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Review 2 of 26
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Kicker c10a Summary:
I have sold Car audio and personal electronics for years and I have witnessed the performance of countless brands so I don't impress easily. Some equipment lasts forever but puts out slightly less than other gear. Some equipment looks impressive and out performs most other competitors gear but they don't last nearly as long. I bought 2 Kicker C10a subs because I was impressed by their performance in the show room. The price was right so I gave them a shot. I am a perfectionist when it comes to enclosures and the one I installed the c10a's in, I custom made it exactly to the needs of the sub's thiel parameter requirements. The box is 2 ply 3/4 inch MDF wit interior bracing and Rockford Fosgate box deadener sprayed liberally inside. The 14 oz. of Dacron was added to each sealed compartment. The subs are Rated for more power than I am feeding them. I love building low watt systems, so I used an Orion Cobalt 230. Bridged mono, this amp is putting out @240 watts (@120 to each sub) and is effectively running at @1 ohm with no problems (why I love Orion) This amp is the least expensive amp Orion makes and it makes Pioneer premier and Sony explode amps look like sh*t.
If you are up on your electronics, by now you are thinking "dude this is some old stuff this guy is talking about" Well thats exactly my point.
Those subs in that box powered by that amp crossed over at 55hz and down, have lasted me @15 years and have only just recently let me down. One sub's foam surround has finally worn thin enough that the back pressure in the sealed box has ripped it.
As I stated before, I have sold and installed "high end" (Not Pioneer, Kenwood, or Sony, or any of that pretend high end gear, although I have sold and installed that stuff as well. I'm talking gear like Eclipse, Nakamichi, Clarion Pro audio, Orion, Sound Stream, Phoenix Gold and JL audio) car audio for a number of years and I don't think I impress easily. I am not impressed by subs like Monster Bass or Marathon, that look enormous and hit really hard, but they sound like sh*t and they don't last more than 3 years. I have been to training workshops and trade seminars where the best and brightest have taught and demonstrated install, sales, and electronic theory using low quality and high quality components to prove various points. (I remember one seminar in Calgary watching Roger Bedard use an Orion 225hcca to weld 2 pieces of steel steel together and the amp never shorted or over heated!)Anyway, what I am saying in a long winded way is I think I have seen it all and these subs impress me so much, that I am looking to replace them with new old stock, or used Kicker C10a's Rather than with newer more up to date subs.
I don't believe these are the best subs on the market then or now, I am pleased to pieces that they sounded great, hit clean and hard, and lasted for so long for less than $150 ea. (@15 years ago) Strengths:
Durability! Man these subs last a long time. Weaknesses:
Typical Medium sized sub woofer, if you under power them too much the amp clips and eventually distortion blows the woofer. Similar Products Used:
You name it I have installed it, or sold it. And can tell you don't buy Kenwood! I have never seen a product that leaves the store and comes back so often due to defects or cheap build quality, as Kenwood Gear.
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