dBSteve

ROFL ...see ya there!

I'll be there!

Good Luck to all!

Any SMD members coming to this event? I promise no snow

but what if the termlab bar graph moves during the run?

why not try this divide the SPL ( of music being played ) by the peak "note" or frequency to get a score example a 145dB ( with music ) with a peak frequency of 50hz would be a score of 2.9 while a 140dB ( with music ) with a peak frequency of 30hz would be a score of 4.66 ( more impressive ) I have a chart for all this as a format I was looking into awhile back Basically, the louder the lower frequency's played is, the higher the score. We all know its harder to produce SPL with lower frequency's Example: which is more impressive? 180dB@80hz ( score of 2.25 ) or a 140dB@30hz ( score of 4.66 ). IMO, the 140dB one is.

got something in Joplin around Feb, thats it as of now we did about 50 shows last summer in the area, there will be plenty soon enough just keep checkin out the schedule and the forums for updates

Yup, no longer any db drags in the area however, retailers are really loving our new format. everything can be checked out at www.midwestspl.com expect about 50+ events in the region this summer

The 1st annual Midwestspl Finals was held on Sept 27th & 28th Congrats to these competitors and their hard work Basic 1 - 500 watt class ------- 1. 148.1 Rich Turner 148.1 148.1 146.8 146.8 2. 146.0 Clint Buttrum 146.0 146.0 146.0 3. 145.2 Matt Rennells 145.2 145.2 4. 137.5 Jeff Langfald 137.5 137.5 Basic 2 - 1,000 watt class ------- 1. 150.5 Rich Turner 150.5 149.8 150.3 149.7 2. 147.5 Mike Ullrich 147.5 146.8 146.5 3. 148.6 Brad Firgard 146.7 148.6 4. 147.3 Daniel Arbuckle 147.3 145.9 5. 146.5 Matt Rennells 146.5 6. 144.6 Cliff Beal 144.6 7. 144.0 Justin Tombleson 144.0 8. 143.6 Brett Soendker 143.6 9. 141.3 Shawn Willtrout 10. 137.2 Shawn Evans Basic 3 - 2,000 watt class ------- 1. 152.5 Krissie Boyd 151.8 150.6 150.6 152.5 2. 152.0 Kevin Ecker 152.0 151.5 151.7 3. 150.5 Mark Hill 149.7 150.5 4. 149.3 Mike Ullrich 148.2 149.3 5. 148.1 Brett Soendker 148.1 6. 147.3 Danny Cartwright 147.3 7. 147.0 Nathan Skow 147.0 8. 146.5 Cliff Beal 146.5 9. 146.4 Ishmael Nunez 10. 146.1 Nathan Walk 11. 143.8 Chris Hendrix Basic 4 - 4,000 watt class ------- 1. 155.4 Kevin Ecker 155.4 151.7 152.9 155.0 2. 154.2 Krissie Boyd 154.2 152.6 154.2 3. 152.2 Ishmael Nunez 151.6 152.2 4. 151.8 Ben Eyermann 151.8 151.4 5. 150.8 Adam Lenau 150.8 6. 150.6 Doug Roberts 150.6 7. 150.4 Daniel Arbuckle 150.4 8. 149.2 Nick Rains 149.2 9. 146.6 Tim Narup Basic 5 - Unlimited ------- 1. 153.8 Rich Turner 152.5 152.5 153.6 153.8 2. 153.4 Ben Eyermann 153.1 153.1 153.4 3. 152.2 Doug Roberts 152.2 152.2 4. 151.8 Tim Narup 151.2 151.8 5. 150.5 Nick Rains 150.5 Advanced No Wall - 4,000 watt class ---------------- 1. 156.4 Tim Shaffer 156.4 156.4 155.9 156.2 2. 155.5 Robert York 154.9 154.9 155.5 3. 152.6 Terry Burns 152.6 152.0 4. 152.0 Ben Eyermann 151.9 152.0 5. 149.6 Nick Rains 149.6 6. 146.8 Tim Narup 146.8 Advanced 1 - 2,000 watt class ---------- 1. 154.0 Jon Schmitz 154.0 154.0 154.0 153.9 2. 152.4 Krissie Boyd 152.4 152.4 150.4 3. 148.1 Mike Ullrich 148.1 148.1 Advanced 2 - 4,000 watt class ---------- 1. 155.9 Jon Schmitz 155.9 155.9 153.4 155.0 2. 155.1 Kevin Ecker 154.1 154.1 155.1 3. 155.3 Brad Firgard 154.0 155.3 4. 149.8 Sherry Patterson 149.0 149.8 5. 148.0 Shawn Willtrout 148.0 6. 146.9 Tru Insayne Soundz - Amc 146.9 Advanced 3 - Unlimited ---------- 1. 160.7 Mark Brus 160.1 160.1 160.0 160.7 2. 158.1 Adam Prange 158.1 158.1 158.0 3. 153.5 Erik Hoss 153.5 153.5 4. 148.0 Derrek Green 148.0 148.0 Xtreme 1 - 1-4 speakrs -------- 1. 137.4 Jon Schmitz 137.2 137.2 137.4 134.7 2. 131.8 Adam Lenau 127.8 127.8 131.8 3. 125.7 Chris Hendrix 125.7 125.7 4. 124.0 Tru Insayne Soundz 124.0 123.8 5. 117.7 Shawn Evans 117.7 Xtreme 2 - up to 12 speakers -------- 1. 127.0 Erik Hoss 127.0 127.0 127.0 127.0 2. 124.9 Shawn Willtrout 124.9 124.9 124.9 Xtreme 3 - unlimited speakers -------- 1. 130.6 Doug Roberts 130.6 130.6 130.6 130.3 2. 130.5 Derrek Green 130.1 130.1 130.5 3. 125.4 Cliff Beal 125.4 125.4

Its amazing huh .... SPLMax can give away $100 per show ( Estimate $5,000 ) West Coast Finale about $3k I can do $7,000 but the other much LARGER more NATIONAL organizations can't? WTF ... how come us smaller guys can but they can't Our finals is also FREE entry too everyone that qualifies. Thats right FREE. When we sent out invites, we're inviting you to compete for FREE .... not inviting you, then asking you to pay $150-$200 ... I never did understand that. Your being invited to pay others money :confused:

soon soon yep yep 1st annual finals $7K in prize money HUGE 6' tall trophies fairest SPL format invented

Midwestspl Finals for me .... dats where the action will be at

sweet eh! Was it ever mentioned that we're giving away $7,000 in cash

I seen 2 solo X 10s with a total of 470 watts do one hellofa #

local classes are FREE both days large trophies will be presented on Sunday afternoon for locals come see how the Midwest hangs

this is not the case. but your right, check with local show promoters for your area if you know who they are. some post potential events on their websites. others have events in the works but their just not posted yet. Its still January ... season is early, even for california. give it time ...... they'll show up

Matt, Alot of people from all over the World check out Meads forum. I would guess the majority from California. He was refering tot he Autorama event that was cancelled that alot of the guys out there were looking forward too. No, these are not the new dB Drag classes. But being as this forum is read by many all over the place, including the Midwest, this is why Matt decided to post over here. Sorry for any confusion.

I guess you misread the rules. No one is grouped into the Xtreme divisions. We have an "open" or an "unlimited" class in both Basic ( stock or street if you will ) and in Advanced ( Super Street or Modified ). These classes is for those that have an unlimited amount of money with killer stereo systems. The other classes are systems on a budget ... like 90% or more of the people out there. As far as clamping cars, this is no different that a certified dB Drag event where you have to use a volt meter and measure voltage on each individual car ... same deal. I could clamp 30 cars with this format and be done in 3.5 hours These classes are designed for first time competitors, those with limited amount of money and those vetrien competitors that are tired of spending an assload of money on equipment. Now a person can use a stock battery ( instead of a $1,000 Catus or DD battery ), 1 run of 4 ga ( instead of 20 runs of 0ga ) a 2 channel amp bridged to 500 watts ( instead of 2 - 5,000 watt mono blocks ) and $80 subs ( instead of $500+ subs each ). As said, this may not be for everyone and thats ok. Competition is about creating interest for dealers and we're hoping dealers might want to use us and this format to do that.

yup, local classes are designed just for that ... locals. Thats why these rules are inplace. Ask any retailer out there. They do not want their local consumers getting beat by pro's chasing points. We've been running this exact set of rules for 7 years now with no problems and retailers love it. For those serious competitors we have a points class where you have a chance to earn some prize money at the end of the year.

Actually, Alan Dante was the first person to get a certified score over a 180. He got certified last year at a 2X event with a 180.5. This was done in 2007 season. Now, Alan Dante could not back this score up nor was this a World Record event. During the 2008 season, Scott Owens was the first person to get a certfied score above a 180. Scott Owens was also the first person in dB Drag to "back up" a 180+ at a certified event ( doubles or triples ) and also he did this at a Triple Point event (3X) which means he got the World Record. Good Job Scott

it all depends on the organization you want to compete in. I say, build the vehicle the way YOU want. Nothing else matters. If your legal for an organizations rules, great. If not, F'em! and go enjoy your system anyways. The only thing that matters is if your happy or not.

Usaci Super Mod Extreme .. anything goes class. Must be a vehicle Usaci Mini Spl ( powerwheels ) ... "Invention" class Usaci offers may different classes for everyone no matter your skill

Yeah, sorta, kinda, not really. We just placed the mic on the outside and had competitors pull up. It was just for fun to kill some time. I did a 50/50 pot for it. $10 to enter, 8 cars, winner got $40 I've been known to do stupid stuff at shows like this to keep the excitment going. Back in the early 90's before Meca or dB Drag even, we used to do this in Springfield, Mo at a local shop. I think there it was 20' away using one of the old mics.

nope, all my events are listed at www.midwestspl.com this show is in Colorado.

Fuse ratings is the dumbest thing ever! People can modify fuses or wire around fuses which involves more inspection by judges. Usually fuses blow when twice the amperage actually goes through them. I believe Meca does these. Meca Drive By is cool - but they've taken something sooo simple and made it difficult. Having moving vehicles as part of your competition seems dangerous to me. Also, they have an extensive set of rules for something as simple as booming your system with your window down. This format ( rules ) and other organizations rules/classes should be less about the rules/organzation and more about what matters ... the music. dB Drag Racing format is very fun. Everyone enjoys the head to head match up. But, everyone involved will agree, its the more expensive formats. " You got to pay if you want to play ", is the resounding comment. Downside is vehicles are shut up during competition and there is nothing to hear. We need local classes that doesn't involve a "World Finals" When people think they have a shot for a World Title, this brings out the "bad" competition side of them. This is when you see people competing against locals. Bass Race is ok, except - You must play music ( then require an 80 frequency limit ) this is stupid - There is not an RPM limit ( a competitor can red line their engine ) this is dangerous - There is not any installation rules ( Competitors can build their enclosure all the way up to the mic ) this is crazy - Random bracketing ( the best person doesn't always win ) imagine having the second loudest vehicle of the entire show and getting 5th place in your bracket. - offering a 119.9 class and a 160+ class( then not offering it at World Finals ) crazy eh? Usaci Outlaw SPL is cool ( minus the power ratings ). The power ratings seem to work ok for Usaci ( for now ). Being able to put the mic anywhere you want, opening your doors so the crowd can hear is awesome! Down side is noise ordance laws. Usaci offers classes for anyone. Port wars is a perfect example. Suck at one format ... try another. If thats not the one for you, then try this one. Usaci classes cater to all types of competitors and systems. 4ohm ratings suck aka cheater amps. Max rating sucks cause of amps that play .25 ohms. Using a clamp meter on speaker wires and having a true wattage class would be the easiest. Example( smaller classes ): Clamp a volt meter(s) around all the speaker leads going to the enclosure. When system competes, voltage/amperage is checked. Math is done. If your in a different wattage class, you move up. VERY SIMPLE and also VERY FAIR for those of you who like wattage classes. Cone area classes are good. Easy to judge. Usaci Street Beat is cool. It does use the average spl format, it uses cone area classes ( sorta ) and it measures how LOUD you are! Isn't this why we buy and build these systems to get loud? Average SPL classes - Ok for a side format, but not an actual format. Imagine saying your the 139.9dB Champion telling a newb. This newb does a 145dB ( Outlaw or dash ). Now this newb thinks he's louder than a World Champion. Ok, so now you have to explain yourself why your the champion in your class. When your done explaining, the newb is still louder. Average SPL classes can be fun as a side event. This puts alot more strain on the system. This sees who actually can PLAY their system. Peak SPL = Drag Racer ( maximum performance ) Average SPL = Cross country runner ( endurance ) Sound Quality is where everything started out at. Before SPL EVERYONE competed in Sound Quality. Then the SPL score was introduced for Sound Quality. Then a SPL format was created. Then the industry died. Car Audio became exciting, but not cool. 100,000 watt systems, 15K lbs vehicles, 170+ decibles .. all this is exciting, but not "cool" The average John Q customer can not related to these systems. This type of system in his vehicle does no purpose THUS he has no reason to buy a sound system. Sorry but ... SPL competitions has killed our industry <<<<< BUT >>>>> Most important thing of all is, car audio competitions must benifit the dealer / industry. The purpose of these contests is to bring attention to the person holding the event and to sell product to future enthusists. The "icing on the cake" if you will is the organiztion holding World Finals for those that participate in these events. Currently, the organizations are doing nothing for the dealer. There is no incentive for them to host a sactioned event over a nonsanction event. This needs to change if we want to see this industry service. What got people ( YOU ) into car audio anyways? What got you first excited? We ( as an industry ) need to focus more on what matters and what got us into this sport. For most of us, it is our compasion for music, cars and electronics. Sincerely, Car Audio Enthusist