Kicker Key Amp 200.4 Install DIY Video - Do this first!

[TXArea51]

I can make a custom bi amp harness for you for the kicker key 200.4

What’s the kit I need to add an amp and sub. Keeping everything else factory for now. Thanks

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[KeithK]

I've done plenty of full car stereo installs and wiring harnesses, but hell yes I'd pay $150 extra for a plug&play amp harness.

I upgraded all four 4" speakers in my Bronco, tried several brands of high quality speakers including Polk, Hertz, Focal, etc., and also played with all the known Forscan tweaks. It became pretty obvious the issue wasn't (just) the speakers, but the head unit delivering a terrible signal and clipping badly even at moderate volume levels. A setup like this isn't going to deliver audiophile quality, but should absolutely improve the sound significantly and allow an EQ'ed output at decent volume levels without the garbage distortion the factory head unit puts out when turned up...

Nice job! Just ordered Kit 11.

What speaker brand did you finally put into your Bronco?

 

[pfbz]

What speaker brand did you finally put into your Bronco?

I'm running Hertz dcx100.3 in the dash and Polk DB402 in the rear. The Hertz up front are notably better than stock, but as i mentioned, the stock head unit starts clipping so badly at even moderate volume levels it's still not great.

And everything sounds like crap in the rear IMHO regardless of what drivers are used and what Forscan tweaks are made... But improved drivers like the Polks are a little less crappy.

 

[KeithK]

I'm running Hertz dcx100.3 in the dash and Polk DB402 in the rear. The Hertz up front are notably better than stock, but as i mentioned, the stock head unit starts clipping so badly at even moderate volume levels it's still not great.

And everything sounds like crap in the rear IMHO regardless of what drivers are used and what Forscan tweaks are made... But improved drivers like the Polks are a little less crappy.

Got it. Thanks.

 

[Pony Collector]

So if i buy kit # 18 the key 200.4 is plug and play but the hideaway 8 only needs power and ground ?

 

[69BroncoX302]

I installed a Kicker Key 200.4 amp in my BaseSquatch today and it made a HUGE difference. It was a straight forward install that took about an hour and a half. The install was made easy because of the harness from plugnplaykits.com. There was no need to cut, splice or drill anything. As you will see in the video below, it litterally was a plug and play operation.

The Kicker Key amp has a build-in automatic DSP that fixes Ford's terrible signal as well as adding 50 watts per channel. The combination is amazing. I have a nice 3 way component speaker set waiting to install in the front and now I'm not even sure I will bother. That is just how big of improvement this is.

I have suspected that Ford is intentionally degrading the sound quality of the base system in an effort to get customers to upgrade to the B&O. These amp and more importantly the smart DSP that is integrated in it really brings the entire stereo to life. Spend you money on this before you spend it on speakers. Good speakers can't fix low power and poor signal.

I put together a quick installation video but wasn't able to show the self tuning step because I needed my phone to play the kicker pink noise DSP turning track. If you want to see that step other installation videos show you how to do that.

Edit: the harness and amp are "Kit 11". Here is the direct link to the bronco kits.
https://plugnplaykits.com/products/...y-audio-harnesses-kits?variant=41130698473662

honestly, the b&o is crap in comparison to the subaru H&k or the Bose system in a gmc. I’ll be swapping out all components eventually. Sound quality is something I haven’t seen ford do well on. Now, off-roading, I give ‘em a 10.

 

[Lobber]

I ordered Kit #15! I was extremely disappointed with the factory speakers so I upgraded all speakers to Kicker and although better the system still had no balls so hopefully after this upgrade I will finally be happy with the sound. Thank you plugnplaykits for putting this together!

 

[mikec426]

Think I’m going with kit 17 and add an amp and sub I like later.

 

[Terry_Bronco79]

Think I’m going with kit 17 and add an amp and sub I like later.

Great find! Just ordered Kit 34. Ordered yesterday and shipped today. I'm just going to add a rear sub. Thoughts on a cool box that is available?

 

[mikec426]

Great find! Just ordered Kit 34. Ordered yesterday and shipped today. I'm just going to add a rear sub. Thoughts on a cool box that is available?

No idea. I’m hoping some company produces a better box for the B&O sub location.

 

[hozer]

I need some help from someone not dumb like me...

So if you got a kit 51. Plug and play dash, kicks and towers all amped and BYO Sub?

All I'm trying to accomplish is amping front/rear and adding a sub.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I need some help from someone not dumb like me...

So if you got a kit 51. Plug and play dash, kicks and towers all amped and BYO Sub?

All I'm trying to accomplish is amping front/rear and adding a sub.

That kit is $1200 for an Audio Control 5 channel amp. It’s not as plug and play as the Kicker amp setup and is probably overkill for most people. The Audio Control amp will require power from the battery and a ground to be run for anything to work. I’m probably going with kit 22, the kicker 200.4 and 500.1 for $680 that will accomplish a similar setup. The 200.4 is plug and play, the 500.1 will require battery power and ground when I add a sub. I like the idea of a simple matched setup using the pair of Kicker amps. Option B for me would be kit 16 for $530 with the 200.4 amp and LCI Pro to add a sub later. Adding the 500.1 amp for the extra $150 seems like the better move for me. Assuming I’m happy with the setup I’ll likely buy the same thing for my Lightning when it arrives.

I’m either going to oder a B&O sub or wait for someone else to make a hidden box for that location. There is no room in my 2 door for an exposed sub box.

 

[mcinfantry]

That kit is $1200 for an Audio Control 5 channel amp. It’s not as plug and play as the Kicker amp setup and is probably overkill for most people. The Audio Control amp will require power from the battery and a ground to be run for anything to work. I’m probably going with kit 22, the kicker 200.4 and 500.1 for $680 that will accomplish a similar setup. The 200.4 is plug and play, the 500.1 will require battery power and ground when I add a sub. I like the idea of a simple matched setup using the pair of Kicker amps. Option B for me would be kit 16 for $530 with the 200.4 amp and LCI Pro to add a sub later. Adding the 500.1 amp for the extra $150 seems like the better move for me. Assuming I’m happy with the setup I’ll likely buy the same thing for my Lightning when it arrives.

I’m either going to oder a B&O sub or wait for someone else to make a hidden box for that location. There is no room in my 2 door for an exposed sub box.

I’m seriously considering a 6.5” powered bazooka

I’ve liked them in the past and they are durable

 

[Frankie945]

Got my kicker key 180.4 installed tonight with the plug and play harness and holly crap it made a huge difference. Not sure I would use this with stock speakers unless you have the gains turned all the way down. I was listening to BPM (techno) on SiriusXM and I could smell my speakers burning lol only had it turned up to 16 which was loud as hell. I’m guessing it was coming from the stock speakers in the kick panels because I’ve changed the dash and the rear speakers out to aftermarket. The factory kick panel speakers sure were bumping though I was surprised how well they sounded but after I smelled something I turned the volume down it’s definitely a speaker smell I’ve smelled that smell before.

Only issue is I think my warning chime is now twice as loud which sucks I can’t figure out how to turn it down in the settings on radio I don’t think there’s a way. The push button tone is also double as loud. I turned that off in the settings so stuck with the loud warning chime when doors are open and loud seat belt chime might have to just deal with it. I’ll mess with it more tomorrow in the day light. It was really quiet out since it was dark so maybe I’m over thinking how loud the warning chime is. I did mount mine under the steering column used Velcro to hold it down on that silver plate there was plenty of cable to get it there just take your time fishing the wires over there and you’ll get it.

 

[hozer]

That kit is $1200 for an Audio Control 5 channel amp. It’s not as plug and play as the Kicker amp setup and is probably overkill for most people. The Audio Control amp will require power from the battery and a ground to be run for anything to work. I’m probably going with kit 22, the kicker 200.4 and 500.1 for $680 that will accomplish a similar setup. The 200.4 is plug and play, the 500.1 will require battery power and ground when I add a sub. I like the idea of a simple matched setup using the pair of Kicker amps. Option B for me would be kit 16 for $530 with the 200.4 amp and LCI Pro to add a sub later. Adding the 500.1 amp for the extra $150 seems like the better move for me. Assuming I’m happy with the setup I’ll likely buy the same thing for my Lightning when it arrives.

I’m either going to oder a B&O sub or wait for someone else to make a hidden box for that location. There is no room in my 2 door for an exposed sub box.

No DSP this route though? A guy even need that really?

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