MCA Scoring & Rules
Fair, Transparent, and Designed for Competitors
Mid-Country Audiophiles (MCA) judges sound quality based on musical realism, technical accuracy, and system design — not price or pro status.
📊 Official Scoring Breakdown — 200 Points
| Category | Max Points | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging (L/C/R Position & Focus) | 30 | Left, Center, Right scoring with focus per position |
| Stage Width | 10 | Width expansion beyond vehicle boundaries |
| Stage Height | 10 | Vertical scale accuracy |
| Distance to Stage | 10 | Stage forward placement accuracy |
| Layering | 10 | Depth separation of instruments/vocals |
| Room Info / Scaling | 10 | Reproduction of venue size, ambiance, and space |
| Tonal Accuracy | 80 | Subdivided: Sub Bass, Mid Bass, Midrange, Highs — 20 pts each |
| Spectral Balance (Low/Mid/High Volume) | 10 | Balance across volume ranges |
| Dynamics / Transients | 10 | Accuracy of attack, decay, and transient reproduction |
| Listening Enjoyment | 10 | Musicality, emotional connection |
| Realism | 10 | Convincing live performance realism |
| Deductions | -10 max | Resonance (-5), Sound Pullback (-3), Noise/Artifacts/Hiss (-2) |
✅ Total Possible: 200 Points
✅ Deductions Applied After Scoring
🔎 Tie-Breaker Priority
- Tonal Accuracy
- Sum of: Spectral Balance + Dynamics + Listening Enjoyment
- Sum of Staging/Depth: Distance to Stage + Layering + Room Info
- Sum of: Realism + Deductions
🎧 Official Music Playlist — Required at All Events
Competitors must have access to the official MCA playlist.
📖 Exclusive Member-Only Track Notes
MCA Members receive event-specific Track Notes breaking down:
- What each judging track tests
- Timing and staging expectations
- System weaknesses exposed by each track
✅ Members Only
✅ Released before each event
✅ Strategic advantage
Join MCA Membership to access Track Notes.
🛠 Class Structure — Based on Installation Complexity
OE1 — Mild OEM+
- HU swap allowed if no DSP
- DSP allowed if feeding from OEM HU
- Speaker max in non-stock location: 1.2″
- Subwoofer installed in trunk or rear-most stowage area
OE2 — Factory+ / Light Mods
- HU swap allowed
- DSP allowed
- Speaker max in non-stock location: 2″
- Dash/pillar protrusion max 2″
- Subwoofer installed in trunk or rear-most stowage area
INT3 — Integrated Custom
- DSP/EQ allowed
- A-pillar or sail panel speakers up to 3″
- Door mods: grills only
- Custom kick panels allowed + one additional pair of 6″ speakers
- Subwoofer behind B-pillar or forward if in OEM locations
INT4 — Advanced Integrated
- A-pillar/sail speakers up to 4″ IF no door rebuilds, custom kicks, or forward sub outside OEM location
- Full door panel rebuilds or forward sub allowed IF pillar/dash mods <3″ protrusion
- Metal cutting allowed behind B-pillar for external speaker venting only
M4+ — Modified Class
- Up to two dash cutouts (max 4″x6″)
- Max A-pillar/sail speaker: 4″
- Kick/floor speakers allowed, venting max 4″ diameter
- Subwoofer placement unrestricted
- Seat rail extensions allowed — but two front seats must remain
M5+ — Unlimited / Extreme
- No installation restrictions
- Multi-seat, 120V, extreme builds allowed
- Seat removal legal
📈 Quick Reference Class Grid
| Feature / Class | OE1 | OE2 | INT3 | INT4 | M4+ | M5+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HU Swap Allowed | Yes, no DSP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DSP Allowed | If OEM HU only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker Max Size (Non-Stock Location) | 1.2″ | 2″ | 3″ | 4″ | 4″ | Unlimited |
| A-Pillar Depth Limit | 1″ | 2″ | Any | Any | Any | Any |
| Door Mods | No | Light | Grills Only | Full rebuild if speaker outside stock ≤3″ | Full | Full |
| Kick Panels | No | No | 6″ max speaker | Yes if speaker outside stock ≤3″ | Yes | Yes |
| Subwoofer Location | Cargo area | Cargo area | Behind B-pillar | Flexible | Any | Any |
🏆 Event Scoring Multipliers
| Judges Present | Event Multiplier |
|---|---|
| 1 Judge | 1X |
| 2 Judges | 2X |
| 3 Judges | 3X |
| 4 Judges | 4X |
🤝 Appeals & Protest Process
| Valid Appeals Include: | Process: |
|---|---|
| Scoring math errors | $50 Protest Fee — refunded if upheld |
| Class placement mistakes | Written protest — submit onsite before awards if possible |
| Rule/procedure violations | Head Judge / Regional Director reviews and rules final |
| Potential judge conflict (must be raised before judging) |
Subjective scoring disagreements are not protestable.
✅ Ready to Compete?
Mid-Country Audiophiles — Where Car Audio Sounds Better.