1997 KICKER XS50 Competition Amplifier Overview and Amp Dyno Test [4K]

[@HifiVega]

As big as a 225hcca fan that I still am I remember these amps beating the brakes off of them 😬😬 I am loving the return of some old school dyno’s man!

[@wal2]

Man I’m digging finding these old clips I recorded and never made into full videos. I was planning on trying this amp with the Quad Box #BecauseSPL, but decided the amp Dyno and overview was good as an extra 😜

[@scottiffanimccord1509]

@@wal2 I was waiting for dose it bump doe?

[@craigengelman1369]

kicker used to get so pissed when we spanked them every show . o-100 stock class was so much fun with a memphis ar-hc100 amp !

[@jordanrobar6085]

Oh the Cerwin Vega's, now your pulling on my heart strings. Love it!!!

[@wal2]

😬👍

[@jerronimo13]

Cerwin vega back in the day, had one woofer once, I think 12inch "180" watts whatever that means made in the usa fucking indestructable!👍👍👍

[@molloyvader]

Had a ZR 1000. That thing was a heavy beast of an amp. The mounts usually break on these, whatever aluminum they used was heavy and brittle. But they still make a ton of power on stock elecrical, which is what alot of people had back in the day. Regulated power supply for the win!!!! Great video BIG D!

[@wal2]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@1-Six-dee]

I got one of these back about 15 years ago find it in a pile of wires at a flea market I loved it, I even had the module for it for the lp

[@wal2]

Awesome 👏

[@TheSFFV]

I love those amps with the painted black and machines fin tops. Just a sharp looking amp. Thanks for bring us another great video.

[@iamnobody3793]

Same. I had mine get flooded. Never skipped a beat after I let them dry out.

[@wal2]

Thanks brother!

[@courier11sec]

97-98 was the peak of my car audio obsession. I was running kicker impulse for my front stage and mid with comp gear for sub. Audio control EQX out of Kenwood source. My stereo was worth about 5 times the value of the vehicle it was in.😄

[@wal2]

Fun times I’m sure!

[@courier11sec]

Free back massage with every ride. 😄

[@greggarner4477]

I remember these brand new on display with all the old school amps.. Nice to see some have survived!

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

This video was a trip down memory lane. This was one of the first "serious" amps I bought. I completely forgot about that SWX module! I never fiddled with mine because I loved the way it sounded as-is (can't remember specifically which chipsets it had). I will say though that this amp delivered very clean and tight control to the four JL Audio 10W0's I was running in a single-cab F150.

[@wal2]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@hookhousebeatz]

Ohh the memories....I had one of these on 2 Lanzar 15s in a sealed wall in a 86 Accord hatchback! I let someone borrow the amp and it came back burnt up🤬😡

[@wal2]

Oh snap!

[@MrColtnutz]

Never stop making these videos!! So captivating, enjoyable and you're amazing on here!! Thank you for always keeping my youtube addiction 💯 haaa.

[@wal2]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@74midwestbass74]

YES SIR! Old school FTW!!!

[@wal2]

Old school inefficient amps!

[@Guiltless765]

Loved the XS and ZR amps..My favorite's from back in the day.

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@kaineleeabel]

Man this brings back memories of high school bumping three JL 15w0-4 on the xs50 and it was only 364 watts Great video

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@jayinmi3706]

I had a ZR120, 240, and 360 in my Neon in like 97. Loved those amps...another thing is that these were class AB, IIRC

[@wal2]

Yes all class AB and inefficient

[@courtneylemon8874]

I am using a xs 100 now on to l7s 15s all old school the l7$ are the first editions.... thanks for the videos

[@1rexrex]

Nice amp. Still looks nicer than most of the new stuff. There are some amazing deals on good classic amps on ebay. If you pay attention. Well worth the money far as quality goes. Grab a couple of these or some old Eclipse amps. You really shouldn't need another amp ever.

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@scottiffanimccord1509]

Love this kind of video good job D! I have 2 xs50's so I can participate in the Old School Challange.

[@wal2]

These are killer amps but I think the Soundstream 10.0/10.2’s may be the “50W Kings”

[@scottiffanimccord1509]

@@wal2 My decision to use Kicker was nostalgia🤗. Thx for responding!

[@russellkinder5130]

Wow, that's trip in the way-back machine for me. Thanks for reviewing one of my stranger creations, lol. Cheater amps, I tell ya.

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@TheSara200424]

I still want that classic kicker design subwoofer with the gold kicker logo, I’m about to just get someone to make me a few

[@wal2]

Don’t forget 2024 is KICKER’s 50th anniversary 🤔

[@timothy5977]

My friend had one in a CR-V on four Kicker comps 15's. Back in 00'

[@wal2]

Awesome 👍

[@dennissmith802]

In 99 I had the xs100 running 3 jl12w6's and that amp slammed those subs. I loved that amp and tried to find one on ebay. Only problem is, it cost the same for now as it did back then. Actually a little more, lol. I'd love to see you dyno one of those. Thanks big D

[@wal2]

I had one but sold it. Just hated those power terminals on the ZR1000 and XS100’s. They were undersized and too close together

[@brian6029]

A friend of mine had an amp that looked like this back n the day. Nice to see what it can do. 😎👍👍

[@sakostwwy1903]

Man this video messes with me!! I had that exact amp in my system and won several competitions with it. Then I had that Solo 12" for my subs and man they got it done!! That is till someone else busted out my window and decided they wanted them more than me.

[@wal2]

Thieves suck!

[@bassmansl9596]

Nice performance of amplifier

[@wal2]

👌😊👍

[@gamerboy3777]

That’s someone who gives af brought a tear to my eye

[@wal2]

😆👍

[@joshholden8561]

Love this amp had this and the zr1,000 at the same time.

[@wal2]

yes and I'd take the ZR series over the XS series today. We've learned the high voltage amps are better than the high current siblings

[@joshholden8561]

@@wal2 totally agree my zr 1,000 bridged at 2 ohms is a monster have it wired to 1.3 ohm currently raw power.

[@NVzla]

D! I know you did a test on a 240, I have one, it draws major power, but kicks an L7 without a problem. Thanks man!

[@wal2]

yeah man, kickin' amp!

[@Nickword1]

Gotta love those old school amp designs!!!

[@wal2]

Inefficient old Class AB amps were all we had back then!

[@jarvislarson6864]

@@wal2 I have a 240 I bought new & I believe the birthsheet was 467@2ohms

[@DarkpawTheWolf]

Audio Control uses those DIP chips for crossovers (they're just resistor modules). Audio Control would probably send you one for free if you asked them for a module. They're really cool about stuff like this (even for us "non-famous" folk), and I'm sure they know who you are.

[@wal2]

😬👍

[@brentb5303]

I’m surprised how many watts are left on the table with the low rail voltage. I know the ZR600’s could easily put out 800+. All the cheater amps seem to be the same. Cool video.

[@wal2]

After playing with all types I tend to prefer the high voltage vs high current amps

[@chrisnorrell7489]

At one time I had a ZX460 running my entire system. Front and rear at 2 ohms stereo and the other 2 channels bridged to 2 ohms on all alpine speakers and a kenwood head unit. Unfortunately was stolen back in 1999

[@ehrenkrause9861]

I love those amps

[@jeremy7923]

Why did none of the dyno LEDs illuminate during some of the first tests?

[@1-Six-dee]

I has the module for the longest time sitting on top. Of my fridge I wish I kept it, I think I talked with u about it and seeing if anyone needed it

[@wal2]

Oh man!

[@LuxorVan]

So those chips are resistors, if you don't want to remove a sticker to identify the markings you can always talk to your guy at kicker. I'm sure mouser or somewhere sells dip 16 arrays/packs that would work as a replacement.

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@generalkickass6385]

I had the xs100 it was a beast ran it at half ohm on two L7 15s the made in the usa solo baric 15s in a sealed box back in 2000 omg very loud to be sealed the only problem I had with the 15s the tinsel leads and if anyone knows about kicker old school subs this was a common problem with the tinsel leads

[@wal2]

Awesome 👏

[@tatoo3796]

You can solder a good pin onto what's left of the broken pin and it'll work just fine

[@wal2]

You must not have seen me solder

[@tatoo3796]

@@wal2 lol. I can't say I have.

[@ehrenkrause9861]

No frills solid tank. Best heatsink for the board. Run hard, no prob 😁👍

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@robry84]

I had a ZR240 and then a ZR360 too. Loved those amps! But thought the power terminals were stupid!

[@wal2]

Yes really small and too close!

[@danpokojski143]

I think there was something wrong with this amp... I had a ZR240 and it did a bit over 600 watts on its birthsheet. That module gave me problems as well. Had to have the amp sent back to have the port re aligned. That said I loved that ZR240. Pushed two Comp VR 12s with it and got a lot of compliments for how clean my system sounded with some Boston Acoustics highs

[@wal2]

Could be? But doubtful

[@olbluetundra881]

D. I can fix that pin to work for ya. I had this same amp back in 99. Pushing 2 pyle pounders 10 in a custom box behind my seat. Was incredible at the time. The amp didn't work when I got it. Repaired myself. Where do you find this stuff. Would luv to get my hands on some. I still have some of my old rf. Like the power 150. Just can't sell. Along with some old cerwin Vega stuff and even my pyle 10s. Horder I guess. Nostalgic equipment just excites me. Just been out of the game to long.

[@wal2]

Thanks but I’ve found some replacements 👌

[@paulgood2218]

Great video

[@wal2]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Nickscassera]

What's with the 611w @ 143a and the 612w at 119a between certified and dynamic respectively? Is that normal behavior at the same ohm load?

[@wal2]

The Dynamic tests current isn’t accurate

[@masterpanther1]

Kickazz kicker😁😁😁

[@wal2]

Yessir!

[@bobbybyrkett7751]

KICKER FTW

[@wal2]

Yessir!

[@johnmahoney2178]

Nothing like the old school late 80s and the 90s my head unite was a centric cassette tape with bass and travel and rca out a pb 600 a set of pile pro’s 8 gauge power wire and Bumping like hell less than $ 200 at Pierre 19 the good old days o the sub’s were 8’s 💯👍

[@wal2]

😬👍

[@victorrobinson9116]

I love performance technique they give me a good Rich sound low pass and sounds so good with the volume turned down low performance technique 2000 w bridgeable to one ohm have you ever tested out one of those please let me know and share Victor from Palmdale California

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@old_romans]

So at IASCA, you could have up to 1200 watts in the 100 watt class? Crazy

[@wal2]

Yeah in the late 90’s it got outta hand with people using 1000W amps rated at 1/2 watt. Forced them to change the rules

[@jonathonsmith8607]

Do you know anything about Adcom amps I had one in the 90’s and have never seen another one

[@wal2]

Oh yes I’ve seen a few over the years. Haven’t tested any yet tho

[@jkarageanes]

I have a xs100 with a bass module. Would you be interested in doing a review on it? I wanna see what is capable of.

[@wal2]

Hey Josh, thanks for the offer, but I have a storage rack full of amps I need to test

[@marlondeep6933]

Don't you have time for it now ? I am also very interested, i have one also.

[@wesleyzain9524]

Have you ever done a lanzar opti-drive amp?

[@wal2]

Old school amp dyne drag race kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3ack4F4gduJhcU

[@MrColtnutz]

If you had to choose between kicker and Alpine which would you run?

[@wal2]

Depends on model

[@MrColtnutz]

@@wal2 your choice to choose. Model it up and pick. I'm very curious 🤔. I love my alpine but have had some great kicker amps.

[@Blowncaraudio]

Very cool!!!

[@wal2]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Blowncaraudio]

@@wal2 Always Big D... ALWAYS!!!

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

love this channel too.........💪👍

[@wal2]

Yo I gots so much content YT bout to throttle my stuff! Non stop coolness up in WAL!

[@minivanin]

Badass amp

[@wal2]

😬👍

[@Prostoj25]

hmm these are tests only for sound pressure ... after all, power does not guarantee good resolution in the bass register, I thought that power was cool until I compared it with a more expensive and less powerful amplifier, but this is not a subwoofer blowing at 20-30Hz, this is a mid- bass

[@wal2]

😏

[@Prostoj25]

maybe bad english, sorry. I use an online translator =)

[@jarvislarson6864]

I have a xs100 that still kicks😁 and mines missing the badge😔

[@wal2]

Inefficient but beast of an old school amp!

[@wijibo6772]

love cheater amps.

[@wal2]

👌😬👍

[@JBLTim]

Wich power supply do you use for your amp tests ??

[@wal2]

I have two setups currently. One is (8) XS Power D1400 14V batteries and a 60A XS Intellicharger and secondly is a 320aH bank of XS Power / Yinlong LTO lithium cells (8 banks of six) powered by (2) 100A Power Supplies. I have (4) total power supplies, but only 2 connected at this time and I think that's plenty with these lithium cells.

[@jeffreylittle8405]

Crazy, didn't the 240 do almost that much? I got to think the 360 would best it by a considerable amount. I have 3 of each the 120, 240, 360 and a single 600.

[@wal2]

Yeah the 240 did around 500W IIRC

[@csj9619]

Are those Lanzar (yeah boy!) woofers sitting on the table next to the Kicker XS50? or Cerwin-Vega? (boo)

[@wal2]

When in video?

[@robnoyola6174]

yes i donate that amp

[@wal2]

Thank you sir!!

[@KyrieEleisonMaranatha]

My buddy has 4 of the ZR1000'S had since the day they came out. He was running 6 15 inch kicker L7's with 3 of the ZR1000. Edit: my buddy actually had the ZR1000's not the xs100.

[@wal2]

Awesome 👏

[@Thezuule1]

Can someone briefly explain to me how a cheater amp worked and why they were allowed in competitions in the first place? I was just a kid when people were doing this stuff with these kinds of amps and I never really understood how this all went.

[@drozcompany4132]

Basically competitors were put into classes based on the amp manufacturer rated power into 4 Ohms stereo. So, this amp would put you into the 0-50 Watt class. The cheater portion was that you could coax a lot more than rated power out of the amp, either by under-rating it and/or loading the amp down to way below 4 Ohms/channel. This amp would deliver ~600 Watts and not the rated 50, thus it's 'cheating.'

[@wal2]

Droz comment below is good

[@1-Six-dee]

One awesome Amp when I found mine was over joyed, I sold it to a friend he paid my half so I kept the module so he would come back and pay me he never did so he had an useless Amp and I had a module and no Amp I wish I could find it again

[@wal2]

😔

[@mindphaserxy]

Duck bill pliers can fix those pins

[@krisbrown5322]

I had a good buddy who was running 6 15's on a orion amp down to .5 ohm. in a truck with a wall for the subs. it was so loud it blew his rim and tire off. 😂😂 not really it was from broken lug nuts. but we Ll gave him hell and told him it was from his system. the tire came off while we was out riding one day. lol

[@wal2]

🤣👍

[@allmotorhash]

Seemed like allot of power back then because woofers were 400 watts maclx

[@wal2]

I remember when JBL had the “1000W” subwoofers. We were like “WHAT!!”

[@Jackmerius_Tacktheretrix]

@@wal2 i remember when the GTI subs came out in the late 90s. We couldn't believe how much power they handled nor the size of them motor structure!

[@krisbrown5322]

they don't make em like this anymore

[@wal2]

They do, but expensive to get something new like this

[@KuntalGhosh]

just saw an lg home theatre system with claimed 1000w rms on the face and then 96w input max at the back , it's unfortunate to see even big brands like lg playing with the rms numbers like a boss! not a lucky goldstar anymore.

[@wal2]

Bummer!

[@robertstandish5911]

One at my pawn shop here locally. 40$ but if that big ass mfer don’t do over 1k that’s sad. Literally like being a mechanic happy to do a big ass old Cadillac with a north star V8 Open the hood and it’s been sort of hung out the dry with its 4cyl motor sad

[@fAlKfaster7]

Is ist real ? 13,88V * 122,3A = 1697,52 watts input But 598 watts out ? 😳 where's the 1000 watts?

[@wal2]

It's called old school Class AB inefficiency. Went to heat, that's why the heatsink is so big for a 600W amp!

[@ebaydudemr8533]

That is in the manual. LOL but still.

[@jaybird57]

Looks a lot like my zx1000 inside..

[@wal2]

It’s similar to the ZR600, just high current, low rail voltage version

[@williamprice4269]

1997 shouldn’t be that long ago!!

[@wal2]

25 years!

[@18voltssenceny80]

Kickers 50 watts

[@wal2]

Slightly more 😬

[@primus711]

I can easily fix that pin for you

[@wal2]

I appreciate it, but I think I found another module

[@primus711]

@@wal2 still should be saved What i would do is solder another pin on then put in a separate socket if its being removed a lot

[@chuckholmes2075]

why not just solder a pin to it and fix it. there's plenty of meat left on that pin to solder to

[@wal2]

If you saw my solder skills you wouldn’t ask 😝

[@mitchaelivel3004]

Pᵣₒmₒˢᵐ 😢

[@bkh5746]

Lol but its a turd for the 500$ price tag

[@bkh5746]

Im sry a $1000 dollars for the .5 ohm version.😂

[@wal2]

This was back in the 90’s when amps just cost this much. Much cheaper watts these days

[@dilbeckskate]

Great video

[@wal2]

Thanks brutha!