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Product Spotlight: KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures

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KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures

Adding a subwoofer system to a pickup truck is one of the best audio system upgrades you can make. The mobile audio specialists at KICKER have developed an entire series of truck-specific enclosures that use their world-famous square L7T thin subwoofers to deliver maximum bass. Let’s take a look at the enclosure solutions offered by KICKER.

KFDL7T102 Subwoofer System for Ford Trucks

The KFDL7T102 is a dual custom-made down-firing MDF enclosure that houses a pair of 10-inch L7T square subwoofers. Combined, the enclosure can handle up to 1,000 watts of power. That’s not peak power, we’re talking 500-watts of continuous power handling per driver. That’s a great match for the CX800.1 or even better, the LX850.1 amp.

The enclosure features integrated bracing to ensure the panels are vibration-free, so your bass sounds tight and controlled. Rounded front corners match the contours of the seats for a tidy appearance and leg clearance while entering or exiting the vehicle. The system sensitivity is 87.1 dB at 1W/1M and the enclosure has a nominal impedance of two ohms.

The KFDL7T102 works with 2009 through 2026 Ford F-150 Crew Cab and 2017 through 2026 Super Duty Crew Cab trucks. Removal of under-seat items like inverters, spare tire tools or floor mats may be required to complete the installation of these subwoofer solutions.

KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures
The KFDL7T102 enclosure fits F-150 and Super Duty trucks and features a pair of down-firing 10-inch L7T subwoofers.

KGMDL7T122 Subwoofer Enclosure for Chevy and GMC Trucks

The KGMDL7T122 is another custom enclosure that is designed for 2008 and newer Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks. The enclosure is contoured to fit the front corners of the bench seat and clear the hinge mechanism at the back. As with all the KICKER L7T truck enclosure, the KGMDL7T122 is finished in thick black carpet for great looks and durability.

The KGMDL7T122 has a pair of 12-inch L7T thin subwoofers that are wired to a nominal impedance of two ohms. Continuous power handling on the enclosure is an impressive 1200 watts, making it an ideal match for the CX1200.1 or the LX1250.1.

KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures
The KGMDL7T122 features a pair of square 12-inch subwoofers that can handle 600 watts each!

KRDL7T102 RAM Classic and K5RDL7T102 Fifth-Gen Truck Enclosures

If you own a RAM truck, then KICKER has a solution that should work with your application. The KRDL7T102 enclosure is designed for Classic-Series RAM trucks including 2002 through 2018 Ram Quad Cab, 2009 through 2018 Crew Cab, 2003 through 2026 RAM 2500/3500 Quad Cab, 2009 through 2026 RAM 2500/3500 Crew Cab and 2019 through 2024 Ram 1500 Classic Quad and Crew Cab trucks. The K5RDL7T102 enclosure is designed for fifth-generation Ram Crew Cab trucks from 2019 through 2026. If your truck has a flat floor under the back seat with no molded cup holder, then the K5RDL7T102 is the right solution for you!

Both of these enclosures feature a pair of 10-inch L7T thin subwoofers in an up-firing configuration. The subwoofers are protected with mesh grilles to protect the cones from running into the seat bottom. Power handling is 1,000 watts continuous and the system has a nominal impedance of two ohms.

KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures
The KRDL7T102 enclosure fits most RAM Classic trucks and features a pair of 10-inch L7T subwoofers.
KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures
The K5RDL7T102 features a pair of 10-inch L7T subwoofers in an enclosure designed for fifth-generation RAM Crew Cab trucks.

KTDL7T102 for Toyota Tacoma Trucks

If you have a 2005 through 2023 Toyota Tacoma four-door pickup truck, then the KICKER KTDL7T102 is designed specifically for your application. This enclosure fits behind the rear seat instead of underneath it, so cab space is retained. The enclosure is home to a pair of square L7T 10-inch subwoofers and is wired to present a two-ohm load to the amplifier. A notch in the enclosure allows it to clear the split seat hinge mechanism. Grilles are included to protect the woofers.

Of course, the enclosure is wrapped in durable black carpet for a tidy appearance. A pair of KICKER badges let everyone know you are rocking bass provided by one of the best in business.

KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures
Toyota Tacoma truck owners can add the KTDL7T102 subwoofer enclosure to transform their audio system into a mobile concert.

Upgrade Your Pickup Truck with KICKER Today!

If you have a Sierra, Silverado, RAM, F-150 or Tacoma, then KICKER has a subwoofer enclosure solution that will breathe new life into your car stereo. Many new solutions are coming soon, including a tailgate subwoofer for the Jeep Wrangler! For the latest information, check out the KICKER website and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! You can find an authorized KICKER retailer near you using the Dealer Locator on the website.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Why Certified Professionals Deliver Faster, More Accurate, and More Reliable Vehicle Upgrades

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Reliable Results

When a vehicle is upgraded or repaired, the quality of the work depends heavily on who performs it. Certified professionals bring formal training, verified skills, and adherence to industry standards that directly translate into faster completion, greater accuracy, and longer-lasting reliability. For consumers, choosing a certified technician is not just a credential preference – it is a practical decision that protects both time and investment.

Reliable ResultsCertified professionals are trained to work efficiently without sacrificing precision. Their education focuses on proven processes, correct tool usage, and systematic diagnostics. Rather than relying on trial-and-error, they follow established procedures to identify issues quickly and implement the correct solution the first time. This efficiency reduces vehicle downtime, minimizes repeat visits, and ensures upgrades or repairs are completed on schedule.

Accuracy is another key advantage. Modern vehicles integrate complex electrical, electronic, and safety systems that require a deep understanding of how components interact. Certified technicians are tested on these systems and must demonstrate competency before earning their credentials. This reduces the risk of misdiagnosis, improper installation, or overlooked details that can lead to performance issues or system failures. Accurate work not only improves immediate results but also prevents secondary problems caused by incorrect service.

Long-term reliability is where certification delivers the most value. Certified professionals install and repair components in accordance with manufacturer specifications and industry best practices. This includes proper wiring, secure mounting, accurate calibration, and thorough testing before returning the vehicle. Because work done to these standards is far less likely to fail prematurely, develop intermittent issues, or compromise other vehicle systems, the value of certification becomes even clearer.

Reliable ResultsCertification emphasizes ongoing education. As vehicles and aftermarket technologies evolve, certified professionals must stay current with new products, standards, and service techniques. This ensures repairs and upgrades remain compatible with future needs.

Finally, certified professionals operate within accountable systems, where their credentials can be verified, their work is often documented, and their reputation depends on maintaining compliance with certification requirements. This level of accountability encourages consistency, professionalism, and attention to detail, benefiting every customer.

In short, certified professionals upgrade and repair vehicles faster by using efficient processes, deliver greater accuracy through informed, tested work, and ensure greater reliability by following established standards. Certification is not just a title; it offers a measurable advantage that delivers better outcomes for both the vehicle and its owner.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Audison APBX 10 AS2

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Audison APBX 10 AS2

One of the best upgrades you can make to your car audio system is to add a high-quality subwoofer. Whether you are working with a simple factory-installed radio and speaker system or planning a studio-quality listening environment, accurately reproducing bass frequencies is important. The folks at Audison have a full line of compact subwoofer enclosures that can transform your system from good to awesome. In this spotlight, we will look at the Audison APBX 10 AS2.

Features of the Audison APBX 10 AS2

The APBX 10 AS2 is a low-profile 10-inch active subwoofer enclosure. The term “active” means this unit has an integrated amplifier. Essentially, with some wiring to feed it power and a signal from the radio, this is all you need to add bass to your car, truck, or SUV.

The enclosure measures 17.3 inches long, 13.2 inches wide, and stands a mere 6.2 inches tall. The amplifier is mounted on one of the thin side panels, and the subwoofer is designed to fire down into the floor or back wall of your car or truck. Feet are included to raise the enclosure off the floor so the subwoofer doesn’t hit anything. The enclosure has rounded corners for a little extra style.

The amplifier included with the APBX 10 AS2 is rated to provide up to 400 watts of power. Audison uses a 0.16-ohm low-impedance driver in the enclosure, so the amp doesn’t need a switching power supply. This design is said to boost system efficiency.

Audison APBX 10 AS2
The Audison APBX 10 AS2 looks neat and tidy once installed.

Amplifier and Integration Features

The amplifier can accept speaker-level or preamp signals to ensure integration with factory-installed and aftermarket source units is simple and reliable. In high-level mode, the amp will accept up to 8 Vrms on the speaker leads. In low-level mode, the maximum input is 4 Vrms.

The amp has a three-position remote turn-on function switch. The amp can be activated when 12 Volts is applied to the remote terminal. Alternatively, in DC mode, the amp’s circuitry will monitor the speaker wires for the DC offset voltage from a BTL amplifier. Finally, if neither of those options works with your source unit, the amp can detect an electrical audio signal to bring things to life.

In terms of signal processing, the amp has a crossover that can be adjusted from 50 to 300 hertz and features a second-order Butterworth alignment. The internal crossover can be defeated with the Lo-Pass/By-Pass switch if you have a source unit or signal processor with integrated filtering. There is also a bass boost function that lets your installer dial in a bump of up to 6 dB at 45 Hz to add a little extra thump to your music. Finally, there’s a fixed fourth-order (-24 dB/Octave) infrasonic filter set to 24 Hz.

Audison APBX 10 AS2
All connections to the amp can be remoted without tools in the event you need to free up some cargo space.

Audison includes their HRC AP remote level control with the APBX 10 AS2. This remote connects to the amp via the included 3.5mm jack. Your installer can mount the control on the dashboard or in the center console to give you control over the bass level. While the original gain setting should provide a nice balance, sometimes we want a little more or a little less bass, depending on our mood or the choice of music.

The amplifier includes a feature called Dynamic Bass Tracking (DBT). This circuitry monitors the audio input in real time to prevent signals that could cause distortion, keeping your music from sounding bad. This circuit will also prevent damage to the woofer.

Audison APBX 10 AS2
The Dynamic Bass Tracking built into the APBX 10 AS2 helps to prevent high-level transients from adding significant amounts of distortion.

Audison Subwoofer Features

The subwoofer integrated into the enclosure is based on Audison’s APS 10 series of drivers. The subwoofer features a heavy-gauge stamped-steel chassis to which a single ferrite magnet is affixed. Cooling vents in the basket, under the spider mounting plateau, help to keep the voice coil assembly cool. There are also vents in the cone to allow hot air to escape from the motor assembly.

The cone is made of pressed paper with a water-repellent coating to prevent it from absorbing moisture in humid or damp climates. A polypropylene dust cap keeps debris out of the magnetic gap and gives the driver’s face a clean, classy appearance.

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Audison Today!

If you want to take your car audio system to the next level, drop by an authorized Audison retailer today and ask about the APBX 10 AS2 subwoofer enclosure. Audison offers a similarly designed, but slightly more compact 8-inch solution called the APBS 8 AS2 if space is at a premium.

You can find an authorized retailer using the locator tool on the Audison website. Be sure to follow Audison on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn about all the amazing audio integration solutions they offer.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

How to Find a Shop with MECP Certified Professionals for Your Upgrade

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MECP Certified Professionals

If you’re thinking about upgrading your vehicle with accessories like a new audio system, remote start, lighting, security, or driver-assistance technology, choose a shop that employs MECP Certified professionals. Many vehicle owners don’t realize there is a recognized certification program for automotive electronics specialists. Selecting certified professionals can make a major difference in the reliability, safety, and performance of your upgrade.

Think of it the same way you would choose a certified electrician or mechanic. Certification shows that the person working on your vehicle has demonstrated knowledge of the systems they work on and understands the standards used across the automotive electronics industry.

What MECP Certification Means

MECP Certified ProfessionalsThe Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) program is the automotive aftermarket industry’s recognized certification for professionals who sell, design, and install aftermarket vehicle electronics. The program benefits professionals by validating their expertise to employers and customers, supporting career advancement, and demonstrating a commitment to quality through verified knowledge in electrical systems, installation, product integration, and troubleshooting.

Modern vehicles use complex electronic networks controlling infotainment, safety, driver assistance, and power management. Installing aftermarket equipment requires understanding how these systems interact. Upgrades must be integrated safely and reliably.

MECP certification confirms professionals have the technical knowledge to work with these systems and follow industry-recognized installation practices. More details can be found in the article titled Why Certification Matters.

Look for Certification on the Sales Side

One of the easiest ways to identify a professional automotive accessories shop is by looking at the sales staff who help you choose your equipment. Shops with MECP-certified sales staff provide better recommendations by understanding both products and vehicles.

Certified professionals don’t just sell equipment based on price or popularity. They consider vehicle compatibility, system integration, and electrical details. This helps ensure your recommended system performs as you expect. When knowledgeable professionals guide your choices, you get equipment that fits your goals and your vehicle’s capabilities.

Certified Installation Technicians Deliver Better Results

Proper education matters most during installation. MECP installation technicians are certified in wiring, circuit protection, electrical safety, system integration, and troubleshooting. These skills are essential for work on modern vehicles with sensitive electronics and complex networks.

When a shop employs certified installation technicians, customers frequently benefit from:

  • More efficient installation times
  • Faster troubleshooting if problems occur
  • Installations that conform to industry standards
  • Greater long-term reliability of the system

Certified technicians route wiring, protect circuits, integrate with factory systems, and test installations thoroughly before returning the vehicle to the customer. The result is an upgrade that performs consistently and avoids many of the problems that can occur with poorly executed installations.

Better Workmanship Often Comes with Better Warranties

MECP Certified Professionals

 

Another advantage of choosing a shop that employs certified professionals is the confidence they have in the quality of their work.

Certified technicians follow recognized standards and understand vehicle systems. Many shops offer stronger guarantees, sometimes including a lifetime warranty, and some manufacturers provide longer product warranties when installation is done by certified professionals.

Installation errors are one of the most common causes of accessory failures. Improper grounding, overburdened circuits, poor connections, or incorrect integration can lead to electrical issues that appear weeks or months later. When upgrades are installed by trained professionals who follow established procedures, those problems are much less likely.

How to Verify Credentials in Real Time

Another benefit of the MECP program is that certification credentials and a technician finder can be found quickly and easily on your phone, tablet, or computer! MECP provides you the tools to find a facility that has professionals and the ability to verify them, in the palm of your hand.

Certified professionals can provide a digital credential verification that confirms their certification status and level. This allows employers, customers, and event organizers to quickly verify that the professional’s certification is active and valid. Vehicle owners can also learn more about certification and its benefits by visiting the official MECP website. The site explains the certification program and why choosing a shop with certified professionals helps protect your vehicle and your investment.

A Simple Way to Protect Your Vehicle Upgrade

Today’s vehicles rely heavily on advanced electronics, and aftermarket upgrades must be carefully integrated to avoid problems with current systems. Selecting a shop with MECP Certified professionals ensures your vehicle upgrades are expertly handled from beginning to end, giving you peace of mind that the work is done properly.

Certified sales specialists help recommend the right solutions for your vehicle and goals. Certified installation technicians ensure those upgrades are installed in accordance with industry standards for safety, performance, and long-term reliability. When planning an upgrade, always choose certified professionals. This simple step protects your investment and ensures the job is done right.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

The OEM Audio Upgrade Path

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OEM Audio UpgradeYears ago, when someone wanted to make their car stereo system sound better, they bought a new radio. With the complexity of modern infotainment systems, upgrading your radio isn’t always possible. So, what’s a music enthusiast to do? As it turns out, the radio is the least of your worries – unless, of course, it happens to be broken. Read on to find out more about our tried-and-true OEM audio upgrade path.

The Weakest Link

What is it about factory stereos that enthusiasts don’t like? Ask most of them, and they’ll tell you that the system doesn’t play loudly enough and that it doesn’t produce enough bass. Rather than muck around with expensive source units and complicated integration modules, why not simply address the weak points?

Step 1: Add a Subwoofer

OEM Audio Upgrade
Vehicle specific enclosures like this Stealthbox from JL Audio take up minimal space and sound much better than a factory subwoofer.

Subwoofers get a bad rap. The stereotype is that they are very large and are only good for making mirrors shake and the trunk lid vibrate. The reality is that a subwoofer is a fundamental component of a truly great-sounding audio system upgrade. Even in a Mustang or Corvette with 8- or 10-inch door speakers, adding a properly designed subwoofer system will result in a massive improvement.

Before you get hung up on losing your storage space to a subwoofer system, there are many options for extremely compact solutions that take up little to no room at all. Several companies offer compact powered woofers that will fit under a seat. These solutions can warm up your sound system nicely.

The next step up in performance would be an enclosure that places a sub in an existing storage area. Many companies offer vehicle-specific solutions that use fiberglass or roto-molded plastic enclosures. Some of these solutions include an amplifier and vehicle-specific wiring that makes the installation quick and easy. These systems typically feature an eight- or 10-inch subwoofer. The result is solid low-frequency extension and great output up to moderately loud listening levels.

If you are searching for the epitome of subwoofer performance, your local mobile enhancement retailer can create an enclosure that is specific to your vehicle and your requirements. From an audiophile-grade single sub in a compact sealed enclosure to something with two or more high-excursion drivers in a large vented cabinet – your choice depends on your expectations. Listen to a few systems and decide what’s right for you.

Step 2: Add an Amplifier

We’ve addressed the bottom few octaves of our system with the subwoofer. The next step is to add an amplifier to the midrange and high-frequency speakers. If your factory stereo doesn’t have an amplifier, then you are likely only getting 18 to 20 watts of real power to each speaker. Even a modestly powered amplifier will provide about three times as much power. With more power, your stereo will sound better at higher volumes. The garbled distortion that plagues most factory stereo systems when you turn up the volume will be gone.

Because most amplifiers include an electronic crossover, your installer can filter out the bass from your smaller speakers. This filtering allows your small speakers to do a much better job of reproducing midrange and high frequencies – both clearer and louder.

I’d Like to Order the Combo, Please

OEM Audio Upgrade
This Kenwood eXcelon XR900-5 can power an entire system.

If you know your ultimate goal for your sound system will include a subwoofer and an amplifier for the speakers, you may want to consider buying a five-channel amplifier. These amplifiers include four discrete channels for your front and rear speakers and a high-power channel dedicated to powering a subwoofer. By combining your amplification requirements into a single chassis, your installer will be able to install it faster, and you won’t need any power distribution components.

Step 3: Upgrade Your Speakers

OEM Audio Upgrade
The Audiofrog midrange driver offers significant improvement over factory speakers of its size.

Once you have an amplifier, it’s time to upgrade your speakers. Though there are arguments for a speaker upgrade as an early part of the process, speakers need amplifier power to shine. Connecting a set of components to the little amplifier built into a radio simply doesn’t do them justice.

Premium aftermarket speakers not only provide smoother frequency response and less distortion than OEM speakers, but their increased excursion capabilities will allow them to play louder – but only when they have adequate power.

Choosing a set of speakers can be very difficult. There are thousands of options available from hundreds of manufacturers. Most retailers carry one or two high-end brands, each with a variety of options in each speaker size. While it is often easier to buy well-known brands, many companies put more effort into marketing than they do into developing speakers that sound amazing. We suggest auditioning as many speakers as possible, using the same selection of music each time. After a while, it’ll be easy to hear the difference between a great speaker and one that is marketed well.

Installation Matters

OEM Audio Upgrade
This speaker installation by Adrenaline Autosound depicts best practices in speaker installation.

Unlike a new Bluetooth speaker from the local big box store, the performance of your mobile sound system depends significantly on its installation and configuration. Amplifiers require properly sized high-quality wiring. Electrical connections need to be mechanically secure and properly protected. Speaker installation has a dramatic effect on their performance. Solid mounting adapters that are water-resistant are an absolute must. The option to add sound damping material to the doors or foam coupling rings to the front of the speakers is also a sign that the shop you are dealing with cares about the performance of your system.

Amplifiers need proper configuration. Each source has different voltage capabilities. These voltage capabilities determine how the sensitivity controls on your installer will configure your amplifier, and ultimately, how loud the system will play without significant distortion. Crossovers need to be set properly to protect small speakers from damage while still ensuring your system sounds great. Many technicians make the process look easy, but it takes years to learn the art of proficient system configuration.

The Next Steps

OEM Audio Upgrade
Mosconi processors are some of the best in class.

Though we’ll save it for a future article, the next step in upgrading your OEM stereo system would be to add a digital signal processor. A properly tuned processor will allow your installer to compensate for speaker placement and reflections and resonances within the vehicle. The result is smooth and natural frequency response and a dramatically improved soundstage with impressive imaging.

Upgrade Your OEM Stereo System Today

If you are tired of distorted sound and wimpy bass, drop by your local mobile enhancement retailer and ask about upgrading your sound system. With a carefully planned upgrade path, you can work towards whatever goal suits your requirements in stages. Each stage will provide an audible and impressive upgrade. With each step, your music will sound more lifelike and realistic. It will truly be a case of having heard your favorite songs for the first time, all over again.
This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.