If your car bass is lacking, a subwoofer is the solution. Kicker is a brand that has subs with impressive handling power that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
But are they really the best combination of cost and performance? To answer your question and to make sure you’re spending your money in the right place, our experts have reviewed the best Kicker subs.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Kicker Subwoofers
- Best Overall: Kicker 10″ 600 Watt 4 Ohm Vented Thin Profile Subwoofer
- Best For Sound: Kicker Dual 10-Inch 1200 Watt 2 Ohm Vented Loaded Subwoofer
- Best Space Saving Option: Kicker 8 Inch Dual 600 Watt CompR Series Car Subwoofer
- Kicker 10C124 Comp 12-Inch Subwoofer
- Kicker TL7T
Reviews of the Best Kicker Subs
1. Kicker 10" 600 Watt 4 Ohm Vented Thin Profile Subwoofer
The thin design of this top Kicker 4 ohms subwoofer enhances your car audio structure without impeding your legroom. The fully enclosed subwoofer is meant to be placed behind or under your seat to bring on the bass vibrations.
Design-wise, the build of the 10” vented car subwoofer is constructed with MDF and excellent carpeting for maximum durability. The subwoofer is also immune to bumps along the road and will last for many years.
This sub has dual 4 ohm voice coils, 93 dB of sound, and 600 watts of peak power — all of which make this powered subwoofer the perfect solution to enhance the bass in your music.
What We Like
- Low profile, thin enclosure
- 10 inch subwoofer
- 600 watts of peak power
- 300 watts RMS
- Quality build
- 4 ohm impedance
- Booming bass for heavy beats
- Flexible placement
What We Don't Like
- No grille
- Not as hard-hitting as a 12-inch subwoofer
2. Kicker Dual 10-Inch 1200 Watt 2 Ohm Vented Loaded Subwoofer
For bass lovers out there who aren’t satisfied by other top-selling 10-inch subwoofers, this Kicker auto subwoofer offers dual voice coil drivers to satisfy your bass cravings. The peak power is a total of 1200 watts with 2-ohm impedance — that is a lot of power for accurate bass relays.
The RMS cuts the maximum wattage in half and gives you 600 watts total, or 300 watts from each subwoofer. Even with two 10 inch subwoofers, this Kicker sub still preserves its small footprint and high-quality build. Installing the sub is pretty easy as well, as the sub box fits nicely under the seat, behind your seat, or in the trunk of your car.
What We Like
- Impressive 2-ohm impedance
- 98 dB of sound
- 1200 max wattage
- 300 watts RMS for each sub
- Flexible placement
- Excellent build
- Hard-hitting bass
- Small footprint
What We Don't Like
- Will take up more space than single 10 inch subwoofers
- Less bass than a 12-inch subwoofer
3. Kicker 8 Inch Dual 600 Watt CompR Series Car Subwoofer
Similar to other top-notch 8 inch subs, the Kicker 8 inch compR series subwoofer can match the 300-watt RMS and 600-watt peak power that its larger counterparts can produce.
It features an injection form polypropylene cone, which offers the right amount of durability and flexibility for enhanced bass. Your car audio setup will benefit from these subwoofers that also feature Santoprene surround and SoloKon Technology.
When it comes to installation, this dual 4 ohm voice coil subwoofer is a shallow mount, which takes up even less space and fits into your sub box well without being too expensive.
What We Like
- Impressive watt RMS and peak power handling for 8 inches
- Injection molded polypropylene cone
- Boosts your car audio setup
- Inexpensive price
- Dual voice coils
- Shallow mounting depth
- Impressive low frequency production
- Smaller surface area
What We Don't Like
- No protection grille
- Power handling isn't as high as some other 12 inch subs
4. Kicker 10C124 Comp 12-Inch Subwoofer
For individuals who want to save space and money, the Kicker 10C124 12 inch subwoofer is one of the best Kicker subwoofers out there. Likewise, it is regarded as the top-performing 12-inch subwoofer in the market. This Kicker 12 inch woofer has 50-150 watts RMS and 300 watts peak power with 27-500 Hz frequency response. With this kind of power, this 4 ohms single voice coil subwoofer promises the loudest bass for minimal pricing.
Additionally, the sub has a rigid, injection-molded cone with 360-degree back bracing and yellow double-stitching on the surround. That’s how you know they didn’t skimp on the construction.
The high-temperature voice coil, heat dissipation perimeter venting, ribbed surround, and firm steel basket are all features that ensure the Kicker 12 inch 10C124 subwoofer delivers the best bass possible for the longest time. The terminals are also spring-loaded to make setup easier.
Once this 4-ohm single voice coil subwoofer is integrated into your system, future upgrades are possible and simple to undergo. Additionally, the Kicker 10C124 is a great fit for both vented or sealed enclosures.
What We Like
- Very powerful
- Affordable price
- Easy integration and upgradable
- High temperature voice coils
- Heat dissipation
- Spring-loaded terminals
- Rigid, injection-molded cone
- 360-degree back bracing
- Works with vented or sealed enclosures
- 150 watts RMS
What We Don't Like
- Not dual voice coil
- Bass not clean in certain ranges
5. Kicker TL7T
If you’re in need of a single sub, the Kicker TL7T is an excellent option with a thin profile but big and heavy bass. The solo-baric sub fits easily behind your car seat to present heavy vibrations and belt out the low tones you can feel.
This one is a heavy-hitter, because the engineers at Kicker designed this specific sub to house one of the largest voice coil and magnet systems possible for a sub of this size and width. The continuous power handling is at 1200 watts with a stunning 600-watt RMS.
What We Like
- Very thin profile
- Fits behind seats
- Heavy bass
- Large voice coil and magnet
- 1200 watts at peak
- 600-watt RMS
- Comes with mounting hardware
- Square Sub Technology
What We Don't Like
- A little heavy
- The thin profile takes some getting used to
Kicker Subs Buyer’s Guide
In this section, our experts will break down the important features to look for in car subwoofers. Other than the build quality, high temperature voice coil, and surface area, there is much more to look for in leading Kicker subs.
Design and Build
When considering a car subwoofer, you need to also think about your existing car audio subwoofer system. What fits and what doesn’t will limit your options. Other than that, the build quality is exceedingly important. What makes Kicker subwoofers the best is not only what’s on the inside, but the enclosure and materials used do matter as well.
The build quality and construction of the perfect Kicker subwoofers will also guarantee a longer lifespan. For example, a rigid injection-molded cone might be very robust, but it won’t offer the right amount of flexibility at times for certain bass tones to be produced. However, don’t go for materials that are overly flexible as they won’t offer the right amount of support for your voice coil drivers.
While a rigid injection molded cone is strong, ribbed foam surround settings are the best option. Polypropylene material is the best and most recommended by our experts. This is because polypropylene is not only hard-wearing and heavy duty, but it’s also incredibly lightweight. A rigid polypropylene cone is one of the best materials to go with ribbed foam surround or rubber surround enclosure for your car audio system.
Aside from that, your subwoofers should possess double stitching for security, a steel basket, perimeter venting and adequate heat dissipation to work well. The double stitching plus steel basket will make sure the cones stay in place at high level volumes and no matter how rough the ride gets.
Perimeter venting is for maximum heat dissipation. When devices are used at high power, it can generate a lot of heat. Without proper ventilation in a sealed enclosure for example, your subwoofer will not last long.
Another important aspect to look for is the voice coil design, but we’ll touch on that more in a bit.
Going back to the materials, 360 degree back bracing is also another important factor. The 360 degree back bracing on top of the sturdy steel basket will give you an extremely durable car audio subwoofer.
Also, aside from the build quality, you need to make sure your subwoofers have the right surface area for your vehicle. In other words, purchase a sub of the right size. There are different models available on the market ranging from a 6.5 inch to a 12” subwoofer. They are minimalistic and portable like the SVS SB-1000.
It’s true that size has a lot to do with the power subwoofers can produce, but a one or two inch difference won’t do much to the power rating. It’s important to make sure the subwoofers you choose can properly fit into your car.
There are three common locations to place your sub — in the trunk, under your seat, or behind your seat. The mounting depth also needs to be compatible with your chosen location.
Is the speaker subwoofer easy to install? Just like with other devices, no one likes something that takes hours to figure out. Even if it comes with a user manual, it still needs to be clearly labeled and explained.
The installation is where the spring-loaded terminals come in handy. All you need to do to place your new subs in place is fit them into the enclosure. If you have a component speaker, make sure all the parts needed for installation come with your purchase or it will add to the time spent installing your sub. You can also choose to connect your subwoofer and speaker using two separate amps to boost the sound quality.
More research is needed if you plan on expanding and building upon your system in the future. Take into account your car model [1], the model of the sub, and whether upgrades are needed.
After you have considered all of the above, the configuration of the subwoofer and its compatibility with your speaker model is next on your list of priorities. Not all Kicker subs will be compatible with your vehicle, so it’s crucial for you to check the model and suitability. But overall, in the build aspect, the Kicker CompVR series are among the best car subwoofers for booming bass and construction.
Type of Speaker
The next most important consideration after the build quality and design is the speaker type. A sub is categorized into two categories: full range or component. What does this mean? Our experts are here to break it down.
Full-range subwoofers are ready-made options that are also more affordable. Most of the topnotch subwoofer below 200 are of the full-range type. A full range speaker has all the parts already integrated such as the sub and the tweeter. As you can imagine, you get to enjoy higher quality sound than your car stereo without much of a hassle. However, these systems are less customizable and produce lower surround sound quality than component speakers.
A Kicker component speaker is the opposite of a full range one. A Kicker component speaker has each part sold separately, and will give you some options to mix and match your pairing.
Yes, it does require more installation and more research on your part, but the amount of customizability and placement options lead to more consumers preferring this type of subwoofer. Our experts say that if you aren’t a stickler for heavy-duty bass from your sub, a full-range speaker can certainly do the trick. If your ears aren’t sensitive, then stick with a full range to save yourself the trouble of installing the sub.
Your car audio setup is also another factor to pay attention to. Think about your speaker setup. Is it a two-way or three-way speaker? Like we have mentioned before in our surround sound home theater and floorstanding speaker reviews, there are two main types of speakers.
Two-way speakers have a tweeter and woofer. The tweeter, named after the sound birds make, is responsible for the high notes while a woofer is tasked with the low bass. You might be wondering who takes care of the mids, and the answer is both the tweeter and the woofer come together to make up for the lack of midrange drivers.
After learning about two-way speakers, it’s easy to infer that a 3-way speaker with one additional driver will produce more accurate audio. A three-way speaker has a midrange driver, so in this setup, each driver is dedicated to one portion of the spectrum. This will result in a better blend of sounds.
You may also occasionally see four-way speakers, which have a super tweeter integrated to help reproduce the highs. The role of a subwoofer in a device is to support the woofer. Since a woofer is present in both two and three-way speakers, your Kicker sub will work well with both types. However, your overall audio experience will differ depending on the type of speakers as the three-way selection will offer a more balanced soundstage.
Sound Quality
The sound quality provided by the sub of your choice is the most important aspect. Not only will it enhance the window-rattling bass tones of your car stereo system, but the overall sound quality will also be improved. One of the best things about a Kicker sub is the frequency response. The frequency response and range will determine the performance of your Kicker sub.
Since we are talking about a sub, it’s responsible for the lower end of the audio spectrum. This is why you should pay attention to how low the frequency response can go. Human ears can identify sounds as low as 20 Hz, so at least make sure the sub can relay bass tones at that level.
Your existing car audio setup will have a specific frequency response range, but our experts say to look for speakers and subwoofers that work well within the range of 25Hz to 20,000 Hz, which is the equivalent of 2 kHz. Basically, the wider the frequency range offered by the Kicker subwoofer, the better your vehicle audio subwoofer system will be.
There are only so many places you can put your Kicker sub, but the placement matters. Since subs are designed for lower tones, the lower they are, the more rumble you can feel. In a home theater setup, subs can either be front-firing or downward-firing. In a larger space like your living room, the placement is a matter of preference.
In a tighter and more enclosed space like your vehicle, the placement under or behind your seat will provide the most bang. If placed in your trunk, the bass can reverberate through the entire vehicle to create an echoing and enveloping experience.
Other midrange subs provide the best audio quality, we recommend our review of the top-tier subwoofers under 500 here.
Speaker Sensitivity
What is speaker sensitivity and why is it an aspect to consider? This is a crucial characteristic to take note of. The speaker sensitivity is directly related to the frequency of your sub. Aside from power handling, the speaker sensitivity also determines how loud the sound can be from your car audio subwoofer.
In general, you want a sub with high audio sensitivity. What this means is the sub will require less power to produce a certain quality audio output. A speaker with lower sensitivity will need more power to match the same standard. Our experts advise looking for speaker sensitivity at around 90 dB and above.
If you want to enjoy roughly the same level of high-end audio from your best Kicker subwoofer as your home system, then look for high speaker sensitivity. Keep in mind that this may mean more power is needed to meet those standards, so also consider the efficiency and impedance of your Kicker subwoofer.
Speaker RMS
The power rating of your Kicker subwoofer is also crucial to your audio quality. Kicker subwoofers will have an RMS and peak power rating. The two power ratings are different from each other and our experts advise you on the importance of the watt RMS. Peak power is what is usually advertised because it’s a lot higher, but having a higher handling power ability in a subwoofer is actually more impressive.
In your automobile audio system, or any other sound system at that, the watt RMS is what’s important. Peak power is the amount of power your Kicker sub can produce in a short period or short bursts. This power rating (RMS rating) is not sustainable and if this figure is met for a longer period, it could cause damage to your existing car audio set up or you can end up having a damaged and blown subwoofer.
Price
Kicker is one of the best brands out there for subwoofers. They are reliable, deliver accurate window-rattling bass tones, have high frequency responses that range from 27-500 Hz, and have heavy-duty construction with a steel basket and perimeter venting. If you want the best Kicker subwoofers, you need to be prepared to spend the right amount of money.
Luckily, you can get the best Kicker subwoofers, either a passive or a powered sub, for a reasonable price range. Kicker is a brand that won’t burn a hole in your wallet and will still provide impressive high-end bass whether you choose a 12 inch or an 8 inch sub.
FAQ
What are the hardest hitting subs?
The hardest hitting subs are ones from Kicker. For example, the Kicker 800 watts dual voice coil subwoofer can pump out an impressive 800 watts at peak power and 400 RMS. The frequency range is between 25 to 500 Hz, which takes care of all the bass tones audible by human ears. The power handling abilities and the sensitivity of this Kicker sub make it one of the hardest hitting options.
Are Kicker Comp Subs good?
The Kicker Comp Subs are good. Not only are they good, but they are also amazing. The Comp series offers echoing bass, excellent build, and an affordable price range. With a frequency range between 25 to 500 Hz, and sizes ranging from 12 inch subs to 8, the Comp series offers placement flexibility and awesome bass.
Which kicker Series is the best?
The Kicker KR series is the best if your setup allows for it. These Kicker subwoofers have impressive frequency ranges that span more than 25 to 500 Hz. The bass produced is spectacular thanks to its higher power handling than a subwoofer from another product line.
Our Top Pick For a Kicker Sub: Kicker 10" 600 Watt 4 Ohm Vented Thin Profile Subwoofer
Our audio team’s top choice for the Best Kicker sub is the 10” 600 watt 4 ohm enclosed sub. It has a slender profile that fits easily in your car. For a 10 inch speaker, the RMS power of 300 watts is quite impressive and can match up to larger subs.
The subwoofer is built with high-quality and hard-wearing materials that make it perfectly suited for road trips. You can pump out the bass at any volume with your Kicker sub and enjoy minimal 4 ohm impedance and a 93 decibel sensitivity to get the most out of your audio system and your content.
Having a subwoofer and speakers connection problem can be stressful even if you are using an amplifier. Getting a subwoofer pre-out may be an excellent choice to boost your device’s power. You can read more about a subwoofer pre-out here and see how it transforms your devices sound quality. Read next!
