One question I get asked constantly by first-time EMMA competitors is whether they get to sit in the car while I'm judging their Sound Quality run, or whether they're stuck outside wondering what's going on. The honest answer is: it depends which round you're in. EMMA's rulebook actually sets out two distinct judging formats, and knowing which one applies to your event changes how you should approach the day.
Double-seat judging: qualifying rounds
At national qualification rounds, EMMA allows the competitor to sit in the passenger seat alongside the judge during Sound Quality judging. This is "double-seat" judging, and if you're new to competing, it's genuinely one of the most useful parts of the whole day.
- You hear exactly what the judge hears, on the same reference material, in the same seat.
- You get direct explanation and immediate feedback — not just a final number weeks later, but a judge talking through what's costing you points while it's fresh.
- You can start connecting what you hear to the categories actually being scored, like soundstage and imaging, rather than guessing from a scoresheet.
If your event offers this, take it. It's the fastest way to close the gap between how you think your car sounds and how a trained ear scores it.
Single-seat judging: national and international finals
Once you progress to a national or international final, the format changes. EMMA's rulebook specifies that single-seat judging applies at this level — the judge sits and scores alone, without the competitor in the car. There's no running commentary and no back-and-forth during the run itself.
That's not the judge being unfriendly. Finals exist to produce a clean, consistent result under the same conditions for every car in the field, and a second person in the cabin changes the acoustics and the pressure in the room. You'll still get your scoresheet afterwards — see how the Sound Quality scorecard breaks down — you just won't get it narrated live.
Where the seat doesn't change anything
Master and Expert classes are judged from the driver's seat regardless of whether it's a qualifier or a final. If you're running in one of those classes, don't expect a passenger-seat walkthrough at any stage — the format is fixed by class, not by round.
One thing that happens before scoring starts either way
Whichever seating format applies, every judge checks playback level before we start scoring for real. If the volume you've set feels too loud, we'll take a quick measurement and bring it back under 80dB (unweighted, slow response, pink noise) before judging begins. It's a calibration step, not a score — but it's worth knowing it happens, because a system tuned to sound its best cranked up can score differently once it's judged at a controlled level.
What this actually means for you
- Qualifier, double-seat available: ask for the passenger seat and use it — bring a notebook or your phone to note down what's said, and add it to your competition day kit.
- Final, single-seat: don't expect commentary during the run. Read your scoresheet properly afterwards instead.
- Either way, know your running order and what's expected before you're in the chair — see how EMMA competition day is actually run.
The format changes what you can learn in the moment, not how fairly you're scored. Both setups follow the same criteria — one just lets you watch it happen.
Still tuning your system ahead of judging day? Have a read of our guide to car sound upgrades, or get in touch via our contact page if you want to talk through where your build sits before you enter.
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.