Is Lightning Audio any good? I'm not looking for a competition system, just something that will give me more bass, period. Like I said, nothing fancy, just baseline. I found a LA 12" and box for $80 at Best Buy... Steal for me or them?

 

Sounddomain sells lightning audio and has reviews on some of the models from customers. I would check there and also do an internet search on the brand and model number to see if there are any forums that discuss them as far as whether or not they are good. I personally couldn't tell you. I have a wire kit that is LA, but never heard any of their speakers. Lastly, on SoundDomain, you can go under "member pages" and do a search for Mazda Proteges and do searches for cars with LA products and some members have their emails posted so you can email them and ask how they like them. Hope this helps!

Mister T

 

LS is okay, they are like.. MTX quality... lol it will work but its not the best.. but its far better than alot of cheap brand names.. like.. Lanzar.

 

lightning audio makes very nice peripherials such as cables and caps, and a decent solid amp for the price. I think the JBL amps are better for the price, but I have helped a few folks in the last year install systems with LA amps, and they run fine to this day. They have an interesting set up of varying power to the front and rear speakers. The add on units such as fans and caps are a cool thought that I have only seen a few other manufacturers use.
I can't say a thing one way or the other on the speakers they sell, anyway- I am big on the "purchase what you like the sound of " theory....

 

hmm like MTX quality but owned by Rockford Fosgate. Interesting.

The low end subs (Bolt) are asstastic and the highest-end ones are damn funny with the huge surround and no cone area.

The Strike line of amps are actually pretty good and flexible with the staggered power supply on the 4-channel amps.

Sure there is better stuff out there, Lightning is OK for the price though. Check out the new Pioneer subs too (the ones with the fake carbon fibre dustcap) they look very nice for the price and from what I've heard they're pretty damn good.

 

LA is good equipment, they also are nothing like MTX's, MTX's are a little better sub-wise, but I believe LA has better peripherials than MTX, but MTX are the best bang for you cheap buck if you want something that will hit hard and sound good...

My .2 cents....

 

Dude - I just instaled two Lanzar Vibe amps in my car, and I'm incredibly impressed.

I was prepared to hook them up, and if dissatisfied, try to sell 'em off on eBay for a small loss.

But hell no! They put out plenty of solid power. The Vibe 428 is a 4 channel rated 125 watts @ 4 @ 4 ohms. I had a Rockford that put down 90 per channel before, and figured if the Lanzar was overrated and put out close to the same as the RF, I'd be happy.

Well, the Lanzar blows the RF away. I'm a LOT louder than I was, and still the clarity and SQ are very good. I have a bit of alt whine, but I'm 99% sure that's install related. I think that the Lanzars are rated very fairly and honestly, based only on my ears comparing what I had before to what I've got now.

Lemme tell you, I bought 1100 watts of Lanzar power (2 amps - the 4 channel, and a 600 watt 2 channel bridged to the subs) for $260 shipped, and after using several different amp brands in my car before, I am prepared to say that these may be the best bang for the buck out there. I am quite happy.

Don't knock it till you try it!

~HH