EMMA Sound Pressure League

We Like Loud!

The EMMA Sound Pressure League is made for those kinds of competitors who are (also) interested in the maximum level of volume in their cars – not forgetting about a safe installation and a neat looking appearance.
To guarantee similar conditions and fairness to all competitors, the amount of subwoofers will be regulated.

ESPL is split into 6 categories:

3.3.1 ESPL Entry

ESPL Entry is the true entry to ESPL competitions for anybody to find out how well his/her installation is built and how loud the system can play. Competitors will have a chance to get inspired by other competition cars and learn about the potential of their own car for improving SPL performance and installation. For those interested a rulebook and an official EMMA-ESPL competition CD are available. Chances are you will make friends and learn that there is not only competition but also support and fun – even by competitors within the same class. ESPL Entry is truly the entry for the competitor and his vehicle to become part of EMMA.

A competitor is allowed to compete in this category if he/she meets all of the following criteria:

  • The vehicle and/or competitor has never competed in any ESPL competition in any other category than ESPL Entry · The vehicle and/or competitor has never won first place in the category ESPL Entry
  • The competitor is no active or retired judge in any car audio organisation
  • The competitor is not related to, employed by, or otherwise affiliated with, and/or has not received financial support or other compensation from any manufacturer of mobile audio equipment, or publisher of auto sound related material, retail dealer or other representative of the mobile electronics industry and magazines (also auto sound organising or sanctioning body)
  • He/she has neither received, nor expects to receive, financial support or other compensation for promotional consideration from any industry-related person or company for participation in any EMMA Event or promotion
  • The mobile electronics system that he/she is entering to the competition should have been purchased through retail channels at retail prices or used. If requested by an Event official, proof of purchase (i.e. numbered sales receipt) should be available for verification

Furthermore:

  • The audio system can be installed by a professional installer
  • No limits on amount of woofers or speakers
  • In ESPL Entry, there will be no international Championship. Every national organisation can use this category according to needs or particularities of each country. A proposal to national organizations is: Certificates will be awarded to all competitors within this category (no trophies). The winner of the category will receive an official, actual EMMA rulebook together with an EMMA ESPL CD and will be invited to one free participation on an upcoming EMMAEvent in the appropriate ESPL-category. Furthermore, he is invited to compete in the appropriate ESPL category for the rest of the season.

Classifications:

  • ESPL Entry - ESPL Entry (One class)

Judging procedure:

  • Installation check according to the rulebook.
  • Measurement with closed doors
  • Measurement with open doors

3.3.2 ESPL Experienced & Experienced Plus

ESPL Experienced is the entry to international ESPL competition on a slightly higher level than in ESPL Entry. Competitors with a descent installation and SPL- performance will have a fair chance within this category. Only the elementary things are part of the judging. There is a good possibility to learn and improve the installation and the SPL performance step by step by competing in this category – and it is not simply depending on spending more money on the equipment. The most successful competitors within this category will be ready to take the next step towards an even higher level of competition. And with the chance of participating in national and international finals it is a good way to become part of the international EMMA-community and learn what makes EMMA so special – the Great Spirit under the crowd of international competitors and the international EMMA team. While ESPL Experienced is for any car, competitors who put some effort in the design and style of their car might have a better chance in ESPL Experienced Plus since not only is the quality of the installation and of course the volume level important, but also the design and styling of the competition car will be judged.

A competitor is eligible to compete in this category if he/she meets all of the following criteria:

  • The audio system can be installed by a professional installer
  • No modified or self built equipment is allowed
  • The vehicle must be registered and approximate the “original” from C-pillar to the front and should look original. Cosmetic changes which highlight the installation are encouraged. The installation of the Woofers & sub-box including ports, etc. must be in the trunk area and should not go higher then the top of the original backseats (not head rests!!!). Amplifiers and other equipment may be installed in other areas then the before mentioned trunk area. This must be proved by the competitor on request, for. E.g. by photo before / after,
  • A maximum of two channels of amplification are allowed per physical installed woofer (two channels bridged to one is counted as one)

Furthermore:

  • This category is open to anyone!
  • In ESPL Experienced & Experienced Plus, there will be a national and an international Championship.

Classifications:

  • ESPL Experienced 2 - 2 Woofers
  • ESPL Experienced 4 - 4 Woofers
  • ESPL Experienced PLUS 4 – 4 Woofers
  • ESPL Experienced Plus Unlimited

Judging procedure:

  • Installation check according to the matrix in the rulebook.
  • Measurement with closed doors
  • Measurement with open doors

3.3.3 ESPL Advanced & ESPL Advanced Plus

ESPL Advanced is the step following ESPL Experienced – taking ESPL competition to the next level considering not only the elementary things on the installation site and allowing more changes to the Interior of the vehicle.
The competitors will receive qualified feedback about the SPL-measures and installation of their systems with potential for improvements in the future.
While ESPL Advanced is for any car, competitors who put some effort in the design and style of their car might have a better chance in ESPL Advanced Plus since not only is the quality of the installation and of course the volume level important, but also the design and styling of the competition car will be judged.

A competitor is eligible to compete in this category if he/she meets all of the following criteria:

  • The audio system can be installed by a professional installer
  • Modified or self built equipment is allowed
  • The woofers have to be installed behind the original B-pillar
  • The vehicle must be registered and approximate the “original” from B-pillar to the front and should look original, cosmetic changes which highlight the installation are encouraged. The installation of the Woofers & sub-box including ports, etc. must be behind the B-pillar and should not go higher then the top of the original backseats (not head rests!!!). Amplifiers and other equipment may be installed in other areas then the before mentioned area. This must be proved by the competitor on request, for. E.g. by photo before / after, etc –
  • A maximum of two channels of amplification are allowed per physical installed woofer (two channels bridged to one is counted as one)

Furthermore:

  • This category is open to anyone!
  • In ESPL Advanced & Advanced Plus, there will be a national and an international Championship.

Classifications:

  • ESPL Advanced Unlimited
  • ESPL Advanced Plus Unlimited

Judging procedure:

  • Installation check according to the matrix on the last page.
  • Measurement with closed doors / front-windows
  • Measurement with open doors / front-windows

3.3.4 ESPL Master

ESPL Master is taking the ESPL competition to a sophisticated level. The top vehicles of this category represent nearly everything achievable in the vehicle environment. The top competitors will be highly respected and set an example to the international crowd of EMMA competitors.
The competitors will receive qualified feedback about the SPL and installation of their mobile electronics-systems with potential for improvements in the future.

A competitor is eligible to compete in this category if he/she meets all of the following criteria:

  • The car has not to be registered and can be modified but must be able to drive by its own engine
  • At least a drivers seat must be installed (a car-seat, not a bench or a piece of wood to sit on)
  • The audio system can be installed by a professional installer
  • Modified or self built equipment is allowed
  • There is no limit on the voltage (so it can be higher than 14,4V)

Furthermore:

  • This category is open to anyone! In ESPL Master, there will be a national and an international Championship.

Classifications:

  • ESPL Master - ESPL Master – (one class)

Judging procedure:

  • Installation check according to the matrix in the rulebook.
  • Measurement with closed doors
  • Measurement with open doors

3.3.5 ESPL Expert

ESPL Expert is similar to ESPL Master, but not only is the quality of the installation and of course the volume level important, but also the design and styling of the competition car will be judged. The competitors will receive qualified feedback about the SPL-measures and installation of their systems with potential for improvements in the future.

A competitor is eligible to compete in this category if he/she meets all of the following criteria:

  • The car has not to be registered and can be modified but must be able to drive by its own engine
  • At least a drivers seat must be installed (a car-seat, not a bench or a piece of wood to sit on)
  • The audio system can be installed by a professional installer
  • Modified or self built equipment is allowed.
  • There is no limit on the voltage (so it can be higher than 14,4V)

Furthermore:

  • This category is open to anyone! In ESPL Master, there will be a national and an international Championship.

Classifications:

  • ESPL Expert - ESPL Expert – (one class)

Judging procedure:

  • Installation check according to the matrix in the rulebook.
  • Measurement with closed doors
  • Measurement with open doors