Kenwood vs Memphis

[95F150 10+ year member]

Ok, I was going to go the all Kenwood route, HU, speakers, subs, and amp with the following:

Head Unit:

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X889

OnlineCarStereo.com Link

Sub: (1 12")

Kenwood Excelon KFC-XW1202DVC

OnlineCarStereo.com Link

Amp:

Kenwood Excelon KAC-X811D

OnlineCarStereo.com Link

OR

Sub: (4 8")

Memphis 15-MC84 - Memphis MClass 8" 200 Watt SVC Subwoofer

WoofersEtc.com Link

Amp:

Memphis 16-PRD500.1 - Memphis Power Reference 500 Watt Mono Amplifier

WoofersEtc.com Link

But I have heard good things about these Memphis 8"s.

Although I have never heard either sub, and have never owned anything smaller than a 10" sub, but my last 2 setups were 2 12"s.

How close can an 8" perform? I listen to rock. Will this suit my needs?

I want to AT LEAST keep the Subs and Amp the same brand.

Here are my pros (opinions) to getting the 4 Memphis 8"s:

1. Can be had for around the same price as 1 12", and only need a 500 watt amp to push all 4, which is the same price as the Kenwood 1600.

2. 4 8"s should blow 1 12" out of the water cone area wise, right?

3. The Memphis amp has a remote knob. As I don't think the Kenwood does, as no one has ever mentioned it.

4. The depth of the Memphis 8"s are 4" compared to the 5 5/16 of the Kenwood 12" meaning I can make a custom fiberglass enclosure for my single cab truck, and not have to move the seat at all.

Anyways, what are your opinions? Any and all welcome!

Thanks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

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[ilaydit 10+ year member]

Id go Memphis, quality stuff and reasonably priced. Ive never had any problems myself with Memphis

 

[95F150 10+ year member]

Should I be happy with 8"s??? I don't really have room for much else!

 

[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

Will the 8's be sealed or ported? Either way, I think they should have more output than the 12's you had before...

 

[Hayabusa 10+ year member]

I'd go with memphis over kenwood. Kenwood isn't anything special to me.

 

[Spr0ket 10+ year member]

Get the Kenwood headunit... go non-Kenwood with everything else. That's what I've done.

 

[VOA_NIGHTMARE 10+ year member]

Get the Kenwood headunit... go non-Kenwood with everything else. That's what I've done.

x2 I personaly have not used the newer kenwood hu's but the old ones I used the excelon x711 and excelon x911 were fukn amazing great hu's. Everything else from them as far as subs comps amps etc sucked azz.

 

[ntense702 10+ year member]

I have experience with both brands, memphis IMO is a lot better, though Kenwood seems to make some great HU's with their Excelon line

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Memphis,PERIOD!

 

[95F150 10+ year member]

I know I know, the first system I ever had, I had memphis speakers, 4" and 6 1/2"s in an 89 Isuzu Trooper, hah, and they sounded great!

The install will be sealed.

I am just wondering if they will get be enough bass.