1-1 Turn Off/On Pop: Competitors must prove that the system does not have a turn on/off “pop” when the system is turned on/off either with the ignition key or the source button on the source unit. The system must power up & down silently.

1-2 Alternator Whine: Competitors must prove that there is no audible sound coming from the alternator through the audio system. System will be tested at 2000 RPMs.

1-3 Noise Floor: A properly set up sound system will exhibit no noise at full volume while a “zero sound” track is played.

2-1 Height: A judge will sit in the drivers side of the vehicle. The judge will provide his/her own test tracks to listen to. The music “height” must sound as though it is coming from between the dash and the rearview mirror across the entire dash. More points will be awarded the higher the sound appears to be.

2-2 Width: A judge will listen to the selected music track to verify if the music “width” extends past the interior of the vehicle. If the sound is perceived to be coming from outside the side view mirrors, more points will be given. If the music sounds if it is inside the vehicle or nearer the center of the vehicle, less points will be given.

2-3 Depth: A judge will listen for variances in the sound stage when it comes to depth. Performers and instruments will sound as if their nearer or further away from the listener.

2-4 Balance: A judge will verify that the system balance controls of the source unit and system work correctly and accurately.

2-4 Fading: A judge will verify that the system fading controls of the source unit and system work correctly and accurately. Rear sound does not need to be present when faded to the rear.

2-5 Size of Space: The audio system being played in the vehicle will sound as if it is being played/performed in a much larger area or venue than its current confined area.

2-6 Overall Sound Quality: The system will be listened to for overall sound quality. If the system sound is enjoyable, more points will be given.

3-1 Battery/Secure: Batteries must be securely fastened and must not move in any direction. Proper termination at the battery posts is required.

3-2 Battery/Upgraded: The primary as well as additional batteries in the audio system should be upgraded from factory CCA rating.

3-3 Charging System: The vehicle’s alternator should be upgraded past the factory rating. This also includes all charging and ground wires associated with the charging system.

3-4 Power and Ground: Proper size wiring ( power and ground ) will be verified going to the amplifiers. MECP standard ratings will apply. Wiring must be secured, away from heat/sharp edges and protected.

3-5 Fusing: Proper fusing going to the audio system must be used on all power wires in the system. MECP standard ratings will apply. Fusing must be secure, accessible and protected.

3-6 Protection: All power wires in the audio system should be protected from heat and or abuse. Flex loom would be considered minimum protection. Wires should be ran away from heat sources.

3-7 Terminated: Wires in the audio/charging system should be properly terminated at their connection point. Connections should be free of movement and properly covered to prevent any contact and possible shorting to ground.

3-8 Safe & Secure: Power/Ground wires should be ran safe and secure along all runs under the hood. Wires should be free of movement. They should not be in the way of moving parts or installed in such a manner that they move or wear through. Areas where wires run though metal such as firewall must use a rubber grommet to pass the wire though.

4-1 Head Unit/Source Unit Secure: The source unit of the vehicle must be securely fastened and must not move in any direction

4-2 Mids/Highs Secure: All Mids and High speakers in the vehicle must be securely fastened, free of movement in any direction.

4-3 Mids/Highs Protected: All Mids and High speakers in the vehicle must be protected from normal use of the vehicle. A foreign object must not be able to damage the speakers.

4-4 Amplifier Secure: Amplifiers must be securely fastened, mounted properly and must not be able to move in any direction.

4-5 Amplifier Wires: Wires going to the amplifier(s) in the vehicle must be ran in a safe manner and secured being free of movement. Wires should also not be ran near any moving parts such as folding seats or other items that might cause wear on the wire’s protection. Ideally, wires should not be exposed to normal use of the vehicle to prevent any damage.

4-6 Amplifier Cooling: Amplifiers installed in the vehicle must be installed in such a way that they stay cool under normal and heavy demand. Amplifiers are designed to dissipate heat through their heats sinks. Installing an amplifier in a way that prevents the normal dissipation of heat will result in less points. This includes installation on deck lids, upside down, near heat sources or covered up preventing heat loss. Correctly installing amplifiers or providing a cooling system for them is recommended.

4-7 Subwoofer Secure: Subwoofers in the system must be securely fastened, free of movement in any direction.

4-8 Sub-Enclosure: Subwoofer enclosures must be mounted securely and free of movement in any direction.

5-1 Highs: Frequencies in this range should sound natural and clearly defined. Items in this range include: Drummer’s high hate, cymbal and flute

5-2 Mid-Range: Frequencies in this range should sound natural and clearly defined. Items in this range include: Upper Vocals, piano, guitar

5-3 Mid-Bass: Frequencies in this range should sound natural and clearly defined. Items in this range include: Lower Vocals, snare drum

5-4 Sub-Bass: Frequencies in this range should sound natural and clearly defined. Items in this range include: Bass drum, pipe organ

6-1 Custom Kick Panels: Competitors will receive additional points if they have installed a set of kick panels. These can either be aftermarket or custom built. Cutting a hole and installing a set of speakers in an OEM panel is not considered “ custom”.

6-2 Custom Amp Rack: Competitors will receive additional points if they have installed a custom amp rack in their vehicle. A custom amp rack is considered a separate part of the install. This is usually a decorative item that serves both form and function. It may provide a mounting place for the amplifier, provide protection against normal use of the vehicle as well as allow for proper cooling. Attaching an amplifier on a board or factory panel and calling it an amp rack will receive 0 points.

6-3 Custom Door Panels: Competitors will receive additional points if they have installed custom door panels. These are usually door panels that have been modified cosmetically to house certain types of speakers ( larger than OEM ) or multiple sets of speakers. Cutting a hole and installing a set of speakers in an OEM panel is not considered “custom”.

6-4 Video System: Competitors will receive additional points for installing a video system. This excludes the in dash monitor/source unit. Items to be judged will be “installed” items such as rearview mirror, visors, headrests, flip downs.

7-1 Source Unit: Competitors will receive additional points by doing something “creative” or “outside the box” with their source unit. This includes relocation or dismantling of device and motorization.

7-2 Mids/High: Competitors will receive additional points by doing something “creative” or “outside the box” with their mid / high speakers. This includes color matching grills, back light with LED’s, installed in uncommon areas like A-pillars, motorization.

7-3 Sub Woofer/Sub Enclosure: Competitors will receive additional points by doing something “creative” or “outside the box” with their subwoofers. This includes decorative grills, back light with LED’s, inverting, plexi-glass, fiberglass, motorization.

7-4 Amplifiers: Competitors will receive additional points by doing something “creative” or “outside the box” with their amplifiers. This includes color matching, dismantling, back light with LED’s, motorization, cooling.

7-5 Other: Competitors will receive additional points by doing something “creative” or “outside the box”. Its up to the competitors to create an idea to WOW the judge. This is at the competitors sole discretion to impress.

8-1 Overall Appearance: The audio system must appear to be neat, clean and well organized. The more professional looking the system the higher the score. Designed in such a way that is has the appearance that it could have been OEM.

8-2 Vehicle Cleanliness: The inside and outside of the vehicle must be clean and free of debris. Debris inside the vehicle could cause a distraction to the judge as well as take away from the appearance of the audio system. Outside must also be clean and appealing for people to want to approach and look inside.

8-3 Maintenance: The audio system should be installed in such a way that the competitor can access any necessary items to maintain their vehicle or allow normal use. Such issues include: non accessible spare tire, rear tail light bulbs, strut towers, fuses under hood, seats unable to slide, seat belts unable to fasten, windows unable to roll down, battery unable to be removed.

8-4 Presentation: Competitors are encouraged to keep photo documentation of their work on their vehicle. This will help the judge determine what work has been done to certain areas of the vehicle. Common ways are to have a photo album or a video playing. The competitor must also have their vehicle open and available for anyone ( with permission ) to sit inside and listen too. They must be able to explain and discuss all parts of the audio systems installation with knowledge.

9-1 Basics: A basic aftermarket functioning security system must be present. The judge will verify by locking/unlocking the vehicle and activating the alarm.

9-2 Entry Points: All entry points ( doors, windows, hatch ) must be protected. The alarm must sound when these points are opened.

9-3 Sensors: Points will be given for each additional sensor installed/working in the vehicle.

9-4 Starter Kill: Points will be awarded for a properly installed starter kill switch. Must be verified.

9-5 Battery Backup: Points will be awarded for a battery backup system installed on the security device. Photos must be provided.

9-6 Auxiliary Functions: Points will be awarded for any additional use of the auxiliary functions of the remove. Such items include: remote start, motorization, open rear hatch, open doors.

10-1 A competitors SPL will be measured to determine a competitors score for this section. The max is 130 dB. Standard “legal” position for sensor placement will be used.

11-1 All scores will be added together to achieve an “overall score” for the vehicle.

12-1 Competitors must obtain 550 points in Basic and 640 points in Advanced to compete at Finals