Kicker Key 200.4 the tiny amp that can do everything! (Hifi Hyundai Update)

[@wal]

I'm impressed! Seems like they've found the key to easy setup and great sound...yeah boi!

[@HifiVega]

Williston Audio Labs easier than an easy bake oven!

[@jstrahn]

*groan*

[@IrieRedGnome]

Love the kicker key, i have the 180.4 45wX4. BiAmp mode is amazing! Love it, I'm ready to get the 200.4. Hopefully Kicker will make an even stronger key, perhaps 300.4 or even better, a 3 way front stage!!! 300.6???

[@HighVybeTribe]

​@@IrieRedGnomethstd be dope

[@richardr5888]

Love the idea and simplicity. Now they need to come out with a dedicated DSP version of this for those of us with multiple amp/speaker setups. If they keep the price point down like they did with this amp, I'm pretty sure they'd fly off the shelves. Everybody keeps raving about the kicker key and features vs price. Ooh, what if they could offer a modular system? One DSP and the ability to pick and choose multiple kicker key sized amps based on power / speaker requirements? Yes, I dream big. Lol

[@spec1923]

Yes, a single component for multiple amp setup would be nice. Also, ability to press a button and re-equalize or have multiple presets for when there are other passengers in the cab. In addition, if the component could communicate with other kicker amps so the user could have the amps set the normal way and the ability to recall the KEY setting at any time regardless of the amp setting. This could be possible. I had RCA Dimensia components in the late 80's where every component communicated to each other via RCA connections.

[@justincarroll9846]

I'm from the UK. I have a Vauxhall Corsa. This amp was professionally installed. Running it all 4 channels at mid high only changed factory speakers to alpines. Then installed a alpine sw 8inch in line with the front speakers. Sounds fantastic.

[@Thumper68]

Pretty full clear sound especially being front speakers only. I agree sounds slightly bass heavy but if you can still get it turned up and not distort then I’d like it.

[@focuzd1]

Just put the predecessor to this... the Key 180.4 in my wife's car and I'm impressed. Haven't pinked it with the auto-tune yet, but it sounds fantastic running the last gen Clarion SRQ 6.75 comp set. It really makes these speakers shine. I'm becoming a Kicker fanboi.

[@brycecook4000]

Great amp. Just got one from Crutchfield last week when they were 10% off. This is so small it will fit behind my havc controls. Your link goes to the 180/4 amp just to let you know.

[@FernandoEidPires]

Hey my friend, I love your video. The Key amp is my baby, favorite project I had at Kicker.

[@HifiVega]

You killed it on this one man! I absolutely love it

[@bbfoto7248]

@Fernando Eid Pires Great work, Fernando! Now we need a 6-channel KEY Amp for a 3-way front stage + processed RCA Subwoofer or 2-channel rear speaker Preamp Outputs....50w x 4 + 125w x 2 + 2-channels of processed Preamp outputs for a Subwoofer or Rear coaxials. ;-) DO IT!!!

[@society86]

I was looking at amps twice this price and didn't even realize how awesome all the kicker amps were until I started looking at their lineup. This video helped my decision a lot and I pulled the trigger on the 200.4 earlier tonight. Gonna cut out the inline crossovers on my Audiofrog G60s to hook up and maybe add a compact powered sub for under the seat later on down the line. Can't wait!

[@HifiVega]

Love hearing stories like this! I’d love to hear what you think after you get it installed.

[@d77543020]

I plan on doing a couple of small amplifiers for my new setup I already have the Rockford t750 I was leaning towards getting the t400x4ad but after seeing this I might have to get the kicker it's cheaper and more features

[@HifiVega]

The 400x4 is a fantastic amp if you’ve already got a dsp in play, but if not I’d definitely consider the Key. In fact I just installed another in my Isuzu Trooper

[@d77543020]

@@HifiVega I definitely think that's the way I'm going to go I like to match amplifiers but in this case I have to make an exception and I save like 200 bucks

[@HifiVega]

@@d77543020 if you get it off Amazon I gotta affiliate link in the description 😉

[@mafosa8519]

if you go "active" you have make sure your tweeters are rated for the 50 watts! my focals are a little to loud at no gain. just something to keep in mind! another great share HifiVega!

[@abe4781]

Which focal are you running with these I wanna try the with the es 165k

[@mafosa8519]

@@abe4781 auditors

[@PDilla-xg7ux]

Just bought this today for my inside speakers, can't wait! I'm eventually gonna buy the 500 mono as well.

[@andykutcher3998]

Soporta bocinas de 3 ohms?

[@DC2114-e3m]

How would you run this in a 2023 Camry due to the 6 channels, and only being 4 ohm stable?

[@dna59]

Great solution paired with some high efficiency speakers. Definitely doing a setup in the future with this and the 500.1

[@HifiVega]

I kinda wanna check out the 500.1 myself now

[@thenotoriousrvh6091]

It's a shame (maybe in a future upgrade) they didn't give the 200.4 a sub out that could be integrated into the dsp system.

[@Toid]

Love that auto-tune!

[@HifiVega]

Yeah man makes me wanna try my hand at rapping 😂

[@user-wq5ws1qs7x]

Hifivega I have this amp powering my 6 speakers. The front channel powers my kicker 6x9s and dash speakers in parallel. I’m guessing due to them being run in parallel and 4 ohm each it’s now at 2 ohms. The amp is rated at 4 ohms minimum, but everything works fine. Have you heard of any issues doing this?

[@Polywog77]

I have a 180x4, cant wait to play with it.

[@HifiVega]

LanceFlugerman you’re gonna be happy

[@IrieRedGnome]

Sell the 180.4 get the 200.4 its worth it. Wish I had done so.😉

[@Polywog77]

@@IrieRedGnome its for a riyobi party station rolling lemonade stand.

[@bradgilpin9740]

Been thinking of replacing my Punch 400x4 with the kicker key and was literally going to ask 😂. Answered my question for me. That size is hard to beat especially with all the options it has.

[@kc0otv1]

Love the size and all the stuff it can do the size . Car not as big as they was back in the day . Love your and bigd shows

[@evanfield580]

Great amplifier for the features and the size

[@tatialo37]

Cool amp! Now's I have to get one for the crv!

[@intel2you]

I have a audiocontrol dm-810 DSP can i turn off the dsp i would love to use these little amps? Or a recommendation on a reasonable priced Sq amp?

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Thanks for the review

[@jstrahn]

Unbelievable how much power and how many features they pack into a tiny amp these days. Didn't sound strained at all. Nice and clear at high volume.

[@HifiVega]

Jesse Strahn you know ima lay on it 😂

[@Alfa_bert0]

NEED HELP I’m running this amp and when I put the music up too loud and for too long the audio cuts out completely and the red PRT light comes on but yet my subwoofer connected to a different amp are still on and bumping? Doesn’t make sense.

[@HifiVega]

[phone] 8am -5pm CST [e-mail] Contact these guys they truly are helpful in these situations

[@cafe80s]

Awesome video... I installed one at the shop recently and thought it sounded great too! The auto setup worked really well too!

[@HifiVega]

cafe80s yeah it was surpirsing

[@davidcrandon2329]

Can't seem to get an answer to this question...I know that it is 10 bands per channel, but what frequency range does the amp cover for it's autoEQ? Is is 20Hz-20kHz? If so, and if I use it and then add perhaps a KEY500.1, haven't I just defeated all the great EQing it did in the 20Hz-200Hz range? Thanks.

[@HifiVega]

Even tho the Key has that range, but that doesn’t mean it’ll let your midbass play down that low. I haven’t checked but my mids seem to be crossed over around 60hz. You can add the sub amp to give you the true sub frequencies you’ll be lacking with just a component set

[@davidcrandon2329]

@@HifiVega Good point. So, the only way to get good low bass correctable by the 200.4 is to not have full range or even midbass speakers in the back, but rather use two good woofers (subwoofer). The only issue there may be the only 50watts RMS per channel. Or perhaps a dual voice coil sub. But, I guess I could EQ with the 200.4, using subs in the back, but then substitute a more powerful amp that takes the high voltage output of the 200.4 speaker leads? Would you agree?

[@HifiVega]

@@davidcrandon2329 I wouldn’t use any subs with the 200.4 instead I’d go with the 500.1 or another sub amp and let the 200.4 take care of the speakers producing the sound

[@davidcrandon2329]

@@HifiVega But bass frequencies are the most critical and usually messed up in terms of EQ. At least in home systems. I would assume so in cars as well. But what about the idea of running the 200.4 to two rear subs just to EQ them. Then run the high level speaker outputs of the 200.4 to a higher power amp to actually power the subs. They'd still be EQ'd, correct?

[@coryhansen4444]

@@davidcrandon2329 I am having both the kicker key 200.4 and 500.1 installed in my truck. The both have the DSP EQ tuning deal with the microphone for you to tune each the same way more or less. Adding the 500.1 works very well from all i have researched and will soon hear.

[@josegiraldez6230]

Well since you can't control the crossover and whatnot could you still control the Crossovers and the other functions over the kicker DSP on the head units itself??

[@HifiVega]

Yeah you could change settings on the hu to effect the sound for sure

[@thegirlsmomkll]

I’m sorry if you already answered this, but it sounds like you have 6 1/2 miss bass in the doors and mid range and tweeter in dash with a passive crossover using as bi-amp, this is what I was thinking to do with a Tundra with a 3-way kit in the front (I have factory JBL system with 6x9 in doors, mid Range in dash and tweeters in A-pillar, I thought about using the bi-amp to run this and use the passive crossovers that come with the 3-way kit only for the mid-range and tweet , does that work?

[@HifiVega]

Yes sir that’s exactly how I have it and it worked beautifully

[@abdomination]

So if you use this amplifier, then you don't really need to use an equalizer from a headunit? I'm thinking about going back to stock stereo in my car.

[@HifiVega]

Yea it does eq and time alignment for you

[@abdomination]

@@HifiVega My friend do you have any good component speakers or three-way components that would fit well with these? I'm concerned about the amount of power to each component it seems like if you're running 50 watts to a tweeter the same as you are to your mid-range with the tweeter be overpowered?

[@Two_chair_Lynn]

sounds pretty sweet through my denon head and polk bookshelfs

[@HifiVega]

Mary Burgin I’m impressed

[@Two_chair_Lynn]

@@HifiVega i could see this amp working well in a small hatch back or miata where space is a issue

[@atmiller70]

I've installed the 200.4 using low-level inputs in 4-channel mode running off a Kenwood 8906s . Can I keep the head unit set to "through" for the crossover because it's handled by the Key? Also, should I "refrain" from using the EQ on the head unit as well? I'm just not getting the bass from the speakers I thought I would. I've got Kenwood Excelon KFC-XP6903C, which were exact fit for my 2015 Camry, up front. They are a 6x9 woofer for the door and mid/tweeter combo for the dash. Then I did a pair of Kicker 3-ways for the rear deck. I also ran all new speaker wire to by-pass any remnants of the JBL system.

[@HifiVega]

You can do minor tweaks to the tune using your headunit or bypass the Key EQ all together and set the sound to your preference. Definitely let the Key set the crossovers instead of setting them on the headunit. Other than that I’d explore fortifying the doors a bit using some sound dampening if you haven’t already

[@atmiller70]

Wow, thanks for the fast replay. So I can turn the Kicker EQ off and still use the Mic to automatically set the cross-overs? If that's what you're saying, I like that suggestion. I have already dampened the doors. Thanks again.

[@HifiVega]

@@atmiller70 yessir that’s exactly what I’m saying!

[@dreadspeaks9411]

I’m wondering how the key will do on some infinity kappas

[@HifiVega]

It would do the job very well imo

[@dreadspeaks9411]

Thank you. I got a few projects coming together here soon including a 6th order crx.

[@theradioison]

I'm using hi level speaker outs from a factory hu, could I run this in bi amp mode to some front stage mid/tweeters and still somehow run signal to a powered amp? Cheers on the great review.

[@HifiVega]

Yessir when you use high level the remote on this amp turns into a remote output

[@davidgreggs3903]

Would you happen to the dampening factor on the kicker cxa monoblock amps

[@HifiVega]

I don’t know off hand I’m sure they’re listed on the kicker website tho

[@davidgreggs3903]

@@HifiVega thanks love your videos

[@HifiVega]

@@davidgreggs3903 thanks bro I appreciate you watching

[@HiAxl]

How’s this thing do in the hot places?

[@HifiVega]

I’ve had several of them under seats and in tight areas and never had one fail or cycle from overheating.

[@d77543020]

Does anyone know if you can buy the microphone for the kicker key separately or does any other microphone work for it

[@bbfoto7248]

@MobLaw Call or Email Kicker Tech Support and they can ship a KEY microphone to you.

[@gregblau8082]

Do you need to hook up all 4 rca's?

[@HifiVega]

No you can hook up just the front or rear

[@gregblau8082]

Thanks I just picked one up and plan on using it active so I was rewatching some reviews. Several people including kicker and dean answered that question in their videos but I appreciate the reply. Only decision left is if I want to cut the rca ends or splice into the remote wire

[@omarmurillo5323]

Will this will work with a component set running passive upfront and coaxials in the rear?

[@HifiVega]

Absolutely

[@omarmurillo5323]

@@HifiVega awesome. I have to look into it a little more but it’d be cool to run the woofers up front bridged on one and the tweeters and rear off another one.

[@freebehindbars8654]

Found your channel looking for a good compact amp for the fairing of my motorcycle. What do you recommend?

[@HifiVega]

On a motorcycle I assume you will want a decent amount of power. I run this amp in my truck it’s compact, powerful and affordable. You can also use coupon code HIFIVEGA10 to save a few bucks nvx.com/products/mvpa4-600w-rms-marine-v-series-4-channel-class-d-compact-powersports-amplifier?ref=vPNtqb-iBPCiEp

[@freebehindbars8654]

@@HifiVega Appreciate it. That was one on the shortlist.

[@t0xish]

What do you mean by "you can't defeat crossovers in bi-amp mode"?

[@HifiVega]

If you don’t put it in bi amp mode it will pretty much be full range from what I understand

[@paquesepas6696]

The other kicker you showed for the bass I think, was that a 600.1?

[@HifiVega]

Johnny 24 that’s for rear speakers it’s the DXA125.2

[@paquesepas6696]

@@HifiVega oh thanks sorry about that. I have the kicker 600.1 that looks exactly the same I'm really impressed by it with the power and being so small. Didn't like the fact I had to buy a remote bass knob though lol.

[@thenotoriousrvh6091]

I want to do a Key and a set of Q components in the rig 🤔.

[@BHJ7115]

HifiVega, I just bought the kicker Key 200.4 and I'm running kicker 47KSC6504 and 47KSC6904 coaxial speakers. Not sure about this setup but how would you run these on a 2018 double cab Tacoma. I was planning on running 4 channels just like the factory head with the front tweeter and front door running together on one channel and rear on a second channel by itself for each side. Can I run the front tweeter and front door on in BiAmp mode and run the rears with the stock head unit or do the coaxials in the doors defeat that? What would you do? Great channel and Thanks in advance.

[@HifiVega]

Bi amp mode would give you the best sound, but you could also run passive in front and full range to the coax and be very happy as well. I wouldn’t run the rears off the factory hu unless you absolutely had to

[@BHJ7115]

@@HifiVega Thank you! 👍🏼

[@BHJ7115]

@@HifiVega How about this setup? Run the front tweeters and door speakers biamp mode and add a two channel amp to run the rear door speakers? Tap into the head unit signal using a RCA Y spliter cable? Thanks you.

[@dgam8261]

My oem head unit severely diminishes the bass frequencies, does this amp bring those back to flat with its dsp?

[@HifiVega]

It EQ’s your stock signal, but if you want to start with a flat signal I believe you need to add a Keyloc before this

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

By bi-amping do u mean that u r bridging the amp? Every Amp I've ever owned that was a 4 channel was capable of bridgeing to 2 channels. I was a big ADS fan back in the day. I just put my KEY200.4 into a Honda Civic that had component 🔊 with the front & rear with a sub Amp running the sub. Always had a lack of balance in that car where the sound was coming out of the rear & the front 🔊 were hard to hear. Not the case with this Amp. I also turned down the gain on the sub cuz the Kicker was so efficient. I failed numerous times on the pink noise test. No problem, the car sounds better than it has in the last 5 years & I never turned the gains up on the Kicker to usher I the warning lights. Pretty impressive.

[@HifiVega]

Bi amping on this amp is just running the front stage, tweeter and mid range off the front and rear channels of the amp making it an active front stage

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

@@HifiVega Actually I turned the gains up on the Kicker & the lights never came on. This setup was efficient & think there is more to come. I just finished an install on my other car a Toyota Camry that I just got & I think the 2 Amp system in that car is already jealous of the Honda.

[@josephparker6510]

I didn't like the calibration the key microphone does. I just calibrated it, let it find all speakers then deleted the calibration, and set the gains myself. Sounds great better than the calibration. My vehicle has infinity system in it which is smaller speakers which threw off the calibration.

[@HifiVega]

It happens like that sometimes

[@drivetime1488]

Stock speakers?

[@HifiVega]

Savard Rap 6.5 comp set and RF 6.5 coax

[@thenotoriousrvh6091]

The million $$ question, did it set the imaging to center, center or left of center ? Sounds pretty good even over YT.

[@HifiVega]

I put the mic in the drivers in my wife’s seating position, so the image is centered when you’re sitting in her exact seating position lol

[@thenotoriousrvh6091]

@@HifiVega So left of center. 😞

[@HifiVega]

Robert Van Hoy yeah this a one seat tune, but I do prefer a 2 seat tune

[@thenotoriousrvh6091]

@@HifiVega You know I love making that argument lol. The way cars are made we sit L/R of center. It's funny hearing what people think is center 😂.

[@bbfoto7248]

@@thenotoriousrvh6091 The "Center" imaging or "center of the soundstage" such as a main vocalist is designed to be centered above the dash of the vehicle...IOW, equidistant between the front Left and Right speakers, not centered in front of you over the top center of the steering wheel. If it was set up to "center" the soundstage over the top center of your steering wheel directly in front of you, the Left side of the soundstage would be overly compressed and "bunched up" in the small distance between the top center of the steering wheel and the left side of the vehicle, and the Right side of the soundstage from the top center of the steering wheel to the far passenger side of the vehicle would be extended and spread out over a much larger distance, resulting in a horribly uneven soundstage.

[@74midwestbass74]

NICE!!!

[@Sovereign_54]

Why biamp? cam i use this to power fronts and rear?

[@HifiVega]

Oh yeah for sure you can. Just click off the bi amp switch

[@Sovereign_54]

@@HifiVega thanks for the quick reply. Is this essentially the same thing as the Alpine KTP-445U power pack?

[@2011joser]

Very impressive for an amp to do all that tuning on its own. Kudos to Kicker for introducing this to the market. Hopefully they will expand this to a class ab amp or a higher power class d. Thanks for spotlighting this HiFi.

[@HifiVega]

Thanks for watching homie! I’m certain this tech is gonna make it’s way into more stuff

[@tevinrichardson1176]

Keep getting failure noise and 6 beeps saying too much ambient noise. I have my subs turned off too. So idk what it could be

[@HifiVega]

Have you tried doing it in a garage with the car turned off (turn the key to acc)

[@tevinrichardson1176]

@@HifiVega haven tried it in the garage was doing it outside the garage I’ll give that a shot. The car is off though

[@ansalon72]

DJ Khaled approves!

[@HifiVega]

Jason Rose another one!

[@mikeriverajr4447]

what sad is there is no higher power version of this amp :( 50 watts is good BUT when you have goood speakers most of them are arround 100 or more

[@HifiVega]

Once it does it’s thing you’ll be surprised how much 50 watts actually is

[@ssjdavid]

Wow

[@ThatGuyKappa]

Bought one the hiss is insane with gains anything above the lowest setting, it's pretty crazy how bad it is, no thanks when class d can have clean output without any hiss at half gains let me know

[@rickytrevino8281]

Sounds like someone has bad grounding

[@bbfoto7248]

Most likely a problem with Hiss coming from your Source unit and/or your gain structure, not the KEY amp. I've installed a half dozen of the Kicker Key amps in various vehicles and never had an issue with hiss or a high noise floor at all. Something else in your setup wasn't right, or you were unlucky and received a defective KEY amp.

[@gladboy7722]

Nice...👍👍👍🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹...

[@sermac3246]

👍

[@clittle1559]

Dyno dyno dyno

[@tatialo37]

This doesn't do bridge unfortunately. I'm a single 4 ch kinda guy!

[@HifiVega]

Ruben Torres yeah that’s one downside for sure that I shoulda though to mention

[@lotechgreg]

That doesn't look like the interior of my Elantra.........

[@HifiVega]

lotechgreg this is a Sonata

[@lotechgreg]

@@HifiVega WAY outa my pricerange then... JK do these mod's work with the base system's?

[@jerryross8215]

Do u get rid of mic wonse u set it up?

[@HifiVega]

Keep that you might need to recalibrate in the future

[@jerryross8215]

So in other words I can unplug it put it away in clove bix?