IASCA At FIAE 2026: Sound Quality Showdown And Highlights
Tampa audio event spotlights the best custom automotive audio sound systems.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin

  The Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) in Tampa once again included an IASCA-sanctioned Car Audio Sound Quality (SQ) event and Money Round that drew many competitors. FIAE organizers promoted live auditions where attendees could sit in competing cars and speak with certified judges, manufacturers, and installers. This partnership continued the Tampa hi-fi audiophile show's emphasis on both high-end home audio and immersive automotive sound competitions. Enjoy the Music.com's Creative Director, Steven R. Rochlin (that's me), was a certified IASCA Sound Quality judge for years. Did you know we have multiple IASCA show reports from our early days, way back in the 1990s.

Of note here at FIAE 2026 is that as an Old School IASCA Sound Quality and Installation judge for a few years with the late great Bill Burton.... Bill was the technical editor for the world's leading car audio and electronics review publications during the industry's heyday in the 1990s. Hmmm, I did manage a high-end specialty car audio store and installed car audio when you needed to have skills in electronics, as there were no 'adapter kits' for installer, we fabricated as needed. We carries Nakamichi of course, Orion, HiFonics, Terminator, K40, Eclipse, Audison... and  USAMPS cheater amps were being soldered together just down the street from the store.

For those who desire a bit oi' nostalgia, have a look at my Fuse 1998 show report and the Mobile Electronics Show (MES) 1997 report. Getting back to modern times.....

Participants in the IASCA segment included professional installers, independent car audio shops, manufacturer demo teams, and experienced hobbyist competitors. Cars entered the SQ classes with systems tuned for clarity and musicality in the 80 to 90 dB audition window used by IASCA judges, while SPL and money-round entrants focused on competitive formats and prize pools. The mix of regional teams and national contenders made the field diverse in both vehicle types and system approaches.

IASCA's certified judges evaluated entries under Sound Quality (SQ) criteria, which emphasize tonal balance, imaging, and musical fidelity at specified listening levels, and the event also featured Money Round formats for head-to-head competition. Trophies and awards were distributed by class and by special recognitions such as Best of Show and manufacturer or installer awards, following IASCA's standard scoring and class structure. The FIAE schedule and event pages highlighted the live audition format and judge interaction with attendees.

Trophies at FIAE's IASCA competition were presented across multiple classes (e.g., novice, intermediate, pro SQ classes), plus specialty awards for Best Installation, Best Tuning, and Best Overall Sound. While FIAE and IASCA posted event summaries and results listings, the official IASCA 2026 Event Results page is the authoritative source for the full trophy roster and placings for each class. Attendees reported enthusiastic award ceremonies and photo opportunities for winners.

Beyond competition, IASCA's presence at FIAE fostered education and networking: certified judges explained scoring to attendees, installers exchanged tuning tips, and manufacturers connected with potential dealers and customers. The live audition format allowed curious visitors to experience judged SQ runs firsthand, creating a bridge between competitive audio culture and everyday music lovers who might think that car audio surely can't sound 'that good'. It can, and it'll immerse you, too. 

For official trophy lists, class placings, and detailed event results, consult the IASCA 2026 Event Results page.

As always, in the end what really maters is that you...

Enjoy the music!

---> Back to the Florida International Audio Expo 2026 show report homepage.