We have 1 event over the Labor Day weekend, and it is the 1st State Finals of the season.

Hosted by Scott Crump Toyota/Scion, and working with the Sik Toyz club, the Alabama Soundfest is in Jasper on Saturday, September 4th.  David Hogan and the "Alabama Precision Judge Team" will be in charge of SPL, SQL, and Show & Shine judging.

Commissioner Steve Stern and tenured Sound Quality Judges Vinny Taylor (Murfreesboro, TN) and Chris Zenner (Washington, PA) traveled to the Milford Proving Grounds, just north of Detroit, on Friday, August 13th, to hear new sound systems in the 2011 Cadillac and the new Chevrolet Cruze, which is replacing the Cobalt.  Real Time Analysis, Sound Pressure Level, and Sound Quality were evaluated.

A Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic were rented by GM for the tests,  Vinny set the controls for optimum performance.  The Cruze was set up by the GM team.  The idea was to bring in qualified, experienced autosound judges, and have them rate the systems in the 3 economy cars, all priced under $20,000.  GM has invested heavily in making the Cruze an outstanding value in it's class.  They put a lot of work into the audio system with 9 speakers and a high-performance approach, and believed they had something special, especially considering the price of the new Cruze.  The team did research to find the best people for the job and contacted the Commissioner to arrange the tests.

Working as the GM engineering and marketing teams looked on, the MECA Judges did the required tests, maintaining an unbiased approach and methodology.  With each Judge having a minimum of 15 years experience in the lanes, and over 20 years each in the consumer electronics industry, their credentials satisfied the GM team's need for top-notch professionals.

The results indicate that the Cruze's audio system is a step up from the traditional audio system in this vehicle's price range.  Winning 2 of the 3 tests, the Cruze had the best Sound Quality and highest SPL score.  The 3 Judges listened independently to each vehicle and the scores were averaged, using MECA's 100 point score sheet.  The Cruze scored 74.83 which is extremely good for a factory audio system.  The Corolla was 2nd with 69.75, still a good score for a stock system, and the Civic's average was 58.83.  The Sound Quality test is the most important for relating the overall listening experience for the passengers.  The Judges scoring indicated they were impressed with the ambience, staging, and sub-bass response, especially compared to the other systems.

The Cruze took 3rd place in the Real Time Analysis (RTA) test with 14 points.  The Civic was 2nd with 22 points, and the Corolla was 1st with 28 points.  The RTA test measures the ability of the audio system to accurately reproduce all the audible frequencies, and have them in proportion.

The Cruze posted 112.9 dB at the headrest with a 50 HZ peak frequency for the sound pressure score.  The Corolla scored 105.6 dB and the Civic scored 105.2 dB.  The improved low end frequency response in the Cruze resulted in a higher score.

The Cadillac's system, by Bose, averaged 76.25 points and scored 28 on RTA and an impressive 119.8 dB at 42 HZ.  Vinny commented that it was one of the best factory systems, if not the best, that he'd ever heard.

Chris' comments:  "The test session with the staff at GM was really great.  All of the people involved were very professional yet very laid back.  Everything went as smooth and efficiently as it possibly could.  It makes me feel great to know that the car manufacturers are serious about better sound quality in their vehicles and not putting something in the cars that just makes a little noise.  I really am happy I had the opportunity to go to Detroit and represent MECA with Steve and Vinny.  Our strive for excellence and good sound in vehicles is finally being recognized by other people outside of the aftermarket community, not just the people involved in the aftermarket circles, and more so, the competitors and enthusiasts in MECA."

MECA Judges talked with engineers about the results and interfacing aftermarket products with the factory systems.  Dedicated to the 12-volt industry and working with 115 Retail Member storefronts, MECA is working to bring the enjoyment of high-performance autosound to as many people as possible.  The session was filmed and will be used to promote the Cruze and possibly the Cadillac.  Check out pics at www.mecacaraudio.com and follow the club as the season winds down and the contests are at a fever pitch at the Finals in Lebanon, TN on October 16-17th.

PICS COMING SOON

Motel 6 and Studio 6 are now Preferred Partners for MECA Members, friends and family.
Already offering the best prices for lodging across the USA, a 5% discount is now available through MECA.  We will have links to both, with reservations made directly from our web site.
When traveling and no reservations are made, please use these codes when you check in to receive the discount:
Motel 6 - CP546310
Studio 6 - CP546327
Reservations are recommended.
MECA Members may request a wallet size card with voucher #'s by sending a message to mecacaraudio@comcast.net or PM through the Forums.
We appreciate the good will and partnership with Motel 6 and Studio 6!
Thanks to Linda from Accor and Dave from Magnetic Marketing for making this work for our Members!

We are continuing our relationship with www.pasmag.com for 2010, but the benefits for MECA Members have changed.  When a 1 year subscription is purchased, the MECA Member will get the 2nd year free.  The 1 year subscription is $19.95 and we will have subscription forms to fill out and send in at our events, and also an on-line copy will be available, upon request.

MECA will have at least 3 print articles this season, and as many on-line features as we can produce.  Members are asked to post pics in our Photo Gallery, or send them to mecacaraudio@comcast.net with text describing who is in the picture and when vehicles are pictured, the owner's name is necessary.  We'll do everything we can to share MECA events with pasmag.com readers.

From the Forums:

Yo MECAheads
The pieces of the puzzle that will be Finals are coming together. We have a host hotel set up about 2 miles from the James E. Ward Ag Center in Lebanon at I-40, exit 238.
Here are details, best as can be described, for now.

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Lebanon
140 Dixie Avenue
Lebanon, TN 37090

615-470-1001 --- Anyone can help, but ask for Sarah. :)

$65 + tax = about $76/night for king bed, or 2 bed room

Other rooms available:
There are 2 big suites for $90+tax/night that sleep 6 each
Jacuzzi suites are $85+tax/night

All units feature refrigerator and microwave
Indoor Pool
High speed internet
Fitness Center

I have reserved a block of 40 rooms; dates are October 15-17th. Reservations may be made now, and are encouraged.

Here is the link to info on the hotel:http://www.countryinns.com/hotels/tnleban

We'll see how fast these fill up, and if we need more, I'll check into it.

Please keep Motel 6 in mind, although, ironically, there are none in Lebanon. There are 4 Motel 6's in the Nashville area.

More information on Finals coming very soon.

Welcome, and thanks for supporting our club and contests. 

Here are our 29 Manufacturer Members/Sponsors.  These people get it!

(Check the Member - Manufacturer section for link and contact information)

Our friends at Memphis Car Audio are serious about supporting their Dealers and Competitors!

Check this out:

June 25, 2010

Memphis Car Audio Launches Independence/RESPECT Contest Giveaway

The largest consumer giveaway in company history

Memphis, Tenn. –Independence, RESPECT and the pursuit of pounding bass…Memphis Car Audio has a 45 year history of bringing competition worthy systems to trunks of the amateur audiophile, but never before have we offered a prize of this caliber to our loyal fans. Independence Day marks the launch of the one of largest consumer product giveaway in the history of Memphis Car Audio. The goal of this colossal giveaway is to grant one lucky fan of Memphis, his or her independence from a system without slam.

Utilizing electronic media outlets on the Web, as well as Social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace, Memphis encourages customers to visit an independent, Authorized Memphis Car Audio Dealer. The dealer may assist with a customer design for the contest, or if wanted now, any system that meets the contest rules and criteria may register to win their new system free. For either a new system, or for reimbursement of their newly installed complete Memphis Car Audio system, contestants simply snap a photo of themselves with their system of choice, or their newly installed MCA system, then upload the photo on our Memphis Car Audio’s Official Facebook page. The drawing will be conducted the day after Labor Day to select a grand prize winner.

"We wanted to initiate a contest that would bring our independent dealers and our loyal fans together in an effort to celebrate the two most important components of our company’s continued success over the past 45 years." says Beth Butts, Senior Design Specialist and Marketing Coordinator. "We are proud of the reputation we have built over the past four decades as being the brand with trusted warranty programs that keep our customer’s investments protected, and our vigorous No Internet Sales Policy which keeps our independent dealers protected(and in business). This contest is a celebration of both of our two most valuable assets…our fans and our valued dealers."

All Authorized Memphis Car Audio dealers nationwide will be welcoming the contestants and their search for the quality sound systems that they seek to win. Memphis will promote the winner of this new MCA audio installation and share the photos on our company website as well as the social media channels that promoted the contest, so that all Memphis fans around the world can unite and bask in the glow of a new system that rocks ….WITH SOME SLAM!

***

About Memphis Car Audio

Memphis Car Audio offers a line of amplifiers, speakers, subwoofers and connection accessories that are sold exclusively through independent automotive aftermarket specialists nationwide. For more information about the brand, visit www.memphiscaraudio.com.

Skype video calls are free and a great way to get in touch.

Anytime you want to talk, the Skype ID is:

Steven D. Stern

We can also use this for Judge Training "webinar" type sessions.

If I'm not in, please leave a message and I'll get back to you.

Of course, e-mail and phones are ok, too. :)

Plans are being finalized, but the good news for our Oklahoma and surrounding states Members  is the 5X points weekend at Car Toys in Tulsa on September 11th and 12th.

Saturday is "The 2010 Patriot Autofest" benefit organized by Mark Eldridge of MSE and Rob Rice from Car Toys.  All proceeds, including MECA entry fees, will go directly to the Folds of Honor Foundation ( www.foldsofhonor.com ) that benefits military families.  The Commissioner and all Judges are donating their time to make sure that every dollar possible can be raised from the event, which includes SQL, SPL, and Show & Shine contests.  JBL and JL Audio are supporting sponsors.

Sunday is the "Oklahoma Soundfest - State Finals" at the same location, at the Car Toys store.  This is a premium regional 3X points event, especially for the Oklahoma MECA Members.  A Show & Shine is part of the mix, and everybody knows that Car Toys knows how to host a big car audio show.  This will be a big weekend for our midwest Members!

Please use this link to pre-register for the September 19th Sound Pressure League contest at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, Oregon.

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/311284/rv9k5