SQOLOGY Car Audio Podcast

In this episode of the SQOLOGY Podcast, Klifton and Michael Myers dig into one of the biggest underlying tensions in today’s sound quality world: the difference between events built to sell and events built to serve competitors.Using Steel Valley Regional as a starting point, the conversation expands into sponsorship, industry support, retailer involvement, grassroots event culture, and what actually sustains car audio over time. Klifton reflects on lessons from Hybrid Audio Technologies, Soundz, and years of event promotion, while Mike brings the installer, tuner, judge, and competitor perspective to the discussion.This is a deeper conversation about what grows the hobby, what preserves it, and why those are not always the same thing. They also explore how brands, retailers, event directors, judges, and competitors each play different roles in keeping the community alive, and why people, not products, remain the center of it all.Sponsored by Resonix Sound Solutions. Learn more about Resonix at resonixsoundsolutions.com.This episode also highlights Steel Valley Regional, one of the premier sound quality events in the country, made possible through strong industry support and the continued effort of Larry Chijner and the SVR team.

In this episode of the SQOLOGY Podcast, Klifton Keplinger and Michael Myers are joined by Jeffrey Hald of Total Tuning. The conversation digs into the realities of remote tuning at scale, microphone strategy, physical optimization versus DSP-first thinking, and what actually separates consistent competitors from one-hit results. Jeffrey shares lessons from rebuilding after failure, tuning under real-world constraints, and why iteration, fundamentals, and community matter more than chasing equipment or shortcuts.They also explore the future of sound quality competition, the difference between sales-driven events and competitor-driven events, and how the industry can better cultivate new participants without losing depth or integrity.This episode is sponsored by ResoNix Sound Solutions, providing engineered sound treatment designed to reduce noise and resonance and create a stable foundation for serious sound quality systems. Learn more at ⁠resonixsoundsolutions.com.⁠This episode is also supported by SVR XV (Steel Valley Regional 15), taking place July 17-19, 2026 at the WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. Registration for the Top 48 competitor field is currently full. For more information, contact Larry Chijner or Richard Papasin, and follow the Steel Valley Regional Facebook group for updates on organization registration, announcements, and availability.SQOLOGY exists to document the pursuit of better sound, preserve the culture of sound quality competition, and keep meaningful conversations alive across seasons, regions, and generations.

In this episode of the SQOLOGY Podcast, Klifton Keplinger and Michael Myers are joined by special guest Mark Bruno. Mark shares his origin story in car audio, his time at Eclipse during its peak years, and the real-world lessons that shaped how he builds and tunes today. The conversation covers competition mindset, “run what you brung” versus last-minute changes, what separates top money-round cars, and why consistency is harder than people think when conditions, judges, and formats vary.This episode is sponsored by ResoNix Sound Solutions, providing engineered sound treatment designed to reduce noise and resonance and create a stable foundation for serious sound quality systems. Learn more at resonixsoundsolutions.com.This episode is also supported by SVR XV (Steel Valley Regional 15), taking place July 17-19, 2026 at the WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. Registration for the Top 48 competitor field is currently full. For more information, contact Larry Chijner or Richard Papasin, and follow the Steel Valley Regional Facebook group for updates on organization registration, announcements, and availability.SQOLOGY exists to document the pursuit of better sound, preserve the culture of sound quality competition, and keep meaningful conversations alive across seasons, regions, and generations.

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.

In this episode of the SQOLOGY Podcast, we sit down with Paul Adams to talk about the early days of car audio, what competition really teaches you over time, and why community and honest feedback matter more than trophies. Paul shares stories from finals past, lessons learned from winning and losing, and a grounded perspective on installers, tuning, and keeping sound quality relevant in a changing industry.This episode is sponsored by Resonix Sound Solutions, providing engineered sound treatment solutions designed to reduce noise and resonance and improve system performance. Learn more at resonixsoundsolutions.comGet ready for SVR XV (Steel Valley Regional), taking place July 17-19, 2026, at the WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. SVR is a cornerstone sound quality event known for a competitive field, experienced judging, and a strong focus on craft and community. Many thanks to Larry Chijner for SVR’s support of The SQOLOGY Car Audio Podcast.SQOLOGY exists to document the pursuit of better sound, preserve the culture of sound quality competition, and keep meaningful conversations alive across seasons, regions, and generations.

From garage installs to global retail, JL Audio’s legacy runs deep—but what happens when a brand built on culture joins forces with a tech giant?It’s been nearly two years since Garmin acquired JL Audio—but until now, almost nothing has been said directly from the source.In this exclusive interview, Garmin’s Dave Dunn (Senior Director of Marine & RV Sales) joins SQOLOGY co-hosts Klifton Keplinger (Soundz / Hybrid Audio Technologies) and Michael Myers (The Sound Factory) to address the questions still circulating throughout the car audio, marine, and enthusiast communities:What’s really happening inside JL Audio under Garmin?What’s changing—and what’s not?What’s the future of tools like the MAX?And what hasn’t been said… until now?Key Topics Covered:Why Garmin acquired JL AudioPreserving vs evolving JL’s identityTools, tuning, and the MAX systemCar, marine, and home audio developmentDealer trust and industry transparencyLong-term product strategy and innovation🧡 Sponsored by ResoNix Sound Solutions —your source for uncompromising automotive sound treatment and clarity.

In this episode of the SQOLOGY Podcast, we sit down with Vin Quach—a relentless builder, passionate demo enthusiast, and long-haul competitor with a deep love for loud, well-tuned sound. From his earliest experiments with clock radios and gutted speaker enclosures to competing with multi-car fleets at Finals, Vin takes us through decades of misadventures, moldy interiors, blown tweeters, and breakthrough bass. His stories are raw, entertaining, and deeply human—and they show what it really means to build for the love of the craft and the people who listen.Whether you’ve met Vin at a show or just heard whispers of “that BMW with the front sub,” this is the full story behind one of the most dedicated (and entertaining) figures on the scene.Brought to you by ResoNix Sound Solutions — makers of premium acoustic treatment products for your vehicle. Learn more at resonixsoundsolutions.com.

In this episode of the SQOLOGY Podcast, Klifton Keplinger and Mike Myers break down Aggieland XI — covering event highlights, judging insights, competitor feedback, and the razor-thin battle between top competitors like Mark Bruno and Brian Gill. They reveal the winners of both the Tuner Challenge and the Demologist award, and reflect on what made this year's event one of the most dynamic yet.The conversation also dives into the JL Audio/Garmin transition and its ripple effects across the industry, along with forward-thinking changes for future Aggieland events to keep the spirit alive and thriving.This episode is proudly brought to you by Resonix Sound Solutions. Learn more about their world-class sound treatments and products at ResonixSoundSolutions.com.

This episode, sponsored by ⁠Resonix Sound Solutions⁠, features hosts Mike Myers and Klifton Keplinger with guests Dean and Fernando of Five Star Car Stereo.In this conversation, Dean and Fernando talk about what they're currently focused on—from running a high-volume install shop to creating educational content for a global audience. They also share their impressions from the recent Unified SQ Finals event in Birmingham, Alabama, offering a fresh perspective on the sound quality scene and what it means for the broader car audio community.The discussion explores how different corners of the industry—retail, competition, content creation—can better connect and collaborate. Dean and Fernando bring their signature honesty and insight to a conversation about where car audio is headed, how to break down silos, and why shared experiences are key to keeping the culture alive and growing.

This episode, sponsored by Resonix Sound Solutions, features hosts Mike Myers and Klifton Keplinger with guest Jeff Smith. The discussion centers on Jeff's experience in car audio, his history with sound quality competitions, and the industry's evolution. Jeff reflects on his early competition days, the systems he built, and the relationships he's developed in the industry. This interview captures the essence of the car audio culture as both an art and a community-driven passion, offering insights into its challenges, potential, and enduring appeal.

Travis Chin, owner of IASCA Worldwide — joins Mike and Klif to discuss the competition organization's mission as we approach the 2025 season.To gain more insight into Travis and his background with IASCA, you can listen by following this link.Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at http://bit.ly/sound-deadening

Join us for this episode of The SQOLOGY Car Audio Podcast, where hosts Michael Myers and Klifton Keplinger sit down with Nick Apicella of ⁠Resonix Sound Solutions (also the sponsor of this podcast, https://bit.ly/sound-deadening ) to discuss this year's Car Audio Championship and beyond. Nick shares his insights into the competition scene in a conversation that covers the Championship event and broader topics around car audio today.

Sponsored by Resonix Sound Solutions — check out their killer buyer's guide here to learn (a lot) more: https://bit.ly/sound-deadening Join us for this episode of The SQOLOGY Car Audio Podcast as we dive into the highlights of the 2024 car audio season! Hosts Michael Myers and Klifton Keplinger sit down with Peter Steinbacher of PSSound, a prominent figure in the car audio scene from the UK, for an in-depth discussion on this year’s Car Audio Championship. Peter shares insights into the standout vehicles, innovative systems, and trends shaping competition while exploring the nuances of sound quality that separate top-tier setups from the rest. The conversation covers the Championship event and broader topics around car audio, system tuning, and the dedication it takes to compete at the highest levels of sound quality. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or passionate about car audio, this episode delivers insights and spirited conversation.

Howard Cantor, co-founder of MASQ (Mobile Audio Sound Quality), joins Mike and Klif to discuss the competition organization's vision and provide an overview of MASQ's scoresheet and music for 2025.2025 MASQ Scoresheet https://bit.ly/masq-scoresheet2025 MASQ Playlist https://amzn.to/3YFzX5VMany thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://bit.ly/sound-deadening

Bart Andeer, managing partner and director of the Florida International Audio Expo, joins Mike, Erin Hardison, and Klif to discuss the expo in Tampa (Feb 21-23, 2025) and ideas for maximizing crossover with the integrated car audio event, 'Sound Paradise,' by the enthusiast group, Florida Sound Quality, and IASCA. You can learn more about the expo at their page: https://floridaaudioexpo.com You can view the event on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sqology/events If you have any ideas, stories, or anything else you'd like to hear, please do us a favor and submit them here: ⁠forms.gle/hz9GsfrZxn92r9qLA⁠ Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at ⁠resonixsoundsolutions.com

Veteran competitor and IASCA judge Harry Kimura joins Mike and Klif to discuss the '24 Car Audio Championship in Alabama and some ideas from and for IASCA's past, present, and future. If you have any ideas, stories, or anything else you'd like to hear, please do us a favor and submit them here: ⁠⁠forms.gle/hz9GsfrZxn92r9qLA⁠⁠ Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at ⁠⁠resonixsoundsolutions.com

Erin of Erin's Audio Corner joins Mike and Klif to discuss the '24 Car Audio Championship in Alabama and some ideas for maximizing crossover events such as the Florida International Audio Expo in Tampa (Feb 21-23, 2025) and AXPONA outside of Chicago (April 11-13, 2025). If you have any ideas, stories, or anything else you'd like to hear, please do us a favor and submit them here: ⁠forms.gle/hz9GsfrZxn92r9qLA⁠ Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at ⁠resonixsoundsolutions.com

Mike and Klif (Sound Team 2nd) share stories of Finals past, preparation tips, and a couple of "predictions." If you have any stories to share or anything else you'd like to hear, please do us a favor and submit them here: forms.gle/hz9GsfrZxn92r9qLA Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at resonixsoundsolutions.com

Leonard Day, a long-time competitor, joins us to discuss his background in car audio and a few other subjects. If there are topics or people you'd like to hear about over the coming season, please do us a favor and submit them here: https://forms.gle/hz9GsfrZxn92r9qLA Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com

The following is an AI-generated summary from an AI-generated tracklist for the theoretical of SQOLOGY as a competition organization. This resulting "conversation" is also entirely AI-generated. This is a list of songs commonly used in sound quality competitions for car audio systems. Each song is specifically chosen for its ability to test different aspects of a system's performance, such as imaging, tonal balance, dynamic range, and clarity. The author also lists key evaluation criteria used in competitions, such as imaging, tonal balance, dynamic range, and transient response. Ultimately, the purpose of these songs and criteria is to help audio enthusiasts fine-tune and evaluate car audio systems for sound quality competitions.

The following is an AI-generated summary from an AI-generated theoretical of SQOLOGY as a competition organization. This resulting "conversation" is also entirely AI-generated. The SQOLOGY Sound Quality Car Audio Competition Rulebook lays out the guidelines for a competition designed to evaluate the accuracy, clarity, and immersive experience of car audio systems. Competitors can choose from various classes, ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced, with different levels of modification allowed. The competition judges the quality of sound reproduction, including tonal accuracy, imaging and staging, detail and clarity, and dynamics, along with the craftsmanship, creativity, and integration of the car audio system installation. Competitors can opt for judging from one seat or two seats, depending on the system's configuration and their preference. The rulebook details the various categories, judging criteria, eligibility, and the process for the competition. Awards are given for overall sound quality, installation, imaging, and other standout performances.

Michael Myers of The Sound Factory returns to discuss the Tuner Challenge at SVR and WCA Finals, as well as the ECA Finals, and some of his plans as the director of ECA. If there are topics or people you'd like to hear over the coming season, please do us a favor and submit them here: https://forms.gle/hz9GsfrZxn92r9qLA Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com

Mike Buononato, who recently hosted HVR (Hudson Valley Regionals), joins us to discuss some of the sausage-making activities of promoting and producing an event with high aspirations and some potential pitfalls along the way. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at resonixsoundsolutions.com

Miguel Rios of WaveForm Tuning returns for a follow-up discussion about some of the potential pitfalls in building a high-performance audio system. Check out WaveForm Tuning at waveformtuning.com Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at resonixsoundsolutions.com

This week, Johnathan Price of Down4SoundShop joins us to discuss his background in car audio and his path to establishing one of the fastest-growing and prolific names in car audio today. Check out Down4SoundShop at https://www.down4soundshop.com/ Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, Eric Ekern joins us to discuss his background in the car audio lifestyle in addition to the mic array and methodology he's developed. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, we are joined by Brian Gill and Adam Schlepphorst to discuss Brian's background in car audio and everyone's expectations at significant events like Aggieland and SVR. The discussion regarding events begins at 34:07. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, we are joined by Luke Ouellet, Chris Pearce, and Austin McCarter to discuss their backgrounds in car audio and respective ramps into SQ competition. This week's episode is brought to you by 18-inch subwoofers and: Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This interview was recorded on October 7, 2018, with Peter Steinbacher of Pssound, discussing the SQOLOGY UK Tuner Challenge that was done in conjunction with the EMMA UK Finals at the Silverstone Raceway that year. Check out Pssound at https://www.pssound.co.uk/ Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, Todd Luliak of Riven Audio joins us with the car audio OG, Dan Merritt, to discuss a new mysterious little black box, the Riven Audio SRP. Check out Riven Audio at https://www.rivenaudio.com/ Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, Miguel Rios of WaveForm Tuning joins us live and in person with his wife, Brianne, and their pups, Elise and Lily, to discuss his tuning business and how he got here. Check out WaveForm Tuning at https://waveformtuning.com/ Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

Ben discusses his remote tuning experiences with both Jeffrey Hald and Nick Apicella. Nick cusses a lot. Klif eats hot tacos. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at resonixsoundsolutions.com/

Our loudest interview yet, with Drew Jones, the most liked guy on the Internet. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, Doug Bernards of Soundman Enterprises joins us to discuss his car audio history and how easy it is to be a YouTube superstar. Check his stuff at https://soundman.co/ and https://www.youtube.com/soundman Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

Our interviews continue with competitor Carlo Layug at the 2023 SQ Finals (EMMA, IASCA, MASQ). Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, we are joined by Adam Schlepphorst of Karma and Erin Hardison of Erin's Audio Corner (on YouTube) to continue our discussion of the least controversial topics. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for making this episode possible. Please visit https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/ to learn more!

This week, Dean Beyett of Five Star Car Stereo joins us to discuss his car audio history and explains how to become a big, famous YouTube star. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, Brian Mitchell of Liquid Trends and Arc Audio joins us to discuss his history in car audio and competition. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, Jeffrey Hald of Total Tuning and Mobile Toys Inc. joins us to discuss remote beep-boop tuning with the JL Audio Max Audio Measurement System. #haldmaxtune Check out Total Tuning at http://beepbooptuning.com/ (or) https://totaltuningusa.com/ Check out the JL Max at https://www.jlaudio.com/pages/max%E2%84%A2-audio-measurement-system-overview Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

This week, we are joined by Adam Schlepphorst of Karma and Erin Hardison of Erin's Audio Corner (on YouTube) to discuss the least controversial topics. Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for making this episode possible. Through Cyber Monday, you can get 20% off the best sound-deadening materials available using the coupon code BlackFriday at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/ — so do it.

Our interviews with "new to Finals" competitor Chris Pearce and the transcendental Gerald Costa at the 2023 SQ Finals (EMMA, IASCA, MASQ). You can see an interview by ResoNix with Chris Pearce and his vehicle here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fp11KoCrFo Many thanks to ResoNix Sound Solutions for supporting the SQOLOGY Podcast. You can find out more about Resonix Sound Treatment Solutions, along with tons of other info and products, at https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/

Our interview with Nick Apicella of ResoNix Sound Solutions and Apicella Auto Sound. You can find ResoNix Sound Solutions at resonixsoundsolutions.com/

Happy Halloween from ResoNix Sound Solutions! https://resonixsoundsolutions.com/ We reintroduce the podcast following the SQ Car Audio Finals in Alabama with an interview featuring Michael Myers, co-owner of The Sound Factory in Knoxville, TN. The interview with Mike picks up at 0:23:22. You can find Sound Factory at https://www.soundfactoryonline.com/

Our Altima of interviews, with the queen of digressing and co-host of the YouTube show (that calls itself a podcast by mistake) Everyday Audios, Taylor Fade.

Our BMW of interviews, with one of the kings of car audio who never dropped his crown, Earl Zausmer.

A general discussion about the early days of sound quality car audio competition, with around 300 years of experience (and a great SQOLOGY Podcast Reunion), including Scott Buwalda (Hybrid Audio Technologies), Mark Eldridge (Mobile Soundstage Engineering), Jeff Smith (AAMP Global), Chris Pate (MTI Acoustics), Dr. Doug Winker, and Nick Wingate (ORCA Design). With Erin Hardison, Klifton Keplinger, and Randy Kunin as your hosts.

MECA Live! with Steve Stern by Klifton Keplinger

Officially our longest interview, ever. Our interview with Vinny Taylor of MECA, including some difficult but necessary discussions to work together as the family we are in order to maximize the potential of sound quality competition's future. Once ready, we'll release an edited version of the traditional interview elements of this interview and drop the sunset hammer on this one.

We interview Travis Chin, owner of IASCA Worldwide, during the Knoxville IV Tweak & Tune event at The Sound Factory in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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