Kicker L7 opinions

[Emilgevor]

Just bought a single 12 inch Kicker L7 sub in a ported slotted box for 250 bucks
Will be adding to my bose system within couple of days when i have free time. Does anyone have this sub or heard any good reviews? Sound quality? Performance? Im going to be running Kenwood Excelon amp with it rated at 1000w i believe.

[fikes]

prob going to sound like shit but rattle the hell out of the car. Kicker imo are shitty subs but they do put allot of bass out. I rather go with a jl or boston sub. If you listen to rap then its prob fine but anything else will sound like shit.

[KNaudi]

had this set up before. tons of volume..... and rattles

[shorterthanrich]

This belongs in chatterbox, but anyway.

L7 subs are extremely loud but the SQ is nil. That's that.

If you're looking for big, peaky bass, an L7 in a well build ported box will definitely do it for you. If you're looking for SQL (SQ + volume...obviously with compromise on both ends) look at Fi Audi, Elemental Designs, AudioQue...etc

[Matt@JHM]

I had a Kicker L7 in a ported box and WOW did it put out a lot of kick for a single 12". If you set it correctly and have a good amp pushing it, it can sound decent. It was okay until some losers broke in and stole everything... This was years ago in my Jeep Cherokee.

I had mine in a large box which looked exactly like this:

[Emilgevor]

I had 2 kickers CompVR's in my a4 and box was huge and it sounded awesome and packed alot of bass. I was hoping to save some space and have a similar results. Lots of people said to me that L7's are great for a lot of bass and they sound really nice. As far as rattling i dont care about that because i will be making a custom trunk and fixing rattles. I just wanted to know if they last a while and how much bass they produce...

[shorterthanrich]

I had 2 kickers CompVR's in my a4 and box was huge and it sounded awesome and packed alot of bass. I was hoping to save some space and have a similar results. Lots of people said to me that L7's are great for a lot of bass and they sound really nice. As far as rattling i dont care about that because i will be making a custom trunk and fixing rattles. I just wanted to know if they last a while and how much bass they produce...

They are loud but they do NOT sound nice.

Get plenty of Damplifier:
http://www.secondskinaudio.com/vibra...lifier-pro.php

[ROUGHEDGES]

image dynamics idq is a great sounding sub for the money. They dont hit that hard though.

[Emilgevor]

im happy with the kickers no matter what people say about them... Had CompVRs for 2 years and still hit hard so im looking forward to L7 now. I just wanted to know if anyone has them in their trunk to get the reviews and setup pictures

[zx6r1033]

im happy with the kickers no matter what people say about them... Had CompVRs for 2 years and still hit hard so im looking forward to L7 now. I just wanted to know if anyone has them in their trunk to get the reviews and setup pictures

Volume-wise you will be going up. Sound quality-wise you'll be taking one hell of a hit from your current setup.



As everyone else has already said... Tons of punch, but sounds like shit.

On a side-note, if you haven't bought the kenwood amp yet... don't. You can get a ton of amps that are far better for cheaper money. Check out Cadence.

[biglou]

L7 FTMW !!!! they r loud but you dont need to crank the amp that much , its a really good sub and expensive !!! u got a deal on it !!

[ROUGHEDGES]

dude you got a great deal on the box and sub. Play it loud and be happy with it.

[ROUGHEDGES]

L7 FTMW !!!! they r loud but you dont need to crank the amp that much , its a really good sub and expensive !!! u got a deal on it !!

if you want a sick sub morel or hertz are amazing. By far the two best subs i have heard, and i have had over 15 systems. I wish i had pics.

those subs are SUPER expensive though. the hertz is almost a grand the the morel is over a grand

i have the hertz ml300 and mlk2 comps. Still saving for the amp.

[shorterthanrich]

I'm glad people are suggesting such good equipment for the OP, but you also gotta pay attention to what he wants. Clearly it's volume.

The L7 will please you for volume. Anyone that says they have good SQ is misinformed or has not actually heard anything with good SQ, but that's fine.

x2 on the kenwood. Over-rated amps, especially for the money, and poor reliability. I've ran two cadence's and loved them...very hard to beat for the price.

Also look at AudioQue amps, though. Very fair priced and very, very well built.

Again, the L7 will get loud as hell and is an efficient sub (loud without needing too much power). You don't want morel or hertz, or Image dynamics. Those are awesome subs but are not designed to get loud.

Fi BTL gets loud, AudioQue woofers get loud, and eD 13Av.2 gets loud. Those all do it with moderate SQ, but the point is the SPL.

If you want cheap and loud but don't care too much about SQ, also consider MA Audio. Definitely not the best subs, but they do get surprisingly loud for the price.

[wdbdy2000s4]

make sure to read the full rating of the amp...

half of the amps on the market are rated at 14Volts while the other half are at 12v. a 1000watt amp rated at 12Vs will put out more power then a 1000watt amp rated at 14.4Vs

[ROUGHEDGES]

diymobileaudio.com

look for a amp in the classifieds.

[shorterthanrich]

make sure to read the full rating of the amp...

half of the amps on the market are rated at 14Volts while the other half are at 12v. a 1000watt amp rated at 12Vs will put out more power then a 1000watt amp rated at 14.4Vs

truth. But very few amps are rated at 12v these days. I see a lot of 12.8, 13.8, and 14.4 ratings.

Anyway, our cars tend to sit at around 14v, but if you're running 1,000 watts + you'll likely see some small voltage drop.

No, you do not need a capacitor.

Oh, I forgot to mention elemental designs is selling their 9.1 amp for <$200. That's a crazy low price for the quality of that amp. 1200 Watts @ 12.5 volts @ 1 ohm. Also one of the cleanest looking amps out there IMO, along with the sundown SAZ series and a few others.

[infinkc]

this was my trunk in my old accord 3 12" L7's ported into the car. Yes it was loud. No complaints about them. Depending on your likings they are good speakers, that is if you want something loud.

if you are going for clarity, skip.

[wdbdy2000s4]

truth. But very few amps are rated at 12v these days. I see a lot of 12.8, 13.8, and 14.4 ratings.

I'm old school, I was really into audio and electronics shit like 5 years ago. haha. I haven't been into the audio scene much lately but i sure do appreciate a quality system.

[shorterthanrich]

I'm old school, I was really into audio and electronics shit like 5 years ago. haha. I haven't been into the audio scene much lately but i sure do appreciate a quality system.

Yeah, I was reaaally into it in college when all I had was a 1996 maxima that wasn't worth spending money on performance. I still keep up with some things these days. I'm just doing two eD 13Ov.2s + a Cadence A7HC in a very small, sealed box.

If I decide those are too big I might switch to some better, smaller subs (some Fi Qs) or maybe an IB setup. I don't want to add weight but I do oh so love a good stereo.

[MarksB5S4]

why in a s4?

[ROUGHEDGES]

i was really into too. I have had soooo many systems. The nicest was 6 eclipse tens in my jeep. All powered by ppi art series. the loudest was my 98 a4 with 4 10 inch jls ported. Also had the eclipse flip up head unit and 2 32 band image dynamics eq's. i couldnt even keep the mirror on the windshield.

my other friend had 4 15s in a blazer and that thing was insane. He blew his rear window out at a soundoff.

now am going all sq. Hertz and audison.

[zx6r1033]

I've been into car audio for about 13 years now. I used to compete, but then I moved to a state where there really isn't any competition, so I just stopped.

I still have a system in my work car / Daily driver, but nothing in the S4 or my 90Q.

[shorterthanrich]

i was really into too. I have had soooo many systems. The nicest was 6 eclipse tens in my jeep. All powered by ppi art series. the loudest was my 98 a4 with 4 10 inch jls ported. Also had the eclipse flip up head unit and 2 32 band image dynamics eq's. i couldnt even keep the mirror on the windshield.

my other friend had 4 15s in a blazer and that thing was insane. He blew his rear window out at a soundoff.

now am going all sq. Hertz and audison.

Very nice. I've had some fun ones in my day, but mostly I just did installs for others. Nice choice on the Hertz and audison.

I've been into car audio for about 13 years now. I used to compete, but then I moved to a state where there really isn't any competition, so I just stopped.

I still have a system in my work car / Daily driver, but nothing in the S4 or my 90Q.

Yeah, I really want to keep what's in my S4 very minimal. I've had the amp and speakers sitting for a few months now and have barely even thought about putting them in. Way too into doing everything else with the car...

[mmxruffryder15]

most of you people don't know what your saying ou get a sub for bass...thats the reason you buy it for not for voice just for bass....then you ugrade your interior speakers for better voice and such

[shorterthanrich]

most of you people don't know what your saying ou get a sub for bass...thats the reason you buy it for not for voice just for bass....then you ugrade your interior speakers for better voice and such

What the hell are you talking about? Who here said ANYTHING about "voice" (and what you mean is higher frequency ranges, not "voice")

Are you thinking for sound quality? Even though a subwoofer is playing such low frequency ranges (typically people use them for 30hz to 100hz, but they really are meant for 30hz-60hz or 80hz), sound quality still matters.

[wdbdy2000s4]

What the hell are you talking about? Who here said ANYTHING about "voice" (and what you mean is higher frequency ranges, not "voice")

Are you thinking for sound quality? Even though a subwoofer is playing such low frequency ranges (typically people use them for 30hz to 100hz, but they really are meant for 30hz-60hz or 80hz), sound quality still matters.

x10...there is clearly a difference between a shitty ass paper sub from wal-mart for $40 and a top of the line sub. Apparently working with sound engineers who won nationals for SQ tought me nothing. haha

[zx6r1033]

most of you people don't know what your saying ou get a sub for bass...thats the reason you buy it for not for voice just for bass....then you ugrade your interior speakers for better voice and such

You are right, you caught me red handed. I don't know anything about car audio... my 16 trophies and my MECP certification are worthless. In fact, I probably just bought them on eBay. Not to mention my 5 years of working as an installer in various shops.

Damn, I'm glad there are people like you to point things like this out. I may have just gone through life not knowing I didn't know what I was talking about until you came along. Thank you!

[ROUGHEDGES]

You are right, you caught me red handed. I don't know anything about car audio... my 16 trophies and my MECP certification are worthless. In fact, I probably just bought them on eBay. Not to mention my 5 years of working as an installer in various shops.

Damn, I'm glad there are people like you to point things like this out. I may have just gone through life not knowing I didn't know what I was talking about until you came along. Thank you!

are you serious? so your saying there is no sq difference between subs? thats just crazy.

[zx6r1033]

are you serious? so your saying there is no sq difference between subs? thats just crazy.

What? I'm not the one that posted that garbage. lol. There is an insane amount of difference in sound quality between various subs. There is just simply no logic in making a statement like that. I think the only people who would say such a thing are the ones who have only listened to Walmart subs.

Im pretty sure you are confusing me for mmxruffryder15. :D

[mmxruffryder15]

What? I'm not the one that posted that garbage. lol. There is an insane amount of difference in sound quality between various subs. There is just simply no logic in making a statement like that. I think the only people who would say such a thing are the ones who have only listened to Walmart subs.

Im pretty sure you are confusing me for mmxruffryder15. :D

no walmart sub here in my daily..running 2 12inch L5 kickers with a 1000watt kicker amp and eclipse interiors...if you can get that at walmart you should have told think how much wpuld save.


i had a L5 in my s4 for a little while and it sound crisp sound quality was perfect actually no feedback nothing couldnt have asked for better

[zx6r1033]

no walmart sub here in my daily..running 2 12inch L5 kickers with a 1000watt kicker amp and eclipse interiors...if you can get that at walmart you should have told think how much wpuld save.


i had a L5 in my s4 for a little while and it sound crisp sound quality was perfect actually no feedback nothing couldnt have asked for better

But if you think there is no quality to be found in subs, then why not buy Jensen? Jensen can hit pretty hard. You don't seem to possess any logic in your posts. First you say there is no difference in sq with subs, then you start rambling on about kickers?

let me guess... your kicker amp is a KX series, right? I'd laugh if it was... if you read around on audio forums, the ZR series amps were the last of the quality amps, and the KX series was a new breed of cheap amp. Lots of talk about the transition on the audio forums. Also... are you actually running your highs off your head unit?

I know it comes off like I am trying to slam you, and I'm not... but think about it... would you take piano lessons from someone who couldn't play? It's the same here... NEVER take audio advice from someone who doesn't have an ear for it. I know too many people that turn their radios up to the point where shit is clipping horribly and then talk about how amazing it sounds just because it's loud. No offense, but you are coming off like 'that guy' right now.

[shorterthanrich]

Let us all remember that he did not say SQ, he said "voice."

So I still don't know what the eff he was talking about.

And listen, mmxwhateveryournameis, kicker L series subs do not have "crisp" sound quality. I'm not trying to offend you here, I just need you to step back for a second and think about it. Everyone agrees that they get VERY loud. So if these subs also had "perfect" SQ, wouldn't kicker have designed the perfect sub? Wouldn't every audiophile be running them? I mean, come on. There's always a trade off. These subs are known for being some of the loudest in the business/watt that you give them and perform great in big, properly ported boxes.

Also, I have never....not once...ever personally heard...or even heard of...a sub getting feedback. Feedback? Feedback is what happens when you have....hm, I don't even think it needs explaining. You don't get feedback in a car, unless you have a microphone in your trunk.

I'm very glad that you enjoy the sound of your sub. That means that you like it loud. Awesome. I used to have MA Audios and I really, really enjoyed them. I thought that they sounded great - and to my ear they did sound pretty good - until I got my Elemental Designs 13Ov.2s and realized that the MAs were just loud with "acceptable" SQ. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you like...it's just that by objective standards, they are not "crisp" or "clean" etc etc.

[mmxruffryder15]

[QUOTE=shorterthanrich;4202011

Also, I have never....not once...ever personally heard...or even heard of...a sub getting feedback. Feedback? Feedback is what happens when you have....hm, I don't even think it needs explaining. You don't get feedback in a car, unless you have a microphone in your trunk.
.[/QUOTE]

by feedback i mean that on some crappy systems that are done wrong you will the engine or car more comming through the sub...i don't know how to explain but these 16 trophy winners hear can explain it to you

[wdbdy2000s4]

by feedback i mean that on some crappy systems that are done wrong you will the engine or car more comming through the sub...i don't know how to explain but these 16 trophy winners hear can explain it to you

are you talking about static? or when the frequencies get fucked up because people wire the speaker across multiple power sources and grounds?

...i love when people zip tie or tape their amp power wire to the RCAs and wonder why it sounds like poo. haha

[zx6r1033]

are you talking about static? or when the frequencies get fucked up because people wire the speaker across multiple power sources and grounds?

...i love when people zip tie or tape their amp power wire to the RCAs and wonder why it sounds like poo. haha

He is talking about lack of sound isolation caused by running the power wire too close to the RCAs or speaker wire, thus causing a humming and/ or bad alternator whine. Recommended minimum distance between power source and signal source wires is 3'... and it is for a reason. I've seen some horrid installs in my time in the shops, that is for sure.

I remember this one kid that came into my shop complaining about his amp kicking on and off randomly. I started tracing his wires. It took me about 10 seconds to find the problem... He had stripped about 3' of the ground wire, wrapped it repeatedly around the base of his seat (which has painted metal, as well...), and then run duct tape around the whole thing to keep it there. The only thing I found funnier was when he told me his "pro installer friend" did the work for him.

Work in an audio shop for 6 months and you won't even believe the shit that rolls through there. so many things that, until that point, you would've said even the biggest of morons could have figured out on their own... all gone so horribly wrong.

[wdbdy2000s4]

Work in an audio shop for 6 months and you won't even believe the shit that rolls through there. so many things that, until that point, you would've said even the biggest of morons could have figured out on their own... all gone so horribly wrong.

i worked on a car where some kid literally cut every wire behind the dash, including the ac, heat, flashers, odometer...fucking everything! i laughed and said no way will i fix that shit.

[ROUGHEDGES]

zx6r i made a mistake i wasnt talking to you i was talking to the other guy.

mmx how can you say your a pro in carstereo when you call static or interferance feedback. You would think being in the business that long you would know more. Have you ever heard of high end speakers. Like for example

seas
rainbow
morel
hertz
dls
dynaudio

i have had alot of subs and these mfg blow away jl and other mainstream companies. I am not trying to bash you. Your getting crap from people here because the way your coming across.


if

[ROUGHEDGES]

He is talking about lack of sound isolation caused by running the power wire too close to the RCAs or speaker wire, thus causing a humming and/ or bad alternator whine. Recommended minimum distance between power source and signal source wires is 3'... and it is for a reason. I've seen some horrid installs in my time in the shops, that is for sure.

I remember this one kid that came into my shop complaining about his amp kicking on and off randomly. I started tracing his wires. It took me about 10 seconds to find the problem... He had stripped about 3' of the ground wire, wrapped it repeatedly around the base of his seat (which has painted metal, as well...), and then run duct tape around the whole thing to keep it there. The only thing I found funnier was when he told me his "pro installer friend" did the work for him.

Work in an audio shop for 6 months and you won't even believe the shit that rolls through there. so many things that, until that point, you would've said even the biggest of morons could have figured out on their own... all gone so horribly wrong.

i usually like to have my rca and and power wire on each side of the car. I also you that insulation tube. i forget the name of it.

[wdbdy2000s4]

i have had alot of subs and these mfg blow away jl and other mainstream companies.

fyi, the lead designer at JL who created the w6s and w7s back in the day left JL to work for powerbase like 5 years ago. They have the same subs at half price, at least they did for a while.