By Ocean Rock Audio, South Florida's Kicker marine boat speaker specialist
Most boats don't have room for a sub box. Kicker's KMF free-air subwoofers solve that by mounting straight into a panel and using the sealed air space behind it. Both sizes we stock are 4-ohm, so how do you choose between the 12" KMF12 and the 10" KMF10?
What they share
- Free-air design: no enclosure needed
- Kicker lists both at 175W RMS recommended power and 350W peak
- ASTM B117 salt fog (200 hr) and ASTM G154 UV (400 hr) testing
- Polypropylene cone, Santoprene surround, polymer basket and stainless hardware
- Optional LED grilles: KMG12 and KMG10
Choose the KMF12 if…
- You have room for the 11" cutout and 13" outer diameter (5.5" mounting depth)
- You want the most low-end your panel can hold: more cone area moves more air
- You run a center console, bay boat, pontoon or wake boat with open seat-base or console space
Choose the KMF10 if…
- Your panel space is tight or curved
- You want tight bass that blends with cockpit speakers instead of dominating them
- You're installing two subs in a smaller boat
Powering them
For one sub plus speakers, the KMA360.4 can run four speakers or bridge two channels for a sub. If you want more zones, see the KMA600.6.
Install tips from our South Florida installs
- Seal the back chamber as well as you can. Free-air subs gain output from a sealed space behind the panel.
- Keep the terminals and wire runs clear of bilge water, and use marine-grade tinned wire.
- Measure your cutout twice. The KMF12 needs an 11" hole.
Still undecided? Send us a photo of your mounting spot and we'll recommend the right sub.