Kicker Subs
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 53
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From: Pearland, Texas
Kicker Subs
Right now I have 2 RF Punch HE 12" subs. I've had them for 2 years and they've been great, but they are starting to wear out. I was thinking about replacing my two 12s with one Kicker L5. I don't need the bass that two subs puts out, but I still like a fair thump. I've heard good things about the L5 and L7. Anybody else hear anything good about the L5?
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: New Orleans United States
The L5 will be fine if you are not going all out and trying to rattle the windows of houses a block away. The L5 will still slam, but the L7 is made for huge amps and upgraded electrical systems. The Kickers have a break in period and will become thier loudest a few weeks after installing.
But, if you are going for sound quality, I would recommend a single JL Audio W3 series sub or a pair of W0's.
I have gone through a few systems in my Ranger, and in my experience, if you want loud, Kicker is the answer, if you want clean, go with JL. However, it all depends on how clean the signal you send to the sub is.
But, if you are going for sound quality, I would recommend a single JL Audio W3 series sub or a pair of W0's.
I have gone through a few systems in my Ranger, and in my experience, if you want loud, Kicker is the answer, if you want clean, go with JL. However, it all depends on how clean the signal you send to the sub is.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 53
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From: Pearland, Texas
I'm goin for somewhere in between. I like to listen to some classic rock and thats when I like some moderate quality, but I do like to show off a bit and thats when I want the bump.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 582
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From: New Orleans United States
I've seen the Kicker Car with (1) 8" L7 on 400 watts win a crank it up competition with 153db's at my friends shop. The next closest guy had (4) 12's on 2400 watts in a suburban, and he hit a 151db.
My truck hit a 146db with (1) JL 10W7 on 500 continous watts, but it will also hit a 10Hz note that you can't hear, but your clothes are shaking. I lost at loud, but won at clarity. That was with the system about 2 days old with no real tuning and not all the electrical upgrades done yet. Since then I have put in an optima battery, upgraded all ground leads, and the alternator to battery lead all to 4 gauge wire. I have yet to put the meter on it again.
I did a write up on it here:
http://www.fordtrucks.com/forums/sho...ight=big+three
You can look in my gallery under the new, new ranger. Its a small package, but i now need a one piece rear window, as the sliding one rattles all the time from the pressure that sub can put out.
My truck hit a 146db with (1) JL 10W7 on 500 continous watts, but it will also hit a 10Hz note that you can't hear, but your clothes are shaking. I lost at loud, but won at clarity. That was with the system about 2 days old with no real tuning and not all the electrical upgrades done yet. Since then I have put in an optima battery, upgraded all ground leads, and the alternator to battery lead all to 4 gauge wire. I have yet to put the meter on it again.
I did a write up on it here:
http://www.fordtrucks.com/forums/sho...ight=big+three
You can look in my gallery under the new, new ranger. Its a small package, but i now need a one piece rear window, as the sliding one rattles all the time from the pressure that sub can put out.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: New Orleans United States
The amps are a JL Audio 500/1, one channel 500 watts RMS amp, and the amp on the highs is a JL Audio 300/4, four channel, 75watts rms per channel.
I love these amps, and i got a deal on the 500. I bought it used because it had a scratch on the face, and my friend couldn't use it in his show car.
It has a built in subsonic filter to keep the sub from trying to play too low and cooking itself. It does lover power though, if you have a stock electrical system, get ready for diming lights.
I love these amps, and i got a deal on the 500. I bought it used because it had a scratch on the face, and my friend couldn't use it in his show car.
It has a built in subsonic filter to keep the sub from trying to play too low and cooking itself. It does lover power though, if you have a stock electrical system, get ready for diming lights.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 1
From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Originally Posted by bigredtruck
The Kickers have a break in period and will become thier loudest a few weeks after installing.
I have gone through a few systems in my Ranger, and in my experience, if you want loud, Kicker is the answer, if you want clean, go with JL. However, it all depends on how clean the signal you send to the sub is.
I have gone through a few systems in my Ranger, and in my experience, if you want loud, Kicker is the answer, if you want clean, go with JL. However, it all depends on how clean the signal you send to the sub is.
I don't know about the sound quality of the Kicker subs. I've never used them. But I did get to take a tour of the plant a few years back. They showed us the Bronco wall of subs. I was druelling. And how they test and modify their subs for competition. What they use for the shows is sooo much better than what you actually buy off the shelves. Also, that break in period is true. To break theirs in they showed us one of the square subs sitting on a chair with no box or plate and had that thing vibrating HARD. They let it run for hours like that before they use it. Kinda neat to see and learn some of the in's and outs of the car audio production world.
They also take their show vehicles down the street from where I work to get them ready for the sub wall installs.
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Postmaster
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From: Bixby, OK
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,881
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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Heya, Romer, just go into the customer entrance and ask if you can take a tour. It might be a good idea to call ahead to make sure they will have someone available to walk you through the building. They even let me take pics. Very cool. I got to see them magnetize and demagnetize one of the sub magnets with one powerful machine. If ya'll get the chance swing by there for a tour sometime. I don't know if they have the Bronco anymore, but they might have a new show vehicle in their garage. 
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: Bixby, OK
I've heard they have a car now, with a bunch of L7's or something. I saw the bronco when I went to one of their tent sales on 41st and Memorial last year. If I go, I'm deffinately going to bring my camera. Also, do they sell stuff there?
New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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Can't go wrong with Kicker
L7's rock, I just sold a 2003 Chevy S-10 E.C. which I had two L7 8" in no one could believe the sound from those two little subs. I have always been a huge Kicker fan and I still have a vehicle loaded with kicker equipment. I also have a Chevy C-10 that has two 8" L7's and a 25th Anniversary 12" Round sub behind the seat. You want to talk about turning heads that thing pounds. I should go to the local DB Drag's and have it measured but for me it more of a personal liking than trying to reach a DB mark. I did however buy an 2002 Explorer E.B. with 3rd row seats after selling the S-10 and I am thinking of transplanting the two L7's out of the C-10 to it. I was looking at trying to get a box to fit in the recess in the floor where your feet are supposed to go for the third row seats. Does anyone know what kind of room is behind the cover were the factory sub is I thought I could maybe squeeze a single L7 in there some how.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
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From: Bixby, OK
Yea they do rock, if I weren't going for high quality I would deffinately be putting them into mine. Not that they're not high quality but I'm going for SPL.
Also CMUNCH: Welcome to FTE, check out the guidelines and all that good stuff.
Also CMUNCH: Welcome to FTE, check out the guidelines and all that good stuff.
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