Classes

76 classes in 10 class types. Pick one to see its full rules, or read the guidebook.

How Your Class Is Picked

Cone area first
Only cone area counts. Port area is not counted.
Power bumps you up one
Over the class’s power limit, you move up one class in the same type, where power is unlimited. Some amps must be clamped.
53 Hz limit
Peak over 53 Hz in Demo, Trunk, C Pillar, No Wall or Wall and the judge moves you to a Pro class, or you run again.

Demo

19 classes

Demo SPL tests are musical average tests: 30 seconds unless the class says otherwise. Music must be played and must not peak above 53 Hz, and the sensor goes anywhere in front of the OEM front seat location unless the class says otherwise. Hurricane, Typhoon, Cyclone and Twister are split by the frequency your music peaks at.

Trunk

4 classes

For cars with the subwoofers and enclosure in the trunk. Play music or a tone and place the sensor anywhere in front of the OEM front seat location. No part of the enclosure or speakers may come into the cabin. Batteries and amplifiers don't count, so put them anywhere you like, and fold your seat up or down. If the enclosure or speakers go forward past the C pillar, you compete in a No Wall class. Your class is picked by cone area. Maximum frequency is 53 Hz peak; if the test peaks higher, you are moved to a Pro class.

C Pillar

1 class

Created for C pillar walls. Amps and batteries can sit forward of the C pillar, but the enclosure and subwoofers may not go forward past it. Maximum frequency is 53 Hz peak; if the test peaks higher, you are moved to a Pro class.

Warlock
C Pillar
- Peak (Burp)
- Up to 53 Hz

No Wall

4 classes

Play music or a tone and place the sensor anywhere in front of the OEM front seat location. If the enclosure or speakers go forward past the B pillar, your judge will tell you where the sensor goes: on the windshield 1 ft from the A pillar and 1 ft up from the dash, or anywhere in front of the front seat. The judge also decides sensor placement for console enclosures, single cab trucks and subs built into the dash that port toward the sensor. A blow through counts as No Wall when the cutout and enclosure stay below the bedrail. Maximum frequency is 53 Hz peak; if the test peaks higher, you are moved to a Pro class.

Wall

4 classes

Play music or a tone and place the sensor anywhere in front of the OEM front seat location. If the enclosure or speakers go forward past the B pillar, including console enclosures, the sensor goes on the windshield 1 ft from the A pillar and 1 ft up from the dash. If subs are built into the dash and port toward the sensor, the judge decides where the sensor goes. A blow through whose cutout or enclosure goes above the bedrail is a Wall build. Maximum frequency is 53 Hz peak; if the test peaks higher, you are moved to a Pro class.

Pro

12 classes

For the best of the best at making the meter read high; most of these competitors peak above 53 Hz. Leashed classes are stock-looking cabins clamped at 5,000 W, and Unleashed classes are unlimited. Extreme vehicles must compete in the Pro classes and can enter every Pro class except Bare Bones. Tornado, Tsunami, Crowd Control and Extreme Death Match are for Extreme vehicles only. Competitors or judges may place the clamp, and the judge checks it is placed correctly.

Fun

5 classes

Classes that are just fun for competitors. They vary in style and format, but fun they are.

Demo Wars

7 classes

For vehicles that sound good from outside, on every side. Classes are split by the number of speakers, not counting subwoofers. Three judges walk around the vehicle and judge sound quality and volume 360 degrees around it while you play 1 minute of music free of offensive language (the judge may ask you to change songs). Sound better than your opponent to win; if both builds are equal, song choice can decide it. At the Demo Wars Finals the last two competitors do 3 tests, and whoever wins 2 of the 3 is the winner.

Judged

2 classes

Classes scored by people rather than the meter.

Showtime

18 classes

Showtime is where you show off your ride to show attendees, competitors, spectators and our judges. Judging is done to an international standard: every vehicle is scored on 7 criteria from 0 to 15 (exterior, interior, mechanical, suspension, cleanliness, overall concept and integration, and display), for up to 105 points. We appreciate the time, money and effort that goes into these builds, and we give you a platform to showcase your ride and reward you for build quality.

Competition Formats

How each class’s score is measured.

Peak (Burp): The highest reading the meter catches in one short hit, usually a single burp of a tone or a note of music.
30 second peak hold: The meter holds the highest reading it sees during a 30 second test.
30 second average: The meter averages the reading over 30 seconds of play. Most average classes require music.
60 second average: The meter averages the reading over 60 seconds of music.
3 minute average: The meter averages the reading over 3 minutes of music. Used for the head to head Death Match classes.
60 second sound quality: Three judges walk around the vehicle for 60 seconds of music and rank the vehicles on sound quality and volume. The judge enters the place each vehicle came in.
Judged: People score the vehicle rather than the meter, and the scores are added together.
Judged car show: Showtime judges score 7 criteria from 0 to 15 each, for up to 105 points.