The Install Quality sheet looks intimidating the first time you see it — rows of pass/fail checks next to point values that change depending on your class. Here's what's actually on it, grouped the way judges work through it on the day. Exact maximums shift slightly between Entry, Standard, Medium, Expert and Expert Unlimited classes, so treat the figures below as the structure and rough weighting rather than a number to bank on for your specific class — your printed scoresheet on the day has the exact values for you.
Fusing and electrical safety
| Check | What it's worth |
|---|---|
| Main fuse present | Meaningful — checked first |
| Every component fused | Meaningful |
| Fuse value matches wire size | One of the heavier single checks on the sheet |
We cover the exact rulebook wording on fuse placement in the week-before install checklist — the 40cm rule lives here.
Wiring and cable management
- Interior wires not visible from the driver's seat
- Wires properly terminated
- Wire terminations protected
- Wires protected from damage where they pass through metal
None of these individually carry huge weight, but they stack up fast across a full install — four separate line items all checking the same underlying habit: tidy, protected wiring.
Mounting and component security
"Are all components securely mounted?" is one of the highest-weighted single checks on the entire Install Quality sheet — it's worth more than fusing, more than cleanliness, and roughly double most of the wiring checks. It's also the one judges test physically rather than just by eye, which is exactly why the shake test matters so much. See our shake test breakdown for what that actually involves and the mounting methods that don't hold up under it.
Protection of exposed speakers and drivers is scored separately and is worth checking even on components that are otherwise well mounted.
Cleanliness and first impression
Cleanliness and "First Optic impression" are two separate line items — one for how clean the car and components are, one for the overall finished look the moment a judge opens the door. Both are entirely within your control the night before the event.
Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship is the single biggest category on the Install Quality sheet by a wide margin — worth up to 50 points at Medium and Expert level. It starts at zero and is scored purely on effort, execution and detail, not on how expensive the components are. See our page on easy bonus points competitors forget for how the "earn culture" behind this scoring actually works.
Presentation and documentation (bonus)
- Presentation to the public
- System / wiring diagram
- System documentation
- Explanation of the system to judges
These sit on top of the core install score as bonus categories, and they're the ones most competitors skip entirely. We've written a full page on the easy bonus points EMMA competitors forget — worth reading before your next event.
Design and overall vehicle
Interior design, trunk design and overall vehicle design cohesion round out the sheet — these look at whether the build reads as one considered system rather than a collection of separately installed parts.
Want the sound side of the sheet instead? See our companion page on the EMMA Sound Quality scorecard.
The sheet rewards the same thing in every section: did you actually finish the job properly, or just get it working? Craftsmanship and mounting security carry the most weight for a reason — they're the hardest to fake and the easiest to judge by hand.
Written by Pete — Integrated Audio
Pete is the founder of Integrated Audio and a Certified International EMMA Head Judge, judging EMMA Sound Quality and Installation competitions in Australia and internationally. He writes from the judging side of the table, drawing on hands-on experience building and installing HELIX, MATCH and BRAX car audio systems.