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

[Barlos]

Well it’s here , kit 11.4 . Now just waiting for 4 Memphis PRX4 and 2 Memphis 5 1/2s.

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[RedHotFuzz]

I'm curious about running 4" replacement speakers that are rated for 30-35 watts with the Kicker amp that puts out 40 watts per channel. I've seen users doing this. Is it not a big deal?

 

[1970AMCAMX]

For the front the kick panel and the dash speakers are sharing the 50 watts from the amp, for the rear it does seem like kind of a waste to put 50 watts to a 4 inch speaker but you can just use the fader to limit some of the power to the rear speakers.

I'm waiting till mine shows up to see if there is a good location in the rear side panels to put another pair of 6.5 inch speakers in the 2 door Bronco.

 

[MannyG20]

I finally completed the DSP portion of the install to finish up the project. The 'pink noise' part of the process was easy and straight forward. I probably don't listen to my music as loud as most people here - before the amp install I listened at 10-12 volume, after the amp install this went to 6-8. The sound presentation was so much better with the Kicker amp without even doing the DSP tune. After the 'pink noise' test and DSP tune the presentation is even better. The volume is still at 6-8.

Now on to the gain matching. This was not as straight forward as the DSP tune. I downloaded the 'tone' for the gain matching from the Kicker website. The instructions say to set volume at 2/3 of max (20 on the Bronco). There is no freaking way you can sit and listen to the gain tone at volume 20 without permanent hearing loss. The instructions are for the KMX (I think) amp and not the Key but I thought I would try them any way. So after permanently damaging my hearing I just played an audio clip at volume 16 to set the gain. The gain 'knob' started with the slot at the 10-4 position, I turned them both up to the 2 - 8 position before I got the limiter light and then backed them down just a bit. The gain in audio volume was significant. I went from listening at 6-8 volume (in Bronco without engine running) to listening at a 2-3 volume. The sound presentation is still really good.

But here is my problem and if anyone has any input I would appreciate it. The ambient 'tone' sounds that the Bronco makes when you select something on the touchscreen are now very loud. The volume level is not controlled by the audio volume control. It seems to be a preset volume that is now turned up due to the increase in the gain setting on the amp. I ended up turning the 'tone' sound off in the the Bronco General Setting screen. However I would like to be able to turn this ambient tone volume down - does anyone have any ideas on this?

Cheers and hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

[DonM]

So…am I crazy? It seems like the factory speakers are actually breaking in after 12,000 miles of use and are sounding fuller? I have the amp and harness, just waiting to get back home from a 6 week work assignment to install!!

 

[BCFDLtE13]

I finally completed the DSP portion of the install to finish up the project. The 'pink noise' part of the process was easy and straight forward. I probably don't listen to my music as loud as most people here - before the amp install I listened at 10-12 volume, after the amp install this went to 6-8. The sound presentation was so much better with the Kicker amp without even doing the DSP tune. After the 'pink noise' test and DSP tune the presentation is even better. The volume is still at 6-8.

Now on to the gain matching. This was not as straight forward as the DSP tune. I downloaded the 'tone' for the gain matching from the Kicker website. The instructions say to set volume at 2/3 of max (20 on the Bronco). There is no freaking way you can sit and listen to the gain tone at volume 20 without permanent hearing loss. The instructions are for the KMX (I think) amp and not the Key but I thought I would try them any way. So after permanently damaging my hearing I just played an audio clip at volume 16 to set the gain. The gain 'knob' started with the slot at the 10-4 position, I turned them both up to the 2 - 8 position before I got the limiter light and then backed them down just a bit. The gain in audio volume was significant. I went from listening at 6-8 volume (in Bronco without engine running) to listening at a 2-3 volume. The sound presentation is still really good.

But here is my problem and if anyone has any input I would appreciate it. The ambient 'tone' sounds that the Bronco makes when you select something on the touchscreen are now very loud. The volume level is not controlled by the audio volume control. It seems to be a preset volume that is now turned up due to the increase in the gain setting on the amp. I ended up turning the 'tone' sound off in the the Bronco General Setting screen. However I would like to be able to turn this ambient tone volume down - does anyone have any ideas on this?

Cheers and hope everyone has a great weekend.

I've heard of others with this issue. Mine is not affected, tones and alerts are "normal" volume still. Did you use a plug-n-play harness? I did, performed dsp tuning and set gains similiar to your process. The PnP harness seems to isolate just the speakers, power, and ground at the head unit. Perhaps it only amplifies the audio outputs from music sources. With an amp just wired to the speakers downstream from the head unit, it may be amplifying every sound it produces. Just a thought...not 100% certain, wish I could help more.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

So…am I crazy? It seems like the factory speakers are actually breaking in after 12,000 miles of use and are sounding fuller?

Your ears/brain are just getting used to the crappy sound.

 

[MannyG20]

I've heard of others with this issue. Mine is not affected, tones and alerts are "normal" volume still. Did you use a plug-n-play harness? I did, performed dsp tuning and set gains similiar to your process. The PnP harness seems to isolate just the speakers, power, and ground at the head unit. Perhaps it only amplifies the audio outputs from music sources. With an amp just wired to the speakers downstream from the head unit, it may be amplifying every sound it produces. Just a thought...not 100% certain, wish I could help more.

I am using the PlugnPlay harness. Is it possible to plug it in wrong?? I’m pretty sure I have it hooked up correctly.

 

[BCFDLtE13]

I am using the PlugnPlay harness. Is it possible to plug it in wrong?? I’m pretty sure I have it hooked up correctly.

I don't think so, only one way to hook it up. I've got a 24 hour shift tomorrow, but after that I'll look more into my settings and see if I can figure something out for you. One thing I just noticed in your post is: You started with the gains in the 10-4 position. Per Kicker instructions, the gains should be set to zero before running the dsp tuning. I would try that, and...make sure all tone settings are flat. Press "reset" and it will revert to that. Also make sure speed compensated volume is turned off before performing the dsp again.

 

[MannyG20]

I don't think so, only one way to hook it up. I've got a 24 hour shift tomorrow, but after that I'll look more into my settings and see if I can figure something out for you. One thing I just noticed in your post is: You started with the gains in the 10-4 position. Per Kicker instructions, the gains should be set to zero before running the dsp tuning. I would try that, and...make sure all tone settings are flat. Press "reset" and it will revert to that. Also make sure speed compensated volume is turned off before performing the dsp again.

The gain setting was turned all the way counterclockwise (which is what I guess is zero) when it was at the 10-4 position. I thought I would redo the entire process tomorrow and see if that changes anything. Everything was flattened out but I don’t think I had turned off the speed compensated volume - I’ll make sure that is done when I redo everything. Thanks for the input.

 

[BCFDLtE13]

The gain setting was turned all the way counterclockwise (which is what I guess is zero) when it was at the 10-4 position. I thought I would redo the entire process tomorrow and see if that changes anything. Everything was flattened out but I don’t think I had turned off the speed compensated volume - I’ll make sure that is done when I redo everything. Thanks for the input.

...also, make sure the "radio detect" button is pressed in.

 

[F OR D]

should out to @Papa Smurf for some guidance on the install! finally got it all in today and a world of difference.

4s and 6.5s swapped with polk dbs.
kicker key 200.4
hideaway hs10
pnp kit 16

notes from the install:

• did pink noise, probably need to do again with sub.
• going to have to mount the sub, got some rattle just lying flat in the trunk. no great options as of now.
• wanted to put the key above the dash but man, wiring is way too tight. got tired of trying and just went below the column
• took way longer then anticipated, just one stupid thing after another.
• 6.5s are a little bit of a bitch to swap.
• plugnplay kits are the bomb.

 

[cmcbronco]

should out to @Papa Smurf for some guidance on the install! finally got it all in today and a world of difference.

4s and 6.5s swapped with polk dbs.
kicker key 200.4
hideaway hs10
pnp kit 16

notes from the install:

• did pink noise, probably need to do again with sub.
• going to have to mount the sub, got some rattle just lying flat in the trunk. no great options as of now.
• wanted to put the key above the dash but man, wiring is way too tight. got tired of trying and just went below the column
• took way longer then anticipated, just one stupid thing after another.
• 6.5s are a little bit of a bitch to swap.
• plugnplay kits are the bomb.

Great you got it done. But do NOT do the pink noise setup with the sub. Will effect the end result.

 

[MannyG20]

I went through the set up process again to try to fix the excessively loud ‘tone’ problem but no luck. The increased volume definitely comes from increasing the Amp 1 gain control. I ended up just decreasing the gain control on both amp 1 & 2 to a level where the tone volume was not obnoxiously loud.

 

[DaveInSA]

Well it’s here , kit 11.4 . Now just waiting for 4 Memphis PRX4 and 2 Memphis 5 1/2s.

Are there any markings or info on the load resistor part of that harness (the part with blue heat shrink)?

I can't order just that cable evidently, so just tapped in to the existing wires and ran my own, but didn't include a resistor. I'm going to use an LC2i Pro for the subwoofer that has a selectable resistor built in. Just wondering what resistor(s) were used in that harness.

Thanks.

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