Criteria

• Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, 2026

• Two-day live competition during the Expo show floor hours

• Two teams, each consisting of three highly skilled fabricators

• Teams are selected based on experience and reputation in the industry

• Collaboration, communication, and workflow management will be evaluated informally by attendees throughout the build

• Total Build Time: 7 hours total (3.5 hours per day)

• The clock starts and stops exactly at the scheduled times — no exceptions

• Teams must manage their time efficiently across both days, especially regarding glue-drying time, upholstery sequencing, and assembly order

• A visible countdown clock will keep pressure high and let the audience experience the “real shop” rush

Each team must design and build a fully functional subwoofer enclosure and a corresponding trim panel package that meets professional-grade fabrication standards.

Key Requirements:

• All physical parts must be built live on stage using only the tools, hardware, and materials supplied by the event.

• No pre-made parts, templates, jigs, or CNC-cut panels may be brought to the competition.

• Teams may prepare engineering drawings, 3D models, cut lists, CAD plans, or workflow documents ahead of time, but all cutting, shaping, and construction must occur on site.

• The enclosure must be structurally sound, correctly sized for the designated woofer, and incorporate the trim and aesthetic elements defined in the challenge.

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Audience Value:
The build-off mirrors a real-world shop environment — attendees can watch how top-tier builders think, plan, communicate, and adjust under pressure.

This checklist will be displayed on a giant board or projected screen so attendees can follow each team’s progress step-by-step — exactly like a production workflow inside a professional fabrication shop.

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Each team must move through key phases of the build:

1. Box Construction

• Cutting and assembling enclosure panels

• Internal bracing, reinforcement, and woofer mounting solutions

• Proper adhesives, fasteners, and sealing techniques

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2. Router Work

• Creating complex shapes, recesses, reveal lines, rabbets, and insets

• Panel detailing that enhances both structure and aesthetics

• Safe, efficient handling of router operations

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3. Mounting Brackets / Attachment Systems

• Designing and fabricating secure mounting points for trim and enclosure

• Ensuring serviceability (easy removal and reinstallation)

• Integration of metal, acrylic, or composite mounting solutions

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4. Lighting & Magnets

• Installing LED lighting channels or accents

• Wiring management and concealment

• Magnetic trim systems, alignment, and clicking action

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5. Upholstery Work

• Vinyl, leather, suede, grill cloth, or fabric stretching techniques

• Seam placement and wrapping strategies

• Eliminating wrinkles, bubbles, or distortions

• Professional-level finish expected

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6. Finishing Touches

• Final assembly and alignment

• Surface cleanup

• Ensuring all components fit, operate, and present beautifully

1. Craftsmanship

• Cleanliness and precision of cuts

• Accurate joinery and structural integrity

• Symmetry, alignment, and professional finishing

• Attention to detail at every stage

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2. Creativity & Design

• Innovation in shape, layout, and visual style

• Integration of modern fabrication techniques

• Ability to elevate a standard enclosure into an OEM-plus or show-level piece

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3. Use of Materials

• Efficient and smart use of the supplied materials

• Avoiding waste and maximizing resourcefulness

• Creative problem-solving using what’s available on the stage

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4. Functionality

• Correct air volume and internal architecture

• Magnet retention systems operating smoothly

• Trim panels attach/remove cleanly

• Lighting components work reliably

• The final product must be durable, service-friendly, and installation-ready

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Judging will be performed by a panel of respected industry experts, with scoring sheets capturing the measurable elements of build quality.

As teams complete each stage, a staff member will check off the corresponding box on the giant work-order board.

This creates:

• A real-time scoreboard

• Transparency into each team’s workflow

• A teaching tool for attendees

• A dramatic moment when teams approach the finish line