NSPL Rules
2004 Official NSPL Rule Book
NSPL is an organization which is structured to develop the highest level of
Unlimited Sound Pressure Level competition. It takes a lot of time, design,
and engineering to develop a sound system to product high SPL. The format that
is provided has been set up to allow an exciting, safe, and fair competitive
process.
CONDUCT
At all NSPL events, everyone must be shown respect.
Profanity will not be tolerated at any NSPL event.
Weapons (guns, knives, etc) or illegal drugs will not be
tolerated at any NSPL event.
General Rules and Regulations
- In order to accumulate points a competitor cannot change
power classes during the current NSPL season. If a competitor
changes classes, they will lose all points.
- Once
a competitor goes pro, he or she may not move down to
Amateur, Beginner, etc.
- Once
a competitor goes Amateur, he or she may not move down
to Beginner, Trunk, etc.
- A
competitor may not add amps or speakers during the course
of an event. (Ex. If you enter an event
with
2-12’s
you cannot add 2 more subs extra at the the same
event).
- A
vehicle to be Trunk, Beginner, Amateur, Pro, Unmodified
Speaker SPL, Consumer SPL etc. must
have windows
which roll down to their factory position.
- A
vehicle to be classed such as in rule 5 must have the
following:
Factory seats (Recaro Racing seats accepted.)
- Trunk/Beginner/Con.
No wall must not have a lowered or braced roof. Raised
floor or modified
door
panels. There can only
be one alternator.
- Amateur/Pro/Unmodified
Speaker/Con. Wall must maintain a factory floorboard.
The above divisions listed in C must
not have a chopped top.
- The
roof must not be lower than the door opening.
- The
vehicles Door Panels must remain factory. (Excluding
Speaker Pods).
- The
dashboard must remain stock.
- The
footwell beneath the dash, must not be covered or sealed
in any way.
- The
Console if custom must not be higher than the
bottom of
the steering
wheel.
- The
alternators must be mounted under the hood
numbering
no more than 3.
- A
competition vehicle not considered modified
must
have factory
windows.
- A
wall in a vehicle must be
behind the trailing
edge of
the back
of the
door jab.
- A
competitor is allowed
one vehicle
change,
but it
must
be 3 months
before
finals
and
be approved
by
NSPL
- All
World records
will
start
over
each
year
at
the Finals.
- All
National Records
will
start
over
each
year
at
the
Spring Nationals.
- All
Speakers
must
contain
voice
coils,
with
measurable
resistance
loads.
(No
linear
actuated
or
push
rod
driven
speakers.)
The
maximum
size
speakers
that
will
be
allowed
will
be
21
inches.
(Except
Insane)
- All
dual
wheel
Delivery
vans,
Cube
vans,
School
Buses,
etc…..
must
compete
in
the
Insane
SPL
Division.
Also
vehicles
with
modified
exterior’s
so
to
change
the
internal
volume
of
a
vehicle
will
also
compete
in
this
division.
- All
manufacturer
owned
vehicles
will
be
classed
in
two
classes
Modified
and
Unmodified
which
is
Manufacturer
SPL.
- All
test software
(CD or
Tape) must
be 80
hz and
down.
- No
gases
or
chemicals
may
be
injected
into
the
vehicle
at
anytime.
(Nitrous
Oxide,
Compressed
Air,
Fog
Clouds,
etc……)
**NSPL
reserves
the
right
to
change
or
modify
any
rule
without
notice.
Class-Specific Rules
-
Unlimited SPL (Trunk, Beg. Car & Truck, Ama., Pro, Unmod. Spk , Modified
Spk SPL)
- Upon
entering the judging area, the power class (speaker class)
verification must take place before SPL Testing.
All amplifiers must be visible and labeled
properly to be identified.
- The
vehicle must be in park with the emergency brake applied.
- All
windows in the vehicle must be rolled up. The doors must
be closed. The engine may be running or cut
off.(If running, there will be no revving and
the rpm must not exceed a preset 2000. The competitor may not hold
his or her foot on the gas petal in order to achieve
2000 rpm, as it must be set
at a
steady idle.)
- The
microphone will be placed in the center of the vehicle
approximately 3 inches from top of the
dash, and held in place.
- When
ready, the contestant has 30 seconds to achieve the maximum
SPL reading.
- If
in the vehicle, hearing protection (ear plugs, headphones,
etc.) must be worn.
- The
meter will be set to display the highest RMS reading
for accuracy.
- Equipment
used for competition must be 12 volt powered and must
be commercially or consumer available.
- A
vehicle may not be judged while connected to a battery
charger or power supply.
- If
a competitor protests another competitor's SPL reading,
the individual with the complaint must put up $1500.00
to the head
judge. The competitor
that has
had their SPL reading challenged must have his or her
vehicle inspected and rejudged. If no violations are
found, he
or she receives $1000.00
and $500.00
goes to the head judge. If the accused competitor refuses
to be inspected and re-judged, he or she will be disqualified
and the
$1,500.00 is
returned to
the protestor.
- A
protest may not be made against a competitor in another
power class.
- Any
competitor caught cheating will be disqualified from
the event immediately. Future violations that
occur will
result
in being
banned from competing at
any N.S.P.L. sanctioned events.
- N.S.P.L.
is not responsible for any damage done to any person,
vehicle, or equipment.
- A
competitor may use any type of music as long as it is
commecially available and below 80
hz in frequency.
(Home
recordings,
or custom made recordings
will not be allowed.) However, offensive music
using profanity or disrespecting women, ethnic
groups,
or
religions, etc.
shall not
be used.
Trunk SPL
Unlimited SPL Rules apply to Trunk SPL.
Trunk SPL is for a competitor with a rear trunk passenger
car that has a rear deck.
The rear deck must be stock to qualify for trunk stock with
rear speakers installed. In the Trunk Modified class, the
rear deck can appear stock and there cannot be any visible
holes; the entire deck must be covered, but can be vented.
The rear seat must be in its original condition with no modification.
Examples: 1. The seat may not sag or sink due to foam removed
from inside. 2. The seat may not be extended away from the
rear deck.
Any vehicle with a fold-down rear seat or armrest must be
up. All equipment used in the system must be installed in
the trunk (Batteries, amps, subs, capacitors, etc..)
A Trunk competitor is anyone who is not a Pro, does not work
as an installer, or affiliated with the electronics industry.
A Trunk vehicle is not considered to be a hatchback with
a rear trunk. Examples: 1. A Trunk vehicle is: Honda Prelude,
Chevy Beretta, Ford Escort (Trunk Version), etc. 2. Not a
Trunk vehicle: Honda CRX, Mazda RX-7, Acura Integra (Hatchback
Version), etc.
Pro No Wall SPL (Unlimited)
A Pro No Wall competitor is anyone who works in the industry
of electronics as an installer, or salesperson who has a
subwoofer enclosure that has 12 inches or more clearance
between it and the box.
Unlimited SPL Rules apply to Pro No Wall.
Regular Cab Truck (Unlimited)
Regular Cab Truck SPL is for the competitor with a regular
Cab Truck that has the subwoofer enclosure mounted below
the seal of the rear window. The seats must bolt in the
factory mounting locations and the box may be installed
with the seat in the forward position locked. But the back
may lean forward and must be capable of resting straight
up.
Unlimited SPL Rules apply to the Regular Cab SPL Division.
No Extended Cabs or Quad Cabs.
Beginner SPL Rules
Beginner SPL is for the first time competitors who do not
work in the industry of electronics as an installer, salesperson,
or sales rep.
The same rules for Unlimited SPL apply for Beginner SPL.
A Beginner vehicle must retain the rear seat with the system
installed behind it (Batteries, Amps, Subs, etc..). There
cannot be a wall in a beginner vehicle and the speaker box
must be 12 inches or more from the roof.
A Beginner Car vehicle may be a hatchback passenger car (Example:
Honda CRX, Ford Probe). A Beginner Truck/SUV vehicle (Example:
Chevy Blazer, Ford Ranger, Ford Explorer).
Amateur SPL Rules
Amateur SPL is for the seasoned competitor who does not work
in the industry of electronics as an installer, salesperson,
or sales representative.
The competitors in the Amateur SPL are allowed to install
walls of woofers, but the box must be behind the door jambs.
Pro SPL Rules
Pro SPL is for a veteran or new competitor who works in the
industry of electronics as an installer, salesperson, or
sales rep.
The competitors in Pro SPL are allowed to install walls of
woofers, but they must be behind the door jambs. The rules
listed under Unlimited SPL apply to Pro SPL.
Unmodified Speaker SPL
Unmodified Speaker SPL is a format in which stereo systems
are classed by the number of speakers in the vehicle. The
speakers must be 8 inches wide or larger. (Example: 2 15-inch
speakers = 0-30" class). In the 0-30" no wall
class the speaker box must be at least 12 inches from the
roof.
The same rules for Unlimited SPL apply to Unmodified Speaker
SPL.
Modified Speaker SPL
Unlimited Rules apply to Modified Speaker SPL.
Modified SPL is for a competitor who has an extremely modified
vehicle. Some examples include non-factory windows that are
not made of glass (Plexi, Lexan, steel straps, etc.); a vehicle
with more than 3 alternators; non-factory seats that have
been altered or modified; aftermarket seats (Recaro racing
seats, etc.).
A vehicle that is owned by a Manufacturer must compete in
the Insane Class.
Modified Speaker SPL is a format in which stereo systems
are classified by the number of speakers in the vehicle.
The speakers must be 8 inches wide or larger. (Example: 2
15-inch speakers = 0-30" class).
A maximum of 3 braces can be used between the roof, windshield,
and the floor(console) in the center of the vehicle.
The vehicles console must not be higher than the dash.
The maximum thickness of the door panels below the window
seal is 6 inches.
The maximum thickness of the side window and front windshield
glass is 4 inches.
Hardcore SPL (Amateur Hardcore, Pro Hardcore)
Hardcore SPL is for the true competitor because doors can
be open, windows down, and the engine can be revved up
to 2000 rpm.
The emergency brake must be applied on all vehicles to prevent
rolling or accidental motion.
The microphone may be placed anywhere in the front of the
vehicle beyond the front seats: facing the dash or windshield
area.
The microphone may not be placed in any ports, vents, or
other tuning devices which may cause damage to the test equipment.
The front edge of the microphone should be at least 3 inches
away from anything in any direction.
When the competitor signals that he or she is ready, the
judge starts the clock and there will be 30 seconds to achieve
the highest SPL.
Insane SPL
The Insane SPL class is set up competitors with systems which
are outside the installation parameters discussed in the
general rules section.
Mic placement is anywhere in the vehicle, where the mic stand
will allow for a safe placement of the mic. If being placed
near a port the opening of the port must equal 36 square
inches or more (6" x 6")
The engine idle must not exceed 2000 rpm and doors can be
open windows may be rolled down.
If a competitor has a vehicle which is a Large Panel Van,
Delivery Truck, Bus, Plane or Train then this is considered
an Insane Vehicle.
Conduct
At all N.S.P.L. events, everyone must be show respect for
others.
Profanity will not be tolerated at any N.S.P.L. event.
Weapons (guns, knives) or illegal drugs will not be tolerated
at any N.S.P.L. event.
Petitions and Mob type behavior will not be tolerated at
any time and will result in being banned for life from any
N.S.P.L. sanctioned event.
To Qualify For Finals
Must be a NSPL member to accumulate points. (A first time
competitor must join at least 20 days after an event to accumulate
points from that event.)
Competitors must accumulate 50 points to qualify for finals.
In order to qualify for an Unlimited SPL class and an Hardcore
class you must have 50 points in each class.
If there are not enough shows available in your Bass Zone
and you are a top 5 points holder in your class, you may
be considered to participate in finals.
If there are no shows in your Bass Zone then you may receive
an invitation.
Bass Zones (States)
Northeast (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C.)
New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island)
Mid-Atlantic (West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky)
Southeast (Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi)
Great Lakes (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin,
Minnesota)
North Central (North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana)
Mid-West (Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas)
South Central (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana)
South West (New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah)
North West (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada)
Pacific\North (Hawaii, Alaska)
Call or email mailto rules@nsplcompetition.com with questions
concerning rules.
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