New stereo upgrades
 

I am in the process of buying and installing the new 2014 Kicker gear in my 97 Shabah 180. I am doing the KM65 coax (2 pair). It comes with the white grill and the charcoal grill but I can't figure out which one I am going to actually use. My interior is white with purple and yellow accents. (Leaning towards charcoal). These are also the LED configured model. I am doing the KM10 Sub which only comes in charcoal from the shop. (Can buy the white separate). Also LED confgd. And I am doing the KM800.5 Amp 4ohm. I also just bought a new Kenwood head unit but I don't have the specs on it. The wiring is outrageously expensive. $114 a roll x 2. $228 just for wiring is crazy. I can't find anything on the new Kicker stuff on the internet so I was wanting to see if you all had personal experience or heard anything good (or bad) about these things. Any information or comments would help! Thanks

Re: New stereo upgrades
 

Im guessing its expensive because of the LED's... that would make me think twice and just get normal grills/speakers myself. I have been using JBL marine speakers in my boats and REALLY like them.

Re: New stereo upgrades
 

In case anyone reads this, the kicker 6.5 led speakers are absolutely fantastic!! Amazing quality especially when amped! Don NOT use a kenwood head unit with led speakers as the Kenwood puts out horrible interference. They are known for this. More on that if you ask. I did 8 6.5 kicker KM65 leds and two kenwood 12"subs under the sunpad beside the motor. Running two alpine amps. Two 12 volt batteries (biggest ones group 29 at walmart dedicated to stereo only (I mounted them under the consoles and charge between trips to the lake) I can play full volume all day with absolutely NO issues. I am a sound guy that does live sound and has a studio. BY far this is one of the best balanced and sounding systems I have installed 9including cars) If I ever buy another 6.5 speaker it WILL be a KM65, even for a car. I don't care how much they cost.

Re: New stereo upgrades
 

That's awesome! Im interested in the interference from Kenwood units. That all I have ran in both auto/boats.
I power 2 amps totalling 1000 RMS off one stereo dedicated group 29 deep cycle and have zero issues with supplying juice.

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Re: New stereo upgrades
 

I love the sound of the Kenwood stuff, especially midgrade and up stuff. Killer sound. Problem was discovered due to the LEDs and an amplifier.

An LED RGB Controller puts out hellacious RF. The Kenwood's are susceptible through the RCA circuits. I tried absolutely everything to avoid the interference, even running power to stereo and power to LEDs from two completely separate circuits, off completely different battery banks that shared no connections, not even for charging, period. I still did this separate power in the end but ended up having to use speaker level inputs to my amp for the 6.5" speakers to finally get rid of the noise. It would make hellacious noise/buzzing/clicking that varied in pitch per led color and sequence. The RGB controller was the Kicker unit. Even had them send me a new one, same deal.

In the end running the amps from speaker level was the only choice to get rid of the interference. Needless to say I was pissed after buying $800 worth of KM65 led speakers, two alpine amps, the Kenwood head and two Kenwood subs. I spent a week trying everything I knew and everything that was suggested to alleviate the noise. Still love the Kenwood stuff though and the system sounds freaking awesome! One of the best balanced systems frequency and volume wise I've assembled.

It wasn't till after, and while discussing this issue with the local pro install shop, that it was said basically but not exactly "Oh it was a Kenwood, that's the issue, they all have interference issues with LEDs." Supposedly, while they and alpine are now built by the same company, the alpines do not have this issue. Never tried a different brand head. I did swap the Kenwood head thinking that was the issue and even went a step up in the Kenwood line. same issue.

I kept the Kenwood, ran speaker level inputs to the amp and couldn't be happier!

Re: New stereo upgrades
 

Speaking of kenwood...i have a kenwood head unit kmrd 0358 and every time we turn the volume up past 25 it cuts out and restarts itself. Any ideas?

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Re: New stereo upgrades
 

A few things to look at: bad ground, bad power supply, or the wires are not big enough to power it when the volume goes up. Easy fix: run new wires and clean the terminals. Should fix it.

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Re: New stereo upgrades
 

What kind of speaker wire should I buy?

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Re: New stereo upgrades
 

Not speaker wire for power supply. You want just a decent wire. I really don't know the size but bigger than what's in there.
It could be a bad terminal connection.

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