i am starting to look at subs now and i want to get a 12" square Kicker. The question is what is the difference between the L5 And the L7. And what size amp do i need.

 

The L7 is the newer one that just came out dont really no the difference between the 2 however. Ur gonna a want a pretty high power amp around 1000 watt my friend has a 12 in l5 with only a 800 watt amp though and it is still loud as hell!

 

The 12L5 is rated for 600W RMS and 1200W Max and the 12L7 is rated for 750W RMS and 1500W Max...RMS is what the sub is designed to run at constantly (or "continuous RMS") and the max rating is simply what the sub can handle once or twice, but will blow if it handles that power for much longer. A lot of companies use the max rating as a sales pitch, but most of the better quality audio manufacturers (like JL, Kicker, etc) rate their equipment in RMS. Companies that rate their equipment in max wattage aren't necessarily bad, though.

So basically, the L7 can handle more power than the L5 (kinda like a JL 12w6v2 versus a JL 12w7), and I'm sure there are a few key characteristics that separate the two. You'll want to find an amp that's rated for these particular power levels at a particular ohm load (@ 4-ohms, @ 2-ohms, etc), depending on what ohm sub you want to use (4-ohm, 8-ohm, Single voice coil [SVC], Dual voice coil [DVC]). How you wire the subs to each channel determines what ohm load you're running. You'll need to research this if you don't know already.

Good luck with the new system!

P.S.
BTW, I found the specs on Kicker's website and I know absolutely nothing about Kicker, their L5's or their L7's. A search would have easily answered your questions. Not trying to be a dick or anything, just saying. Once again, good luck!

 

My only suggestion for te solobarics is to put them in ported boxes. I was looking at em last night and with the same amp the difference was night and day. They sealed box just restricted the sub so bad. I want a single L5 in my truck in a ported box.

 

Yes, but a ported box will be much larger than a sealed box would be. Especially with the L5 or L7

 

i cant turn my 10 in l5 up to full power its to loud and its in a sealed box with only .86cubic feet of airspace wich is only.20 over the min. size limit my friend just bought 2 kenwood 12's for his exploder with a roxford amp and my one 10 in its little box still out pounds his easily. You got to think about it though a square sub has much more surface area then a round one. A 12 in square almost has as much surface area as a 15 in round dont rember exact #'s but it was really close. Ported does sound louder, but the box's are to big for our trucks there wouldnt be room for anything in back if you got a box that big just my $.02

 

Can you post pics of your setup.Thanks.

 

I am at work untill 4:30 its only 10:30 here now so it will be a while.

 

Thats ok. I am in school and my teachers being a jerk and keeps shutting down the internet.

 

I start school back up tomorrow

 

Man you guys start late. we started last thursday.

 

I started the 22nd.