Kicker 8” vs 6 3/4 subwoofer

[ILoveToDrive]

I am running the 4ohm Kicker sub with the fusion amp. It’s a great upgrade, but I’m looking for a deeper and clearer low end.
Does anyone have experience making a similar change and if so, can you describe the difference it made in the overall listening experience?
Current setup-
Kicker 4ohm 6 3/4 sub with Fusion amp
Kicker 200.4
Dash- 4” Polk audio
Kick panel-stock
Rear-6 1/2” Polk audio with Mabett pods

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[Rydfree]

I am running the 4ohm Kicker sub with the fusion amp. It’s a great upgrade, but I’m looking for a deeper and clearer low end.
Does anyone have experience making a similar change and if so, can you describe the difference it made in the overall listening experience?
Current setup-
Kicker 4ohm 6 3/4 sub with Fusion amp
Kicker 200.4
Dash- 4” Polk audio
Kick panel-stock
Rear-6 1/2” Polk audio with Mabett pods

I went with the Kicker DVC 8" and the Kicker Key 500.1 amp. It makes a very nice improvement over the small factory sub. I have a write up on the install but it is on the other forum. Some very minor trimming of the factory box is required but not difficult at all . You also need to put sound deadening material on the areas around it to prevent any rattles.

 

[ILoveToDrive]

I went with the Kicker DVC 8" and the Kicker Key 500.1 amp. It makes a very nice improvement over the small factory sub. I have a write up on the install but it is on the other forum. Some very minor trimming of the factory box is required but not difficult at all . You also need to put sound deadening material on the areas around it to prevent any rattles.

Thanks. I’m not going any deeper into amp upgrades. The sub will be my last change if I do it.
I might consider upgrading the kick panel speakers to a higher quality 6 “…probably stay with the Polk audios, but not sure if the “juice is worth the squeeze “ on that change.

 

[Johnny Mo]

Thanks. I’m not going any deeper into amp upgrades. The sub will be my last change if I do it.
I might consider upgrading the kick panel speakers to a higher quality 6 “…probably stay with the Polk audios, but not sure if the “juice is worth the squeeze “ on that change.

I went with 8" Kicker also (B&O) and upgraded all my other speakers. I was going to wait on the amp but figured I have everything taken apart - no sense in waiting. I went with a Kicker Key 500.1 also. It is a world of difference. As for the kick panels - I also wanted to hold off, but then I saw a member that upgraded to the Memphis MJP6 speakers - super high efficiency and I figured I could get an improvement without going for another amp - it worked and was a nice mid range fill for the front soundstage - which was excessively bright with the new Inifintiys all around. Unfortunately I think you are going to need an amp - but if you don't mind trying without first - give it a shot. Not sure about non B&O, but the B&O enclosure requires no trimming (except for a tiny centering tab on the outside of the enclosure. The beauty ring on the Kicker does need to get trimmed/removed. Poly fill is your friend.

 

[Brian_B]

I have both the 6.5 and the 8”.

I had the 6.5 installed with the factory port open, whereas when I switched to the 8 I sealed the port up.

I think sealing the port up had more to do with my change in sound than swapping the woofer, to be honest.

I had a lot less boom at specific frequencies - with the 6 there were a handful of frequencies where it would just boom, and others where it would be almost silent. It still does this a bit the sealed 8, but much, much less.

The biggest difference between the two is the 6.5 is a 150W coil, the 8 is a 300W coil. That said, without changing my amp at all - the 8 did sound fuller and louder - but I suspect this is was due to having less fall off at non-resonance frequencies.

 

[Chrome_Pony]

I have both the 6.5 and the 8”.

I had the 6.5 installed with the factory port open, whereas when I switched to the 8 I sealed the port up.

I think sealing the port up had more to do with my change in sound than swapping the woofer, to be honest.

I had a lot less boom at specific frequencies - with the 6 there were a handful of frequencies where it would just boom, and others where it would be almost silent. It still does this a bit the sealed 8, but much, much less.

The biggest difference between the two is the 6.5 is a 150W coil, the 8 is a 300W coil. That said, without changing my amp at all - the 8 did sound fuller and louder - but I suspect this is was due to having less fall off at non-resonance frequencies.

Interesting. Have the parts to do the 6.5 to 8 swap, but haven't come across anyone sealing the factory sub box. How did you do it?

 

[Rydfree]

Interesting. Have the parts to do the 6.5 to 8 swap, but haven't come across anyone sealing the factory sub box. How did you do it?

You can use a spray foam in a can solution but mine sounded better left open and then loosely filling with poly-fill. The DVC Kicker 8" is almost a perfect match for the transmission line port of the factory enclosure. I'd suggest trying both ways before you put everything back together. You can stuff a pc of foam or a sock in the port temporarily just to see the difference .

 

[ILoveToDrive]

I have both the 6.5 and the 8”.

I had the 6.5 installed with the factory port open, whereas when I switched to the 8 I sealed the port up.

I think sealing the port up had more to do with my change in sound than swapping the woofer, to be honest.

I had a lot less boom at specific frequencies - with the 6 there were a handful of frequencies where it would just boom, and others where it would be almost silent. It still does this a bit the sealed 8, but much, much less.

The biggest difference between the two is the 6.5 is a 150W coil, the 8 is a 300W coil. That said, without changing my amp at all - the 8 did sound fuller and louder - but I suspect this is was due to having less fall off at non-resonance frequencies.

I poly filled the Mabett pods with 6” Polk audios and poly filled the sub enclosure with as much as I could stuff in there. The poly fill cleaned up the sound a ton! I think I’m good now.

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