As the 2026 car audio competition season gathers pace, one of the industry’s biggest competition organisations is making moves both on and off the judging lane.
The European Mobile Media Association (EMMA) has announced that its official juror manuals are now available for public download, while also welcoming Brazil as the latest member of its growing international network.
For competitors, the judgebooks provide a detailed look at how vehicles are assessed across EMMA's various categories. Rather than relying on mystery scoring sheets, entrants can now see exactly what judges are looking for when evaluating sound quality (SQ), installation standards, multimedia systems and other competition disciplines.
Find the various judgebooks available to download here.
For installers and enthusiasts chasing better sound in their own vehicles, the manuals offer an insight into the principles used to evaluate some of the world’s best-performing sounds. Understanding how imaging, staging, tonal balance and installation quality are judged can provide valuable clues when planning upgrades or tuning a system.
EMMA says the manuals will be updated whenever regulations change, so users are encouraged to check regularly and download the latest versions.
Alongside the publication of the judgebooks, EMMA has also expanded its global reach with the addition of Brazil.
The affiliation agreement, signed with organisers Lauro Ricardo de Castro and Célio dos Santos Alves, brings South America’s largest country into the EMMA network and marks another step in the organisation’s international growth.
Brazil’s car audio scene has long been known for its enthusiasm, particularly when it comes to high-output systems and custom installations, making it a natural fit for organised competition.
The new EMMA Brazil team plans to focus first on judge training and technical education, followed by engagement with installers, retailers, brands and enthusiasts before launching its first officially affiliated events.
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