Kicker Amps

[mgswed]

Has anyone used a kicker amp? I am thinking about getting the Kicker KX250.2 2 channel amp. 85 Watts RMS x 2 @ 4 ohms. Any reviews or thoughts would be appreciated. Would this be good for a Pair of 4 ohm polk db650 speakers. If not, what would be a good choice for around $150. Thanks -MG

[jhiestand]

RE: Kicker Amps

I've been using a Kicker KX700.5 for the past two seasons and have had no issues. I don't have much experience with other brands so I'm not sure how it stacks up against others.

This spring I'm looking to upgrade my system to pump out a little more juice, so I'm looking to a couple Hifonics amps, probably a ZX6400 and a BX1500D. Good bang for the buck (or so I've read).

[Mikeski]

RE: Kicker Amps

I don't have any experience with the Kicker amps, but I do have a Hifonics ZX6400 running my tower speakers and a BX1500D running my sub (soon to be subs). When I push the ZX6400 really hard it gets warm and shuts off. If I added a fan it would probably prevent it from happening but I am upsizing to a PPI 4125 then moving the ZX over to run the boat speakers. I have about 150 hours on the boat with this system installed. I am also upgrading the power supply batteries and distribution cables so that should help too.

[882001]

RE: Kicker Amps

i have kx 120 running my wakedesign tower speakers. they rock! amp never gets hot.i would say it puts out more than 120. im running in stereo at 2 ohms per chanel on 4 speakers. you wouldnt guess there only getting 30 watts each. i bought a memphis 400 to replace it but dont really see a need to. so im putting the memphis in my truck.

[jhiestand]

Re: RE: Kicker Amps

When I push the ZX6400 really hard it gets warm and shuts off.

Hey Mikeski, I haven't purchased the 6400 yet (I have a NX440 I haven't even taken out of the box) and was planning on running it at 4 ohms, as opposed to 2. How hard are you pushing yours? I'd figure at 4 ohms it shouldn't have too much difficulty.

Similarly, I'll only be running the sub amp at 2 ohms where it's supposedly stable down to 1 ohm. I'm hoping it won't have problems there, either.

[Mikeski]

RE: Re: RE: Kicker Amps

In reply to the zx6400 shutting down...

My tower speakers are a homebrew pro-audio system built up with Eminence drivers somewhat resembling a lovechild between the NVS Addiction and the Entity 808s (mad props to Duane at www.nvs1.net for the inspiration). The impedence is 4 ohms on the system but it's not a linear load so the amp may be having difficulty dealing with the impedence profile causing it to get hot and shut down. It's not an issue at most listening levels with most riders, but it has happened a couple times when I have been driving the system at very high volume levels.

Running the sub at 2 ohms...

My bx1500d was run at 4 ohms all summer driving a single 12 in front of the driver's feet. It ran flawlessly all summer long never even getting very warm. After I add the second 12 and drop the load down to 2 ohms I am expecting the amp to get a little warmer. In anticipation of these changes I have a couple pc case fans that I might add above the amps to help them dissipate the heat.