Few manufacturers have as dedicated a following as Kicker.
Let’s have a look at the brand, their current subwoofer series and a few of their models to find out if they are worth your hard earned cash.
The Brand
Originally founded in 1973, this company quickly became the go-to manufacturer for car audio enthusiasts of every stripe and preference.
Mainly though, they have long been the favorite of young bassheads looking to build their first powered subwoofer system for their car stereo.
Kicker makes both high end subwoofers that will please even the most discriminating audiophile or competitive basshead, and more affordable economy options that may not have the looks, but still have the signature kicker sound.
Let’s take a look at their current lineup, as well as a few reviews some of their top selling subwoofers.
Kicker Subwoofer Series
- L7
- CompQ
- Solo-Baric L7S
- CompVX
- CompR
- Comp RT
- Comp VR
- Comp VT
- Comp C
- Comp
Kicker’s most innovative and powerful lineup of subwoofers belong to the L7 Series.
What makes these subs unique is the fact that they are actually square
You read that correctly. Square subwoofers. According to researchers at Kicker, a square speaker provides 20% more surface area than a subwoofer of with a cone-shaped diaphragm.
Paired with a massive motor and driver, these subs produce some of the most powerful bass available.
While they are a pricier premium product, these are definitely groundshakers whether you install the 8”, 10”, 12”, or 15” size.
Essentially the more traditional top-of-the-line subwoofer from Kicker, this sub uses the same powerful driver and motor that is fitted in the L7 series
A lot of research, testing and development is clearly evident in the Comp Q design, and these subs throw serious bass with zero distortion and without generating a lot of heat.
These subs range in size from 10”-15”, and if you want the best rumbling thunder Kicker has for sale, this is the subwoofer to buy.
The Solo-Baric L7S series is intended to bring the additional surface area of a square subwoofer to a more affordable price bracket.
It may not use the same materials as its higher end counterpart, but it is still a powerful performance subwoofer that is capable of handling massive wattage while dampening out distortion and maintaining high bass fidelity and clarity.
It also has some unique customization options that can be added to the 10” and 12” subwoofers (Sizes range in size from 8”-15” in 2-Ohm and 4-Ohm impedance ) to give your subs as look that is as unique as their sound and design.
Looking for some clean sounding subwoofers that don’t run too hot?
The CompVX series has you covered.
These subwoofers are the upper-middle price point option from Kicker, and offer serious performance that can handle up to 2,000 watts of peak power.
They are a little on the pricey side, but they also produce some of the cleanest, most distinctive bass performance kicker has to offer.
Ranging in size from 10”-15”, CompVX subwoofers are essentially a traditional cone version of the Solo-Baric L7S series.
You are essentially getting a similar level of performance to the CompQ series priced within a more affordable range than their high end cousins.
The workhorse of the Kicker product lineup, these subwoofers are reasonably priced and built for performance.
They don’t run hot, they sound amazing, and they are great starter subs for any basshead looking to build their first quality sub kit.
Need the performance of the CompR line, but short on trunk space?
These are the slim-fit version of the popular Comp R line, allowing you to build smaller without sacrificing power or sound.
A stylish looking high quality subwoofer that is built specifically for loud, high power systems.
It sports a more powerful magnet and motor than the CompR, allowing it to deliver that signature Kicker thump that typically is reserved for their higher end products.
CompVR in a more compact, flatter mounting package Still handles massive amounts of wattage, just takes up less space without sacrificing sound quality or overall heat dissipation.
A favorite of bassheads just getting started with their first subwoofer system, the Comp C line is for those who crave that thunderous thump but have a limited budget to work with.
Rather than their patented Solo-Kon cone material, these subs use polypropylene and have the signature yellow stitching and logo that has made Kicker a household name in the car audio world.
While these subwoofers aren’t going to win any bass competitions outside the amateur circuit on the block, these subs are more than enough to get any bass-happy car audio enthusiast started on building their dream system.
Are you a one of those car stereo system builders that care more about sound than looks?
The Kicker Comp line is for you.
These subwoofers offer the the power performance of the Comp C line at an even more affordable price.
What they lack in cosmetic and aesthetic appeal they definitely make up for in overall “oomph”, so if you are trunk mounting a bass box that no one will be looking at, these Comp series subwoofers are both versatile and potent enough to satisfy anyone’s craving for bass.
Subwoofers Reviews
Comparison Chart
1. Kicker S15L7 4-ohm 15″ Car Audio Subwoofer
These are big square subs for big sound driven by big amps. If money is no object and you want as much power as you can cram into a subwoofer, these squared 15” subs will do the trick. They made into our list of the best 15 inch subwoofers for a good reason.
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 88.6 dB
- RMS: 1200 watts
- Peak Power: 2400-watts
- Frequency Response: 18-100 Hz
- Impedance: 4-ohms
The Good:
The power handling of these subwoofers is astonishing, and the squared speaker surface feels like it gives your bass some additional kick you just don’t hear from traditionally designed subs.
Square speakers also tend to mount more seamlessly and are easier to work with when building your own custom box.
The Not-So-Good:
These subs do sport a 4-ohm impedance, which can mean higher heat generation than their 2-Ohm counterparts.
These subs run fairly cool, but if you are looking for optimal impedance performance, go with the 2-ohm options.
Pros
- Unique square design
- Powerful and loud
- Exceptional response and quality
Cons
- Impedance is 4 ohms as opposed to a more efficient 2 ohms.
2. Kicker 11HS8 8″ 150W Hideaway
Not ever car audio system can fit a significant amount of high-powered audio inside without compromising comfort and appearances.
For customers that want plenty of bass in their music without using up half their trunk, Kicker makes the 11HS8 8” 150 Watt Hideaway.
This all in one subwoofer solution can be connected quickly and easily to any car stereo, and provides all the bass punch a car audio enthusiast could want.The Kicker 11HS8 also has integrated remote controls for powering the sub on and off, adjusting the frequency response settings, crossover and more.
Best of all, this is a subwoofer kit for your car you can buy and install with a minimal amount of work using only a few hand tools and a drill.
Later on, should you choose to sell your car or upgrade, all you need to do is remove the unit and mount it in your new ride. Here’s a quick overview of the specs to help you understand why this all-in-one subwoofer kit is such an excellent value.
Specifications:
- Size: 8 inch subwoofer, 13-⅞” D x 3-⅞” H 3 x 9-⅜” W
- Top Mount Depth: 3-⅛ inches
- Cut-Out: 8” subwoofer cutout, device comes pre-assembled
- RMS: 150 watts
- Peak Power: 300 watts
- Sensitivity: 12db/octave low pass at 50-120Hz; 24dB.octave high pass at 25Hz
- Frequency Response: 25-120 HZ
- Impedance: 4-ohm
- Power and Sensitivity: Low-level input 125mV-5V, High level input – 250 mVo10V
- Voice Coils and Cone: 8 inch subwoofer cone, limited to 50-125 Hz frequency range
Pros
- Plenty of rumble and thunder despite its small size an
- Compact footprint and included hardware makes it easy to mount anywhere
- Quick installation and connection to most existing car audio kits, including factory car stereos
- Self cooling helps this model vent even under heavy use.
Cons
- It’s got a surprisingly loud output, but larger sub/amp combos tend to have a far more satisfying “thump” than the 8-inch Hideaway
- Passive heat sink cooling makes mounting it in tightly enclosed spaces tricky from an extended heavy use perspective. There have been no reports of overheating but it’s worth keeping in mind if you decide to put one in your car.
3. Kicker CVR104 (43CVR104) CompVR 10-Inch
A compact subwoofer with excellent performance that won’t break the bank. This is an ideal starter sub for a single or dual-subwoofer kit.
Make sure to check our list of the best 10 inch subwoofers to see a lot more options on this size.
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 83.6 dB
- RMS: 350-watts
- Peak Power: 700-watts
- Frequency Response: 40-250 HZ
- Impedance: 4-ohms
The Good:
Even at 350-watts, this little sub can really deliver some decent punch in the lower register.
The Not-So-Good:
While they are great for their size, these little subwoofers are not going to rock the block or do much earth moving.
They sound fantastic, but they don’t really crank up that high even when powered by a strong amplifier.
Great for a strong in-car bass experience, but not so much on the outdoor sound system capabilities.
Pros
- Sound amazing for their size
- Decent power handling
- Fit well in smaller enclosures
Cons
- Not particularly loud, though they do provide decent in-car audio performance.
4. Kicker 11S12L72 Car Audio Solo-Baric 12” Subwoofer
Want that high-end sound with some more customization options?
You definitely need to check out these 12” square subs from Kicker.
With multiple grille and illumination styles, these subs stand out from the crowd with more than just their shape.
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 89.4 dB
- RMS: 1000 watts
- Peak Power: 2000 watts
- Frequency Response: 18-100 HZ
- Impedance: 4-ohm
The Good:
As much power as you could want from a square 12” subwoofer, with high quality, distortion-free bass to go with it.
Add to that the customizations that you can add to this subwoofer to make your kit stand out when you are showing it off, and you have one exceptional value for a bass performance kit that really brings the thunder.
The Not-So-Good:
The cone construction of these subs is not the top quality material that is used in the higher end L7 product line, so they may lack some of the crispness that one might expect from a premium subwoofer product.
They also have a less-efficient 4-ohm impedance, so they are likely to generate a little more heat.
Pros
- Customization features not available with other Kicker products
- Powerful bass with excellent clarity
- Real ground shakers even at 12”
Cons
- Material quality is not as good as their L7 counterparts
- Higher impedance means this sub tends to run hotter in enclosures.