Old Kicker Free Airs- what were they really for?

[Flatheadyoungin 10+ year member]

I remeber back about 91, we bought a set of Kicker Free Airs. I remember the salesman saying they didn't require as much air space. So, we took them home, fabbed up a box to go behind the seat of my buddy's 89F150. They sounded like CRAP! Looking back, I think the salesman was waaay off. Solobarics take less air space, right? I think the free airs would have been useful in those old front face board only that people use in the back of Irocs....no definded encloser, no sealed box and no ported box.......

I'm trying to build an old retro system (I'll start some other threads later). I want the old Kicker C12's with the word "Kicker" written in gold....just like I had. Well, I ordered one off of a fella on Craigslist, knowing that I was gambling. His price was right- $33 shipped- and it came the next day. However, it was a FREE AIR! Arrrrrgh! It's in perfect condition, 4Ohm, etc. It's just missing a 2" pc. of the cork surround.

I have two more coming from another fella that are supposed to be C12's. They need some cork, so maybe I can steal some from the free air; and just use it for parts. Honestly, I wasn't afraid of refoaming any of them I buy and fixing them up. But, I forgot that these were stitched on the cone side.

Say I found some that were really nice and need new foam. To keep them looking period correct, how could I refoame them?

Who sells replacement cork instead of the paper gasket type material?

Thanks for your help....great site. I was lead here by the "old school" threads.

Later...

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[deez283 10+ year member]

I recently had a pair of the Free air 12's with the "gold kicker" across the dustcap and they sounded great in a ported box... The reason behind them was they could be used in a I.B. setup..

One thing I noticed when looking for specs for these was the recomended enclosure size etc. was the same for the C-12 as well.

If you wanna get rid of any kickers with the gold writing let me know I'll take any size as long as they are not rotten or beat to hell.

 

[Haunz 10+ year member]

I've got rubatex 'cork style' gaskets if you want some...

'free air' means infinate baffle as far as I am concearned... but I'm not familliar with the subs in question...

 

[30AGSacrifice 10+ year member]

The F series were meant for IB or large/ported enclosures, NOT small boxes.

 

[Flatheadyoungin 10+ year member]

is it black on the outer face that you see? got any pics?

yeah, i'd like to try some if i think they'll look right.......

 

[Flatheadyoungin 10+ year member]

well, i've got this free air 12 that is in nice shape.....i was thinking of keeping it for parts but, really, it's a little too nice to start dissecting....

in my searches, i may run across some more......

do you have any for sale? i have two more coming but i'm not sure they are in decent condition....right now, i really only want 12's......

there were some nice 10's on craigslist a day or two ago.....seems he was a little steep though.....but, if they are nice and you are looking for those.......

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I ran four of the free air 8s back in the day. They did really well in ported enclosures due to their stiff suspension, but when I tried a pair IB in my college hooptie, a Crown Vic, I ended up destroying them. I replaced them with a pair of 10" Competitions in sealed enclosures under the rear deck and that got me through college. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

But back to the free airs... Most of the people who didn't run them IB would place them in ported enclosures because they didn't sound so good sealed.

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

first coolest subwoofer to me was an 18" kicker comp I saw at a car audio shop called Cartunes in College Station, TX. I must of went there every other week just to marvel at it.....christ im old.

I would love to find a sub from the company "IMPACT" with the blue surrounds that came out about the same time. But ive never seen an example of one used.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

those subs worked best in large ported box. they were loud and sounded good. they were made by credence for kicker...