89: Winter Check-In and the State of the Season: SVR, Judging Reality, and What's Next
About this episode
Winter brings a flurry of discussions around car audio competitions, particularly the recent SVR event where judges faced challenges with scheduling and car performance. The hosts share insights from their judging experiences, highlighting the complexities of scoring and the importance of consistency in feedback. They also touch on upcoming events like the ECA and MCA finals, emphasizing the collaborative nature of these competitions. The episode wraps up with a look ahead to the 2026 finals and the evolving landscape of car audio events.
Klifton Keplinger and Michael Myers catch up after a busy season and break down what they saw at Steel Valley Regional, including judging flow, multi-org complexity, and why score variation happens in the real world. They cover common event pitfalls like last-minute preset changes, competitors adjusting settings between judges, and the "middle seat" debate. They also touch on regional finals momentum, how conditions and fatigue affect judging consistency, and the ongoing push toward better formats, better data, and better competitor feedback.
This episode is sponsored by Resonix Sound Solutions, providing engineered sound treatment designed to reduce noise and resonance and improve system performance. Learn more at resonixsoundsolutions.com.
This episode is also supported by SVR XV (Steel Valley Regional), taking place July 17-19, 2026, at the WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. Details and registration information are available through the Steel Valley Regional Facebook group or by contacting Larry Chijner. Registration opens Friday, January 16, 2026.
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