Another newb with some Kicker L7's

[05LSV 10+ year member]

First post - what's up to everyone.

Alright, so here goes:

First things first, this system is in a boat.

I have 2 Kicker S12L7 subs (4 ohm DVC each), each in individual sealed boxes. They are 2006 subs. Each is currently powered with a Memphis Audio 16-MCD500 amp. It sounds good at low volume, but gets muddy with increased volume, and I really like it loud. Anyways, I know it could sound better with more power, especially by reading some people's posts on here that the 2006 L7 subs can easily handle 1000+ watts, and I'm probably only giving them 425 watts or so from the Memphis amps since boats don't run at 14.4 volts.

I'm wanting to upgrade my amps to a single 1 ohm amp if possible, and have looked high and low for the best and most cost effective choices. I've considered:

Massive Audio p1500.1

PowerBass xa1500d

Orion 1200d and 2500d

Kicker zx750.1 (2 of them)

....plus a few more.

So:

- can I use a Kicker ZX1500.1 and wire it at 1 ohm and it will run fine?

- which amps would you recommend?

- is the Orion 1200d enough for 2 L7's?

- other amp suggestions welcomed

Remember, this is in a boat, so it needs to be much louder than you'd imagine because there isn't a closed in airspace like a car...

thanks in advance.

Click to read more...

 

[sue bee 10+ year member]

- can I use a Kicker ZX1500.1 and wire it at 1 ohm and it will run fine?

no, two ohm stable amp...you may be able to run it lower but i don't know if its good for daily. much less in a boat.

- which amps would you recommend?

~anything around 2000 rms

- is the Orion 1200d enough for 2 L7's?

upgrading from two memphis @ 500 rms? no.

- other amp suggestions welcomed

hifonics brutus 2000d, sundown 1500

 

[BassAce 10+ year member]

Try a large ported box tuned low.

 

[sue bee 10+ year member]

yea, make sure you get at least 2 cubes to each l7 and port the box and tune it right.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Try a large ported box tuned low.

For daily this is the way to go. Just don't go too big.

 

[BassAce 10+ year member]

Here is a tech manual from kicker. I'm assuming the sub is in the open and there is no cabin. I would say that 3.25 cubes tuned around 30-34 would work well.

http://www.kicker.com/06/tech-support/manuals/manuals/2006/2006%20L7%20Sub%20b01%20WEB.pdf

 

[TheFiverMan 10+ year member]

8.5cf tuned to 32hz..

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

Kicker zx750.1 (2 of them)

 

[05LSV 10+ year member]

Thanks for the help and suggestions thus far.

A few more details - with the lay out of the boat the way it is, it is almost impossible to have anything bigger than 2.0 cf of box taking up space. This is one reason that I have 2 separate boxes in 2 separate locations in the boat. The boxes are identical in shape and size, and one is under the driver's feet, the other is under the observer seat storage compartment. Larger boxes are just not feasible unless I put one in an area and risk getting it wet.

I kind of figured I couldn't use the Kicker ZX1500.1, but I had heard of some people running that amp at 1 ohm with success. The system is run for long duration, so if it's not 100% functioning, it wouldn't be a good move.

I thought the 2 zx750.1 amps would be good, but I would really like to consolidate to 1 amp powering both subs if possible. Also, 2 zx750 amps is probably going to be a little pricier than a single larger amp from my research so far.

I've heard of Sundown so I'll check them out - can you buy Sundown from any place online, or only direct from the manufacturer.

Any other amp suggestions or input welcomed. Thanks again.

 

[05LSV 10+ year member]

And just out of curiousity, would a Kicker zx1000.1 be too much for each L7? What about a 2000.1 (1 ohm) amp running both subs?

What can the 2006 12" L7 really handle as far as RMS wattage goes?

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

And just out of curiousity, would a Kicker zx1000.1 be too much for each L7? What about a 2000.1 (1 ohm) amp running both subs?
What can the 2006 12" L7 really handle as far as RMS wattage goes?

nope not at all... they can handle massive amounts of power as long as its clean and you are careful...

it would actually be good to have those bigger amps as its better than running a smaller amp at full blast and being close to clipping

thats gonna be a loud *** boat.. anyway u can get some pics? id like to see it... is it a moomba lsv?? ive got an 00ls

my boat just has a broken cd player in it right now... maybe you'll inspire me or something lol

 

[05LSV 10+ year member]

There are a few pics on a Wakeside page I did a while back during the install. There have been some cosmetic changes since they were taken so keep that in mind. The wiring is cleaned up and there are 2 carpeted fascia boards in place over each of the subs that make them "appear" to be built in.

http://www.wakesiderides.com/rides/index.php?page=out&id=1005

The boat sounds good, don't get me wrong - it's loud and clean and it does hit, but at higher volume, the bass doesn't continue to get louder and clearer, it starts getting muffled, which I think it probably a result of the Memphis amps being a bit too little in the power department when paired with the L7's.

You mentioned that the L7 can handle massive amounts of clean power - would it be wise to go too far above a 2000.1 amp? It would seem like that would probably pound pretty hard and wouldn't kill my batteries too much.

About the Hifonics - is Hifonics a decent brand? No offense to any owners intended, but I always regarded Hifonics as a flea market brand. Have they changed their game and are a respectable manufacturer now?

Other amp suggestions welcome.

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

the 2000.1 would def make those subs happy, maybe a little bit more than that, but not too much...

im actually running hifonics bx1206d's or whatever with my L7s and i love them. they're a discount brand, but def way above flea market stuff

 

[05LSV 10+ year member]

im actually running hifonics bx1206d's or whatever with my L7s and i love them. they're a discount brand, but def way above flea market stuff

Do you have 12" L7 subs? I'm guessing 2? So that's 1200 watts between both subs and you are liking the sound?

I guess one of my problems is that I only run between 12.5 and 13.5 volts in the boat while under way, and about 12.5-12.7v while anchored.

 

[05LSV 10+ year member]

Is the Orion 2500d too much amp for the 2 L7 subs?