Kicker Key amplifier - anyone using?

[OnTheEllipse]

I've spent the last 10 years without any upgraded car audio and have a new low mileage SR5P and I don't want to spend the next 10 years without decent audio again.

An audio system can be a slippery slope. I think I'd like to go simple for this car. It doesn't have to be amazing, but I'd like it to be at least 2-3x better than stock.

I'd prefer to keep the stock head unit and the Kicker Key 200.4 seems like an interesting option. My thought is to run 6-8" woofers in the door and wideband* speakers in the dash, using the active crossover in the Kicker Key amp. I'd do some sound deadening while I have the doors out. At some point I'd also add the Kicker Key 500.1 and a small sub (would have to be able to fit behind the third row, so probably a custom wide and shallow box).

*I'm new to this idea of wideband drivers.

So, does anyone have any personal experience with this setup in a 5th gen? Appreciate any and all thoughts/experience!

 

[osugsxr]

I've spent the last 10 years without any upgraded car audio and have a new low mileage SR5P and I don't want to spend the next 10 years without decent audio again.

An audio system can be a slippery slope. I think I'd like to go simple for this car. It doesn't have to be amazing, but I'd like it to be at least 2-3x better than stock.

I'd prefer to keep the stock head unit and the Kicker Key 200.4 seems like an interesting option. My thought is to run 6-8" woofers in the door and wideband* speakers in the dash, using the active crossover in the Kicker Key amp. I'd do some sound deadening while I have the doors out. At some point I'd also add the Kicker Key 500.1 and a small sub (would have to be able to fit behind the third row, so probably a custom wide and shallow box).

*I'm new to this idea of wideband drivers.

So, does anyone have any personal experience with this setup in a 5th gen? Appreciate any and all thoughts/experience!

i would go with quality speakers all around and use the 200.4 amp, solid reviews. I consider it but never went ahead with it. I installed a sony 8100 stereo with focal speakers and quality was great!! After I retrofitted a 21 plus carplay stereo speakers are ehh at best. The amp would make a nice difference

 

[Narat_524]

Love mine! I installed two of them under the driver seat (with raise bracket) a full suite of different speakers throughout, and a sub under the passenger seat (see signature). Sounds amazing after tuning. The time alignment does crazy things for sound quality.

Just using one for the front stage with some good quality speakers would still be a major improvement.

 

[OnTheEllipse]

Love mine! I installed two of them under the driver seat (with raise bracket) a full suite of different speakers throughout, and a sub under the passenger seat (see signature). Sounds amazing after tuning. The time alignment does crazy things for sound quality.

Just using one for the front stage with some good quality speakers would still be a major improvement.

Thanks!

I have two questions:

- what under seat sub are you using? I don't see one in your signature. maybe I'm missing it.

- how is running speaker wire into the doors? Is there room in the rubber boot?

 

[Narat_524]

Kenwood KSC-SW11 subwoofer. I did have to put some little 1/2" or 3/4" wood blocks under the mounting brackets to clear the heater vent. Then routed the controller up under the center console to come out just behind the seat heater switches.

Wire into the doors was tight, but there is room. I would recommend fishing a coat hanger or heavy zip tie through it first, and then use that to pull the wire through while massaging the rubber boot.

 

[osugsxr]

Kenwood KSC-SW11 subwoofer. I did have to put some little 1/2" or 3/4" wood blocks under the mounting brackets to clear the heater vent. Then routed the controller up under the center console to come out just behind the seat heater switches.

Wire into the doors was tight, but there is room. I would recommend fishing a coat hanger or heavy zip tie through it first, and then use that to pull the wire through while massaging the rubber boot.

since seeing this come up again Im itching to buy this amp. Its been awhile since ive installed one. Is this correct below? thanks

Items needed:
kicker key amp
wiring kit (power / ground wires /fuse )

speaker connection below ; solder input / output from the amp.
Connect the harness

Headunit output---amp input
Amp output-- speaker connection

2018+ Toyota Add an amp Harness for OEM Stereo - Speaker Signal extension

 

[Narat_524]

Correct. Also, download the test pink noise track from Kicker to your phone. Read the amp instructions regarding the dip switches, then read them again There are a couple youtube vids (5 star car audio) that cover how they set theirs up (your situation may be different, but you’ll get the jist).

I would recommend leaving the amp loose and accessible, or install it so the dip switches are accessible, so if you decide a crossover or limit isn’t set right when you listen to it after tuning, you can easily change it.

The tuning process is pretty easy, and will beep trouble codes if something doesn’t work.

If you’re hooking up a subwoofer, be sure to t-tap into the speaker wires before the amp.