Kicker L7 Q-Class Subwoofer Review (2024)

Apparently the engineersat Kicker were paying attention inthose classes too, because theyhave put a fundamental principleof geometry to good use.

I can recall a time asa schoolboy when wewere studying geometry. I couldnot fathom how this was evergoing to be useful to me in my life,but of course, it was and continuesto be. Welearned, way back then, that asquare of a given size will alwayshave more area than that of acircle of the same dimension - exactly27.33 percent more, regardlessof the relative dimension.

When you are designing a subwoofer,a device that is supposedto move as much air as possible,that 27.33 percent becomes verysignificant! To get an increaseof 27.33 percent in area from around shape would mean goingfrom a 12-inch woofer to a 13.6-inch diameter, but a square 12-inch woofer fits in the same spaceas the round one, so the enclosurebaffle size can be the same.

Kicker has taken advantageof the principles of geometry for14 years with their industry firstsquare woofers. In this review,we’re going to take a closer lookat the new and improved L7woofer, which serves as the foundationfor the flagship “Q-Class”product lineup. According toKicker president and co-founderSteve Irby, “The L7 and Q-Classproducts represent what Kickerinnovation and evolution are allabout. With the L7, you can expectbold small-box performance, biggerthan ever power handling andeven higher SPL.”

Features

The Kicker L7 woofer is builtaround an obviously square, heavy dutycast aluminum alloy basket.The woofer uses a 7.8-poundmagnetic motor assembly, whichhas been optimized for linearityand power handling using finiteelement analysis. The magneticfield generated drives a 2.375-inchmulti-layer copper voice coil with26 percent greater length than theprevious model, which is woundon an extreme high temperatureglass-fiber reinforced polyimideTIL-B former. Rather than usinga typical vented pole piece, thevoice coil is surrounded by afinned aluminum heatsink, whichis mounted to the top plate ofthe motor assembly. Kicker spentyears of research in developing aspecial low-carbon solid extendedpole piece, resulting in very highexcursion and higher internal massfor improved cooling.

Keeping the coil centered inthe gap is a Blue-Lace spider witha larger outer diameter to allowgreater excursion. The spider alsoincorporates laminated-in-placehigh-current tinsel leads. Thecone is connected to the voicecoil former via a polymer 360-degreecone brace that has beenlaser etched to improve adhesivebonding and reliability. The conematerial is made of injection-moldedpolypropylene, ribbed forrigidity and strength.

On a square woofer, the surroundis a critical component, asthere are four individual cornersthat must flex in unison withthe four straight sections. Toaccomplish this, Kicker usesgenuine Exxon Mobil Santoprenethermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)surround material with a patentedribbed corner design, which variesin thickness to maintain maximumlinearity, excellent cone controland high excursion capabilities. Asall Kicker woofers have been, thecone is glued and stitched to thesurround to ensure a long-lasting,trouble-free connection.

Wiring connections to the dualvoice coil L7 woofer are convenientlylocated together on oneside - handy when doing eitherseries or parallel configurations.The terminals are square(of course!) spring-loaded, andnickel-plated. Polarity is clearlymarked and the terminals willaccept up to 8-gauge wire.

Listening

For my listening session, Ichoose to mount the L7 in a sealedenclosure with an internal volumeof 1.3 cubic feet. The woofer ispowered by a 1,000-watt studioamplifier with a crossover set to 100 Hz and a slope of -24 dB/Oct.The coils are wired in parallel for a2-ohm load.

I begin with a few of my favoritebass tracks, like the John LeeHooker version of Sweet HomeChicago, Thomas Dolby’s HotSauce, and Ricky Lee Jones’Danny’s All-Star Joint. The L7woofer sounds very good, with anice, tight attack and quick decay.Definition in the bass is excellentand I like the overall timbre ofthe woofer. This is a very musicalwoofer considering its high powerhandling capability. Stated differently,this is an excellent choicefor those who like great musicalityand high SPL.

Switching musical gears, Iplayed some Nine Inch Nails,Yello and other bass heavy tomfoolery,and turned up the powerto the 900-watt rated limit andbeyond, with nary a complaintfrom the big square woofer. Justfor fun, I did an impromptu sideby side comparison with a verypopular 12-inch round woofer(also 2 ohms) and the Kicker L7was most definitely louder.

On The Bench

On the test bench, with thewoofer connected to my Klippelanalyzer, I measure the parametersand find them well withinthe normal tolerances used inmanufacturing woofers. I alsonote that the woofer does have apreference for a sealed enclosure,and unless you only care aboutmaximum SPL, that is the type ofenclosure I’d suggest.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed my time withthe Kicker L7 woofer. Like otherproducts from Kicker, its focusis on musicality and reliability.And with 27.33 percent morecone area than a 12-inch roundwoofer, it comes with extraoutput too!

For more information on the Kicker L7 Q-Class subwoofer, go to www.kicker.comand/or on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

For more test reports, download the PASMAG+ tablet app for free from iTunes.