I was just wondering how db drags and spl contests work.I know they might not all be the same exact way but what are the different classes and stuff like that?I've heard they go by amp wattage and how many/size woofers there are.
Replies (7)
Ash on 07/30/2006 12:03:04
Not too sure about that as I've been, but never competed. Not really my "cup of tea".
There are numerous divisions with strict rules. Perhaps the IASCA site can give you the info your looking for.
http://www.iasca.com/classes/
MrBrownstone on 08/1/2006 02:14:44
Well, DB Drag competitions are basically broken down by the number of woofers, or square inches of woofers. At one time, there was a sanctioning body using amplifier power, but I think they scrapped that as 2 companies were rating their 1000W amplifers as 1 watt. :-)
In a nutshell, your job, as a competitor, is to obtain the highest decibel reading from a microphone placed inside the car. Although it may be oversimplified, your challenge is to find the frequency the the car naturally resonates, then amplifying sound to maximize the movement of the car...basically using your car as a latent sound device.
Most cars resonate between 45-75Hz very well. Once you find the frequency range where your car gets the most 'action', you then design your system to support that frequency.
How much modification you can do to your car is typically what separates the classes in DB drag. i.e. in super street, you can't modify any part of the car in front of the door jam. In extreme, you can make a car from scratch,...and it doesn't even need to be driveable....street & superstreet, basically the car must be driveable.
www.termpro.com is a good resource. Here's a direct link
http://www.termpro.com/dbdrag/rules/#_Section_2_-_Competitor%20Classificati
2-5 The standard classes for dB Drag Racing are as follows…
Street Division
· Street A Class – A maximum of 1 subwoofer amplifier (or 2 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 2 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s). (Please see the definitions section for more detail regarding conductors.)
o One 12-inch woofer
o OR a maximum of two 10-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of three 8-inch woofers
· Street B Class – A maximum of 2 subwoofer amplifiers (or 4 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 4 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s).
o One 15-inch woofer
o OR a maximum of two 12-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of three 10-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of four 8-inch woofers
· Street C Class – A maximum of 4 subwoofer amplifiers (or 8 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 8 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s).
o One 18-inch woofer
o OR a maximum of two 15-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of four 12-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of six 10-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of eight 8-inch woofers
Additional Guidelines for the Street Division:
o Amplifiers used for non-subwoofer applications will not be counted.
o Amplifiers that are constructed in such a way as to circumvent the amp quantity limitation may be prohibited from use in this division or may count as multiple amplifiers. (Please see Section 14 for more information on amplification.)
o Cargo vans and commercial vehicles are prohibited from competing in the Street Division.
Street Max Division
· Street Max 1-2 Class – 1-2 Woofers. A maximum of 2 subwoofer amplifiers (or 4 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 4 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s).
· Street Max 3-4 Class – 3-4 Woofers. A maximum of 4 subwoofer amplifiers (or 8 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 8 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s).
Additional Guidelines for the Street Max Division:
o Amplifiers used for non-subwoofer applications will not be counted.
o Amplifiers that are constructed in such a way as to circumvent the amp quantity limitation may be prohibited from use in this division or may count as multiple amplifiers. (Please see Section 14 for more information on amplification.)
Super Street Division
· Super Street 1-2 NW Class – 1-2 Woofers, No Wall
· Super Street 1-2 Class – 1-2 Woofers
· Super Street 3-4 Class – 3-4 Woofers
· Super Street 5+ Class – 5+ Woofers
Extreme Division
· Extreme 1 Class – 1 Woofer
· Extreme 2 Class – 2 Woofers
· Extreme 3-4 Class – 3-4 Woofers
· Extreme 5+ Class – 5+ Woofers
Monster Division
· Monster Class
The classes listed above are the recommended standard classes for dB Drag Racing. Typically, all of these classes will be offered at multi-point events. However, if there are fewer than 4 entries in a given class, or if the event is a single-point event, the show promoter may, at his discretion, combine one or more classes in order to fully populate the elimination brackets. In any case, the number of classes offered, and their specific breakdown, is at the discretion of the show promoter.
http://www.termpro.com/dbdrag/rules/#_Section_2_-_Competitor%20Classificati
swez on 08/1/2006 08:01:06
Nice work there Mr. B. Even ol Swez can understand this criteria and regulations. However, you'll never find this old fart at a DB drag contest. But, you might see me hanging out at the SQ section of the meet.
Swez
MrBrownstone on 08/2/2006 16:00:02
Hey mang
I only did DB Drag to sell product. I can't even stand SQ competitions as they are all about the bling and little about the sound.
swez on 08/2/2006 18:24:17
If I had the opportunity to sit in on a judging session, I think I would talk to the entrant. (and his advisors)
"You have 5 minutes to orally state or on paper...your design goals, methodologies and the challenges that came up during the post install phase. What was done to improve or correct said faults"?
After that, I would not even look inside the car. Just listen and make mental notes and observation with my eyes shielded. (hearing only)
Then, I would review the physical install visually and that would make up no more than 25% of the total score.
The reason I say this, is because many with enough $$$, can buy a great install. But the guy who did most or all of his own work, figured out the snags and had great documentation to support his work, he's the one that should get the "Blings".
Obviously, Judging is a difficult and comprehensive task. A qualified judge should have many years experience in evaluating and testing mobile audio gear. He should be an expert on such matters and recognize the challenges installers face and how to address flaws as they crop up and know how to deal with them.
Finally, I don't believe I have those qualifications at the moment. Yes, I know what sounds OK, Good, GREAT or like hammered Dog Turds. But some of the other skills are just not there yet.
Swez
PS Hey Mr. B? Got any SQ related links to show what Judges are to look/listen for as they evaluate SQ installs? Obviously, all critical listening is done below 90dB SPL. That equates to about 2 or 3 watts for typical mids and highs and maybe 10 watts if a sub is used.
Imagine that.... noone would need 200 x 4 watt amps or 500 watts for a sub. Pretty ironic when ya think about it that way huh? LOL Less really is More eh?
MrBrownstone on 08/3/2006 16:22:30
ahh...judges are brand whores. If they see Focal speaker grills...but can't tell what type of speakers are in the hole, they'll give you higher scores than if you were honest with what speaker brand was in the pod....
Basically, they want the design to look like a work of art...not quality sound. Just like at the Nudey bar, the buffet is the sideshow.
swez on 08/3/2006 18:09:12
Ya know B, that statement can be applied to judges, politicians, lawyers and other various types of what-cha-ma-calls, do-dads and thing-a ma-jigs.
Swez
Replies (7)
Ash on 07/30/2006 12:03:04
Not too sure about that as I've been, but never competed. Not really my "cup of tea".
There are numerous divisions with strict rules. Perhaps the IASCA site can give you the info your looking for.
http://www.iasca.com/classes/
MrBrownstone on 08/1/2006 02:14:44
Well, DB Drag competitions are basically broken down by the number of woofers, or square inches of woofers. At one time, there was a sanctioning body using amplifier power, but I think they scrapped that as 2 companies were rating their 1000W amplifers as 1 watt. :-)
In a nutshell, your job, as a competitor, is to obtain the highest decibel reading from a microphone placed inside the car. Although it may be oversimplified, your challenge is to find the frequency the the car naturally resonates, then amplifying sound to maximize the movement of the car...basically using your car as a latent sound device.
Most cars resonate between 45-75Hz very well. Once you find the frequency range where your car gets the most 'action', you then design your system to support that frequency.
How much modification you can do to your car is typically what separates the classes in DB drag. i.e. in super street, you can't modify any part of the car in front of the door jam. In extreme, you can make a car from scratch,...and it doesn't even need to be driveable....street & superstreet, basically the car must be driveable.
www.termpro.com is a good resource. Here's a direct link
http://www.termpro.com/dbdrag/rules/#_Section_2_-_Competitor%20Classificati
2-5 The standard classes for dB Drag Racing are as follows…
Street Division
· Street A Class – A maximum of 1 subwoofer amplifier (or 2 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 2 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s). (Please see the definitions section for more detail regarding conductors.)
o One 12-inch woofer
o OR a maximum of two 10-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of three 8-inch woofers
· Street B Class – A maximum of 2 subwoofer amplifiers (or 4 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 4 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s).
o One 15-inch woofer
o OR a maximum of two 12-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of three 10-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of four 8-inch woofers
· Street C Class – A maximum of 4 subwoofer amplifiers (or 8 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 8 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s).
o One 18-inch woofer
o OR a maximum of two 15-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of four 12-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of six 10-inch woofers
o OR a maximum of eight 8-inch woofers
Additional Guidelines for the Street Division:
o Amplifiers used for non-subwoofer applications will not be counted.
o Amplifiers that are constructed in such a way as to circumvent the amp quantity limitation may be prohibited from use in this division or may count as multiple amplifiers. (Please see Section 14 for more information on amplification.)
o Cargo vans and commercial vehicles are prohibited from competing in the Street Division.
Street Max Division
· Street Max 1-2 Class – 1-2 Woofers. A maximum of 2 subwoofer amplifiers (or 4 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 4 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s).
· Street Max 3-4 Class – 3-4 Woofers. A maximum of 4 subwoofer amplifiers (or 8 externally bridged monoblock amplifiers) may be used. A maximum TOTAL of 8 electrical conductors may be used to connect the amplifier(s) to the woofer(s).
Additional Guidelines for the Street Max Division:
o Amplifiers used for non-subwoofer applications will not be counted.
o Amplifiers that are constructed in such a way as to circumvent the amp quantity limitation may be prohibited from use in this division or may count as multiple amplifiers. (Please see Section 14 for more information on amplification.)
Super Street Division
· Super Street 1-2 NW Class – 1-2 Woofers, No Wall
· Super Street 1-2 Class – 1-2 Woofers
· Super Street 3-4 Class – 3-4 Woofers
· Super Street 5+ Class – 5+ Woofers
Extreme Division
· Extreme 1 Class – 1 Woofer
· Extreme 2 Class – 2 Woofers
· Extreme 3-4 Class – 3-4 Woofers
· Extreme 5+ Class – 5+ Woofers
Monster Division
· Monster Class
The classes listed above are the recommended standard classes for dB Drag Racing. Typically, all of these classes will be offered at multi-point events. However, if there are fewer than 4 entries in a given class, or if the event is a single-point event, the show promoter may, at his discretion, combine one or more classes in order to fully populate the elimination brackets. In any case, the number of classes offered, and their specific breakdown, is at the discretion of the show promoter.
http://www.termpro.com/dbdrag/rules/#_Section_2_-_Competitor%20Classificati
swez on 08/1/2006 08:01:06
Nice work there Mr. B. Even ol Swez can understand this criteria and regulations. However, you'll never find this old fart at a DB drag contest. But, you might see me hanging out at the SQ section of the meet.
Swez
MrBrownstone on 08/2/2006 16:00:02
Hey mang
I only did DB Drag to sell product. I can't even stand SQ competitions as they are all about the bling and little about the sound.
swez on 08/2/2006 18:24:17
If I had the opportunity to sit in on a judging session, I think I would talk to the entrant. (and his advisors)
"You have 5 minutes to orally state or on paper...your design goals, methodologies and the challenges that came up during the post install phase. What was done to improve or correct said faults"?
After that, I would not even look inside the car. Just listen and make mental notes and observation with my eyes shielded. (hearing only)
Then, I would review the physical install visually and that would make up no more than 25% of the total score.
The reason I say this, is because many with enough $$$, can buy a great install. But the guy who did most or all of his own work, figured out the snags and had great documentation to support his work, he's the one that should get the "Blings".
Obviously, Judging is a difficult and comprehensive task. A qualified judge should have many years experience in evaluating and testing mobile audio gear. He should be an expert on such matters and recognize the challenges installers face and how to address flaws as they crop up and know how to deal with them.
Finally, I don't believe I have those qualifications at the moment. Yes, I know what sounds OK, Good, GREAT or like hammered Dog Turds. But some of the other skills are just not there yet.
Swez
PS Hey Mr. B? Got any SQ related links to show what Judges are to look/listen for as they evaluate SQ installs? Obviously, all critical listening is done below 90dB SPL. That equates to about 2 or 3 watts for typical mids and highs and maybe 10 watts if a sub is used.
Imagine that.... noone would need 200 x 4 watt amps or 500 watts for a sub. Pretty ironic when ya think about it that way huh? LOL Less really is More eh?
MrBrownstone on 08/3/2006 16:22:30
ahh...judges are brand whores. If they see Focal speaker grills...but can't tell what type of speakers are in the hole, they'll give you higher scores than if you were honest with what speaker brand was in the pod....
Basically, they want the design to look like a work of art...not quality sound. Just like at the Nudey bar, the buffet is the sideshow.
swez on 08/3/2006 18:09:12
Ya know B, that statement can be applied to judges, politicians, lawyers and other various types of what-cha-ma-calls, do-dads and thing-a ma-jigs.
Swez
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