TM> for the final judgement."Does it sound good" is my creedo.  IF YES
 TM> THEN GOSUB FINISHED  IF NO THEN GOSUB BACK_TO_DRAWING_BRD.
Personally, I think car audio systems should only be done if they sound good 
anyway :)  Hm.. I think someone's been looking at batch files and BASIC 
awhile too ;)
 TM> I do not mean to cut down the whole field of competition car audio.
 TM> It is just that every one of these shows I have attended, and
 TM> admittedly, I have only been to a few, have had a bunch of folks
 TM> (mostly male except for the bikini or thong clad beach babes that
 TM> seem to be added for color) standing around gawking at some great
 TM> looking ride FROM A SAFE DISTANCE as the thing goes through it's
 TM> earthquake immitation.  The heads of these guys bob up and down
Sounds like you weren't at an IASCA/USAC sanctioned show then ;)  To be 
honest, I've never been to a show, though I plan on attending a couple after 
I move to Dallas (none here except for one that focuses on sheer SPL twice a 
year), along with competing as well.
 TM> that is rewarding, more power to 'em.  I used to be into race cars -
 TM> another pursuit of aimless torque, speed and power.  Of what use is a
 TM> 510 HP super trick Chevelle that will do the quarter in record time
 TM> when it spends most of it's driving time on streets with at best, a
 TM> 45 MPH speed limit?  Notmuch, but I did it.  Did I think it was macho
But it's FUN! :)  I'm stuck with a little 200 hp stock Ford F-150 (1980) 
pickup right now... though I plan on getting at least 300 hp by this time 
next year (hopefully without dumping tons of cash into it)
 TM> the acceleration.  I was not into top end - torque and acceleration
 TM> flipped my switch.  In retrospect, I had a ball, got a lot of tickets
Same here.
 TM> audio.  Truth is, I would MUCH rather these mobile detonators compete
 TM> than sit next to me in traffic or bum out my trip to the beach.  It
Sounds as if the city you're in has a lot of a$$holes.. just like where I am 
;)  Myself, I usually turn down my stereo considerably when I come up to a 
light... unless someone next to me tries to start an earthquake.. then I 
drown em out ;)
 TM> I have yet to hear of a winner of one of these shows get the prize
 TM> without cranking it up and at those levels, only a fool would sit it
 TM> the car and pretend theyare obtaining listening pleasure.  I hear
Hopefully by this time next year I'll have won a trophy or two.. and 
hopefully without cranking it up too high :)
 TM> "threshold of pain" on the db scale that for a reason, no?  I don't
 TM> see anyone winning at competition audio shows without spending at
 TM> least many coins.  IF you built your own amps, pre-amps, BBEs, EQs,
I've spent about $1000, with $500 in "improvments" planned before I'd 
consider it competition ready.  It's expensive, but so is building race cars 
:)
Also, when you build your own equipment, you get thrown into the pro division 
(in IASCA anyway)
 TM> speakers enclosures.  To WIN these shows still costs a chunk of
 TM> investment.  I would think most folks build, at most, their own
Granted.  And I admit, I haven't built a damn thing.  But I HAVE done all my 
own work.  I can honestly say that no one from a stereo shop has ever laid 
hands on my vehicle since I've owned it (along with a mechanic, for that 
matter, except for getting the A/C recharged)
 TM> audio in a moving vehicle.  I have found it also takes money
 TM> proportional to the quality ofthe vehicle the equipment goes into.
 TM> Easier to get good sound in a new Lincoln than in a 72 Duster.  It
Odd... I've gotten EXCELLENT sound in an 80 F-150 pickup :)  And I'm sure you 
know pickups are notoriously noisy (and have tons of rattles)... thank 
 here> for sound deadening material (and lots of 
hard work locating rattles)
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