Kicker KMT674 for tower speakers

[Banditgrrr]

I'm considering adding some tower speakers and would like some feedback. I currently upgraded the stock speakers to 4 Polk DB652's being driven from a Rockford Fosgate R400-4D. I'm looking for a modest upgrade to add tower speakers and the Wet Sounds are out of my budget. I'm considering the Kicker KMT674's as they have good reviews and I'm thinking about using the Cerwin Vega B52 amp to drive it because it's pretty small. The down side of the Kickers is that from what I can tell, they do not swivel. Does anyone have experience with these or have an idea on how I can make them swivel?

Kicker KMT674
https://www.amazon.com/Kicker-KMT674-Marine-Speaker-System/dp/B00K8EKMLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1520800733&sr=1-1&keywords=kmt674

Cerwin Vega B52 Amp
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZAQVMJC/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[swatski]

I'm considering adding some tower speakers and would like some feedback. I currently upgraded the stock speakers to 4 Polk DB652's being driven from a Rockford Fosgate R400-4D. I'm looking for a modest upgrade to add tower speakers and the Wet Sounds are out of my budget. I'm considering the Kicker KMT674's as they have good reviews and I'm thinking about using the Cerwin Vega B52 amp to drive it because it's pretty small. The down side of the Kickers is that from what I can tell, they do not swivel. Does anyone have experience with these or have an idea on how I can make them swivel?

Kicker KMT674
https://www.amazon.com/Kicker-KMT674-Marine-Speaker-System/dp/B00K8EKMLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1520800733&sr=1-1&keywords=kmt674

Cerwin Vega B52 Amp
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZAQVMJC/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I had a set of Kicker KM6500.2 in separate enclosures in my old 190 and those were actually very nice, especially considering the price. I don't know if those are similar - looks like they are? I had them powered by a HT-4 WetSounds amp and they sounded great.

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[Banditgrrr]

The only down side of the Kicker KMT674 is that they will not swivel. I just looked at the kicker website and it looks like they're getting ready to release new models and these include a swivel mount. I could actually mount these on the sides of the tower rather than on the back of the tower. There's a "KMTC Coaxial Tower Series" and a "KMTC Horn Loaded Tower Series." I'm assuming the coaxial is for near listening and the horn loaded are for behind the boat. These are individual speakers rather than 2 in a box. I may wait for these to come out and see what the pricing looks like.

http://www.kicker.com/tower-systems

 

[swatski]

I see what you mean. I think the KMS67 is the replacement for the old KM6500.2. Those are a combination of two HLCD and two coaxials (KMS are totally different than KMT which are just coaxial).
My old KM6500.2 with HT-4 sounded great inside the boat, on the swim platform, and behind the boat. Would be really hard to beat if not impossible - in the price range.
I now have WS ICON8s which are great, too, and easier to install - two big cans vs four. But they are three or four times the price...

Hopefully our real stereo guys will chime in. They will help you spend your money, no problem! lol.
I'm very happy with a bunch of DB651s powered by xc1410 clarions. I did get those big ICONs which I like, but I could live with the KM6500.2s from my old boat.

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[adrianp89]

I have no direct experience with either model. I have demoed the regular Kicker cans and they sound pretty good, especially for the price. I have no concerns about those. My only concern would be the Cerwin Vega. I had no idea they even made car audio amplifiers and would be a bit wary of it. It is a little bit more money, you can get the matching Kicker amp for those: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kicker-KMA300-4-45KMA300-4-4-Channel-Marine-Amplifier/352043042 just bridge two channels to each can.

 

[biffdotorg]

I run the KMT674's and you are right, they do not swivel. They do sound good, but a sub is a must. As they will be better for mid/highs. Once we installed a sub, the sound quality overall was greatly improved and we could run at better volumes without distortion.

My current set are part of a warranty deal I got from Kicker as the first generation were sealed to tight and the pressure in the enclosure was blowing out speakers. They gave us an extreme discount on these current ones. I have also put covers on the enclosures to help cut down on sun bake on the speakers themselves.

Good luck!

 

[FloJet]

I have no direct experience with either model. I have demoed the regular Kicker cans and they sound pretty good, especially for the price. I have no concerns about those. My only concern would be the Cerwin Vega. I had no idea they even made car audio amplifiers and would be a bit wary of it. It is a little bit more money, you can get the matching Kicker amp for those: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kicker-KMA300-4-45KMA300-4-4-Channel-Marine-Amplifier/352043042 just bridge two channels to each can.

To be honest the OP would be better to use the Cerwin Vega than the kicker amp you are recommending. With the Kicker, he would only get 150 watts to each speaker bridged. With his Cerwin he would get 200 watts unbridged @ 2 or 4 ohm. The only reason I would say I like the Cerwin slightly better is that you can find real specs on it. Kicker being notorious for hiding their specs. SMH.

 

[Banditgrrr]

Appreciate the responses. When I first posted this, I found the KMT674 for $315 on Amazon. I just looked again and it's now $497 which doesn't seem like it's as good of a deal. I may wait until the new series is launched which is shown on their website as it includes the swivel mount. Maybe @swatski will downgrade and sell me his Icon's!

My biggest thing is that I'd like more sound. I have 4 of the DB652's installed and and even with the amp at WOT it's still difficult to hear or sounds distorted. I was attempting to find tower speakers that could point towards the back if I'm pulling someone or point down into the cockpit while I'm driving. I don't think that's going to be something that's easy to find.

 

[FloJet]

Appreciate the responses. When I first posted this, I found the KMT674 for $315 on Amazon. I just looked again and it's now $497 which doesn't seem like it's as good of a deal. I may wait until the new series is launched which is shown on their website as it includes the swivel mount. Maybe @swatski will downgrade and sell me his Icon's!

My biggest thing is that I'd like more sound. I have 4 of the DB652's installed and and even with the amp at WOT it's still difficult to hear or sounds distorted. I was attempting to find tower speakers that could point towards the back if I'm pulling someone or point down into the cockpit while I'm driving. I don't think that's going to be something that's easy to find.

I might recommend you to Pro Box tower speakers too. I'm not sure how much they cost but I've heard them in person and they are nice with the correct tuning. I have a probox sub in my truck so I'm familiar with their lines quality a little bit.
One issue with Kicker's new line of tower speakers are the rated specs. Their 9" and 11" drivers both have 1.25 voice coil and 300 RMS with 600 Max wattage. You would think that the 11" driver would take more wattage. So why even buy the 11" driver if the 9" can push the same power and probably sound the same? lol. Kicker cracks me up.

 

[adrianp89]

To be honest the OP would be better to use the Cerwin Vega than the kicker amp you are recommending. With the Kicker, he would only get 150 watts to each speaker bridged. With his Cerwin he would get 200 watts unbridged @ 2 or 4 ohm. The only reason I would say I like the Cerwin slightly better is that you can find real specs on it. Kicker being notorious for hiding their specs. SMH.

Kickers specs are clear as day on their website? They are always underrated but as the saying goes... under promise and over deliver. The CV may be a better choice but I have no experience and personally wouldn’t trust it. I’ve done their subs twice over the years and they are in the same class as Boss and Pyle. Just based on that experience I would trust it to put the power it says. I could be wrong though. Your a kicker hater though so I take it with a grain of salt.

 

[FloJet]

Kickers specs are clear as day on their website? They are always underrated but as the saying goes... under promise and over deliver. The CV may be a better choice but I have no experience and personally wouldn’t trust it. I’ve done their subs twice over the years and they are in the same class as Boss and Pyle. Just based on that experience I would trust it to put the power it says. I could be wrong though. Your a kicker hater though so I take it with a grain of salt.

WHATEVER MAN
BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT

 

[FloJet]

Kickers specs are clear as day on their website? They are always underrated but as the saying goes... under promise and over deliver. The CV may be a better choice but I have no experience and personally wouldn’t trust it. I’ve done their subs twice over the years and they are in the same class as Boss and Pyle. Just based on that experience I would trust it to put the power it says. I could be wrong though. Your a kicker hater though so I take it with a grain of salt.

Funny I have a kicker amp in my truck. I guess I don't hate them that bad HUH DuMMY

 

[adrianp89]

I might recommend you to Pro Box tower speakers too. I'm not sure how much they cost but I've heard them in person and they are nice with the correct tuning. I have a probox sub in my truck so I'm familiar with their lines quality a little bit.
One issue with Kicker's new line of tower speakers are the rated specs. Their 9" and 11" drivers both have 1.25 voice coil and 300 RMS with 600 Max wattage. You would think that the 11" driver would take more wattage. So why even buy the 11" driver if the 9" can push the same power and probably sound the same? lol. Kicker cracks me up.

Cone area has nothing to do with power handling. Many other factors involved but clearly more bass output is the most obvious.

Man why did ou have to wait until now? I needed some entertainment while at work lol

 

[FloJet]

Dude you are full of BS and non informed. You are one person I don't respect and will be on you all day when you say something wrong.

 

[adrianp89]

Dude you are full of BS and non informed. You are one person I don't respect and will be on you all day when you say something wrong.

Whenever you can prove me wrong I will gladly accept that. I am not perfect and I am not always right. There has already been second and third opinions in other discussions backing up what I say.

 

[FloJet]

Whenever you can prove me wrong I will gladly accept that. I am not perfect and I am not always right. There was already been second and third opinions in other discussions backing up what I say.

You are a FOOL

 

[adrianp89]

To the OP... keep the speakers in your cart and check back every now and then. Amazon does weird stuff like that but it will go back down in the next week or two.

 

[swatski]

Appreciate the responses. When I first posted this, I found the KMT674 for $315 on Amazon. I just looked again and it's now $497 which doesn't seem like it's as good of a deal. I may wait until the new series is launched which is shown on their website as it includes the swivel mount. Maybe @swatski will downgrade and sell me his Icon's!

My biggest thing is that I'd like more sound. I have 4 of the DB652's installed and and even with the amp at WOT it's still difficult to hear or sounds distorted. I was attempting to find tower speakers that could point towards the back if I'm pulling someone or point down into the cockpit while I'm driving. I don't think that's going to be something that's easy to find.

That's a tough one. You would definitely need HLCD tower speakers for anything beyond surfing distance behind the swim deck - which puts you in the REV8/REV10 territory albeit those Kicker HLCDs could do on a budget. With that come cost and battery capacity issues.
You are also battling the noise, which is high in these boats, and not exactly a low rumble unfortunately.

I'm still not sure what is the best overall system for these boats... Polk DB561/2s are extremely efficient and not too shabby for sound, so I'm fine with that. If I ever upgrade, it would probably be JL - M880s for the tower, MX650s for the cabin. Not sue about subwoofer, but the M10IB5 would probably replace my lowly Infinity Basslink (which is actually quite good - I just needed to crank it up/"tune") - and I might put it in an enclosure (for the IB sub to sound loud, huh!).

But what keeps me from doing it is the power demands on any such system - with the currently available marine amps (even D class) still being obnoxiously large and power hungry. It is still "the heavier the better" world in a way - as the biggest part of those amps are power supplies, thermal overloads and some such.

I almost feel there has got to be some breakthrough technology coming up, sort of ,ile the class D amps of late 90s when Bang Olufsen was revolutionizing it. IDK. I think I'll wait. Until then - my Clarion XC1410s, awesome little brutes, along with the ICONS /WS HT4.

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[seanmclean]

You are a FOOL

Whenever you can prove me wrong I will gladly accept that. I am not perfect and I am not always right. There has already been second and third opinions in other discussions backing up what I say.

Dude, seriously you two need to stop the pissing contest.

 

[adrianp89]

That's a tough one. You would definitely need HLCD tower speakers for anything beyond surfing distance behind the swim deck - which puts you in the REV8/REV10 territory albeit those Kicker HLCDs could do on a budget. With that come cost and battery capacity issues.
You are also battling the noise, which is high in these boats, and not exactly a low rumble unfortunately.

I'm still not sure what is the best overall system for these boats... Polk DB561/2s are extremely efficient and not too shabby for sound, so I'm fine with that. If I ever upgrade, it would probably be JL - M880s for the tower, MX650s for the cabin. Not sue about subwoofer, but the M10IB5 would probably replace my lowly Infinity Basslink (which is actually quite good - I just needed to crank it up/"tune") - and I might put it in an enclosure (for the IB sub to sound loud, huh!).

But what keeps me from doing it is the power demands on any such system - with the currently available marine amps (even D class) still being obnoxiously large and power hungry. It is still "the heavier the better" world in a way - as the biggest part of those amps are power supplies, thermal overloads and some such.

I almost feel there has got to be some breakthrough technology coming up, sort of ,ile the class D amps of late 90s when Bang Olufsen was revolutionizing it. IDK. I think I'll wait. Until then - my Clarion XC1410s, awesome little brutes, along with the ICONS /WS HT4.

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I think efficiency is close to maxed out, a lot of class Ds are pushing 90% now. The market trend seems to be into these "micro" amps. Much like the Alpine PowerPack, the Kicker PXA line, I think I have seen the Clarion mentioned here. There isn't big power in them yet, but the offerings are enough to do a full system. They have have 500.1 and 300.4 micro amps. I do believe most of these are also marine rated, as they were originally (and still are marketed) for power sports.