Are you looking for the best amp for Kicker CVR 12″? You’re in the right place.
The right amplifier is one of the most vital components in your home or car stereo setup. An amplifier is merely indispensable when it comes to accomplishing high-quality stereophonic and immersive surround sound.
We have prepared our list of the four best amplifiers for Kicker CompVR 12″ available on the market at the moment.
Best Amps for Kicker Comp VR 12″ – Comparison Table
| Image | Model | Max | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kicker CX1200.1 (Editor's Choice) | 600/1200 | Check Price |
 | Pioneer GM-A3702 (Best on a Budget) | 500 | Check Price |
 | Soundstream PN1.450D | 450 | Check Price |
 | Dayton Audio SPA250 | 250 | Check Price |
1. Kicker CX1200.1 (Editor’s Choice)
The CX1200.1 amplifier is the best amp for Kicker CVR 12″.
It is a vastly improved version of the earlier 43CXA3001 edition, the similarity in features notwithstanding. You use the same ¼” jack cable as you did with the Kicker 43CXA3001 for monitoring bass boost through the remote. However, when it comes to performance, the CX1200.1 has a clear edge over its smaller brethren delivering more powerful output.
This mono amplifier features meticulously designed circuitry with high-grade internal components that guarantee power-packed performance. The CX1200.1 amp now offers you greater wiring choices for your car stereo, thanks to its 1ῼ stability. Featuring a variable bass boost with KickEQ™, this mono amp makes the most of a class-D power plant for delivering up to 6dB of additional thump.
All you need to do for activating the variable bass boost mechanism is turn the CXARC Remote Bass Controller. Fine-tuning your car audio system is a breeze with the included 24dB subsonic filter and the potent 12dB crossover. All CX-Series amps, including the CX1200.1, work with 400 watts (40V) of speaker-level (high-voltage) input signal. For you, this adaptability implies you can achieve the best quality of audio without having to use a line-out converter.
Set up your system with a full-scale amp or connect with other bass-level amplifiers by exploiting the CX1200.1’s full-range outputs. This Kicker CX1200.1 amplifier is capable of delivering up to 1200W into a single-channel bass.
Features
- Class-D amp technology
- Mono subwoofer amplifier
- Fixed subsonic filter (25Hz, 24dB/octave)
- Speaker-level and preamp inputs
- CXARC remote bass level controller (to be bought separately)
- Preamp outputs for pairing with other amps
Pros
- Performance-oriented class-D amp most suitable for small spaces
- 24dB subsonic filter safeguards from potentially damaging frequencies
- Variable 12dB crossovers come in handy for dialing in high-quality sound
- Three-second turn-on/off lag for doing away with undesirable interference
Cons
- Many customers found the manufacturer’s customer service extremely poor.
2. Pioneer GM-A3072 (Best on a Budget)
A topnotch AB-class power amp, the Pioneer GM-A3072 furnishes you with 2 x 170W of booming bass when you hook it up with your 4ῼ Kicker CVR sub. The Pioneer’s all-new GM Series amps indisputably tower head and shoulders above almost all other amplifier brands in terms of performance and durability. The revamped GM-A3072 amp impeccably takes power-packed performance to the next level outsmarting its predecessors in every way you look.
Not only does the Pioneer GM-A3072 fare better compared to the previous models performance-wise, but its ergonomic design ensures a perfect fit in various vehicle brands. When choosing the appropriate signal mode, regardless of whether it is speaker or RCA level, the GM-A3072 does it automatically. This amplifier switches on by itself as soon as you turn on the receiver.
Additionally, GM-A3072 premeditates the input mode by design when you pair it up with a receiver sans RCA output or OEM receiver, eventually turning on concurrently with the receiver.
Features
- The balanced isolator input circuit
- Hi-voltage control at the input level
- It turns on automatically after sensing signal.
- Peak power output: 500 watts
- Class-AB full-range 2ῼ 2-channel amplifier
- Frequency response: 10-70,000Hz
- Heavyweight aluminum alloy heat sink promotes rapid heat dispersion
- Pulse-width modulated MOSFET power supply
- Compliant with CEA-2006 specifications
Pros
- 3-way protection circuitry: speaker short-circuit, overload, and thermal protection
- Automatic signal sensing turn-on with speaker-level inputs
- Mono or 2-channel operation
- LED light indicators for indicating switch-on and turn-off
Cons
- This is not a 500W amp as claimed by Pioneer as it conduits to 190W RMS into a 4ῼ load.
- The description does not mention that the amp will switch on when you’re using an RCA input.
3. Soundstream PM1.450D
Are you looking for a high-quality amplifier to work seamlessly with your Kicker CVR 12 sub but on a budget? Then the Soundstream PM1.450D 450W Monoblock Picasso Nano Series Class-D amplifier is your best bet. With an RMS rating of 450 watts configured at an impedance of 2-ohms, this amp from Soundstream matches thoroughly with the Kicker CVR 12-inch 2ῼ version.
The PM1.450D makes the most of a pulse-width modulated MOSFET transistor for effortlessly and effectively coping with ultra massive outputs. You’ll also like the fact that you can take advantage of this amplifier’s features in a hands-free manner, thanks to the dash-mounted remote. The CompVR subwoofer by Kicker is a heavy-duty sub and the PM1.450D that exploits Class-D Monoblock technology serves as the most compatible amp to pair with CVR.
The hardwearing heatsink made of aluminum and the thermally-insulated circuitry will prevent the PM1.450D from overheating, which could damage the amp. On the other hand, this Soundstream amp features a variable bass boost function enabling you to boost the sub-bass (low-frequency bass) by up to 12dB for that window-rattling bang.
Features
- Picasso Nano Series Class-D Monoblock Car Amp
- Peak power output: 450W (1-channel)
- Continuous power output (RMS) rating: 4-ohms 260W x 1 channel 2-ohms; 450W x 1 channel
- Soft turn-on circuitry
- Solid aluminum heatsink
- Mono channel operation
- A variable bass boost function (0-12dB bass boosting at 45Hz)
Pros
- Hardwearing aluminum heat-sink diffuses and disperses heat effectively, thereby offering protection from overheating
- Pulse-width modulated MOSFET power supply
- Soft turn-on circuitry
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons
- Amp tends to overheat, and without any exhaust ports, it could die out sooner than later.
4. Dayton Audio SPA 250
The Dayton Audio SPA 250 Subwoofer Plate Amplifier has been designed and engineered meticulously for delivering hi-fi sub amplification, making it ideal for home theater and car audio systems. The Audio SPA 250 amp by Dayton belts out audio with a peak power output of 250W and comes with a host of practical features.
This amplifier has both a built-in banana jack speaker- and RCA line-level inputs and outputs and an automated switch-on activated by any input signal.
The Audio SPA 250 comes with a phase reverse switch, enabling you to set up your CVR 12 with multiple speakers. You can also customize the bass boost circuit to work with a ported or sealed subwoofer for achieving a thoroughly consistent bass output. With integrated protection against external and internal faults, you can safely preset the internal low pass crossover between 40 and 180Hz.
Features
- Amplifier category: Subwoofer amplifier
- Power output rating: 156 watts RMS into 8 ohms @ 0.1% THD, 252 watts RMS into 4 ohms @ < 1.0% THD
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 90dB (A-weighted)
- Input impedance: 10.4Kῼ
- Bass boost: Switchable, 6dB @ 35 Hz
Pros
- User customizable bass boost circuitry makes it compatible with both ported and sealed subwoofers.
- A high signal-to-noise ratio (90dB) helps do away with buzzing and humming sounds.
- Mono class-AB amp provides benefits of both A- and B-class amps.
- Manual, triggered, and auto on/off modes for pairing with any automatic system.
Cons
- The low pass rear RCA jack sleeves and twists tend to come off while disconnecting the cable.
How to Pick the Best Amp for Kicker CVR 12″
The loudspeaker’s quality has a significant impact on the quality of the audio playback. Besides the quality factor, you’ll also need to pay close attention to several other aspects while shopping for an amplifier to match a specific subwoofer.
Take the Kicker CVR 12” subwoofer, for instance. CompVR comes with 4ῼ dual voice coils that help in trouble-free wiring and aid in fine sub-bass. The Kicker CompVR 12 with an RMS of 400W pairs perfectly with a ported or sealed amp capable of handling 75%-150% of the subwoofer’s RMS wattage. While the CVR 12’s 4ῼ model is compatible with both eight ῼ and 2ῼ amplifiers, the two ῼ variants will only work with a two ῼ rated amp.
To select the most compatible amp for Kicker CVR 12″, you will first and foremost have to determine the power requirement. The amplifier’s RMS should be identical to the subwoofer’s RMS output or must be lower to be specific. In case you inadvertently select an amp whose RMS rating is more than that of your Kicker CVR sub, then the latter will be damaged for good.
At the same time, make sure you check out the maximum or peak power output of the amplifier. The peak power indicates the maximum electric current the amp can handle or tolerate and continue to function effectively. And if you have multiple speakers, you should buy an amp with greater wattage to maintain audio quality and keep loudness at bay.
After that, you should take a close look at the amp you intend to purchase for the impedance rating. By rule of thumb, you should opt for an amp with lower impedance to ensure that the maximum power converts into sound instead of noise. There’s a good likelihood that the impedance of your Kicker CVR 12 is 4ῼ as 4ῼ subs find the maximum application.
Irrespective of whether you’re hooking up just one or many speakers with your amp, doubly ensure that their impedance is identical. It does not emphasize that a variance in the speakers’ impedance will cause damage to the speakers.
Next, you should pay attention to the amp’s signal-to-noise ratio. The greater the signal-to-noise ratio, the lesser the humming noise; always go for an amp with a signal-to-noise ratio of more than 80dB.
You can also select an amp for the Kicker CVR 12 according to its class-it is the circuit schematics that determine an amp’s class. You’ll come across four broad classes of amps (based on the circuitry type)-A, B, AB, and D. If you’re looking for high-quality audio and willing to splurge, go for an A-class amp.
In case you want to protect your amp from overheating at the cost of sound quality, then B-class amps are the way to go. Choose AB-class if you wish to keep overheating at bay as well as enjoy top-notch audio. And opt for a D-class amp if you’re on a budget, have limited room, and okay with the amp working with low frequencies.
Conclusion: The Best Amp for Kicker Comp VR 12″
All the amplifiers reviewed above should work seamlessly with your Kicker CVR 12” sub. However, audiophiles had issues with the Pioneer amp as only one of its dual channels was working. Most users were satisfied with the performance of Kicker CX1200.1, so it gets the highest rating for being the best amp for CVR 12.
Go for the Soundstream amp if you don’t have sufficient space and can make do with less power supply. One big issue that Dayton SPA 250 users have had to put up with was the rear low pass jack sleeves coming unstuck.