Joe

This isn't really a question that needs an answer, just want to see what input I can get. So when most people think of lightning audio they think cheap wal-mart junk, but some of my fellow audio guys might remember the old "Storm" series which was far from cheaply made department store junk. I just got done installing a beautiful set of LA Storm 5 1/4 components that my shop has been sitting on for years and it really gets me down that LA ruined its rep by selling out to online shops and department stores whenever their products use to be high end. Well audio world we might just be in luck. I was talking with one of my guys I use to work with, and he mentioned that LA was reverting back to dealer exclusive and LA's website states it's bringing back the "Strike" series, which was also pretty good equipment. He also mentioned that the new LA amps were pretty solid. So for you old school audio guys who remember the glory days of Lightning Audio, Who's pumped to (hopefully) see LA put itself back on the map and possibly put out some high end audio equipment again because I sure am.

Okay this one is for top contributor's and experienced audio installers only please. not to be rude and cut anyone out, but top contributor means that your advice helps people's questions. I notice a lot that people as the same questions like: what amp can i run to my subs, will this make my stereo louder, how do i wire this, ect... and usually between top contributors we all have the same answers it's more or less who gets to the question first. so what i'm asking here is these simple things for some of our newer folk to the car audio game:

whenever you look into buying a new stereo what do you look for in a stereo, what brands do you absolutely avoid, what top five brands would you recommend, and just some other random advice that you think could possibly help someone out if they read this.. Here is what I have to say:

Whenever I look into buying a fully built stereo I demand subwoofers that reproduce clean, deep lows with no distortion, yet can still put up respectable numbers on a tl if I decide to meter it for fun. I start with my radio first because this is a very overlooked piece in a system. better radio = clean signals which results in better sound quality. For amps, I look at rms ratings, not peak ratings. This will ensure you have a truely rated amp. I also factor in efficiency because this can play a huge roll in what you need to do to your charging system. For mids and highs the first thing I do is look at efficiency, If I can run a set of speakers on lower wattage and still get the volume I want out of them then that is better in my book. I also go for silk dome tweeters for better sound quality.

Top 5 brand picks(not in order):

1. Memphis car audio.

2. JL

3.Focal

4.Boston

5.Kenwood

Brands to avoid: Jensen, Pyle, Power Acoustic, Planet Audio, and Scoche.

Last bit of advice: Sure peak power will be louder, but what good is louder when your sub's fry and you have no lows at all? Stick close to RMS and your woofers will last you a lot longer.

so guys what is your advice?

Does anyone know the wiring diagram to the plugs that connect to the factory monsoon amp in the back for the front/rear speakers or know where I could possibly find one online that states which wires are which? I'm doing a 4 channel and front/rear component install and it would save me time knowing the wires to look for rather than go through and find them one by one.