KICKER KEY500.1 Overview

[@dannylewandowski2822]

I’ve got the 500.1 and it’s amazing. What is even better is the subwoofer is a KWR102 which has 2ohm. Sounds better than the pioneer 12” I had in before. The enclosure is only 0.75 cu ft but it sounds much larger.

[@KICKER-AUDIO]

Great to hear! Thanks for sharing that.

[@jeffmabry7775]

Would I still need the Kicker Key 500.1 because I already have the Kicker Key 180.4 amplifier installed behind the nice OEM 7” screen factory radio on my 2017 Honda Civic EX Sedan. I also have the Kicker (model: 46CSS654) 6.5” component speakers in the front and in the rear deck along with a single voice-coil 4-Ohm Kicker Comp C 10” subwoofer (model: 44TCWC104) in a loaded enclosure and a Kicker CXA400.1 (model: 46CXA4001) mono amplifier installed in the trunk. I have the Kicker remote bass knob (model: 46CXARC) installed in the front close to the factory radio to control the bass of the Kicker amplifier. With all the Kicker stuff installed in my Civic, the sound system really sounds great. Should I still add the Kicker Key 500.1 amplifier?

[@brentb5303]

Look's like you've put together a nice all in one simple solution to a major problem. This is going to save entry level consumers a bunch of money. I was wondering if there's a line out which carries the corrected signal. For example could you buy a four channel version of this series for the interior speakers and send a daisy chain corrected signal to one of your KX series monoblock amplifiers? In essence using the Key amp as the DSP for an entire system.

[@KICKER-AUDIO]

Our KXA & CXA amplifiers accept up to a 40 volt input signal, so you could certainly use the KEY200.4 as a preamp.

[@jorgelopez-xn2ye]

I have 2021 jeep Gladiator i already installed key 2004 4 ch amp the Highs sound great but i need bass can install this with the key 2004 & key 2005 together would it work?

[@jorgelopez-xn2ye]

Can i put key2004 together with Key500.1

[@KICKER-AUDIO]

@@jorgelopez-xn2ye Yes, you absolutely can!

[@DanielGuzman83]

Can it handle the VL7R12 subwoofer?

[@robpayne2089]

How would this amp perform with a kenwood head unit? Or is this just designed to work only with a factory head unit?

[@KICKER-AUDIO]

You are more than welcome to use an aftermarket head unit!

[@yuranrs]

Can it be used to EQ a non-flat response produced by the speaker itself? or it just corrects the input signal coming from the head unit

[@emo65170.]

I have this amp. The KEY algorithm circuit only corrects the input signal. In fact, while the KEY algorithm circuit is "calculating the corrections", the speaker output is muted.

[@rickytrevino8281]

So if I have a custom aftermarket HU with a flat EQ does that mean these amps are basically useless? Or do they work as limiters/compressors and amplify/nullify depending the song and audio youre playing. Id love to get even hz no matter the song

[@KICKER-AUDIO]

Which amps? Can you elaborate on your question?

[@rickytrevino8281]

@@KICKER-AUDIO The KEY series amps, but more specifically this KEY500.1 amp. From my understanding the Auto EQ built into the KEY500.1 is meant to flatten out the EQ curve from stock head units and crossovers But what if I were to buy an aftermarket head unit with the option to already have a Flat, untouched EQ such as my Pioneer. Would that defeat the purpose of the Auto EQ software since the audio would already have a flat untouched EQ curve or would the KEY500.1 still serve to make quiet sounds louder and louder sounds quieter on a song to song basis such as a compressor?

[@emo65170.]

​@@rickytrevino8281 A signal that starts out flat coming out of the head unit could degrade as signal travels through any combination of RCA cables, inline filters, cable extensions, splitters, or processors, on its way to the amp. Running the KEY setup on the 500.1 should correct anything lost along the way.

[@JasonWW2000]

@@rickytrevino8281 You only use the auto EQ function during setup. After that it stays that way. The test tones play pinknoise/sinewave sweep with a flat response and the amp analyzes the incoming signal. It knows it should receive a flat response. If the incoming signal is not flat, it applies it's EQ function to flatten it. Then it stays this way after setup. It has no way to analyze music and make changes on demand or in real time.

[@rickytrevino8281]

@@JasonWW2000 Ok thanks that answered my question

[@danaperrin5684]

I have the 2013 comp r10s I need help wiring them up if any diagrams would help

[@KICKER-AUDIO]

Try the wiring diagrams here www.kicker.com/kickeru

[@grumpymangarage]

Does it time align with the Key200.4?

[@KICKER-AUDIO]

It works independently of the 200.4.

[@ricardoresendiz5534]

Can you guys upload some videos on the ZR amplifiers

[@graystripe87]

Too bad the 500.1 only puts out 500 @ 1ohm 🙄. I want 500 at 2 ohms.

[@thenotoriousrvh6091]

Good stuff 👍

[@emo65170.]

Is no one going to mention that the gain goes to 11??? That's.... KEY. Hehe

[@KICKER-AUDIO]

HA!

[@grumpymangarage]

It’s more than 10