Kicker 8L7, 10L7, 12L7, 15L7 Owner's Manual

™

SUBWOOFERS

Q-CLASS

8L7 | 10L7 | 12L7 | 15L7

Owner’s Manual | English

Manual del Propietario | Español
L7 ALTAVOZ PARA SONIDOS GRAVES

Benutzerhandbuch | Deutsch
L7 TIEFTÖNER

Manuel d’utilisation | Française
L7 HAUT-PARLEUR D’EXTRÊMES GRAVES

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L7 SUBWOOFER OWNER’S MANUAL

8L7 | 10L7 | 12L7 | 15L7Models:

Authorized KICKER Dealer:

Purchase Date:

Speaker Model Number:

Speaker Serial Number:

Note: All specifi cations and performance fi gures are subject to change. Please visit
www.kicker.com for the most current information. To get the best performance from your new
KICKER Subwoofer, we recommend using genuine KICKER Accessories and Wiring. Please allow
two weeks of break-in time for the subwoofer to reach optimum performance.

Sound Check: Poor bass response? Check the system phasing by reversing the positive and
negative speaker connections on the subwoofer. If the bass improves, then the subwoofer was
out of phase in reference to the rest of the audio system.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model 8L7 10L7 12L7 15L7
Rated Impedance [Ω] 2 or 4 2 or 4 2 or 4 2 or 4
Fs [Hz] 47.2 37.5 34 26.3
Sensitivity [1W, 1m] 82.4 85.9 86.9 88.6
Qts 0.735 0.507 0.539 0.539
Qms 8.828 9.791 9.488 11.868
Qes 0.802 0.535 0.571 0.565
Re [Ω] 6.6 7.9 6.8 7
Vas [ft³, L] .322, 9.127 1, 28.32 1.92, 54.274 5.263, 149.048
Continuous Power Handling [Watts RMS] 500 750 900 1200
Outer Frame Dimension [in, cm] 8-13/16, 22.4 10-11/16, 27.2 12-9/16, 32 15-5/8, 39.6
Mounting Depth [in, cm] 5-7/16, 13.8 6-7/8, 17.5 7-7/8, 20 9 3/8, 23.9
Mounting Cutout [in, cm] 7-1/4, 18.4 9-5/16, 23.7 11-1/16, 28.1 13-3/4, 34.9

Frequency Response [Hz] 28 - 100 24 - 100 20 - 100 18 - 100

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Variable Cross-Section Elastomeric
Surrounds (Increased Excursion)

Blue-Lace

™

Spider for

Improved Control & Durability

Finned Aluminum Heat
Sinks Around Voice Coil for
Greater Heat Dissipation

Stitched Surround & Cone
for Maximum Bond Strength

Mounting Hardware Covers
for a Clean, Finished Installation

Laser-Etched
Polymer Components
for Improved Bond

FEA Optimized Motor
Structures for Increased
Power Handling

US Patent – www.kicker.com

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WIRING

Use the push terminals to wire your subwoofer in series or parallel.

L7 subwoofers are available with dual 2 (ohm) or dual 4 voice coils. Both
coils must be connected to a source of amplifi cation. The dual 2 woofer
will generate a 1 load if the coils are wired in parallel or a 4 load in series.
The dual 4 woofer will provide a 2 load wired in parallel or 8 load wired
in series. The terminals with the white dots are for the fi rst voice coil. The
terminals with solid-red and solid-black markings are for the second voice coil.

Paralleled Wiring Series Wiring

Dual 2 Voice Coils = 1 Load
Dual 4 Voice Coils = 2 Load

Dual 2 Voice Coils = 4 Load
Dual 4 Voice Coils = 8 Load

+ coil 2+ coil 2-coil 1-

coil 1

amplifi er

amplifi er +

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amplifi er -

+

amplifi er -

Pro Tip: With a KICKER IQ amplifi er, a pair of KICKER QS

speakers, and a few KICKER cables, you’re looking at a full
system upgrade that will dominate! KICKER amplifi ers and
accessories make it easy to upgrade with your existing or
stock source unit. Ask your dealer about KICKER amplifi ers
and speaker upgrades to complete your system!

Paralleled Voice Coils, Woofers in Parallel

Dual 2 Voice Coils in Dual Subwoofer confi guration = 0.5 Load
Dual 4 Voice Coils in Dual Subwoofer confi guration = 1 Load

Series Voice Coils, Woofers in Parallel

Dual 2 Voice Coils in Dual Subwoofer Confi guration = 2 Load
Dual 4 Voice Coils in Dual Subwoofer Confi guration = 4 Load

amplifi er

+

amplifi er -

amplifi er +

amplifi er -

WARNING: If you are using multiple subwoofers that are wired in series to one another, each subwoofer must be in a separate chamber. If not, the

subwoofers could become damaged, resulting in loss of warranty.

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SEALED ENCLOSURE APPLICATIONS

The L7 generates more sound pressure than an equivalently-sized round speaker and excels when used in the recommended sealed boxes. These sealed enclosure
designs give the smoothest response with increased energy at the lowest frequencies, 20Hz–30Hz. These designs deliver massive amounts of highly-accurate bass
and can be driven with punishing levels of amplifi er power. The high performance suspension system can operate in a larger sealed enclosure. This maximum enclosure
volume application is ideal for ultra sound quality installations. The maximum enclosure generates a very fl at response curve and superbly extends the sub-bass
response.

L7 woofers perform well in any size sealed enclosure between the minimum and maximum volume recommendations. These systems will exhibit benefi ts of both designs:
Minimum produces high-impact bass, and maximum generates low bass frequency protraction. Overall, the system will sound more like the recommended enclosure
design it is closest to in enclosure volume. These enclosure recommendations have been calculated with the airspace inside the enclosure and include the displacement
of the woofer. All sealed-enclosure airspace should be fi lled to 50% loose poly-fi l (polyester fi berfi ll) stuffi ng. Do not make the airspace greater than the maximum
enclosure volume recommendation.

Minimum Sealed

3

Model Volume ft

(L) Power Handling

8L7 .4 (11.33) 500W RMS

10L7 .8 (22.65) 750W RMS

12L7 1 (28.32) 900W RMS

15L7 1.75 (49.56) 1200W RMS

Maximum Sealed

3

Model Volume ft

(L) Power Handling

8L7 .75 (21.24) 500W RMS

10L7 1.25 (35.4) 750W RMS

12L7 2 (56.64) 900W RMS

15L7 6 (169.9) 1200W RMS

Panel Dimensions for Minimum Sealed Enclosures using 3/4” (1.9cm) thick MDF

Model Box Volume [ft³, L] Panel A [in, cm] Panel B [in, cm] Panel C [in, cm]

B

8L7 .4 (11.33) 11x11, 27.9x27.9 11x7.75, 27.9x19.69 9.5x7.75, 24.13x19.69

10L7 .8 (22.65) 13.5X13.5, 34.3X34.3 13.5x9.5, 34.3x24.13 12x9.5, 30.5x24.13

C

12L7 1 (28.32) 13.5X13.5, 34.3X34.3 13.5x12, 34.3x30.5 12x12, 30.5x30.5

15L7 1.75 (49.56) 16.5x16.5, 42x42 16.5x13.5, 42x34.3 15X13.5, 38.1X34.3

A

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VENTED ENCLOSURE APPLICATIONS

These boxes are the enclosure of choice for outrageous bass, so if space is not a problem and you want to get the most from your L7, try one of these vented designs.
L7 subwoofers will handle massive amounts of power in any of the recommended enclosures, minimum or maximum. The smaller enclosures are best for use in
limited-space applications. The larger recommended enclosures will yield slightly more bass at the lowest frequencies.

The vented minimum design increases bass effi ciency and fi ts in many space-limited applications. Although it is the smallest recommended vented enclosure, the output
from 30Hz–80Hz will be considerably higher than that of a sealed box. The maximum vented design has even more output in this frequency band. The maximum vented
enclosure is the largest and most effi cient design.

Vented Compact 8L7 10L7 12L7 15L7
Box Volume, ft³ (L) + port displacement .66 (18.69) 1.25 (35.4) 1.75 (49.6) 3.0 (85)
Port Opening Size, in x in (cm x cm) 1.5x9.5 (3.8x24) 2.5x11.25 (6.4x29) 2.5x13.25 (6.4x34) 2.5x16.25 (6.4x41)
Port Length, in (cm) 19.25 (49) 19.75 (50) 22.5 (57) 19.5 (50)
Power Handling, RMS 500 750 900 1200

Vented SQ 8L7 10L7 12L7 15L7
Box Volume, ft³ (L) + port displacement 1 (28.32) 2.25 (63.7) 3.25 (92) 6.0 (170)
Port Opening Size, in x in (cm x cm) 2x9.5 (5.1x24) 3x11.25 (7.6x29) 3x13.25 (7.6x34) 3.5x16.25 (8.9x41)
Port Length, in (cm) 21.25 (54) 18 (46) 14.5 (37) 13.75 (35)
Power Handling, RMS 500 750 900 1200

BOX BUILDING NOTES

Use 3/4” (1.9cm) or thicker MDF (medium density fi berboard) and seal the joints with silicone. Use the “template” inside your L7’s shipping carton to mark the mounting
hole, then cut directly on the line. See Figure 1.

These designs need internal bracing. Add triangular bracing between each of the larger unsupported panels. See Figure 2.

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Figure 2

13 3/4”

D

(34.9 cm)

11 1/16”

(28.1 cm)

Figure 1

Cutout Dimensions

Corner Radius:

D

D

D = 3” x 3” for 12L7, 15L7
D = 2” x 2” for 8L7, 10L7

15L7

12L7

10L7

8L7

9 5/16”

(23.7 cm)

7 1/4”

(18.4 cm)

8L7 - 1.5” (38.1mm)
10L7 - 1.5” (38.1mm)
12L7 - 1.75” (44.5mm)
15L7 - 1.7” (43.2mm)

7 1/4”

(18.4 cm)

9 5/16”

(23.7 cm)

11 1/16”

(28.1 cm)

13 3/4”

(34.9 cm)

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All the cubic feet (L) measurements in this manual include the displacement of the woofer. For the vented enclosures the displacement of the port must be calculated and
added to the internal volume of the fi nal design. Use the outer dimensions of the vent and multiply “X x Y x Z”, and convert to cubic feet, for example the 12L7 vented
Compact design’s external vent dimensions are, using 3/4” (1.9cm) MDF:

[ (13.25” + 1.5” total MDF wall thickness) x (2.5” + 1.5” total MDF wall thickness) x 22.5”] x (1 ft3 / 1728 in3 ) = .77 ft

Add this number to the internal volume of the enclosure. The 12L7 is:

1.75 ft3 + .77 ft3 = 2.52 ft3.

Due to the necessary length of these vents, you may want to fold the vent along the bottom
and back walls. It will be impractical to use round vents for these designs. Do not install a vent
opening against a solid surface, such as an internal brace, back-panel or trunk wall, seat or
interior panel of your vehicle. The vent opening must remain unobstructed. Use the smallest
dimension of the rectangular vent as the minimum amount of space between the vent opening
and any solid surface to insure unrestricted airfl ow.

If you prefer an ultra-smooth bass response, you should loosely fi ll your L7 enclosure with poly­fi l stuffi ng. Vented designs will require covering the end of the port (located inside the box) with
grill cloth, chicken wire, or expanded metal to prevent the poly-fi l from exiting the port. The use
of poly-fi l will slightly decrease effi ciency, but will deepen and extend the low frequency output.

For more advice on box building, refer to your Authorized Kicker Dealer, or click on the Support
tab on the Kicker homepage, www.kicker.com. Please e-mail [e-mail] or call
Technical Support at [phone] for specifi c or unanswered questions.

WARNING: KICKER products are capable of producing sound levels that can permanently
damage your hearing! Turning up a system to a level that has audible distortion is more damaging
to your ears than listening to an undistorted system at the same volume level. The threshold of pain
is always an indicator that the sound level is too loud and may permanently damage your hearing.
Please use common sense when controlling volume.

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING – PROLONGED CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF AN
AMPLIFIER IN A DISTORTED OR CLIPPED MANNER CAN CAUSE YOUR AUDIO
SYSTEM TO OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY CATCHING FIRE AND RESULTING IN SERIOUS
DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPONENTS AND/OR VEHICLE.

Y

3

Z

X

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MANUAL DEL PROPIETARIO DE ALTAVOZ SUBWOOFER L7

8L7 | 10L7 | 12L7 | 15L7Modelos:

Distribuidor autorizado de KICKER:

Fecha de compra:

Número de modelo del altavoz:

Número de serie del altavoz:

ESPECIFICACIONES

Modelo 8L7 10L7 12L7 15L7

Impedancia nominal [Ω] 2 ó 4 2 ó 4 2 ó 4 2 ó 4
Fs [Hz] 47.2 37.5 34 26.3
Sensibilidad [1W, 1m] 82.4 85.9 86.9 88.6
Qts 0.735 0.507 0.539 0.539
Qms 8.828 9.791 9.488 11.868
Qes 0.802 0.535 0.571 0.565
Re [Ω] 6.6 7.9 6.8 7
Vas [ft³, L] .322, 9.127 1, 28.32 1.92, 54.274 5.263, 149.048
Manejo de potencia continua [RMS vatios] 500 750 900 1200
Dimensión externa de bastidor [pul., cm] 8-13/16, 22.4 10-11/16, 27.2 12-9/16, 32 15-5/8, 39.6
Profundidad de instalación [pul., cm] 5-7/16, 13.8 6-7/8, 17.5 7-7/8, 20 9 3/8, 23.9
Recorte de instalación [pul., cm] 7-1/4, 18.4 9-5/16, 23.7 11-1/16, 28.1 13-3/4, 34.9

Respuesta de frecuencia [Hz] 28 - 100 24 - 100 20 - 100 18 - 100

Nota: Todas las especifi caciones y valores de rendimiento están sujetos a cambio. Visite
www.kicker.com para obtener la información más reciente. Para obtener el mejor rendimiento
de su nuevo altavoz Subwoofer de KICKER, le recomendamos usar accesorios y cableado
originales KICKER. Espere dos semanas de ajuste para que el altavoz Subwoofer alcance un
óptimo desempeño.

Verifi cación de sonido: ¿Pobre respuesta en baja frecuencia? Verifi que la fase del sistema al
revertir las conexiones positiva y negativa del altavoz en el subwoofer. Si el bajo mejora, entonces
el subwoofer estaba fuera de fase en relación al resto del sistema de audio.

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Material envolvente elastomérico
transversal variable (mayor variación)

Armazón Blue-Lace

™

para un mejor control
y duración

Disipador térmico de
aluminio aletado alrededor
de la bobina de audio para
disipar aún más el calor

Material envolvente y de cono
con costura para una máxima
resistencia de la unión

Cubiertas de hardware de montaje para
una instalación prolija y con acabado

Componentes de
polímero grabados
con láser para una
mejor unión

Estructuras del motor FEA
optimizadas para un manejo
masivo de potencia

Patente de EE. UU. – www.kicker.com

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