Kicker or Rocford Fosgate?

JrBirdman said:

Hey, which should I get?

A used single 12" Kicker Solo Baric L7...

Or a new Rockford Fosgate P3 12"?

They both come out to be about the same price. Both are DVC. Just curious. Or are there any other recommendations? Price range is about 200-250.

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Image dynamics IDQ 12 V.2
http://www.imagedynamicsusa.com/products_page.php?id=idq&type=sub

JL audio has always been a popular choice!!

Hmmm, I think I'm gonna get the Kicker...only because I can get a cheap one.

welderx said:

Image dynamics IDQ 12 V.2
http://www.imagedynamicsusa.com/products_page.php?id=idq&type=sub

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While the IDQ is a kick ass sub, I don't think he's looking for a sub thats all SQ. Out of the two mentioned, the L7 is a much better unit. I've installed both, and L7 kicks the P3's ass all over the place. RF has really fallen off the ball lately, their amps suck, there subs suck, and most of the RF systems I do don't impress me all that much.

ippkiss said:

While the IDQ is a kick ass sub, I don't think he's looking for a sub thats all SQ. Out of the two mentioned, the L7 is a much better unit. I've installed both, and L7 kicks the P3's ass all over the place. RF has really fallen off the ball lately, their amps suck, there subs suck, and most of the RF systems I do don't impress me all that much.

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You think their power line amps, and T1, T2 subs suck? I've had both I guess, and Kicker sure did impress me. Well, before I get it, I'm gonna have to sell my system I've got now..

ippkiss said:

RF has really fallen off the ball lately, their amps suck, there subs suck, and most of the RF systems I do don't impress me all that much.

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Rockford speakers used to be made at Charboneau/RAD, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When production moved, things changed. Charboeau was on of the old school outfits from what I've been able to find out. I am certain a place like that wasn't a "lean manufacturing" facillity

This, sadly is a story that's been repeated over and over...Jensen, JBL, R/F; you get really good at what you do and then the company is taken over by accountants (who coincidentally seem to be deaf.)
Too damn bad...These dudes were pioneers in the field.

There is a reason us vintage freaks hang on to our antiques. I have one of the very first punch amps, a 1985 Punch 150 that runs my single IDQ v.2 12".

welderx said:

Rockford speakers used to be made at Charboneau/RAD, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When production moved, things changed. Charboeau was on of the old school outfits from what I've been able to find out. I am certain a place like that wasn't a "lean manufacturing" facillity

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The power series is still made there (for a few years anyways). I used to work there.

septic_g said:

The power series is still made there (for a few years anyways). I used to work there.

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That's cool. Care to share any stories? I'm really into classic American audio.
I had been told Charboneu had been around since the early days of radio.

In K'zoo there is still a Gibson street,I pass by it when going to TRE. I wonder how many know why that is?

Those names on classic gear were all men...Not corporations but pioneering entrepreneurs. Harmon, Lansing ,Hafler etc.

i would get the solo baric...but thats just my preference

It definately is "better" than the P3...(more expensive, handles more, louder?) but isn't too much more in cost since I'm getting it used.

I think the P2's actually are better than the P3's as well. They handle the power just as well and sound better to me. It's been a while since i've listened to an L7- I remember them being loud, but I don't remember how good they sound.

I have an L5, and it is just as loud, and more articulate than the P2...however, to give my P2 some credit: My P2 is in an oversized ported box (3cf instead of 1.5cf) while my kicker is in a small sealed box. I love the lows I get from the kicker, something I'm not used to with the P2. On the other hand, my heart will always be with Rockford, lol.

JrBirdman said:

Hey, which should I get?

A used single 12" Kicker Solo Baric L7...

Or a new Rockford Fosgate P3 12"?

They both come out to be about the same price. Both are DVC. Just curious. Or are there any other recommendations? Price range is about 200-250.

Click to expand...

Be careful of buying used speakers. The L7 is known for their great output but are also known for failure. The surrounds crack and their glue fails. Of coarse, this does not happen to all L7s, but it happens to enough of them to cause concern.

The good ol' Rockford, those days are gone. For some reason I thought the old amps were made in Illinios Kicker is a good product, they just seem to have a lot of problems with their square subs, doesn't matter the series either (ie L7, L5, etc.)

JL makes a great subwoofer, even their lowest priced subs are good. If you are serious about the L7, buy new so you have a factory warrenty.

If you want a cheap but great alternative, check out the for sale section

BTW: I was wrong. My P2 KICKS A$$. I played one, but not the other today, and the Kicker sounded like some Denali's stock system. Little dissapointed. However, it can only add to the beauty of the P2.

knewblewkorvett said:

Be careful of buying used speakers. The L7 is known for their great output but are also known for failure. The surrounds crack and their glue fails. Of coarse, this does not happen to all L7s, but it happens to enough of them to cause concern.

)

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wow this is an old thread

not to mention, i've seen a lot of the newer kicker stuff mess up other stuff IE amps and the sub because the tinsel leads will smack on the basket and short out and poof. the newer compvr's, as well as L5's and L7's. kicker really went to crap when they started with the whole square theme... i had a round solo 12 that i bought in like 97 (s12c) that went and went and went... i finally sold it to a guy a few months ago for like 50 bucks, but it still hit like the day it was new. it's really a shame stuff isn't made like it used to be

kicker is always bumpin my trunk

Kicker i havent had a problem one w/ any of my subs or amps

welderx said:

Rockford speakers used to be made at Charboneau/RAD, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When production moved, things changed. Charboeau was on of the old school outfits from what I've been able to find out. I am certain a place like that wasn't a "lean manufacturing" facillity

This, sadly is a story that's been repeated over and over...Jensen, JBL, R/F; you get really good at what you do and then the company is taken over by accountants (who coincidentally seem to be deaf.)
Too damn bad...These dudes were pioneers in the field.

There is a reason us vintage freaks hang on to our antiques. I have one of the very first punch amps, a 1985 Punch 150 that runs my single IDQ v.2 12".

Click to expand...

I know what you mean........I still have a few PPI Pro Mos amps, and a couple of the old HCCA amps. OH I also have a 2350 ppi, and an old punch 200.

Between the two, I would choose Kicker.

Is that you Sal?