My system has plenty of power. Who needs an amp?

You might think you don't need an amp because you have a 400-watt system in your car, or because your new stereo puts out 50 watts a channel. But those are peak wattage ratings, which may boil down to 15 or 20 watts per channel, using the more realistic RMS rating. An amp sends your speakers the power they need to deliver your music with clarity and impact, whether you're using factory speakers or high-performance components. And low-frequency reproduction requires lots of power, so an amp is an absolute must if you're adding a sub to your system.

Our take on the Kicker 12PX200.1

by Buck Pomerantz

Bring the music outside

Kicker designed the PX200.1 subwoofer amp to work in your powersports vehicle, boat, motorcycle, ATV, golf cart, tractor, or any other vehicle using a 12-volt charging system. This weather-resistant music maker fits in the palm of your hand — or on the fairing of your bike — delivering up to 200 watts RMS to your subs, so you can hear the bass clearly as you work or play outside.

Efficient and optimized for low-impedance subs

The PX200.1 employs Kicker's Direct Amp Technology™, using the vehicle's electrical system as its power supply so this bantamweight amp will run cool even while you're pushing it hard and loud. Kicker recommends the PX200.1 for driving one or two CompVT 6.5" 1-ohm subwoofers.

See more info on this item

Highlights:

mono subwoofer amplifier (works in any vehicle with a 12-volt charging system)
100 watts RMS x 1 at 1 ohms (200 watts RMS x 1 at 0.5 ohms)
Direct Amp Technology results in 90% efficiency
switchable low-pass filter (100 Hz, 250 Hz at 24 dB/octave)
selectable bass boost (0, 6 dB at 60 Hz)
fixed subsonic filter (40 Hz, 24 dB/octave)
preamp and speaker-level inputs (speaker-level input requires an optional adapter)
14-gauge power and ground leads recommended — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
fuse rating: 15A x 1
5"W x 2-1/16"H x 3-1/2"D
warranty: 2 years
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Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and specs chart | What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Features and Specs

Performance
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	100 x 1
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) Loading...	N/A
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) Loading...	N/A
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) Loading...	N/A
Minimum Impedance Bridged Loading...	N/A
Minimum Impedance Unbridged Loading...	0.5
Best Frequency Response Loading...	40-250 Hz
THD at Rated RMS Power Loading...	1%
Signal to Noise Ratio Loading...	90 dB
Input Voltage Loading...	---
Features
Amplifier Class Loading...	Not Given
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	100 Hz or 250 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	24 dB/oct
High-Pass Crossover Frequency Loading...	N/A
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) Loading...	N/A
Bass Boost Loading...	0, 6 dB
Bass Boost Frequency Loading...	60 Hz
Fan Cooled Loading...	No
Fuse Rating Loading...	15
Speaker Level Inputs Loading...	Harness
Preamp Outputs Loading...	No
Width (inches) Loading...	5
Height (inches) Loading...	2-1/16
Depth (inches) Loading...	3-1/2
Parts Warranty Loading...	2 Years
Labor Warranty Loading...	2 Years

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

Mono amplifier
12" Input/Output harness
In-line fuse holder
One 15-amp ATO fuse (installed)
Four 1" Self-tapping screws
Two 14-16 Gauge crimp-on ring terminals
Two 11-1/2" Zip-ties
Owner's manual (English/ Spanish/ German/ French)

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features

Overview: PX series amplifiers are designed for motorized vehicles with small battery/charging systems; Kicker's new Direct Amp Technology uses the vehicle's charging system as its power supply, offering 90-percent efficiency. As a result, the PX200.1 draws a maximum of less than 15 amps and outputs solid power without taxing the limited charging capacity found on motorcycles, utility or other vehicles. Little ventilation is required and with its small footprint, the PX200.1 can be installed in motorcycle saddle bags or fairings, glove compartments, or other small spaces.

Power Output: The PX200.1 is a mono amplifier designed to power one or two CVT651 1Ω, 6-3/4" subwoofers. The power output is 100 watts RMS at 1Ω (<1% THD+N) and 200 watts RMS at 0.5Ω (< 10% THD+N).

Controls: The controls are under a rubber cover:

Low Pass Crossover: 100 Hz or 250 Hz; low pass crossover cannot be bypassed
Bass Boost: on/off; 6 dB boost centered at 60 Hz
Input Level: select high (speaker level) or low (line level)
Auto Turn-on: select 12V (amp turns on when +12 volts is applied to the remote wire in the harness) or DC (amp turns on when a 6 volt surge is detected from a speaker level source)
Gain: rotary knob; adjust to match the output of the source unit

Wiring: All the wiring connections are in one Molex plug (power, ground, remote turn-on, speaker output, RCA input).

Speaker Level Input: When connecting a speaker level source, cut the RCA plugs off and splice into the remaining wire. If you prefer not cutting the RCA plugs off, use the Kicker ZS ZISL speaker level to RCA adapter (item number 20609ZiSL, sold separately).

Differential Input: The differential input circuit reduces the likelihood of picking up any engine noise.

Subsonic Filter: The PX200.1 includes a 24 dB/octave subsonic filter, fixed at 40 hertz.

Weather Resistant: The PX Amps are weather-resistant, using a conformal-coated circuit board for protection against the elements. They also include stainless-steel mounting hardware.