Yup. And hell a half db, it comes down to 10ths most of the time. Tenths man. At the upper level, everyone is SOOoooo close, its like nothing. A piece of tape, here or there, temperature that day,... silly stuff you have to pay attention to, lol, may get you a ring/win or cost you one.
Also depends how you meter, or what ORG your in. Sealed up, on the dash, or outlaw, something open, kick stuff, or head rest stuff. All comes into play. Now, we arent loud. So, i cant help much at all. Never have been. Our goals are different than just netting DB's.
That said......
Find and use your vehicle resonance. Efficient. Big one to me. Use that to a advantage. Get your enclosure to like what the rig likes, and you will gain large. Use it, instead of fight it. If your into that. We always fight it, because we want to play lower than what the rig likes. Been that way in every build we have done. Blazers liked 44ish and peaked at 35,...and the burb likes about the same, 44, 46. But we want to peak well lower. But, if you can have the rig HELP you, (tunning fork style) instead of hurt you, be more efficient, it helps a ton.
When it comes to the lil tricks, it will be hella vehicle dependant. Test your nuts off....... :shrugs: