Quality of kicker zx amplifiers

[blobb454 10+ year member]

^ also valid point... For the money, can't something a little better be had?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Zx1000, 1500, and 2500. 06 models where better then the 11. Still pretty inefficient.

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

Zx1000, 1500, and 2500. 06 models where better then the 11. Still pretty inefficient.

What makes the older ZX models better than the 2011 models?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

What makes the older ZX models better than the 2011 models?

Don't know. Like everything else they went downhill over time

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

I think they're worth the cost

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

How do they differ from the KX/SX series? I know the KX/SX series have fans on them.

Cheaper, less beefy Chinese boards that used to be Korean. Dirtier power on the 2/4 channels. Mostly negligible, but still comparatively worse than the older boards.

 

[whitemax 10+ year member]

I've had a couple ZX750.1's and a couple ZX1000.1's. Both were from the 08 & later line. I never had any issues with these amps. Solid amps in my opinion.

I also ran the KX series, as well as the ZX & ZR series from the 1990's (my favorite Kicker amplifiers).

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

Does anyone use the ZX series for mids and highs?

 

[whitemax 10+ year member]

Not the more current ZX line. I had a ZX460 that I used for over 7 years, at times I bridged the rear channels at 2 ohms to my sub. That was a great amp. Back to the present...I would have no issues running their current ZX line. I was actually looking into a 4ch ZX a while back, but the one I was looking to get was too big for my install.

 

[Mommy Wagon 10+ year member]

Installing Kicker 650.4 and 2500.1 currently - my brother and I have been Kicker amp guys for the past couple if years (2007ish), he's deviated on a few builds and I have not. His reason was cost vs power in a sub application.

You might get some flack for the Kicker suggestion, though I can say I've never had one die on me.

I can offer a better review in the next few weeks when I complete the first phase of my build in using these amplifiers in an SQL application. Again, others disagree with the word Kicker in the same sentance as SQ.

The other great benefit is these things sell really easy used, and maintain value. If you don't like them, you won't be stuck with them. Alternately you coud always find a used one to try.........

 

[blobb454 10+ year member]

Anyone know how stable these are at 1 ohm?

 

[PapaGeno21 10+ year member]

I have an 06 model ZX1000.1... I got it as a refurbished amp, paid 210 for it. Been using it for 6 years now with NO issues whatsoever. I actually am afraid to sell the thing just because of how bomb proof this thing has been.

Have also had a couple KX350.2's, and I have a DX400.1 in my girls car. They are good amps.

As far as them being stable at 1 ohm, it is hit or miss. People try it with the ZX2500.1 and some have them go into protect and some don't. I am going to guess it has to do with how good your electrical is.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

Does anyone use the ZX series for mids and highs?

If given the option, try to find an SX or KX or ZR for mids/highs. Substage the ZX line is fine.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

Anyone know how stable these are at 1 ohm?

You could get away w/ it up to 2008. I wouldn't try it on 09 or later.

The KX1200.1 were 1ohm amps. The SX were 2ohm as they changed sub wiring configs. SX were still very capable of handling 1ohm if they didn't protect on you. ZX will do it but you do risk overheating and smoking on you.

 

[Danometal 10+ year member]

My wife has had '08 ZX amps for about 3 years now in her car. They are great. Very powerful, clean, have neat top mount controls, and run cool. Her mono's SSF is fixed @ 25 hz though. I don't like that, but that's the only con.