The SoundQ Garage

Send us Fan MailBuying car audio gear feels productive until you realize you built a pile of pricey parts that can’t fit, can’t be tuned properly, or simply don’t work together. We walk through the consultation process that prevents that outcome, starting with the one question that matters most: what are you trying to achieve? From “better than factory” to competition-level sound quality to bass-heavy SQL builds, we lay out how goals, listening habits, and real-world constraints should drive every purchase.We also get practical about vehicle reality. Speaker placement and mounting depth can make your dream drivers a fabrication nightmare, and even the same components can sound different across cabins due to reflections, interior materials, and road noise. We talk through how music preferences influence priorities like mid-bass punch, imaging, tonal balance, and low-frequency extension, plus how much trunk space and interior change you’re actually willing to live with.Then we connect the dots on system design: amplifier channel planning, realistic power needs, electrical limitations, and why the DSP is the brain of the build. We explain why the “best DSP” is often the one your tuner recommends, how to future-proof inputs and outputs, and why budget must include sound treatment, wiring, integration, installation, and tuning, not just hardware. If you want a car audio system that sounds incredible and makes sense on paper, subscribe, share this episode with a friend planning a build, and leave a review with your biggest upgrade goal.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Natan Budiono, a lifelong car audio specialist whose path runs from Indonesia to a one-man high-end install shop to OEM acoustic engineering and decades of world-title competition wins. He breaks down what actually creates believable stereo imaging in a car, why measurement tools can mislead, and how he chases repeatable results across any music track.We talk through what separates “loud and clear” from truly believable stereo imaging, the kind that makes a vocal lock into place and a stage feel wide without sounding processed. Natan breaks down how his thinking changed once he had access to professional measurement tools, why OEM tuning is a different game with cost, packaging, and warranty constraints, and why factory audio isn’t “bad” so much as “budgeted.” We also get into his most hard-earned competition lessons: reading score sheets, fixing the real weaknesses, and building a tuning process you can repeat across any song, not just a favorite demo track.Then we go deep on the tools and workflow: time delay as the workhorse, the risks of chasing graphs, why he often refuses to tweak EQ during listening, and how multi-microphone arrays can produce a more trustworthy target than a single mic. Finally, Natan shares what he’s building now under the revived Enbies name, from his M7NB microphone array to the Magic 8NB DSP amp concept and new Textreme-based drivers aimed at natural, low-distortion performance.Subscribe for more high-level car audio conversations, share this with a friend who’s stuck “changing speakers like socks,” and leave a review with your biggest tuning question.Support the show

Send us Fan MailA subwoofer sparks the obsession, but what happens when curiosity turns into craft and then into a career? Carson Steigerwalt is part of the newer generation of car audio enthusiasts who didn’t grow up in the traditional competition pipeline. He learns the hard way through early Jeep installs, bad noise issues, and the moment every beginner hits: realizing you don’t actually know what gain, crossover settings, or system design mean until something goes wrong.We trace the jump from chasing SPL loudness to pursuing real sound quality (SQ) and soundstage, including why a system can feel “night and day different” even before it’s fully dialed in. Then we get honest about what truly moves the needle in car audio: controlling resonance, building a solid install, and doing DSP tuning that locks in a center image instead of just boosting treble and calling it detail. Carson explains what remote tuning looks like in the real world, why it’s often the only option for people far from a trusted tuner, and how customer feedback can make or break the process.Finally, we go deep on his Porsche Macan build and the compromises that come with a daily-driven, OEM-looking competition car: reflections, enclosure rigidity, rattles that never end, and the constant chase for more stage width. If you care about SQ vs SPL, DSP tuning, and building a system that’s loud and accurate, you’ll leave with a clearer path forward. Subscribe, share this with a friend building their first system, and leave a review with your biggest tuning or install challenge.Support the show

Send us Fan MailYou can buy great speakers and still end up with a system that sounds wrong, and Cal Cundiff proves it the hard way. We sit down with a dedicated DIY builder in the Tampa Bay area who turned a 2022 Ford F-150 into a legit sound quality truck using mostly OEM locations, a three-way front stage, and a DSP workflow built around MiniDSP and Dirac Live. The conversation starts with his current setup, then quickly moves to the real question: why do some builds image with a locked center vocal while others never get there? We walk through the messy part of the hobby that nobody posts on social media: missing power kits, learning wire gauge, reinstalling panels for the fifth time, and realizing that swapping midbass drivers won’t erase cabin nulls or fix phase issues. Cal breaks down how he learned crossovers, time alignment, and tuning basics, why Dirac Live is not “auto-tune,” and how careful measurements can make or break your final result. We also talk OEM-friendly F-150 opportunities like dash speaker locations and why simple system design often beats complexity. Then we get into the fun and the pressure: IASCA and MECA competitions, meetups as a tuning reference, and what it feels like to park next to cars you’ve only seen on YouTube. Along the way we hit common car audio myths, amp brand drama, and the beginner path that actually works: sound treatment first, install fundamentals, then learn to tune with tools like REW before you spend more money. If you’re building a DIY car audio system for sound quality, this is the roadmap we wish we had earlier. Subscribe for more SQ conversations, share this with a friend building their first system, and leave a review if it helps. What part of tuning or installation are you stuck on right now?Support the show

Send us Fan MailTired of the “one is better” noise around source gear for car audio? We take a clear, real‑world look at using a DAP versus an iPhone as your primary source, and why the right choice depends on how you drive, how you listen, and how simple you want your chain to be. From clean digital paths and cable choices to safety, convenience, and battery reality, we map the tradeoffs without the hype.We start with the iPhone path many of us already use: a straightforward USB connection into an SMSL PO100 a compact digital transport feeding your DSP. It’s rugged, lives in your pocket, and unlocks CarPlay for safer calls, maps, and voice control. Then we pivot to the dedicated player route: direct coaxial or optical output via slim adapters, LDAC and aptX Bluetooth options, and microSD storage that makes multi‑terabyte libraries affordable. Along the way, we explain how to verify bit‑perfect, high‑resolution output from Apple Music and Qobuz, and why mastering quality usually matters more than file format bragging rights.The heart of the conversation tackles a sacred cow: EQ. In a car’s chaotic acoustics, tiny, smart EQ moves in a 24‑ or 32‑bit chain can deliver more musical satisfaction than untouched streams that sound thin or harsh. We also share a clever hybrid: run wireless CarPlay for the interface while routing music output directly to your DSP for a focused, high‑quality path. No dogma—just practical setups, honest pros and cons, and a reminder that your favorite system is the one that makes you linger in the driveway to finish the track.If this helped you rethink your source, tap follow, share with a friend who obsesses over “bit perfect,” and leave a quick review telling us your pick—DAP, iPhone, or both.Support the show

Send us Fan MailSticker shock pushed me to rethink Hi Res car audio Bluetooth. Legacy receivers from Mosconi and Audison look polished but outdated Bluetooth  and questionable value made me search for modern alternatives that cost less and deliver more. That search led to two compact boxes: the FiiO BR13 and a lesser-known BDC-U unit sometimes sold as the “BerryBak.” Both promise high‑res wireless, both lean on the same ESS ES9018K2M DAC, and both come in at a fraction of the boutique price tags. The question isn’t whether they work; it’s which one fits your habits, hardware, and expectations about codecs, control, and long‑term support.The first surprise is how far Bluetooth has come. The BDC-U arrives with Bluetooth 5.3, USB‑C power and data, optical and coaxial digital outputs, and a harness for permanent installs. It even advertises aptX Lossless, a codec aiming at true 16‑bit/44.1 kHz transmission when the phone supports it. That last part matters: most Android devices today can do LDAC reliably, while aptX Lossless support is still thin and iPhones stick to AAC. In practice, the BDC-U pairs fast, locks into LDAC without drama, and delivers a subjectively lively output that measures slightly hotter than the FiiO. It also includes two antenna options, which helps if your glove box or center console buries radio range. If you want simple, modern, and cheap, this little brick does the job and feels sturdier than some pricier names.FiiO’s BR13 takes a different angle: flexibility. While it runs on Bluetooth 5.1, it supports LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC, and then adds serious I/O: optical in and out plus coaxial in and out, allowing digital passthrough inside a car or home rig. The companion app offers seven EQ presets and custom tuning, useful when your car’s DSP is locked behind menus or your factory head unit is limited. This isn’t about chasing mythical “wireless perfection” so much as giving you more routing options and smarter control. You can tuck the small chassis into a console and tailor the sound to taste. If you like to tweak, the BR13 is a better daily driver, even if its Bluetooth version trails the BDC-U on paper.Codecs are where expectations need calibration. LDAC at 990 kbps is already excellent for most listeners and systems; it demands stable signal and proper settings, and some devices default to lower rates until you toggle them. AptX Lossless is promising, but only if both ends support it; otherwise you’ll fall back to LDAC, aptX HD, or Adaptive. iPhone users will ride AAC, which is fine but not “high‑res.” The biggest audible win often comes from clean digital output into a competent downstream DAC or DSP, good gain staging, and avoiding needless resampling. Both receivers share the same ESS chip, so differences you hear may come from implementation, output level, antenna placement, and your car’s acoustics more than from headline specs.Day to day, both units are easy to live with. The BDC-U feels plug‑and‑play and pairs quickly, but some users will need to reselect LDAC in their phone or DAP after reconnecting. The FiiO trades a bit of setup for an app, better routing, and EQ that can fix a sagging midrange or tame a bright tweeter. Either will run from a USB port or adapter, and either can feed optical into a processor if you want to bypass analog paths. Compared with the pricey Mosconi and Audison units, you’re not giving up fidelity; you’re gaining modern connectivity without the “car audio tax.” If you crave simplicity and future‑proofed codecs, grab the BDCU. If you value features, app control, and digital passthrough, the BR13 is the smarter pick. And if true maximum fidelity is the goal, wired still wins—these boxes just make the wireless moments painless & funSupport the show

Send us Fan MailForget hype cycles and spec-sheet wars—this conversation is about how music actually feels in a car, and what it takes to get there. We sit down with 20-year-old tuner and fabricator Brayden Cooper, whose journey runs from chaotic basement speaker walls to precision car, bike, and even boat installs. He’s the mind behind a Toyota Camry that pairs five Boston GT amps and a Helix DSP Ultra with baffle-mounted Boston SPG 555 racetrack subs, delivering stage depth, smooth tonality, and the kind of low-end party trick that makes bumpers flex.Brayden pulls back the curtain on why most listeners aren’t really hearing a subwoofer—they’re hearing the vehicle, the enclosure, and the integration. He breaks down hard dome vs soft dome tweeters, why “install and tuning” beat shiny gear nine times out of ten, and how an ear for phase and balance can fix what REW graphs miss. We unpack the recent Klippel subwoofer testing drama with a level head: how to read the weighting, why scoring isn’t one-size-fits-all, and how to translate distortion and Xmax into smart choices for IB, front subs, or sealed alignments.Then it’s on to Project RAUDI Brayden’s B8 Audi built around the Accuton Automotive three-way: C30 AM tweeters, C100 AM dash mids, and C165 AM midbass breathing into the subframe. He’s weighing dual Purifi front subs through the firewall versus a compact sealed solution like the Resonix GUS 12, all powered by Symphony Prestigio/Prodigio and potentially Micro-Precision amplification. Expect CAD modeling, 3D scans, a rear-mounted lithium main and an LTO bank for long, stable demo sessions—because consistency matters as much as peak numbers.If you care about soundstage, imaging, and low distortion more than brand decals, this one’s for you. Brayden also shares details on his mobile tuning service—Helix, ARC, Mosconi, MiniDSP, and more—focused on turning parts into music with careful phase work, clean crossovers, and realistic targets. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s chasing better car audio, and leave a review with your take: are you team data, team ears, or both?To follow Brayden’s work in the high-end car audio world — including his tuning, installs, and behind-the-scenes projects — take a look at the links below:Facebook: CoopersCustomsNH Instagram: @CoopersCustomsNH TikTok: @CoopersCustomsNH YouTube: CoopersCustomsNHEmail: [email protected] the show

Send us Fan MailImagine opening a spec sheet and realizing half the numbers don’t survive a real test. That’s the energy today as we sit down with ResoNix founder Nick Apicella to unpack why he spent over $20,000 on independent Klippel testing for nearly forty subwoofers—and what the results say about truth, hype, and how great bass is actually built.We start with the problem most enthusiasts face: space is tight, power is cheap, yet small sealed performance still lags because many drivers compress, distort, or were never designed to stay linear at real excursion. Nick explains why Xmax claims often fail, how BL, suspension, and inductance symmetry drive audible clarity, and why linearity is the single most important metric for deep extension that still feels present. The data is blunt: a few subs shine, many miss their own marks, and published marketing specs rarely predict how they behave in your car.Then we reframe one of car audio’s most entrenched debates—sealed versus infinite baffle. The surprising answer: IB isn’t magic. What you’re hearing is excellent drivers doing linear work in an alignment that fits them. Match system Qtc, apply adequate power, and a small sealed design with a truly linear motor can deliver the same pressurized low end people rave about. That thinking fuels the ResoNix Gus line: shallow, compact, high-excursion subs built for tiny enclosures and verified by full third-party measurements. Nick shares prototype results, revision tweaks, and a release window, plus why ResoNix will publish raw Klippel LSI and TRF data, graphs and all.If you care about sound quality, this is your roadmap to choosing subs by merit, not marketing. Learn how to read the curves, what distortion looks like at meaningful stroke, and which tradeoffs matter for real-world installs. When the data hub goes live on the ResoNix site, dive in, compare your favorites, and decide with confidence.Enjoyed this deep dive? Follow, share with a friend who loves car audio, and drop a review with the one claim you most want to see tested next. Your questions shape future episodes.Link to the Independent Subwoofer Testing Data https://tinyurl.com/3fzr7fr9Support the show

Send us Fan MailMiss the rush of a great car audio demo that changes your mind on the spot? This season one recap brings you there, starting with Ryan’s beta test of Xcelsus  wide band speakers that made a strong case for a clean, coherent two-way system. We unpack why wide bands can unlock simpler installs, tighter imaging, and less crossover complexity, while still being honest about the trade-offs and timing before retail release.We also track the builds that kept our community buzzing. Mike’s Volvo inches toward a debut for that long-anticipated up mixer, proof that the last 10 percent often decides greatness. Dan—a 90s IASCA champion—returns to the scene and calls today’s cars “very digital,” sparking a rich contrast between analog warmth and modern precision. Luke shocks us by tearing down an already excellent truck to chase surgical like precision, while Chris revives the bold spirit of 90s show installs with a DIY Charger that already sounds promising. The industry’s human side shows too, as Miguel closes his traveling tuning business, a reminder of how hard it is to scale passion across miles and months.Looking ahead, we share our own next move: exploring infinite baffle after hearing IB done right, with Acoustic Elegance on the shortlist. And we outline a new segment designed to be deeply practical: DSP strategies, MiniDSP and Dirac workflows, DAPS, OEM integration, speaker choices, and placement that actually works in real cars. Expect clear steps, fewer myths, and more music-first results. If you care about sound quality, staging, phase, and low noise floors, you’ll feel right at home as we turn community lessons into a reliable playbook.If this recap resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who chases better sound, and leave a quick review with the one topic you want us to tackle first in season two. Your ideas shape the lineup.Support the show

Send us Fan MailA remarkable story unfolds as Chris Pearce takes us through his transformation from garage tinkerer to respected competitor in the high-end car audio world. Working entirely alone with basic tools, Chris rebuilt nearly every audio-related aspect of his Dodge Charger, creating a system that placed 17th at the prestigious Steel Valley Regional competition—holding its own against professionally-built systems.Chris walks us through his meticulous approach to extreme fabrication, including completely rebuilding his dashboard to create an optimal acoustic environment. His most innovative work involves custom-welded enclosures for dual front subwoofers in the kick panels—a modification rarely seen in daily-driven vehicles. Despite the competition-level modifications, Chris emphasizes that his car remains his everyday transportation, not just a dedicated show piece.The conversation reveals how immersing himself in online forums and fabrication resources provided the knowledge base for his ambitious build. We hear about a pivotal moment when listening to Brian Mitchell's Cadillac changed his understanding of dynamics in car audio, inspiring him to push his system to new heights. This led to a collaborative relationship with Peter from PS Sound, who was so impressed with Chris's work that he used the Charger as his official demo vehicle at a major competition.Beyond technical details, Chris offers invaluable wisdom for DIY enthusiasts considering competition. He explains how his first competition resulted in 35th place, which "lit a fire" under him rather than discouraging him. This perspective on competition as a learning process rather than just a venue for validation provides a refreshing take on the hobby. His insights on balancing competition tuning with personal listening preferences will resonate with anyone who loves music but wants to improve their system's technical performance.Ready to take your car audio system to the next level? Whether you're considering competition or simply want to improve your daily listening experience, Chris's journey demonstrates what's possible with determination, research, and a willingness to learn from the community. Subscribe to hear more stories of audio passion and DIY excellence!Support the show