In need of some opinions on a budget build

[Hunter0811 10+ year member]

I just registered with this forum a few minutes ago so bare with me. I get the impression based on the threads I have read, that kicker does not have a very good name here. I'm interested in them regardless because of what appears to be a reasonable opportunity to save some money on them. I'm not looking to build the largest or loudest system, I'm looking for something light on power and preferably as space-efficient as possible. I drive an SUV so space is available in spades, but I would like to keep as much of it as possible because I haul things on a regular basis. My needs are reasonably simple. Under 800 watts RMS, minimalist in size, and clean. I listen to all kinds of music but these would most often be subjected to Country, Metal, Rock, and Techno (odd mix I know). I'm currently considering a pair of Comp 12's, a pair of CompVR 12's, or a single CompVR 15. I'll pick up an appropriate kicker amp depending on what I end up with. I'm completely open to other suggestions within their entire line-up, so long as it doesn't exceed 800rms or delve into larger boxes than those they sell (that isn't to say I wouldn't build one myself close in size). The reasoning behind the power is that I don't intend to upgrade the alternator or any of that jazz, I'll strap a Cap on it and call it good. Thanks in advance for any input.

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[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Adding a cap would be a total waste of money.

Other than saving space, which the Kicker is not the right choice for, what are the goals of the system? You can get excellent sound at reasonable volume on a lot less power than 800W. Low power is your friend since you don't seem to want to mess with electrical upgrades. The SPL guys will scoff but you can build a great sounding system for personal use with less than 500 watts total with all speakers amplified.

 

[orangecounty1 10+ year member]

Kicker is not bad at all, but there is better for less money. Look into Incriminator audio, sundown audio, crescendo audio, FI audio, DC audio

x2 on the cap. run an extra battery instead. no need to upgrade alt for 800w.

 

[The Silverman 10+ year member]

Out of what you said the pair of 12 CVRs will be your best bet.

You probably wont even need a cap for 800 watts. But if you do I'd suggest simply replacing the battery under your hood with something more powerful.

 

[UMWDawg92 10+ year member]

X3 on the don't use a cap, if you have any electrical problems with 800 rms, just do the big 3 and maybe a better battery. If you're looking for something that has good SQ I'd shy away from kicker, every kicker set up I've heard gets decently loud but doesn't sound very good. Alot of that has to do with box that they're in but even in sealed I've never cared much for the newer kicker line up.

 

[Hunter0811 10+ year member]

My goal is primarily to just fill out my music for every day driving, this isn't meant for anything more than my personal enjoyment. It also might help to know that the vehicle is an older S15 Jimmy, very open cabin. I'm not interested in running an extra battery, my goal is to avoid tinkering with the electrical system or taking up more space. Last time I replaced the battery, I threw in 1000 CCA, I don't suspect it'll go bad any time soon. I have an accommodation as you may have figured, which is why I'm specifically looking at Kicker. Right now I have a cheap Powerbass 10 in a .8cu ft box, running on 260RMS. What I'm really aiming to do, is multiply the effect it puts out. A buddy of mine recently picked up two of the CVR 12's, in one of their enclosures fed by an Alpine M1000. For what I want, that would more than suffice, but that size enclosure is a last resort. The sound quality was on par with my expectations and it got plenty loud, but it would be awesome if I could stay a little lighter on both power and space while still being in the same ballpark. Something for nothing right? lol. How would a CVR 15 stack up if I fed it 500rms?

 

[UMWDawg92 10+ year member]

how much are you looking to spend on all this?

 

[Bob Saget]

Kicker subs sound like garbage compared to other subs in the same price range. Period.

Don't buy a cap, it'll do more harm than good. Buy 10-12 ft of 1/0 gauge wire & rings from Knukonceptz & upgrade your battery/alternator wiring. That'll be suffice for 800w.

For what you're wanting I'd suggest looking into the SSA Dcon 12'' sub.

 

[Deeper_shades 10+ year member]

how much are you looking to spend on all this?

This,

Give us somthing to work with.

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

Polk Db series from Sonic, they are like 65$ and they sound much better then Kicker. Power handling is 380rms, so on par with CVRs and they dont require large boxes. 300rms to 1 or 600rms or so to 2 would more then suit your needs

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

ssa dcon 10, ssa dcon 12

or one of these

AE Speakers Online Store

 

[Hunter0811 10+ year member]

With my accommodation, I'm willing to pick up anything that fits inside my guidelines for power from their line-up. Otherwise, I would probably aim to keep it under 350. As for the Polk's, I've messed around with the Db's and on 400 watts, the 12 bottoms out far before it reaches my needs. The SQ is better than the Kickers, but my little Powerbass still sounded better than either.

 

[The Silverman 10+ year member]

With my accommodation, I'm willing to pick up anything that fits inside my guidelines for power from their line-up. Otherwise, I would probably aim to keep it under 350. As for the Polk's, I've messed around with the Db's and on 400 watts, the 12 bottoms out far before it reaches my needs. The SQ is better than the Kickers, but my little Powerbass still sounded better than either.

You DO realize everyone here is gonna keep suggesting everything other than kicker right?

btw I wouldn't even consider comps...

Have you looked at the cvxs? They're a step up from the CVR and it's 15 is 750 watts rms (thats in your power range). You could pair it with a zx750.1, buy the pk4 wiring kit, and be all kickered out.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The sub could have a 2kW rating, that doesn't mean that you have to give it that much power. Nothing wrong with their amps, but if you care about how it sounds, you can do better than Kicker subs.

 

[Hunter0811 10+ year member]

I don't mean to sound ignorant, it's not that I won't agree there are better manufacturers out there. I'm not looking at full retail here, I simply can't elaborate to the extent of which I mean. Went and listened to a Polk Db 12 again today, and even the kicker comps made it sound shabby. If I had a grand to work with and I didn't intend to use this vehicle for transporting people/gear, it would be an entirely different story. To answer your question/suggestion Silvers, I have considered it. How would you directly compare it to a pair of CVR 12's, or the CVR 15? I understand that more power is going to trump the CVR, but by how much.