Reddit reviews KnuKonceptz Kolossus 8 Gauge OFC Amplifier Installation Kit

Check out KnuKonceptz for wire: http://www.amazon.com/KnuKonceptz-Kolossus-Gauge-Amplifier-Installation/dp/B0058OENJ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1413144630&sr=8-3&keywords=knukonceptz+8+gauge

Go for the 8 gauge OFC or 4 gauge CCA.

Sub

Amp

Box

Wiring

Slightly over your budget (~$280), but a pretty good combo at that price. You can switch the sub to get the cost down a little more. But, that Alpine will pull the full 500w from that amp whereas this Kenwood sub will only pull 300w.

Edit: Didn't notice you already have a Knukonceptz wiring kit. In that case, this is right at your budget.

$140 subs

$95 Box

$115 amp

$60 amp kit

You didn't give a budget, so I went with something middle of the road, high value setup. Walmart is an authorized retailer of Pioneer, so you get a warranty. Cranked up, it will drown out your stock speakers... but you can turn it down to suit your situation.


If you are looking for something that will blend in with a stock system and have no plans on upgrading everything else.... swap the subs, amp, and wire kit out like so.

My vote goes to this Soundqubed sub and either this Fosgate amp, this Alpine amp, this Kenwood amp, or this Pioneer amp. All those amps are good brands and will be decent. As for the box, make your own. Shouldn't cost more that 50. Also will need wires, KnuKnoceptz makes great wire for cheap, this 8 guage ofc wire kit that would match up perfectly with all these amps is like 34 bucks for quality wire. Sadly all this will add up somewhere around 300 but if you find the amp used you might be able to slide under 250. If you go used make sure you get a quality brand. Don't skimp on the box or wire either, they are both just as important as a good amp and sub combo.

Like /u/effin_dead_again said, please return that Boss amp. It is probably the worst brand out there for audio. A lot of people on here recommend this Pioneer amp if you want something cheap.

Here is a KnuKonceptz 8 gauge kit. I like their wires. I've heard good things about the NVX wires too.

Car Audio Fabrication and sonicelectronix have great how to car audio videos. But I won't bull shit you, a 4ch amp install is a lot of work.

I'll do my best to explain what's involved though and I'm gonna use some pictures to try and better get my point across because sometimes I don't even understand what im typeing.

So if you have a non factory amplified set up it will look something like this. The radio will have a plug in it that has a pair of wires for each speaker, a positive and a negative. A factory amplified system will look something like this. The set of speaker wires running out of the factory radio will run into the factory amp and then on out to each speaker. An aftermarket amp can be installed in both situations but the install will differ slightly.

One of the first things you'll need is an amp hook up kit. It has the power wire, fuse holder, ground wire, and a set of RCAs you can use to set up your amp. If you plan on adding a second amp for a sub at a later point you may want to consider buying a bigger power wire (smaller number = bigger) and run it back to a distrabution block so you won't have to do a second run later. You'll run the power wire with a fuse on it from the positive terminal of your battery through your firewall back to where you'll place your amp. Sometimes you'll be able to find a existing grommet to run the wire through and other times you may have to drill your own hole. For the ground you'll find a nice solid chunk of the car to clean the paint off and then using a bolt or screws attach the ground wire to the car.

Next thing to consider will be how to get a signal form your factory radio into your aftermarket amp. Aftermarket radios use RCA outputs but factory radio don't have them. So you'll need a line output converter (LOC). They come in all kinds of flavor from basic that will just drop the speaker level signal to something the amp wants to see to advanced that will give you some added control over your audio signal. What you'll do is cut the speaker outputs from your radio and run them into the corresponding inputs on the LOC. This can get tricky because the factory colors for the speaker wires are not standard to aftermarket color codes. You'll have to do some homework to find out what colors are what wires for your factory radio. While you're behind the radio you'll also grab the switch to 12 V signal that turns on your factory radio to run to the turn on of the aftermarket amplifier so it only turns on when your key is on and it shuts off when you shut the car off.

Once you've got those connections made you'll use RCA cables to run the signal from the LOC back to the amp. Now that you've got a signal into the amp you've got to get the speakers hooked up to the amp. The easiest way to do that is with Multi conductor / speedwire bundle hooked up to the amp outputs and run back up to behind the factory radio to reattach to the wires that were cut that run out to the speakers. All done it will look something like this. The major difference in the situation that you have a factory amp will be that that instead of connecting the speed wire from the amp outputs to the wires you cut coming out of the factory radio you will go to the wires coming out of the factory amp, like this.

Once the connections have been made it's time to set the gain on the amp so that you only provide clean power to the speakers. Sonic has a good series of videos on the many methods to set gains. There is also a guide in the sidebar.

Damn that's a wall of text but hopefully it gives you an idea of what's involved. If you don't feel up to it just call around or head in to some local shops and get some quotes for what the labor and parts costs will be and go with the shop you'd feel comfortable with working on your car.

Thanks for the info. Link to my amp kit, if that helps: https://www.amazon.com/KnuKonceptz-Kolossus-Gauge-Amplifier-Installation/dp/B0058OENJ2

allow me to make a suggestion
this amp and this box and this sub and this wiring kit

here is that same kit on [amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/KnuKonceptz-Kolossus-Gauge-Amplifier-Installation/dp/B0058OENJ2/ref=sr_1_2?crid=29PELXXMWJLMP&keywords=knukonceptz+kolossus+8+gauge+ofc+amplifier+installation+kit&qid=1559105133&s=gateway&sprefix=knukonceptz+ofc+8+gauge%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-2), though if you plan on doing more you might just get the 4 gauge instead

I've always wanted to give These a shot for a budget build. Also grab This amp kit. My philosophy is don't buy something that will make you long for more, save that $250, and add another $250, and you'll be much happier.

So this is what I should go with:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_21675_MTX-TNP212D2.html - Sub/Amp

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058OENJ2/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1NLNJ4Y2QP8Z - Amp Kit

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_5265_PAC-SNI-35.html - LOC

[Subs] (http://www.amazon.com/MTX-Terminator-TNE212D-200-Watt-Enclosure/dp/B001JECAM2)

[Amp] (http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-MRV-M500-Mono-subwoofer-amplifier/dp/B00BMR7UPS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1383005622&sr=1-1&keywords=alpine+mrv-m500)

Wire

If you have Prime all this will be under $300. If you don't I have no idea what it will be as I don't see the normal Amazon price. But this will provide very nice strong low end. Good starting base.

American Bass

PPI

Enclosure will require you to glue and screw.

Wiring Kit

$236 total. I would not go any cheaper.

You'll need a sub, box, amp, and wiring kit for the install. You already have an aftermarket radio, so you don't need an LOC. Unless you get a loaded enclosure, I don't see this getting bought and installed all for $300. Labor at Best Buy is going to be $150, maybe cheaper if you buy the junk they have on sale. Here are some suggestions anyways:

PPI monoblock - $100

Rockford p2d4 - $80

10" sealed box - $30

Knukonceptz 8awg ofc wire kit - $36

Total: $246 shipped to your door

Decent quality dependable brand. All-in-one setup that allows the quick/easy removal/install. Fits your budget. Combine that with this wiring kit and you're right at $300.

https://www.amazon.com/KnuKonceptz-Kolossus-Gauge-Amplifier-Installation/dp/B0058OENJ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=knukonceptz+8&qid=1573274385&sr=8-4

Switch the seller to Rockford Fosgate and shipped by Amazon and you'll get a 30 Day trial with no questions return. I'm betting you'll be happy with it, but free returns if not.

Thank you! So the wiring kit you posted is good to go if I switch to that? I'll look into the head unit. And, yea I think I really just need to power the subs. I plan to wire the other speakers just from the head unit.


So updated setup -
Wiring Kit - https://www.amazon.com/KnuKonceptz-Kolossus-Gauge-Amplifier-Installation/dp/B0058OENJ2/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ofc+8+guage&qid=1571410941&s=electronics&sr=1-4


Headunit either Pioneer or Alpine


Amp - https://www.amazon.com/Skar-Audio-RP-600-5-Full-Range-5-Channel/dp/B01LW8V8CD/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=pioneer%2B5%2Bchannel%2Bamp&qid=1571410867&s=electronics&sr=1-5&th=1


Same speakers and subs.


You think that's will provide a decent quality audio experience?

Whatever you do, spend the extra money on Oxygen Free Copper 4 guage for power. If you have any issues Copper Clad Aluminum will melt and catch fire, and is just all around terrible and incredibly unsafe. I would Recommend Dual for very cheap budget amps. Also might want to look at pioneer amps as well. Boss is just complete trash no matter how you look at it. Otherwise the speakers and head unit are very solid choices.

Actualy, now that I think of it, you can get an AMAZING head unit for not much more: https://www.amazon.com/Alpine-iLX-W650-Mech-Less-Receiver-Compatible/dp/B07NQ2BRFM

If your budget can afford it, you can get something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Skar-Audio-RP-600-5-Full-Range-5-Channel/dp/B01LW7Z8NI/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=pioneer+5+channel+amp&qid=1571410867&s=electronics&sr=1-5 or if you just need power for the sub then https://www.amazon.com/Skar-Audio-RP-600-5-Full-Range-5-Channel/dp/B01LW8V8CD/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=pioneer%2B5%2Bchannel%2Bamp&qid=1571410867&s=electronics&sr=1-5&th=1

And with OFC, you can use one size smaller due to higher quality, so this wiring kit will be ideal for your uses: https://www.amazon.com/KnuKonceptz-Kolossus-Gauge-Amplifier-Installation/dp/B0058OENJ2/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ofc+8+guage&qid=1571410941&s=electronics&sr=1-4

For the box, I'll need dimensions, but heres a good cheap setup.
Skar 800RMS amplifier:
https://www.amazon.com/Skar-Audio-RP-800-1D-Monoblock-Amplifier/dp/B00TKEKNUO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478295502&sr=8-1&keywords=skar+800

Sundown E-10" subwoofer:
https://www.amazon.com/E-10-V-3-D2-Sundown-Subwoofer/dp/B01CZ1Q9FG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478295580&sr=8-1&keywords=sundown+e-10+d2

Knukonceptz 8-Gauge OFC amp-installation kit:
https://www.amazon.com/KnuKonceptz-Kolossus-Gauge-Amplifier-Installation/dp/B0058OENJ2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1478295603&sr=8-4&keywords=knukonceptz+8+gauge


Total ~ $300 and the box will cost about $50 to make.

For the sub I'm running the Kicker DXA250.1 at 125w due to the sub being wired at 4 ohms, and my future plan is to pick up either the Rockford Fosgate Prime R400-4D or the JL JX400/4D for the door speakers. Chances are I'd realistically run under 500 watts with how I expect the door speakers to be configured (75w RMS x 4).

Naive question - I already purchased the KnuKonceptz Kolossus 8 gauge amp kit - should I just pick up a 4 or even 2 gauge power wire and a distribution block, or should I return that amp install kit and pick up the 4 or 2 gauge?

My old kicker ZX460 was strange, even bridged it didn't have enough headroom with the input signal with 2 channel input even though it claimed you only needed 2 in the manual. I had to give it 4 inputs to get enough input to not have gain hiss. I just used a pair of splitters like these. With that amp you actually don't need locs, you can give it high inputs. If you look at the manual here it shows how to tie in any high level inputs just using male RCA connectors. You could just get a cheap 2 channel RCA cable, cut it in half. You'll now have 4 cables, tie the + and - of those of those together, run one pair to one rear speaker, and the other pair to the other rear speaker. You now have 4 high level inputs that plug into the amp, no need for a loc, no need for RCA splitters, and you can afford to buy decent power cable for the amp.

As far as gauge of power cable, 60A is nothing to scoff at, if you're going to use a walmart kit, I'd go for 4 gauge. Personally I'd use a Knu OFC 8ga which has the 60A fuse that the manual suggest. CCA(copper clad aluminum) which most walmart install kits are, isn't enough for 60A. Some of the best CCA around, the Knu KCA, only suggest 50A for long runs. Though the CX manual wants a 60A external fuse, that amp won't pull anywhere near that much power, so you might be ok using a walmart kit, is it worth risking though?

The only reason to use 2 locs would be to maintain fader control on the amp, since you are using it to power subs, you don't need it. Either 1 lock and a pair of splitters, or the cutting the RCA cable method I mentioned above.

https://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosgate-P300-12-Subwoofer-Enclosure/dp/B007AQ2W6W/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1518320964&sr=1-1&keywords=rockford+powered+sub

https://www.amazon.com/KnuKonceptz-Kolossus-Gauge-Amplifier-Installation/dp/B0058OENJ2/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1518321247&sr=8-13&keywords=ofc+amp+kit

There isn't a better deal. Dead serious. For what you want to spend, that's as close as I see anything worth owning. The amp kit isn't a fire hazard and the sub/amp is complete shit. It's not amazing, but at least you have an amp, sub and box that are going to work together for under $200 and you can add a few extra bucks to get an amp kit that won't burn your car to the ground or corrode into dust in 6 months.

Both items should have a warranty since the sub is "Sold by and ships from Amazon" and, well, an amp kit shouldn't need a warranty anyway but it's sold by Knu via Amazon so it's as legit as buying from them. Which you could probably do for the same price since it's not eligible for Prime anyway and therefore you can cut out the "middle man" as it were and let Knu keep more of the money.

Might even been enough speaker wire in the kit to use to hook up the high level inputs on the powered sub without buying anything extra and you'll have the RCA interconnects for later if you ever buy an aftermarket head unit or end up using/needing an active line output converter or integration device.