2026 MECA SQL Rule Book

Summary
The 2025 SQL Rulebook by MECA, Inc. provides comprehensive guidelines for MECA car audio competitions, covering events, points accumulation, team guidelines, protest procedures, and specific rules for the Sound Quality League (SQL).

Points Accumulation: Competitors must earn 45 points in various categories to qualify for the World Finals Soundfest, with reduced requirements for active military, first responders, and those with no shows within 250 miles of their home.
Event Formats: MECA offers different event formats, including 1X, 2X, 3X, and 4X points events, each with specific points allocation and judging criteria.
Team Guidelines: Teams can be formed by retail or manufacturer members, with an annual membership fee. Team members must ensure their membership is current and properly recorded at events.
Discipline and Protests: MECA outlines a procedure for handling complaints, protests, and disciplinary actions, including the roles of the Rules & Ethics Committee and the Commissioner.
Sound Quality League (SQL) Rules: The SQL rules focus on sound quality, installation, and real-time analysis (RTA), with specific class definitions and allowed/not allowed lists for each class.
Judging Criteria: Judging criteria for SQL include system noise, tonality, musical realism, dynamics, linearity, ambience, and staging, with detailed scoring guidelines provided.
Install Format Rules: Installation is judged based on safety, cabling, equipment mounting, maintenance, functionality, craftsmanship, appearance, creativity, and presentation.
RTA Freq Out Format: The RTA Freq Out format ranks competitors based on real-time analysis scores, with specific guidelines for vehicle and owner requirements, judging criteria, and microphone placement.
Phat Awards: Phat Awards recognize special vehicles and systems in SQL contests, including categories like Phat Car, Phat Truck, Phat Install, Most Improved, and Phat ICE Award.
Judging Guidelines: Judges are expected to conduct themselves professionally, ensure fairness, and adhere to MECA’s rules and guidelines during events.