The Kicker Key amp and KS speakers installed in Hailey's Ford Escape Installer Diaries 120

[@SenorDennis]

Holy hell this guy is thorough. The T-Harness & speed wire circle of life technique, the amount of time and headache you just saved people watching this video.. that right there made this install look doable. Thanks for the upload!!

[@SenorDennis]

My only question (if you happen to see this) is how you made the amp rack out of the ABS plastic. Did you take a jigsaw then file the edges smooth?

[@scottr2028]

@@SenorDennis They used a router in other videos

[@paulg444]

Ill tell you, there is no substitute for knowledge of the crafty ways that the interior plastic is installed. No way that you would ever figure that out alone. Thanks 5star!

[@erocksnow1631]

You are thee most helpful people in car audio. thank you

[@hstafford078]

I ordered one if these and was searching how to install it. Your video was excellent, not only for the install process, but explaining the features and setup. Thank you for a well made and helpful video.

[@Martin-gz4qn]

Wow this is a lot of work but it turned out well. You really went all out for your daughter. What a great dad.

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

Thank you

[@surround1969]

Your site is an academy ... awesome love it ... thanks dears for all your efforts ... appreciated a lot

[@SyxxFtH8]

I have a huge old '80s stationwagon, and I was looking for a small 4 channel amp to power my Kicker KS', so it's kismet that I came across your video about this amp and speakers! Watched a bunch of your vids, and I love your style! Got yourselves a new subscriber!

[@lakkchina]

This channel is the top best for audio car. Thanks a lot

[@dimitrilauratet9828]

Thanks for convincing me in installing this little amp in my ford fiesta with same setupm intead of KS, I will be using Kicker CS component in front and CS coaxial at the back! Cheers!

[@SHAWN46368]

Really good / informative tutorial for the product-and also thank you for some of the tips-just goes to show-as a car audio shop installer and owner in South Africa-youre never to old to learn new things. Thanx guys!

[@artiemcbride629]

Another clean install. I may have to take a vacation to Florida and get you guys to do an install for me.

[@Kstxrd]

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 Sport Dbl Cab with the factory 7 inch non JBL HD radio but installed the Subaru plug and play tweeters made by Kicker in the dash, Kicker KS 6x9 2-ways in front doors, Kicker KS 6 1/2 2-ways in rear doors, Kicker Key 180.4 for power and EQ and the Kicker Hideaway 8 inch 150 watt sub behind the rear seat back....very nice combination with new clarity, sound quality and low end ( bass ) response compared to stock.

[@adamgriffith7128]

I have a 2013 Ford Escape, and I was wondering what to do with my factory unit I really didn't want to go aftermarket, and I came across this video and the only thing different is I have the 8" screen and with 9 speaker setup with three 8" Skar Subs. I replace my interior with the kicker cs components all around with the 3" center, thank you for the video

[@genrock6756]

I just ordered one, it’s exactly what i needed. u made it so easy to understand the features. Thank u, new subscriber.

[@johnpaulcarrillo1022]

I want to do the same install you did, just a little confused about how to add the power wire. I already have a P300-10 with 8gauge hooked up.

[@NYCIVZ]

Nice instructional video... I wish I would have seen this video before I returned the speakers that I returned because I had no IDEA what I was doing.

[@dhestondh]

Love how clean your installs are very nice sir what kind of sub it that car running an how many watts is the whole system

[@ronjlwhite8058]

Sweet tweet install Dean!!!

[@LokiX76]

Great channel! What was used to make the “fast rings” style rings around the speakers? Looks just like adhesive backed foam molding but everything I am finding isn’t that thick. Thanks.

[@eightycutty]

Id did an amp & sub install in my wifes 18 Escape last year with a Parrot T-Harness from overseas. It plugs in behind the screen & I was able to run speed wire to the rear. Im getting ready to upgrade the factory speakers in the next few months as well

[@napochulo]

22:21 Money shot. You guys get me every time...Good job.

[@jimmied9871]

Did you know per Kicker key install video, he says the componet speaker crossover boxes are not to be used because the kicker key automatically takes care of that job, it automatically detects the speaker sizes too and applies the crossover frequencies! Awesome!

[@sanjuanpr25]

Dean it must be so cool to be able to that for your daughter. Great work as always.

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

Very, thank you

[@markfrench2700]

When you were being all quiet doing the auto EQ I was just waiting for the compressor to start up 😋

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

Lucky we remember to turn it off, but I that would have been funny

[@stevenmcnabb6157]

That’s a cool little amp for a simple system

[@Clint_L]

That tweeter mount.. so cool.. Never would have thought of it!!

[@Bradimus1]

This was a good one! Thurough!

[@mrbedhead]

Is Fernando the sidekick or is it the other way around? 🤣 The dynamic duo!

[@twotwentyswift]

Dean is Batman and Fernando is Robin. The dynamic duo indeed! *BAM, POW, OOOF!*

[@bige8397]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

Thank you

[@williamlongmoreiv6090]

Why did you use the speaker cross overs instead of running the amp in bi amp mode? I have a 2010 f150 super crew cab with this amp on all 4 factory speakers. Which sounds really good together. I have a set of Polk db+ 6502 components I'm installing in front doors. Tweeters will be mounted up in the plastic section of the door panel that covers the mirror bolts. Back door speakers still factory, will up grade with a good midbass spkr later. Should I use the crossover that came with the polks or bimode? I did put roadkill in side the doors and outside and using fast rings. Thanks for all the knowledge u guys share with us. I love the clean installs and most of all the clean language. Happy new year.

[@christophepalmer]

Great video, Did anybody else see Fernando's shirt change?

[@thenotoriousrvh6091]

Staying is why I can not bring myself to get rid of my Kicker Zxdsp_1 it does an amazing job. Crossover/imaging enhancer/wanna be epicenter/line driver all in one package. I'm not surprised Kicker nailed this piece.

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

Yeah and this is just step one of this tech, so maybe they will have something for you to upgrade to

[@TheSaldanaFam]

This video is a life saver, I’m upgrading the speakers on my escape also, and I’ve watched this video like 4 times, awesome job!!! Is there a video for the sub install?? Keep up the great job

[@SDS-1]

Very neat and clean

[@Watchingyou-daily]

I caution is the SRS airbag that is behind the right side dash panel.

[@davidperry4013]

I am definitely considering a kicker key amp in my 2015 Camry so I don't have to worry about complicated wiring and have a nice lean installation and even if I cannot afford high quality aftermarket speakers atm, I can still vastly improve the overall SQ from the stock speakers. I already got a subwoofer and amp that is going to be installed. I just need a proper T harness and I don't want to zonk the head unit, key amp, or speakers. I like to keep the stock head unit, I like the big knobs and buttons and don't want to get rid of them.

[@firebirdude2]

Awesome video! Thanks guys! Try turning the compressor off next time. Or bi-amping the components and running the rears off of head unit power. All in all, for the price paid, there's nothing on the market that even comes close to this little guy!

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

We played with it on and off for a while, for the application on seemed the better option.

[@tinsaiz]

firebirdude2 I'm considering bi"amping the front components and running the rears off the head unit but wanted to ask what the benefit to doing this is? Will the rear speaker have enough power to match the front now? I know all factory amps are different but how much power will go to the rear?

[@tinsaiz]

firebirdude2 also do you know if I'll benefit from adding the audio control lc7i if I add the Kicker key amp to kicker 6x9 components in the front and 6.75 coax in the back?

[@adriandab7017]

i have a 2019 accord hybrid with the premium sound, if i upgrade the speakers and add this but still use my head unit, would i need a loc like a LC7i?

[@royyoung3456]

Do you have a video for installing the Kicker 200.4 into a 08 Chevy 3500 crew cab. Have already installed Pioneer 5.5/dia 70w triple axles speakers.

[@freddyacosta2358]

“After the afternoon” 😂

[@funtimeswithtom4108]

It is cool that you can time align for the driver but what happens when other people get in the car? The audio will sound off to them.

[@peterlommel]

Great vid! What did you do with the, not mentioned, centre dash speaker? Why did you mount a coaxial speaker in the rear doors instead of 2-way component speaker? Thanks for your replies!

[@JayO1963]

Thanks for sharing your experience bro. I love your videos

[@JP-vh6ub]

What about after market radio with built in dsp. I can't ever seem to get that nice blend with my amplified sub. Could this be the sub for me i have component in front coaxial in the back power by a terrible power acoustik amp. If I replaced my amp with this one will that fullness that I've been looking for final be there??

[@RobM12088]

great install video. i'm thinking about using the Kicker Key amps in my 2020 Subaru Outback Limited and swapping out the original factory Harman Kardon speakers for something better. have you guys done an install in '20 or '21 Outbacks yet? any tips/tricks you can pass along?

[@TheFiendRacer]

Cool install as always, it’s funny how dean and Fernando are always on a different page.

[@austinej2785]

Nice job, I m having problem with my kia ceed 2013. I wanted to install component speaker on the front door, but there is a big connector on the grommet. There is no way to install a speaker wire through it.

[@hustleman4880]

With the key amp, do you still need the crossovers?

[@bigboytoys10]

How are you getting signal to the subwoofer? I was looking at doing something similar with one of these key amplifiers. I currently have my subwoofer ran off a lc2.

[@cease5131]

What if you have after market 14 gauge speaker wire running from all your aftermarket speaker? How would you hook those up to the Kicker key it the wire from the harness is a lot smaller wire?

[@bigfoot286]

I wish they made it so this amp could tie in to a second one and be able to run 2, or a 2 channel so that I could use it for an active front and one to power my rear speakers. My truck has 4 rear speakers so I’d run 2 of them to accomplish that. Also would be nice if it had a sub pass through. One question on it, do you guys think it would be able to effectively run a 8” woofer and a 3.5” point source in an active set up?

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

I would not use it to do that.

[@zoeya3254]

Are you only using one pink noise? Or do you have to use the whole list they provide?

[@KT_One]

Great video on the Kicker Key. Where was this thing 20 years ago?

[@mobileradiofitter]

great video. lucky buggers looks like your livin the dream. i do similar stuff here in the UK (but its freezing all the time)

[@dcastro0018]

Thank you for the detailed video. Can I use this amp with an alpine double din unit and four 50 watt rms kicker speakers as well or only for factory stereo setups? Thx.

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

Yes you can use any speaker you like

[@SA-iw4ci]

I have a question regarding the dip switch settings.. I have a Kenwood DNX892, powered 8" JL Audio sub, and my Key180 running active bi-amp to Infinity REF-6520cx components A pillar mounted tweets & mids in the doors. Nothing else. Should I have the fader dip on or off? Should I have the HPF dips off since I'm bi-amping?

[@racefacefpv7294]

When you set the gain, were you playing something during that time ir dont you need to?

[@kennethblackburn8756]

Hey Dean, if you guys tied into the Key with a T harness, where are the signal wires for the sub tapped in? I never saw those connections anywhere.

[@pimpdaddywithoutthecaddyca7786]

perfection as always

[@ghostinthetreeline]

I need to figure out if that harness you used would work on my wife's 2013 Ford Edge SEL with MyFord Touch/Sync. Thank you for the good video/content.

[@razhocarjr]

I get it. Thanks. I’ll look into one of those. Not sure if I can comprehend it all though. But I’ll try and give you guys a call. Thanks.

[@davidperry4013]

I’m considering that amplifier eventually after I get bass added to my Camry when I get the money to upgrade to crisper sounding speakers and a 4 channel amp

[@vato4822]

Any idea what t harness i would need for a 2015 Lincoln MKZ with navigation but NO amp no thx system

[@rickgolden9220]

Do they make a harness for the 2017 Toyota Tacoma Entune Head for the Kicker Key Amp

[@SuperLance95]

I’ve got a 2018 F-150 that I put new Focal speakers in the doors. After installing this and letting it auto EQ will I be able to turn the bass up on the radio once it’s finished?

[@kareemwilliams1876]

Where you tap into for your sub?

[@iHernandez620]

Can you make a video comparing these smalls amps , Kicker Key, Alpine Power pack , pioneer gm, kenwood , and does rockfor Fosgate haves one ? Please please I know know which one to get !

[@mwhitcomb1]

Great video, well done! What about first impressions from customers when they hear it for the first time after you do an install?

[@kapazo13]

I installed a kicker key 4 channel amp. I have a low volume hissing noise. The noise has stable volume no matter the radio volume. The noise is still there even with the inputs disconnected and the engine off. My grounds are confirmed good. And my gain is all the way down. Also my amp chassis doesn't touch metal where it is mounted. Is there anything else i can try to remove this sound? It is not very loud but it is there and before the amp install there was no noise.Thanks.

[@sivucit]

hi, quick question, if i have an amp with HPF and cross over, what is the benefit of having cross over in component speaker. please advise. also do u have patron setup where i can donate, watched ton of video and oh boy i understood quite a lot from tools, techniques, neat way of doingg things, troubleshoot etc etc.. thanks a bunch

[@DaniloSuarez-kj2yt]

which tone track plays to adjust the gain?

[@BRAZENCHROME]

Wow that's pretty cool I wish I would have had that for my son's car but no I over killed it with two big amps and a sub and interior your speakers deck wiring the whole nine yards and the kitchen sink lol

[@wadehensley5005]

What's the best way to add a subwoofer/amp combo with the key amp, all the while keeping the factory radio?

[@iammarkanthony1]

Wade Hensley if they made a 5 channel version of this, with even an 8 GA wire input, I would get it. They could use the 4 channel input to create a subwoofer channel.

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

When you are tapping into the radio, tap into the rear output to run back to the sub’s high level input. That is what we did on this

[@RCFlyer85]

Yeah if they would just add a RCA output this would be so much better and a much easier purchase

[@moedizl]

If i had to guess why it plays pink noise, the pink noise will cover up small outside noise as not to cause the auto set up to fail.

[@Aqualung1956]

Does it adjust the EQ automatically on each individual song? I get that impression from the way you were talking about that one song that was poorly recorded

[@julietactual6757]

Awesome video as usual from you guys! Quick question after calibration, does the radio T-M-B still adjust those parameters for some slight tweaking or does the amp auto correct override those adjustments?

[@buckWildest]

CARAV 12-240 unavaliable any help finding replacement?

[@BS-Reviewz]

Can I put 2 of these in my system? I have a 2016 single cab Chevy. I want to put a set of 47KSS6904 6x9 components in the door with the tweeter on the center mount, 47KSC404 4” coax in the B pillars, and 47KS2704 2 3/4” mids in the dash. How should I run the amps to the speakers? 1. one amp run the 4s and 6x9s & one amp runs the tweets and 2 3/4s 2. one amp run the 4s and tweets & one amp to the 6x9 and 2 3/4s 3. Amp 1 to the 4s and 2 3/4s & Amp 2 to the 6x9s and tweets in the doors 4. Something else

[@monzon529]

Whats better the kicker keys or the alpine ktp-455u

[@mattltech]

This amp would be perfect if it had a line level sub output that was tuned with the DSP also.

[@mafosa8519]

Can’t the input 1/2 channels be doubled up for the signals for the mono “key” amp? I just guessing.. Larry

[@mammlouk]

Great video. I know I'm late to the party, but I sure wish they would release a version with subwoofer output. I'm still deciding between this and the Alpine KTP-445U. If either company offered a version with sub output it would make the decision for me. Is there any similar product with a sub out that you would recommend?

[@firebirdude2]

Kicker now makes a KEY500.1 for subwoofers.

[@trapstar1998]

Hi I currently running 4x pioneer 6.5” coaxial front and rear and to install the key amp later down the track I want to install front 6.5” component speakers can I just replace the speakers or does it need to be setup byamp mode?

[@82mattlopez]

Did you use just standard roadkill in the doors?

[@basharzaim]

Would you please tell me what are the harness required for Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2019. I am lost in the OEM stereo connections. Thanks

[@Its.Ar0d]

When I shut the car off the key is going back to no eq. It sounds flat and distorts. If i plug the microphone and press the button, it switches to a nice eq. What am I doing wrong

[@scootergirl8615]

Will this work if i have the 9 speaker system in my 2017 mustang gt?? I dont want to spend a lot of money again bc i like the nav unit etc but i just need a little more umph out of it. Already have a amp, JL 12 inch sub and lc2i in the trunk

[@JackPepal357]

What did you do for the sub cause with sync it's kinda complex to get a clean sound. I have a 2017 Ford fusion Titanium with the Sony system and I installed a sub with a line out converter on the rear 6x9s that are supposed to be like subs and it sounds like trash. Just wondering what you guys did

[@ADR69]

Fernando is hilarious

[@christianvalentin3836]

Hi, Great Video!, does anyone knows where can I find that T plugs.The link you posted doesn't work anymore. I'm planing on installing the Kicker Key in a 2018 Murano. Thanks

[@r3d-1truth17]

Hey guys, enjoy your videos and content! Great work. QQ- do you not worry about equipment,when mounting on floor below seats, getting wet from shoes? Also, do you worry about heat when so close to vents? I live in WI, so we get every season. Thnxs

[@NateGCook]

Can this be done without a T harness? If so, how is it possible?

[@ytrabbithole6893]

I have been looking at one of these for a little while. I have a Toyota Tacoma (4 door speakers, 2 tweeters) it has upgraded speakers but I want better sound and to add a subwoofer without upgrading the head unit. I like the idea of having DSP, but I can't figure it out if it is worth it. For similar price you can get a pioneer 5 channel amp and not have to buy another amp to power the sub and the additional wiring that goes along with it. I am sure the clarity will be there, but I'm not sure the soundstage you get with the Key will be. What do you guys think?

[@firebirdude2]

You'll actually have a sound stage with the KEY amplifier. lol With no DSP, you're just listening to 4 loud speakers. :-)

[@sivucit]

hi, i thought db in cross over is for slope that is what i understood from ur other video, but in this you are speaking about volume highness for tweetter by setting it to 9 db from 0db. so db here is volume of slope fall out..pls

[@theloser0]

Kicker comes threw again! What is wattage output of the amp? Keep up the awesome work and thanks!

[@davidperry4013]

theloser0 it’s 45 watts per channel at 4 ohms so in total 180 watts. It’s just the right wattage and won’t blow even their DS speakers. Many stock systems are only 10 watts per channel so don’t discount that key amp as a bad amplifier. It will play very nicely with 1500 watts RMS worth of subwoofer(s).

[@repete74]

There's no such thing as a passive crossover + boost for tweeter. In this case the +9 is actually the cleanest signal bypassing the resistor, the +4 is a 5db cut and the 0 is a 9db cut.

[@Reneemitt]

Very interested in this AMP? Is there a certificate showing the actual out-put of the amp? I am looking at adding this amp to my for F150, I have started out by adding Kicker CSC's in the doors, they sound good, but I would like it louder. a concern I have, is, does it get hot? I seen in some of the reviews, that one guy put it in his glove box, ran 9 wire in and out, would that make it to confined, not getting enough air flow? I have watched a lot of your vids. you guys do great work. last thingfor my truck, what do you recomend for a T harness, seen one on Amazon, (FOR-11CK) others have recommended. Thanks

[@firebirdude2]

Warm at most. You could leave your hand on it indefinitely, even after hours of rocking.

[@godsgrace6351]

It says on hideaway sub that you can not hook rca to loc

[@Reatork]

I have a Ford C-Max which from my understanding is basically identical to the Escape except for the battery location. I’m curious if the aftermarket kit for a double din is really that bad looking? I travel a lot & would like to upgrade to a unit with navigation so I don’t have to keep removing my Garmin & can reply to text messages using Apple CarPlay.

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

We have installed a few of them and the customers have not complained about it. We were also doing them for the same reason you want one. They were all guys that work out of them.

[@andrewdiehl7212]

How is the subwoofer wired in?

[@orldmunoz88]

Dean or Fernando hi guys y never miss the opportunity ntaler diaries quick question for the new tacoma 2018 there's some type of t harness for the radio?

[@FiveStarCarStereoInc]

Metraonline.com only lists up to 2017 the AX-DSP ty2. It may be the same plug