I had the very fortunate opportunity to judge the 1st ever USACi Japan Finals last weekend. It was very last minute but it was easily the most fun event I have ever been apart of in my decade plus competition career.
In their 1st Finals, they had over 60 SQ cars with 20 or so cars in the INTRO class which is the lowest possible class meant for rookies, new comers,novice etc...
I judged Super Modified + and Intro. so their highest class which was 2 seat and Intro.
There were 18 Street Beat SPL cars, basically SPL using music. SPL is not popular in Japan. It is a country firmly rooted in sound quality.
USACi Japan's director and President were amazing hosts and this event will be one I remember for a very long time and tops any show I have been to in the US. It will be hard to top what they did this year for their 1st finals.
As far as how cars sounded. the ones I heard were all tonally very good. The best cars were tonally as good and some better than any car in the US I have heard and or judged.
BUT....they have different views of technical presentation.
Majority of cars are set up to image specifically for the driver seat listener. so they put the center image directly in front of the driver.
It makes for a VERY asymmetrical sound stage with a giant gaping hole around the center console.
Its more of a cultural difference, than a lack of understanding rules.
Pioneer is still very huge in Japan. They run a very large series of shows and that is how Pioneer wants cars to stage. From what I heard, they are slowly evolving to putting center directly between 2 points, but its a slow transition.
Tonally tho, the cars I heard were all very nice with the worst car being better than many of the average cars in the US.
maybe some of this would change if they focused on some technical aspects and had to make trade offs for both--I dunno, I will hopefully get to judge again and hear the changes.
Install wise--nothing has really changed since my last visit a decade ago--the pride and attention to detail in Japanese vehicles is second to none.
Majority are all show cars. they are all driven, none trailered. Im not even sure how anyone could trailer a car in Japan, if you've ever driven there--Im not sure how a truck could drive pulling a car trailer.
But all are really well built and show alot of the owners own personality.
In a society that is still rather rigid, something like car audio is a great way to show self expression.
Equipment wise it was hard not to find a car without a Pioneer source.
Pioneer ODR is still hue in Japan. its what all the "Top" competitors use.
There were a few Alpine F1. and several Mitsubishi new Diatone processors. and a few assorted other Head units--but it became a little game between judges to find cars that didnt have Pioneer as a source.:D
Amps range from JL to Musee, Arc Audio, PPI, Mosconi etc...Same with speakers. all brands-alot of Pioneer still , but there were a few Hybrid Audio cars, and many other brands
wideband with tweeters is very popular. Its VERY difficult to do kick panels in a RHD vehicle bc the speaker would be right by the gas pedal.
Processor wise, like I said--lots of Pioneer ODR. a few F1. Several Mitsubishi Diatone, a few Bewith, and a couple Bitone. I saw no Mosconi 6to8, Alpine H700/01, no Zapco DSP (or even amps), NO Arc PS8, No Rockford 360 anything and I dont recall any Alpine H800 either.
I also had the very fortunate experience of meeting Niro Nakamichi. He had a vehicle there with all his new product that will be coming out next spring. all new all Digital Amps. new speakers etc...
It was a great honor to be able to listen and give him feedback on the sound. It was the most fun vehicle I heard all weekend.
one key thing is that in Japan--Manufacturers still support car audio competition. manufacturers and dealers are a huge part of competition.
blah blah blah blah
Pics below:D
Mie Prefecture Convention Center in Mie Tsu City
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Main entrance-Kicker Demo vehicles and Booths on Left
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He integrated a tablet in his dash--I didnt even notice it--he was very proud of it and wanted to make sure I got a picture of it:D
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In their 1st Finals, they had over 60 SQ cars with 20 or so cars in the INTRO class which is the lowest possible class meant for rookies, new comers,novice etc...
I judged Super Modified + and Intro. so their highest class which was 2 seat and Intro.
There were 18 Street Beat SPL cars, basically SPL using music. SPL is not popular in Japan. It is a country firmly rooted in sound quality.
USACi Japan's director and President were amazing hosts and this event will be one I remember for a very long time and tops any show I have been to in the US. It will be hard to top what they did this year for their 1st finals.
As far as how cars sounded. the ones I heard were all tonally very good. The best cars were tonally as good and some better than any car in the US I have heard and or judged.
BUT....they have different views of technical presentation.
Majority of cars are set up to image specifically for the driver seat listener. so they put the center image directly in front of the driver.
It makes for a VERY asymmetrical sound stage with a giant gaping hole around the center console.
Its more of a cultural difference, than a lack of understanding rules.
Pioneer is still very huge in Japan. They run a very large series of shows and that is how Pioneer wants cars to stage. From what I heard, they are slowly evolving to putting center directly between 2 points, but its a slow transition.
Tonally tho, the cars I heard were all very nice with the worst car being better than many of the average cars in the US.
maybe some of this would change if they focused on some technical aspects and had to make trade offs for both--I dunno, I will hopefully get to judge again and hear the changes.
Install wise--nothing has really changed since my last visit a decade ago--the pride and attention to detail in Japanese vehicles is second to none.
Majority are all show cars. they are all driven, none trailered. Im not even sure how anyone could trailer a car in Japan, if you've ever driven there--Im not sure how a truck could drive pulling a car trailer.
But all are really well built and show alot of the owners own personality.
In a society that is still rather rigid, something like car audio is a great way to show self expression.
Equipment wise it was hard not to find a car without a Pioneer source.
Pioneer ODR is still hue in Japan. its what all the "Top" competitors use.
There were a few Alpine F1. and several Mitsubishi new Diatone processors. and a few assorted other Head units--but it became a little game between judges to find cars that didnt have Pioneer as a source.:D
Amps range from JL to Musee, Arc Audio, PPI, Mosconi etc...Same with speakers. all brands-alot of Pioneer still , but there were a few Hybrid Audio cars, and many other brands
wideband with tweeters is very popular. Its VERY difficult to do kick panels in a RHD vehicle bc the speaker would be right by the gas pedal.
Processor wise, like I said--lots of Pioneer ODR. a few F1. Several Mitsubishi Diatone, a few Bewith, and a couple Bitone. I saw no Mosconi 6to8, Alpine H700/01, no Zapco DSP (or even amps), NO Arc PS8, No Rockford 360 anything and I dont recall any Alpine H800 either.
I also had the very fortunate experience of meeting Niro Nakamichi. He had a vehicle there with all his new product that will be coming out next spring. all new all Digital Amps. new speakers etc...
It was a great honor to be able to listen and give him feedback on the sound. It was the most fun vehicle I heard all weekend.
one key thing is that in Japan--Manufacturers still support car audio competition. manufacturers and dealers are a huge part of competition.
blah blah blah blah
Pics below:D
Mie Prefecture Convention Center in Mie Tsu City
Main entrance-Kicker Demo vehicles and Booths on Left
He integrated a tablet in his dash--I didnt even notice it--he was very proud of it and wanted to make sure I got a picture of it:D
