows: a lot of cars parked with their
- hoods/doors/trunks open showing their audio systems. There are two
- types of judging styles: 1) drive through - where competitors drive
- their own vehicles to judging stations to be judged, and 2)
- walk-arounds - where the teams of judges will walk around the event
- site and judge vehicles that fit within their judging assignments.
- Typically SPL is done first with the mic stand in the driver's seat and
- the competitor in the passenger side adjusting only the volume.
- Hearing protection must be worn. After SPL measurements are completed,
- RTA measurements are performed by playing pink noise. When the volume
- level is within the specified "window" around 90db-110db, the RTA judge
- will signal you out, and at that point you must exit the vehicle for
- the actual scoring measurements. The next area for judging should be
- sound quality where two judges will sit in your car and judge the sound
- quality based on IASCA's reference CD/tape. The next area is
- installation judging where the competitor has 5 minutes to explain and
- show the installation of his/her vehicle. It is very useful to have a
- picture book/album of photos of the installation that may not be
- visible to prove that items not visible do exist. When that is
- completed, the competitor can park the vehicle and show spectators the
- vehicle. These procedures may differ from show to show, and at the
- regional/final levels they are very strict in what can and can't be
- done, e.g. a judge will make sure no adjustments are made after SPL
- until after sound quality judging is over, ear protection, etc.
-
- [CD writes:]
-
- Most involve a lot of waiting around. Thus, they are perfect for
- meeting other people interested in car audio, and seeing some
- installations which may give you some ideas. They're also perfect for
- listening to some cars that sound a lot better and a lot worse than
- your own. In IASCA competition, the cars are judged on:
-
- * Installation Quality (187 pts possible)
-
- - Wiring (40 pts)
-
- - Source Units (15 pts)
-
- - Amplifiers (25 pts)
-
- - Speakers (25 pts)
-
- - Other Devices (25 pts)
-
- - Overall Creativity (30 pts)
-
- - Attention to Show Details (20 pts)
-
- - Security and Convenience Features (7 pts)
-
- * Sound Quality (248 pts possible)
- - Tonal Accuracy and Spectral Balance (100 pts)
-
- - Soundstage and Ambiance (65 pts)
-
- - Imaging (50 pts)
-
- - Sound Linearity (30 pts)
-
- - Ergonomics (+/- 3 pts)
-
- - Noise Adjustment (up to -20 pts)
-
- * Frequency Response - RTA (40 pts maximum)
-
- * Sound Pressure Level - SPL (1 point per dB)
-
-
- 6.4 Should I compete? [CD]
- =============================
-
- You should compete if:
-
- a. You have an okay sounding stereo
-
- b. You have an okay installation (i.e. no amps/changers sliding
- around in the trunk)
-
- c. You'd like some pros to comment on your system
-
- d. Your feelings won't get hurt if you don't get first place
-
- e. You've been to a contest and talked to competitors about it
-
- f. You've read the rule book
-
- g. You've listened to a test disc in your car, and understand
- what the sound quality judges are listening for
-
- You can compete even if you don't do all of the above, but the
- recommendations will help you understand and gain the most from
- competing.
-
-
- 6.5 What class am I in? [HK, JSC]
- ====================================
-
- This section is mainly geared toward IASCA.
-
- [HK,JSC write:]
-
- There are three classes: novice, amateur, and pro. The novice class is
- intended to be an unintimidating level where beginners can start out;
- however, a competitor may only be in the novice class for one year, at
- which time he is automatically moved to the amateur class. Most
- competitors stay in the amateur class indefinitely, unless they become
- affiliated with a car audio shop or manufacturer, at which point they
- are moved into the pro class.
-
- [CD writes:]
-
- Are you or were you employed by a car audio manufacturer or dealer?
-
- _Yes:_
- You compete in pro
-
- _No:_
- Is this your first year of competing?
-
- _Yes:_
- You compete in novice for the first year
-
- _No:_
- You compete in amateur
-
- Note that modifying your amplifiers, buying your equipment below
- retail, or being sponsored by a manufacturer or dealer will get you
- kicked into pro.
-
- Also note that any home built active gear in the signal path (e.g.
- custom built equalizers, crossovers, or noise gates) will get you
- kicked out of novice.
-
- Once you know what group you are, you next need to know what power
- category you are in. Add up the 4-ohm non-bridged rating of all your
- amplifiers, including your head unit if your head unit is powering
- speakers (rather than exclusively feeding amplifiers). Then, find the
- category you fit into:
-
- Novice 1-150 151-300 301-600 601+
- Amateur 1-150 151-300 301-600 601+
- Pro 1-150 151-300 301-600 601+
- Expert 1-600 601+
-
- Thus, if you had a Rockford Punch 4040 (20Wx4) and a Punch 60ix
- (30Wx2), with a head unit that put out 6Wx2 (powering, perhaps, a
- center channel) you're in the 151-300 class. It does not matter if
- your amps are bridged down to .002 ohms; it's only the 4ohm rating that
- counts. If you no longer used your head unit to power speakers, you
- would be in the 1-150 class.
-
- Competition is usually most vicious in the 151-300 and 301-600
- categories at typical contests.
-
-
- 6.6 Where can I find out when these Sound-Offs are? [IDB]
- =============================================================
-
- The best way to get the most current list is to call either of the
- sanctioning bodies (IASCA or USAC). They can be reached at
- 602/437-4678 or 601/939-7828, respectively. You can also visit the
- Official IASCA and USAC pages on the web at the following URLs:
-
- IASCA - <http://www.iasca.com>
-
- USAC - <http://www.soundoff.org>
-
-
- 6.7 How do I get sponsored by a manufacturer? [CM]
- =====================================================
-
- Ah, the green grass on the other side of the competitor's fence;
- sponsorship. Sponsorship is not the easiest thing to obtain. And it
- might cause more problems than you anticipated. Obtaining sponsorship
- really depends on how much dedication you show for competing and finding
- the right manufacturer sponsorship deal at the right time.
-
- Keep in mind that car audio manufacturers consider sponsorship a form of
- advertising. Each manufacturer has a different policy concerning
- sponsorship. They are looking for a competitor that has shown they are
- committed to competing for a long time. They want someone that has
- shown that they know how to win, but also, how to handle defeat
- gracefully. They want someone that is well known in competition
- circles, someone that new competitors can come to and ask questions
- about the system and the manufacturer's products. They are basically
- looking for people that will put their product out there for people to
- see and help sell the equipment.
-
- As a competitor, you must show that you are committed by to going to as
- many shows as possible. You must open up your their vehicle and show
- off the system. Manufacturers want a show system, which often means
- turning your vehicle into a "trailer queen." That may require you to
- buy a trailer and tow the vehicle to the shows you compete in (this also
- means that you may need a new daily driver). And of course, if your
- bought equipment below retail or were given the equipment, then you will
- be forced to compete in the Pro or Expert class.
-
- There are different levels of sponsorship. It usually starts with
- manufacturer technical support. The manufacturer will give direct
- technical assistance to the competitor. At larger shows, they may
- reserve a space for you in their "tweek and tune" area.
-
- Next, the manufacturers may let you buy equipment from one of their
- dealers or the factory and a discounted price. This will definitely put
- you into the Pro or Expert class. Some manufacturers will let you mix
- and match equipment from different manufactures. Others want you to use
- their equipment only.
-
- Then the manufacturer might start giving you equipment and providing
- some or all of the installation costs.
-
- The holy grail of sponsorship is when the manufacturer provides the
- equipment, installation, and pays some or all of your competition
- expenses. It takes a lot of money to travel to shows. By the time
- someone reaches this level, they are frequently hired as an employee of
- the manufacturer. This is a good way of making the car audio business
- your career.
-
-
- 7 Literature
- *****************
-
- This section describes various literature which you can read to brush
- up on your car audio skills, or to keep current, or to see other
- people's installations, or whatever else you'd like.
-
-
- 7.1 What magazines are good for car audio enthusiasts? [JSC, MI,
- NML, JR]
- ===================================================================
-
- Car Audio and Electronics $19.95/year
- P.O. Box 50267 (12 issues)
- Boulder, CO 80323-0267 800/243-6400
- <CarAudio@ix.netcom.com>
-
- Car Stereo Review $17.94/year
- P.O. Box 57316 (6 issues)
- Boulder, CO 80323-7316 303/447-9330
-
- Auto Sound and Security $28.95/year
- P.O. Box 70015 (12 issues)
- Anaheim, CA 92825-0015 714/572-2255
-
- Car Sound Buyer's Guide $17.95/year
- 939 Port Washington Blvd. (Quarterly)
- Port Washington, NY 11050 516/944-5940
- <carsound@aol.com>
-
- Car Hi-Fi #23.60/year
- Freepost (8 issues)
- TK660 081 943 5943
- Leicester KE87 4AW
-
- Bilstereo Forlags AB Skr ??
- Box 230 84 (? Issues)
- 104 35 Stockholm 08-34 29 70
- Sverige (Sweden)
- <bilstereo@public.se>
-
-
- 7.2 Are there any newsletters I can read? [IDB]
- ==================================================
-
- Unfortunately, AutoSound 2000 Tech Briefs is no longer in publication,
- and as a result, there are no more newsletters currently in publication.
-
-
- 7.3 What books can I read? [JSC, JW, TT]
- ===========================================
-
- _Loudspeaker Design Cookbook_
- by Vance Dickason
- Published by Audio Amateur Press
- ISBN 0-9624191-7-6
- $25-$30
-
- _Designing, Building and Testing Your Own Speaker System_
- by David Weems
- Published by McGraw Hill
- ISBN 0-8306-3374-X
- $16.95
-
- _Killer Car Stereo on a Budget_
- by Daniel L. Ferguson
- Published by Audio Amateur Press
- ISBN 0-9624191-0-9
- $19.95
-
- _The Car Stereo Cookbook_
- by Mark Rumreich
- Published by McGraw-Hill
- ISBN 0-07-058083-9
- $24.95
-
-
- 7.4 Can I contact any manufacturers on-line? [IDB]
- =====================================================
-
- Yes, there are a number of manufacturers who have started to use the
- Internet and can offer advice for component selection, installation and
- advice. A list of these manufacturers is available on the WWW, at the
- URL:
-
- <http://www.mobileaudio.com/intdir/>
-
-
- 8 Credits
- **************
-
- Here is a list of many of the people that have helped to build this
- document. Many others (not mentioned here) have also made small
- contributions, pointed out errors, or have provided moral support.
-
- [JSC] Jeffrey S. Curtis <curtis@anl.gov>
- [JLD] Jason Lee Davis <jdavis@paris.cc.tx.us>
- [MI] Matt Ion <matt@ship.net>
- [JW] Jerry Williamson <jerry.williamson@amd.com>
- [CD] Cal Demaine <demaine@terranet.ab.ca>
- [MO] Mark Obsniuk <Mark_Obsniuk@sfu.ca>
- [HK] Harry Kimura <hkimura@ball.com>
- [RDP] Dick Pierce <DPierce@world.std.com>
- [BG] Brian Gentry <brian@eel.ufl.edu>
- [JM] Jeff Meyers <meyers@tellabs.com>
- [MH] Marvin Herbold <11mherbold@gallua.gallaudet.edu>
- [TT] Trevor Tompkins <tt17+@andrew.cmu.edu>
- [MM] Matthew E. Meiser <meiser@dris.com>
- [NML] N. M. Lines <csznml@scs.leeds.ac.uk>
- [IDB] Ian D. Bjorhovde <ianbjor@mobileaudio.com>
- [JG] John Graley <maufd@csv.warwick.ac.uk>
- [DK] Dan Kreft <bigdan@kreft.net>
- [JR] Jason A. Reiser <jreiser@escape.com>
- [PW] P. Wilson <scratchy.mi.net!ccbbs!pwilson>
- [JGr] Jerry Grooms <grooms@denali.cc.uky.edu>
- [PK] P. Kaufmann <pkauf@gnn.com>
- [MS] Manville Smith <msmith@jlaudio.com>
- [LC] Ligeng Cao <ligeng@wam.umd.edu>
- [AO] Andrew C. Ohnstad <andysaudio@cybermail.net>
- [MB] Michael Brennan <M1Brennan@aol.com>
- [RK] Russell Kinder <russmax@cowboy.net>
- [MHa] Mike Harmon <mikeharmon@usa.net>
- [ST] Steven Tolleneer <Steven.Tolleneer@ping.be>
- [JD] John Durbin <durbinj@concentric.net>
- [PO] Paul Ozello <paul@whistle.com>
- [PS] Phil E. Salisbury <philsterwfc@prodigy.net>
- [CM] Chuck Music <cmusic@foothills.net>
- [BW] Brian Waplington <wap@mindless.com>
- [AK] Andrew Krause <hammerattack@teamrocs.com>
- [MZ] Mark Zarella <zarellam@upstate.edu>
-
- Note: Many of these email addresses may be out of date.
-
-
- 9 Changes
- **************
-
- This section keeps a running log of the changes to this document.
-
-
- + $Log: rac-faq.texi,v $
- + Revision 4.54 2004/03/06 06:09:41 ianbjor
- +
- + Rewrote and expanded section on stiffening capacitors.
- + (see Section 2.9).
- +
- + Rewrote section on battery upgrades.
- + (see Section 2.10).
- +
- + Rewrote section on using MP3 files in the car.
- + (see Section 3.32).
- +
- + Revision 4.53 2001/06/04 02:10:05 ianbjor
- + Fixed title of section.
- + (see Section 2.10).
- +
- + Revision 4.52 2000/02/09 00:53:29 ianbjor
- + Updated for February 2000 Distribution
- +
- + Revision 4.51 1999/12/06 06:08:32 ianbjor
- + Updated for December 1999 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.50 1999/11/06 20:21:33 ianbjor
- + Added section on creating mono signals.
- + (see Section 5.16).
- +
- + Updated for November 1999 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.49 1999/10/04 08:19:20 ianbjor
- + Added _The Car Stereo Cookbook_ to the Books section.
- + (see Section 7.3).
- +
- + Added section about playing MP3 files in the car.
- + (see Section 3.32).
- +
- + Updated for October 1999 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.48 1999/08/30 03:57:46 ianbjor
- + More updates to URLs.
- +
- + Revision 4.47 1999/08/30 03:50:23 ianbjor
- + Added section regarding Alternator vs. Battery vs. Capacitors.
- + (see Section 2.10).
- +
- + Updated for September 1999 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.46 1999/08/30 03:38:00 ianbjor
- + Fixed various typos.
- + Updated section about turn-off thump.
- + (see Section 2.2).
- +
- + Revision 4.45 1999/08/30 03:00:10 ianbjor
- + Added section regarding manufacturer sponsorship.
- + (see Section 6.7).
- +
- + Revision 4.44 1999/08/29 20:59:55 ianbjor
- + Updates to various URLs throughout the document.
- +
- + Revision 4.43 1998/12/07 17:59:17 ianbjor
- + Updated for December 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.42 1998/11/09 14:12:23 ianbjor
- + Updated for November 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.41 1998/09/08 08:19:30 ianbjor
- + Updated for September 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.40 1998/07/07 16:29:01 ianbjor
- + Updated for July 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.39 1998/07/07 16:15:14 ianbjor
- + Added section about determining subwoofer enclosure dimensions.
- + (see Section 4.13).
- +
- + Revision 4.38 1998/07/07 16:00:59 ianbjor
- + Added Special Requirements for working with Plexiglas.
- + (see Section 5.24).
- +
- + Revision 4.37 1998/07/07 15:58:09 ianbjor
- + Added section about tools used for cutting Plexiglas.
- + (see Section 5.23).
- +
- + Revision 4.36 1998/07/07 06:06:23 ianbjor
- + Add sections about MDF.
- + (see Section 4.6).
- +
- + Revision 4.35 1998/07/07 05:45:02 ianbjor
- + Clarified static shock section.
- + (see Section 2.7).
- +
- + Revision 4.34 1998/07/07 05:39:33 ianbjor
- + Added section about using an aftermarket changer with the
- + stock head unit.
- + (see Section 3.25).
- +
- + Added reference to this new section to the options for
- + using a stock head unit.
- + (see Section 3.24).
- +
- + Revision 4.33 1998/05/13 06:56:34 ianbjor
- + Updated for May 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.32 1998/05/13 06:47:28 ianbjor
- + Updated totals for IASCA scoresheets to use current (1998) scores.
- + (see Section 6.3).
- +
- + Revision 4.31 1998/05/13 06:39:40 ianbjor
- + Added information about turn off thump, and how to get rid of it.
- + (see Section 2.2).
- +
- + Revision 4.30 1998/05/13 06:22:15 ianbjor
- + Added section about Magnet Size.
- + (see Section 4.12).
- +
- + Revision 4.29 1998/04/10 07:10:26 ianbjor
- + Updated for April 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.28 1998/03/08 08:35:55 ianbjor
- + Updated for March 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.27 1998/03/08 08:24:37 ianbjor
- + Added new section about carpeting enclosures.
- + See (see Section 4.11).
- +
- + Revision 4.26 1998/03/08 08:06:58 ianbjor
- + Finally added information about how to build an enclosure.
- + See (see Section 4.5).
- +
- + Revision 4.25 1998/03/08 07:34:18 ianbjor
- + Added Mike Harmon's updated and expanded section about bridging.
- + See (see Section 3.5).
- +
- + Revision 4.24 1998/02/09 08:29:13 ianbjor
- + Clarified symbol notation for Impedance (using 'Z' instead of 'I').
- + (see Section 5.9).
- +
- + Revision 4.23 1998/02/09 02:22:24 ianbjor
- + Updated for February 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.22 1998/02/09 02:18:32 ianbjor
- + Added section about how distortion destroys speakers.
- + (see Section 5.22).
- +
- + Revision 4.21 1998/02/09 01:41:34 ianbjor
- + Added information about using too much or too little power with
- + speakers.
- + (see Section 5.21).
- +
- + Revision 4.20 1998/01/06 15:51:02 ianbjor
- + Updated for January 1998 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.19 1997/12/09 08:06:21 ianbjor
- + Updated for December 1997 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.18 1997/12/09 06:43:00 ianbjor
- + Added section describing why kickpanels are a popular mounting
- + location.
- + (see Section 5.19).
- +
- + Revision 4.17 1997/12/09 06:14:35 ianbjor
- + Added section on building Kick panels.
- + (see Section 5.20).
- +
- + Revision 4.16 1997/11/17 09:12:55 ianbjor
- + Removed useless reference in stiffening capacitor section.
- + (see Section 2.9).
- +
- + Revision 4.15 1997/11/16 17:26:05 ianbjor
- + Small changes in introductory text.
- +
- + Revision 4.14 1997/11/13 10:41:29 ianbjor
- + Updated for November 1997 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.13 1997/11/13 10:38:42 ianbjor
- + Fixed typo and incorrect logic in noise troubleshooting logic.
- + (see Section 2.1).
- +
- + Revision 4.12 1997/10/06 23:04:13 ianbjor
- + Updated for October 1997 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.11 1997/09/07 20:18:21 ianbjor
- + Fixed omission in section on setting gains with an Oscilloscope.
- + (see Section 5.18).
- +
- + Revision 4.10 1997/09/07 00:44:05 ianbjor
- + Updated for September 1997 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.9 1997/09/06 01:07:08 ianbjor
- + Added section on setting gains with an oscilloscope.
- + (see Section 5.18).
- +
- + Revision 4.8 1997/09/06 00:31:15 ianbjor
- + Fixed Changes Section to include complete 4.x history.
- +
- + Revision 4.7 1997/09/06 00:24:46 ianbjor
- + Added Changes section.
- + (see Section 9).
- +
- + Revision 4.6 1997/09/06 00:02:41 ianbjor
- + Added section descirbing how to determin speaker polarity.
- + (see Section 5.17).
- +
- + Revision 4.5 1997/09/05 22:22:20 ianbjor
- + Added section about Line Drivers.
- + (see Section 3.31).
- +
- + Revision 4.4 1997/09/05 20:38:42 ianbjor
- + Added section covering speaker sensitivity and the resulting SPL.
- + (see Section 4.2).
- +
- + Revision 4.3 1997/09/05 20:27:59 ianbjor
- + Added section about using subwoofers in the winter.
- + (see Section 4.10).
- +
- + Revision 4.2 1997/09/05 18:18:25 ianbjor
- + Fixed minor wording error in crossover design section.
- + (see Section 5.13).
- +
- + Revision 4.1 1997/08/06 22:40:25 ianbjor
- + Updated for August 1997 distribution.
- +
- + Revision 4.0 1997/07/11 08:12:32 ianbjor
- + Updated FAQ to Texinfo format.
-
-
-
-
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