Klifton Keplinger and Michael Myers catch up after a busy season and break down what they saw at Steel Valley Regional, including judging flow, multi-org complexity, and why score variation happens in the real world. They cover common event pitfalls like last-minute preset changes, competitors adjusting settings between judges, and the "middle seat" debate. They also touch on regional finals momentum, how conditions and fatigue affect judging consistency, and the ongoing push toward better formats, better data, and better competitor feedback.

This episode is sponsored by Resonix Sound Solutions, providing engineered sound treatment designed to reduce noise and resonance and improve system performance. Learn more at resonixsoundsolutions.com.

This episode is also supported by SVR XV (Steel Valley Regional), taking place July 17-19, 2026, at the WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. Details and registration information are available through the Steel Valley Regional Facebook group or by contacting Larry Chijner. Registration opens Friday, January 16, 2026.

In this episode of the SQOLOGY Podcast, we sit down with Paul Adams to talk about the early days of car audio, what competition really teaches you over time, and why community and honest feedback matter more than trophies. Paul shares stories from finals past, lessons learned from winning and losing, and a grounded perspective on installers, tuning, and keeping sound quality relevant in a changing industry.

This episode is sponsored by Resonix Sound Solutions, providing engineered sound treatment solutions designed to reduce noise and resonance and improve system performance. Learn more at resonixsoundsolutions.com

Get ready for SVR XV (Steel Valley Regional), taking place July 17-19, 2026, at the WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. SVR is a cornerstone sound quality event known for a competitive field, experienced judging, and a strong focus on craft and community. Many thanks to Larry Chijner for SVR’s support of The SQOLOGY Car Audio Podcast.

SQOLOGY exists to document the pursuit of better sound, preserve the culture of sound quality competition, and keep meaningful conversations alive across seasons, regions, and generations.

From garage installs to global retail, JL Audio’s legacy runs deep—but what happens when a brand built on culture joins forces with a tech giant?

It’s been nearly two years since Garmin acquired JL Audio—but until now, almost nothing has been said directly from the source.

In this exclusive interview, Garmin’s Dave Dunn (Senior Director of Marine & RV Sales) joins SQOLOGY co-hosts Klifton Keplinger (Soundz / Hybrid Audio Technologies) and Michael Myers (The Sound Factory) to address the questions still circulating throughout the car audio, marine, and enthusiast communities:

• What’s really happening inside JL Audio under Garmin?

• What’s changing—and what’s not?

• What’s the future of tools like the MAX?

• And what hasn’t been said… until now?

Key Topics Covered:

• Why Garmin acquired JL Audio

• Preserving vs evolving JL’s identity

• Tools, tuning, and the MAX system

• Car, marine, and home audio development

• Dealer trust and industry transparency

• Long-term product strategy and innovation

🧡 Sponsored by ResoNix Sound Solutions —your source for uncompromising automotive sound treatment and clarity.