Sound quality judging at EMMA events is done against a fixed set of official competition tracks — every competitor is judged against the same material, which is what keeps the scoring fair and comparable across cars. You'll need your own copy before competition day.
Where to buy them
The official 2026 EMMA Competition Music Files are sold directly through the EMMA Net Shop. Buy and download the current set from there — don't rely on an old set from a previous season, as the track list can change year to year.
Why you can't just use a mate's copy
Every competitor needs to buy their own licensed copy. If you're wondering whether you can save yourself the cost by copying a friend's tracks instead, read our answer on using a mate's EMMA tracks.
Actually use them before competition day
Buying the tracks is only half the job — the real value is in spending real time listening to them, deliberately hunting for both the faults in your system and the moments where it genuinely shines. Listen in your own car, but don't stop there: listen on a good pair of headphones too, and if you get the chance, listen to the same tracks through a different car or a different speaker set. Hearing the reference material on unfamiliar gear is one of the fastest ways to actually learn what a judge is listening for, rather than just what you're used to.
Alongside the audio, download the official companion notes for the competition tracks as well — they explain what each track is designed to reveal (imaging, tonal balance, dynamics, and so on), which turns a passive listen into a genuinely useful practice session.
Know what's actually being scored
Once you've got the tracks and notes, download the current scoresheets from the EMMA Australia website so you know exactly what a judge is marking against before you finalise your tune — not after. Reading the scoresheet alongside the track notes makes it obvious which parts of your system deserve the most listening time.
Once you've got your tracks, notes and scoresheets sorted, make sure you've also worked out your class and system value.
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.