The SoundQ Garage

Send us Fan Mail You 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...

Send us Fan Mail Tired 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...

Send us Fan Mail Sticker 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 Legacy receivers from Mosconi and Audison look polished but outdated Bluetooth  and questionable value made me search for modern alternatives that cost less and deliver more.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 wireles...

Send us Fan Mail Forget 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 DS...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine 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 fa...

Send us Fan Mail Miss 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-...

Send us Fan Mail A 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 pro...

Send us Fan Mail What separates good car audio from truly exceptional sound? In this deep-dive conversation with Miguel Rios of Waveform Tuning, we uncover the secrets behind creating automotive sound systems that rival high-end home setups. Miguel shares his fascinating journey from audio-obsessed kid with a boombox strapped to his bicycle to becoming one of the most respected mobile audio tuners...

Send us Fan Mail Matt Kim's journey from curious high school student to innovative car audio entrepreneur reveals how passion can reshape an entire career trajectory. After installing his first subwoofer and noticing inconsistent bass response, Matt's natural inquisitiveness led him to online forums where he discovered the science behind sound quality in vehicles. Despite pursuing a bioc...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you reconnect with a car audio legend after nearly 30 years? Pure audio magic! Dan Herrington, former co-owner of Car Tunes II and IASCA World Finals champion, takes us on an unforgettable journey through the golden era of car audio competition and beyond. Starting with his early days at San Diego Auto Sound in the early 1980s, Dan shares how his obsession with o...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the fundamentals of sound quality car audio with Luke Ouellet, founder of RW Soundworks and builder of award-winning competition vehicles. Luke's refreshingly honest approach cuts through industry myths to reveal what truly matters when creating exceptional car audio systems. From his recent success at SVR to his philosophy on vehicle selection, Luke shares insights...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when passion for exceptional car audio collides with real-world installation challenges? In this revealing conversation with Mike Buononato, we explore the complex relationship between DIY enthusiasm and professional expertise in the pursuit of sonic perfection. Fresh from the SVR competition with its 52 competing vehicles, Mike shares his astonishment at how uniquely...

Send us Fan Mail Ryan Cotrone, known as "Truth Hunter" on DIYMobileAudio and the "Dirac Whisperer" to many, shares his journey from car audio enthusiast to competition winner. His 2015 Toyota Camry with a Mini DSP and Dirac Live setup demonstrates that thoughtful component selection and proper integration can outperform systems costing many times more. • Ryan's car audio j...