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

[BFizzy]

Did you run the speaker line outs (kit 11.4) to another amp/powered sub? Make sure speaker wires aren’t touching ground. Have you tried turning the gain down on the amp?

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[Aurongel]

EXTREMELY disappointed with replacing the 6 speakers with Kickers and installing the 200.4 Key Amp with the PnPK harness. I’m basically wishing I never upgraded any of this to begin with.

The 200.4 amp runs VERY hot, so hot in fact that you can’t keep a finger on it for more than 10 seconds after the amp has been running for 20-ish minutes. It’s connected just fine but I haven’t mounted it yet so it’s just camping out in my glove box for the time being.

It also clips the dash speakers at normal volume and I can see the limiter LED flash at audio levels above 16-18ish. It’s basically only usable at half volume and even then the amp runs so hot that it worries me about being a potential hazard once it’s mounted more permanently.

Oh yeah, the whole audio system emits crazy loud popping sounds after the vehicle shuts off, just very strange behavior for something that I thought was much more straightforward than it ended up being.

I wasted my entire evening trying to debug it with minimal success. I’m wondering if maybe I should just use the amp’s mic button to wipe the DSP calibration and just use the stock settings.

Any help?

 

[Aurongel]

I got the 11.4 and everything works fine but my speakers have a very very slight white noise static they play even when the car is off... Either I'm going crazy or something I setup wrong which I'm not sure how I'd do given the simplicity of a few plugs, anyone else got this?

I’m using 6 kicker speakers and the 200.4 with gain on both lines turned all the way counterclockwise to zero and also have a slight hissing white noise with the dash speakers.

 

[hozer]

I’m using 6 kicker speakers and the 200.4 with gain on both lines turned all the way counterclockwise to zero and also have a slight hissing white noise with the dash speakers.

Exactly the same. I'm fine with it, just wanted to make sure I'm not bonkers.

 

[BCFDLtE13]

EXTREMELY disappointed with replacing the 6 speakers with Kickers and installing the 200.4 Key Amp with the PnPK harness. I’m basically wishing I never upgraded any of this to begin with.

The 200.4 amp runs VERY hot, so hot in fact that you can’t keep a finger on it for more than 10 seconds after the amp has been running for 20-ish minutes. It’s connected just fine but I haven’t mounted it yet so it’s just camping out in my glove box for the time being.

It also clips the dash speakers at normal volume and I can see the limiter LED flash at audio levels above 16-18ish. It’s basically only usable at half volume and even then the amp runs so hot that it worries me about being a potential hazard once it’s mounted more permanently.

Oh yeah, the whole audio system emits crazy loud popping sounds after the vehicle shuts off, just very strange behavior for something that I thought was much more straightforward than it ended up being.

I wasted my entire evening trying to debug it with minimal success. I’m wondering if maybe I should just use the amp’s mic button to wipe the DSP calibration and just use the stock settings.

Any help?

Make sure the "Radio Detect" is on. That is usually the cause of popping. Then carefully set the gains according to Kicker instructions. They'll basically be Zero, maybe a touch above.

 

[Dusty]

I just installed mine yesterday and wow, what a difference! Kicker Key 200.4 with PNP kit and 4X 4" Kicker speakers. I have the Kicker 6.5's to put in still but will tackle those another day. But so far I'm blown away. My Bronco actually has a stereo now. I can listen to heavy metal and it sounds crisp, loud, deep, not just the muddy hiss I used to get from the stock setup.Even hip-hop sounds great, though I'll probably need to add a sub to really do it justice.

I ended up putting mine in the spot below the steering column. After looking at both spots I don't know why anyone would choose the space above the glove box. That plate under the column seems like it was literally made for this.

Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. This is the first time I've done any sort of stereo equipment installation other than replacing head units back in the single-DIN days. The information here in this thread is invaluable, if a bit scattered. Thanks again everyone

 

[Aurongel]

Make sure the "Radio Detect" is on. That is usually the cause of popping. Then carefully set the gains according to Kicker instructions. They'll basically be Zero, maybe a touch above.

Is the button for Radio Detect meant to “click in”? I can’t tell what it’s toggle state is currently. I will give that a try though, thanks

My gains were set all the way counterclockwise to zero from the start, remained that way for the DSP test sequence and remain that way now. Still can’t get the volume above 18-ish without clipping the dash speakers (with bass blockers)

 

[GreyCactus]

I just installed mine yesterday and wow, what a difference! Kicker Key 200.4 with PNP kit and 4X 4" Kicker speakers. I have the Kicker 6.5's to put in still but will tackle those another day. But so far I'm blown away. My Bronco actually has a stereo now. I can listen to heavy metal and it sounds crisp, loud, deep, not just the muddy hiss I used to get from the stock setup.Even hip-hop sounds great, though I'll probably need to add a sub to really do it justice.

I ended up putting mine in the spot below the steering column. After looking at both spots I don't know why anyone would choose the space above the glove box. That plate under the column seems like it was literally made for this.

Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. This is the first time I've done any sort of stereo equipment installation other than replacing head units back in the single-DIN days. The information here in this thread is invaluable, if a bit scattered. Thanks again everyone

I have to absolutely agree with everything you said. I replaced the four 4” speakers with the Focal ACX-100 and the sound was a little better, but still lacking. After installing the kicker key it is night and day how improved it is.

After reading everyone’s posts about using this amp and now having done it myself, it seems like this should be the standard stereo upgrade. I also installed the amp under the steering column and used a couple of zip ties to hold it in place.

I didn’t replace the stock 6.5 because there is good bass coming out of it now with the amp. But since I’ve already gone down this rabbit hole, I might as well replace those too.

Has anyone done a before and after test with poly fill behind the 4” speakers? I didn’t install any and was wondering if it’s worth it. I know it’s pretty cheap to try but I’m hesitant about removing the grill cover because one of mine is no longer sitting flush at the corner.

 

[Dusty]

Is the button for Radio Detect meant to “click in”? I can’t tell what it’s toggle state is currently. I will give that a try though, thanks

My gains were set all the way counterclockwise to zero from the start, remained that way for the DSP test sequence and remain that way now. Still can’t get the volume above 18-ish without clipping the dash speakers (with bass blockers)

Yes you have to push the radio-detect button in pretty far to get it to click. You probably can't do it with your finger, you need to push on it with a poker of some sort.

 

[Dusty]

I have to absolutely agree with everything you said. I replaced the four 4” speakers with the Focal ACX-100 and the sound was a little better, but still lacking. After installing the kicker key it is night and day how improved it is.

After reading everyone’s posts about using this amp and now having done it myself, it seems like this should be the standard stereo upgrade. I also installed the amp under the steering column and used a couple of zip ties to hold it in place.

I didn’t replace the stock 6.5 because there is good bass coming out of it now with the amp. But since I’ve already gone down this rabbit hole, I might as well replace those too.

Has anyone done a before and after test with poly fill behind the 4” speakers? I didn’t install any and was wondering if it’s worth it. I know it’s pretty cheap to try but I’m hesitant about removing the grill cover because one of mine is no longer sitting flush at the corner.

I used Boom Mat inside each of the speaker locations, based on recommendations I read here in this thread. Not sure if it helped but I can tell you it didn't hurt

 

[mike8675309]

you folks that are clipping on the front speakers, have you checked the fader control? If I recall the stock configuration has the fader forward focused.
Also, are you blocking the base to the front speakers?

For those with an amp running very hot, check the impedance of your speakers to make sure they are within the specs for the amplifier.

In this video is anything you want to know about installing the Kicker 200.4. They walk through the installation including the training of it. Make sure all that was taken into account.

 

[hozer]

Did you run the speaker line outs (kit 11.4) to another amp/powered sub? Make sure speaker wires aren’t touching ground. Have you tried turning the gain down on the amp?

Gain at 0 already, line outs are run, but not hooked up.

Its super minor

 

[hozer]

Few random musings after having done this the past weekend for anyone looking to do this.

1. The under steering wheel mount of the kicker on my BD 2.7 Sas interferes with the full range of motion of the steering wheel at the very bottom. Very minor and I don't have my wheel there, but if you do you'll hit the amp.

2. Bass blockers are 100% beyond a doubt required on the dash speakers, if you don't have them you'll need them or your speakers will clip

3. The amp took my listening volume from about 18 to around 12, significant volume gain, amp gains are still all set to zero.

4. Played the pink noise test for DSP of BT on my phone at 18 volume and had happy tones first time.

Edit:
5. Polk DB 402s in front w/ 300hz bass blockers start to clip at about 20 volume. You can no joke hear this down the block... Seems like a nonissue as the volume is obnoxious, but just chiming in as I see others have had the issue as well

Everyones mileage may vary, but this was my journey

 

[Barlos]

Love this. Just ordered it. I already replaced my speakers with all new Focal Performance speakers and hoping this will wake them up even more. I’ll post an update once installed.

What model did you get for the focal speakers? Trying to decide between Focal,Kicker, and Memphis.
TIA

 

[Barlos]

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.

Which speaker brand did you end up choosing?

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