A lot of people just don't have the ears for SQ, and honestly, anyone who thinks that any MP3 has the same sound quality as a CD doesn't have the ability to hear well enough to compete in SQ. I've watched may times when an AB comparrison is done between a high end set of components and a very cheap set of coaxial speakers for customers at a local shop, and almost every time the average comsumer will say that the coax's sound much better, because they do not have the fidelity to produce the flaws in the recording like the higher end components.

we live in a world where iPods are considered to have great sound quality, but SQ is making a comeback with those who want to hear the music, not just a warbling MP3 version of what it could be.

 

a recent show in toronto there were 37 sq comp. more than spl. the show being free really helps.
the judging would be the nessesary evil to getting a better sounding system. l agree on competing with guys that had a shop install and only know where the volume is . you feel you have no chance just based on appearance.
spl is appearance friendly and the mic is the judge.
sq is more subjective, using 2 judges helps.
lf my ride sounds better after the show on the way home then its always a good experience

 

well as i hear it,,, what we are trying to do in sq is reproduce as close as possible the actual sounds produced by the musician and there instruments at the time of the recording. but what we fail to realize is our speakers and components, are not real instruments so right of the bat we are doomed to fail to a degree!. next the "band" is playing music, full of sound waves generated by the instruments, but what is often overlooked and cant be reproduced is the energy created by the people playing those instuments... now we can capture the sound but not the energy. hum strike two. also the "music" to be recored is producing sound waves, captured by a mic / or direct digital input, then changed over to a signal acceptable to the recording machine, then it gets dubbed by a digital mixer then these tiny "bits" of information make there way on to a disc, then we ask a bunch of mis matched components to try and reproduce something that sort of resembles what was actually played by the band!!!!!!!!!!!
as far as iam concered getting a system to sound mildly good in any 12volt enviroment is a fantastic accomplishment by us and stereo manufacturers. and i for one am proud to let people listen to my car as i know that no one in the world can make a car sound anything close to the original recording. so i have no shame if i cant make mine do that either! sound off are to have fun and to look at the pretty girls........oh and drink beeer duh. lets have a good season folks, show up, support the shows, open your cars to fans, and try to be positive to everyone eles ride....... except paul....he has a herse ya know lol

 

^^^I agree that show are to have fun. I go to many show knowing that I wont win, but I still have lots of fun. Talking with other people who enjoy cars and audio is always fun.

But I have to disagree a little with you about a cars ability to sound good. It's true that most cars will never sound as good as the real thing. And it is very hard to get a car system (or home system for that matter) to have the same feel as a live performance. But that's not to say it hasn't been done. There are quite a few cars I've had the chance to listen to that sounded so real you actually have to shake your head. SQ in a niche market, so there are only a handful of people that are willing to take the time to push the envelope.

I did SPL for many years. It's easier to get into and from a beginner’s point of view, is much easier. But at least for me, SPL gave me the bug, but SQ has kept me coming back.

 

I tends to agree with Fozzz..


I have observed the car audio scene for quite sometimes now. and I been often quite dissapointed to see what car audio has become at shows nowadays. many of the system are far from to be able to reproduce an musical intrument realisticaly. and thats even with the best gears available today.

And if a caraudio newb/audiophile happens to be checking out the demo cars at the shows, he or she might takes it as a reference, because of the high-end gears and big names.

As some might know the installation contribute up to 80% of the end result in sound. If the installer don't have the know how or understanding about acoustics, time alignments, speakers dispersion, group delays, etc. the best gear would not help the sound.

Infact thats what audiophile systems are all about....... i do realised that many spl guys thinks the SQ systems are lame. Actually its other way around....... a good SQ system are extremely dynamic and should reproduce a true attacks & timbre of kick drums, lowest note of pipe organs, plucking of standup bass, to the delicacy of a sweet violins etc.

 

getting your car to sound musical is the same for all. even worse is everyone shows up with a different car.
complaining about limitations in a car enviroment is nonsense, roadnoise alone will ruin all your hard work.
l like to see all the component combinations people use to achieve the same goal. when l tell people where l was on the weekend l understand how unique and select the sq endevour is. thx dave

 

It's coming for you man..

 

His table is waiting

 

LOL - sweet!

 

[QUOTE=goalie 35]well as i hear it,,, what we are trying to do in sq is reproduce as close as possible the actual sounds produced by the musician and there instruments at the time of the recording.


PERHAPS WE CANNOT GET THE "ENERGY OR ACTUAL SOUNDS"; HOWEVER, WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET THE "EXPERIANCE" OF THE PERFORMANCE/COMPOSITION (SORRY USING CAPS TO DISTINGUISH MY TEXT FROM YOURS RANDY)

also the "music" to be recored is producing sound waves, captured by a mic / or direct digital input,

BOTH MICROPHONES AND SPEAKERS ARE FORMS OF TRANSDUCERS (EVER USE A PAIR OF HEADPHONES AS A MIC IN A PINCH -- I HAVE DJing), SO IN A WAY, IT IS TRANSLATING THE SOUND IN A MANNER IN WHICH IT WILL BE PLAYING IT BACK

"... then changed over to a signal acceptable to the recording machine, then it gets dubbed by a digital mixer then these tiny "bits" of information make there way on to a disc, then we ask a bunch of mis matched components to try and reproduce something that sort of resembles what was actually played by the band!!!!!!!!!!!"

WHILE I AGREE THAT DIGITAL IS NEVER AN EXACT REPLICA OF THE ORIGINAL RECORDING, IT IS AFTER ALL A SERIES OF SAMPLES, WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT AT LEAST 90% OF PLAYBACK DEVICES ARE DIGITAL IN NATURE (cd / DVD) -- THERE IS NO PRACTICAL MEANS OF AVOIDING DIGITAL ENCODING OF SOME MANNER OR OTHER

FINALLY, HAVING PLAYED IN VARIOUS BANDS, PLAYING VARIOUS TYPES OF MUSIC, IN VARIOUS VENUES OVER THE YEARS, I AM GRATEFUL THAT MANY RECORDING ARE "HELPED" BY THE RECORDING PROCESS AND MAY IN FACT BE MORE ENJOYABLE THAN A LIVE RENDITION.

THINK ABOUT IT -- WOULD YOU REALLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT BRITNEY OR ASHLEY SOUND LIKE WITHOUT "HELP"?

FIRST AND FORMOST SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO FORGET ABOUT THE PROCESS AND PROCESSING AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC -- IF YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE SYSTEM AND YOUR TOES START TO TAP, THAN SOMETHING IS RIGHT!