Not if this is typical of their workmanship:



Jebus. I'm amazed this amp has lasted this long. Actually, it didn't - I was getting noise in my sub and the low-level inputs were loose. Sure enough, there's a broken solder joint (not pictured).

 

If it is just a broken solder joint, then why don't you fix it and have your amp back again

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RiceRocketDave &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If it is just a broken solder joint, then why don't you fix it and have your amp back again </TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah , but I think he's talking about the glob of soldering iron on the board. I never trusted there crap.

 

Actually that isn't all that bad. See how the joint are shiny thats an indication of good solder flow.

The reason you get clumps is because they assemble in two different steps. The small parts go first and ran through a wave solder. These dont require much heat. The big parts are probably hand added later. Which is the reason for the clump of solder. These reuire a much higher focused heat.

If you want to see crap take a look at Kicker. https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1459843 the solder joints are dull and grey an indication of a very poor solder joint.

 

^^^^ couldn't have said it better myself. The only thing I would be worried about on the pic that you posted is the solder bridges on some of the longer traces, which may have caused permanent damage to some of the components on the board.

 

and the shitty quality of rockford fosgate trickles all the way down to the bottom line.

 

Actually, I found out that's normal. It's a typical result for a "solder bath" type soldering job. Still, it looks crappy...

I did resolder the loose connection. Between that and re-assembling the amp everything fits nice and tight again. It lights up but I haven't been able to test it - the sub is getting refoamed.

Should be good as new for no money though!

 

lightning audio is trash you get what you pay for.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 5THGENSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">and the shitty quality of rockford fosgate trickles all the way down to the bottom line. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Not 6 years ago. I would traid my HX2's for a good set of old Rockford 15's

 

That looks like ****. Here is a list of different amps' internal ciruitry if you are interested. There are some dedicated sites I'll find that have nothing but pics of insides.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by need_a_h22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That looks like ****. Here is a list of different amps' internal ciruitry if you are interested. There are some dedicated sites I'll find that have nothing but pics of insides.</TD></TR></TABLE>

SORRY! forgot the link

http://forum.sounddomain.com/f...017;p=

 

Bolt-series sucks

everything else isn't too bad, especially the storm series.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by omega02379 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not 6 years ago. I would traid my HX2's for a good set of old Rockford 15's </TD></TR></TABLE> this is very true my friend, and this goes for many other audio companies as well. the audio industry is on its way down the drain. *cough* xplod*cough* get that **** outta here, Iwant mobile es back. and many others.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 5THGENSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> this is very true my friend, and this goes for many other audio companies as well. the audio industry is on its way down the drain. *cough* xplod*cough* get that **** outta here, Iwant mobile es back. and many others.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah sony used to be good. One of the best radios i ever had was the sony cdx-c910 mobile es head unit

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 5THGENSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Iwant mobile es back. and many others.</TD></TR></TABLE>
The problem is no one wants to pay for it. Technology is taken advantage of because it is so prevelent in society. Everyone expects dirt cheap products. The pressure to lower prices it what is causing the demise of quality products.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxxtreme &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The problem is no one wants to pay for it. Technology is taken advantage of because it is so prevelent in society. Everyone expects dirt cheap products. The pressure to lower prices it what is causing the demise of quality products.</TD></TR></TABLE>
This is very true. I have no problem buying decent stuff. I just can't push myself to buy a deck for $1500. I would also never pay $1000 for a speaker.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by omega02379 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
This is very true. I have no problem buying decent stuff. I just can't push myself to buy a deck for $1500. I would also never pay $1000 for a speaker.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thats your choice you just end up with an inferior product.

Maybe the days of garbage is a good things. After people are tired of buying it maybe they will once again buy quality products.

Honestly you get what you pay for. As cheap as these amps are nowadays. I dont see how these companies are making it. There really isn't much competition anymore. Look how many companies DEI owns. All the other companies bailed they know its a loosing battle. I know what the components cost, and lets not forget they sell these to the retailers for half of what you pay. They must be paying some kid in China .10 a day to assemble these things

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxxtreme &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Thats your choice you just end up with an inferior product.</TD></TR></TABLE> seriously tho, i dont know if he was sarcastic about the $1000 a speaker or not cuz i havent looked on the net to see how much their stiff costs but as u can see in my sig, i dont think that stuff is inferior cuz it didnt cost $1000 per pair....yet if i am taking the post to litteraly, i apologize. I think i have pretty good stuff is what im sayin and it didnt cost me(yes i paid for it, the parents didnt pay it for me) much to get a good system.

The key is to look around for good deals on brands you know and trust.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxxtreme &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Thats your choice you just end up with an inferior product.

Maybe the days of garbage is a good things. After people are tired of buying it maybe they will once again buy quality products.

Honestly you get what you pay for. As cheap as these amps are nowadays. I dont see how these companies are making it. There really isn't much competition anymore. Look how many companies DEI owns. All the other companies bailed they know its a loosing battle. I know what the components cost, and lets not forget they sell these to the retailers for half of what you pay. They must be paying some kid in China .10 a day to assemble these things </TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes it is my choice. As far as ending up with an inferior product , it's all about use. My Rockford or JL stuff works for me. I don't need Dynaudio or Audison. I don't compete , I don't try to impress , and I'm just happy with clean music. But on the other end of the spectrum , I can't bring myself to buy a $300 supposed 3000 watt amp either. I see nothing wrong with a "dollar a watt" for buying amps. I also believe that there are no daily uses for things like a JL w7 , or for those who remember . . . . . . Soundstream Tarantula. &lt;---But I did think it was cool

 

I once back in the day had a pair of la 12's and they weren't as bad as people said that they were. I sold them thought and bought a pair of Audiobahn 6X9's and well the audiobahns kick about as hard as the la's do.

 

Audiobahns are garbage!

Rockfordfosgate stuff has also slid down hill IMO. I would not purchase it.

Everyone has there idea what is a fair price to them. Everyone is so used to cheap prices that they expect them. I'm telling you expect your quality to keep sliding. Why do you think everyone is bailing from the car audio industry. Look at DEI's business model, How many once good competitive companies do they own? The people that design this stuff need to eat too. The only way to get these prices is to go over seas. People here would rather design something else that has better profit margins.

The heatsinks and parts contained in them almost add up to the cost of the amplifier. Remember these are sold to the retailer for considerably less. If there are no profit margins then there will be less and less companies that produce them. Quality will also be on the down hill slide as companies try to squeze every last penny out of a shrinking profit margin. Look at how much companies are complaining about how there isn't enough science and math in school. What parent in there right mind would encourage there child to go this route?

I honestly dont care what anyone buys. Just commenting why quality sucks.

JL's W7 line is a great piece of engineering.

You could boil this down to the same reason as to why some people choose BMW's and others choose Yugo's. It's where a person sees value.



Modified by nsxxtreme at 6:40 PM 1/17/2006

 

thats why i stick with my old amps. I have 2 art series ppi amps these are the best amps i ever bought. They were in my past 5 cars.

 

//Alpine for Life

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by omega02379 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I don't need Dynaudio or Audison.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes you do. A good stereo shouldn't be about competing or trying to impress anyone (I despise people who do that). Listening to music should be a personal thing, something you do because you enjoy it. brands like dynaudio and audision aren't reserved for competitions and showoffs, their designed for people like me who are so incredibly **** about hearing every detail they'll pay insane amounts to achieve that.


oh....and audiobahn is absolute garbage. you should be ashamed of yourself for purchasing anything from them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EBP_SI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

yes you do.</TD></TR></TABLE>
No I don't. I'm not that ****.