The Kicker KXMA800.8 runs 8 channels off a single amp, 100W per channel at 2-ohm or 50W per channel at 4-ohm, at $719.99. That's enough for four full stereo pairs of speakers, or a mix of speakers and a zone-specific subwoofer channel, from one chassis instead of running two or three smaller amps to reach the same channel count.
A boat with genuinely separate audio zones, bow, cockpit, and a tower, for example, needs a lot of amplifier channels to run each zone independently. This is the amp built specifically for that consolidation.
Key Takeaways
- 8 channels at 100W per channel (2-ohm) or 50W per channel (4-ohm), enough for four stereo speaker pairs from one amp.
- Same FIT2 circuitry, DSP-controlled preamp, and gain-match LED as the rest of the KXMA line.
- 1200W dynamic power, with a 10Hz-20kHz frequency response across all channels.
- At 8.4 lbs and a 4"x11"x21" footprint, it's a single, longer chassis rather than stacking multiple smaller amps.
- Pairs naturally with the separately-sold KXMA Zone Volume Controller if you want independent volume control per zone rather than one shared level for all 8 channels.
One Amp Instead of Three
Reaching 8 channels with smaller amps typically means running two 4-channel units or mixing a 4-channel and a pair of 2-channel amps, each needing its own mounting space, wiring run, and fusing. The KXMA800.8 consolidates that into one chassis and one set of power/ground connections, at the cost of a longer physical footprint (21 inches) than any single smaller amp in the KXMA line.
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Feature Walkthrough
Channel Count and Power
8x100W at 2-ohm, 8x50W at 4-ohm, with 1200W dynamic power. Each channel is independently usable, not tied to a specific zone grouping by the amp itself.
KXMA Electronics
FIT2 fail-safe circuitry, DSP-controlled preamp, and gain-match LED indicator, consistent with the rest of the KXMA line already covered.
Physical Footprint
4"H x 11"W x 21"L, the longest chassis among the KXMA amps, a direct consequence of fitting 8 channels of circuitry into one unit.
Managing Volume Across 8 Channels
The amp itself doesn't provide independent volume control per zone beyond its own gain settings. If you want to adjust volume separately for a bow zone versus a cockpit zone without touching the amp itself, the separately-sold KXMA Zone Volume Controller distributes a stereo signal to up to four independent zones with dedicated volume knobs, a natural pairing for a build using this amp's full channel count across genuinely separate areas of the boat.
Who It's For
Choose the KXMA800.8 if you're running four stereo speaker pairs, or a mix of speakers across multiple zones, and want one amp instead of stacking several smaller units. It's not necessary for a simple 2-4 speaker system, where a smaller channel count amp is a better physical and cost fit.
Honest Cons
50W per channel at 4-ohm is modest for higher-power speakers; this amp prioritizes channel count over per-channel headroom.
21-inch length is the longest footprint in the KXMA line; confirm your mounting space before ordering.
No independent per-zone volume control built in. Budget for the separate Zone Volume Controller if that's a requirement, not an assumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a subwoofer off one of these channels?
The channels are full-range, not dedicated subwoofer channels; check your subwoofer's impedance and power needs against a single channel's output before wiring it that way.
Do I need the Zone Volume Controller to use this amp?
No — it's a separate, optional accessory for independent zone volume control. The amp functions fully without it.
How does this compare to running three smaller amps?
Same total channel count, but one power/ground connection and one mounting location instead of three, at the tradeoff of a longer single chassis.
Is 100W per channel at 2-ohm enough for tower speakers?
Check your specific tower speaker's RMS rating; higher-output tower speakers like the 46KMFC8 (150W RMS) need more than 100W per channel to use their full potential.
Bottom Line
The KXMA800.8 trades per-channel power for channel count, the right tradeoff for a boat with several genuinely separate speaker zones. For a simple system, a smaller amp is the more appropriate and more compact choice.