The Kicker KXMA1500.1 we reviewed separately delivers up to 1500W. The Kicker KMA800.1 is a smaller mono marine sub amp built on the same Class D concept, topping out at 800W (1-ohm), 600W (2-ohm), or 300W (4-ohm), at $255.96 (down from $349.99), roughly half the price of its bigger sibling.
As an authorized Kicker dealer, this is the amp we recommend when a customer wants genuine Class D efficiency for a single subwoofer but doesn't need, or want to pay for, the KXMA1500.1's full power ceiling and tuning depth. Here's exactly what's different between the two.
Key Takeaways
- 800W at 1-ohm, 600W at 2-ohm, 300W at 4-ohm — roughly half the KXMA1500.1's rating at every impedance.
- Fixed 25Hz subsonic filter, not variable — a real functional difference from the KXMA1500.1's adjustable 10-80Hz filter.
- 12dB crossover, versus the KXMA1500.1's 24dB — a gentler slope with less precise frequency cutoff control.
- Still includes the KMBLC remote level control and RCA pass-through output, matching the flagship amp's convenience features.
- At $255.96, it's roughly $300 less than the KXMA1500.1, a meaningful savings if you don't need the top-end power.
What Actually Changes at Half the Price
Both amps share the same Class D core design philosophy, conformal-coated circuit boards, and ABYC/NMMA-compliant connections. The real differences are tuning precision and ceiling: the KMA800.1's crossover slope is gentler (12dB vs. 24dB) and its subsonic filter is fixed at 25Hz rather than adjustable across a range. For most single-subwoofer setups, that's a reasonable tradeoff for the price difference; for a multi-subwoofer system pushed to its limits, the KXMA1500.1's extra tuning precision and power headroom matter more.
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Feature Walkthrough
Power by Impedance
800W at 1-ohm, 600W at 2-ohm, 300W at 4-ohm. As with every mono sub amp in this catalog, match the number to your actual subwoofer's wired impedance, not the headline figure in the product name.
Fixed Subsonic Filter
The 25Hz fixed subsonic filter protects your subwoofer from damaging ultra-low frequencies without requiring you to dial in a setting — simpler to set up, but less precise than the KXMA1500.1's variable 10-80Hz range if your specific subwoofer's enclosure calls for a different cutoff point.
KMBLC Remote and RCA Pass-Through
Both convenience features carry over from the flagship amp unchanged: a dash-mountable bass remote included in the box, and a pass-through output for expanding the system later.
Amplifier-to-Subwoofer Matching
We haven't yet reviewed a Kicker marine subwoofer in this batch, so match this amp's output at your subwoofer's actual wired impedance: 300W for a 4-ohm sub, 600W for 2-ohm, 800W for 1-ohm (or two subs wired to a 1-ohm total load). This is general amp-matching guidance, not a specific Kicker-confirmed pairing.
Who It's For
Choose the KMA800.1 for a single-subwoofer system where you want Class D efficiency without paying for the KXMA1500.1's extra tuning range and power ceiling. Choose the KXMA1500.1 instead if you're running multiple subwoofers or want the finer crossover and subsonic filter control.
Honest Cons
Fixed subsonic filter, not adjustable. If your specific subwoofer and enclosure need a different cutoff than 25Hz, you don't have that flexibility here.
Gentler 12dB crossover slope than the KXMA1500.1's 24dB — less precise frequency separation between your sub and the rest of your system.
No formal IP rating published, consistent with most amps in this catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the KMA800.1 just a weaker KXMA1500.1?
In terms of raw power, yes, roughly half at every impedance. It also has less precise tuning controls (fixed subsonic filter, gentler crossover), not just a lower power ceiling.
Does it include a bass remote?
Yes — the KMBLC remote level control ships included, the same as the KXMA1500.1.
Can I run this at 4-ohm?
Yes, at a reduced 300W output, well under the 1-ohm and 2-ohm figures.
Which amp should I actually buy?
If you're running one subwoofer and don't need extensive tuning flexibility, the KMA800.1 saves real money. For multiple subwoofers or a system pushed to its limits, the KXMA1500.1's extra range is worth the added cost.
Bottom Line
The KMA800.1 delivers genuine Class D mono sub amplification at roughly half the price and half the power of the KXMA1500.1, with simpler, less precise tuning controls as the real tradeoff. For a single-subwoofer system, that tradeoff is often worth it.