Technical Brief

Technical Brief
KICKER CompVR® C15vr, C12vr, C10vr, and C8vr Subwoofers
Recommended Applications / Enclosures, Revision 1
July 24, 2001
This Technical Brief adds information on the CompVR C15vr and C8vr to the previous
paper dated May 1, 2001. Contents supercedes any previously published information.
The all-new KICKER CompVR subwoofers are the most advanced drivers in the history of the
legendary KICKER CompVR name. Aggressive new styling based on the hugely popular SoloBaric® L7, outrageous performance in sealed or ported boxes, rock-solid reliability, and dual
voice coil flexibility make these new subs great for a broad range of applications.
Every driver in the all-new KICKER CompVR line-up is totally redesigned for incredible
performance in sealed OR vented enclosures:
New extra thick Santoprene surround provides highly dampened, ultra-clean low bass plus
excellent durability.
Ultra-tall surround geometry provides exceptional excursion capability without diminishing
cone area like many "fat" surrounds.
New radial surround ribbing (Patent Pending) allows superior flexing for very linear operation.
New increased Xmax is an average of 50% over previous d-series CompVR models.
New radial Perimeter Venting of spider cavity provides forced air cooling of the top plate and
motor assembly.
New nickel-plated quick release push terminals allow easy installation with large gauge
speaker wire.
New one-piece front and rear gasket provides airtight installation capability.
New insulated lead wires allow greater control of movement and durability.
New dual 2-Ohm and dual 4-Ohm voice coils offer versatile wiring options.
The enclosure recommendations in this paper are designed to help you get the greatest possible
performance from the CompVR subs based on the users’ needs and space requirements.
Important Break-In Information
Especially when used in sealed enclosures,
period may vary depending on the amount
the new KICKER CompVR subs will achieve
of play time, volume level, and type of
maximum bass performance after they have
music. More play time with medium volume
been broken in.
levels and more bass content will break in
the subwoofer most quickly. Once broken-
Approximately one to two weeks of daily
playing will allow the suspension to soften,
and reach its optimum equilibrium. This time
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in, the sub will exhibit even stronger bass
performance, smoother response, and
greater low bass extension.
KICKER CompVR Sealed Enclosure Applications
Like the previous models, KICKER
The Compact boxes have very high power
CompVRs are real performers in sealed
handling capability and deliver massive
enclosures, producing the tight, defined, and
amounts of high impact bass.
accurate bass response you’d expect from a
KICKER driver in this application. They will
operate in a wide range of sealed enclosure
volumes, from an easy-to-place Compact
box all the way up to a full SQ (Sound
Quality) enclosure, which is close to the
ultra-smooth .707Qtc alignment. Enclosures
sized closer to the maximum SQ volume will
also give the most energy at really low
frequencies, around 20 to 30 Hz.
The recommended Compact sealed boxes
are in line with our traditional enclosures.
The recommended Street-Bass boxes are
the size we recommend for superior allaround performance, with an optimal mix of
low-bass, power-handling, and percussive
impact.
As the sealed enclosure volume increases
to the maximum SQ size, the response
begins to shift from high impact bass to a
smoother and more extended low bass
response. Some of the impact is diminished,
but the deep bass is actually enhanced.
Model
Compact
(minimum enclosure volume)
Street-Bass
(optimal enclosure volume)
SQ (.707 alignment)
(maximum enclosure volume)
C15vr
1.8 cu.ft.
51.0 liters
Power Handling = 500 watts
2.25 cu.ft.
63.7 liters
Power Handling = 500 watts
5.2 cu.ft.
147.2
Power Handling = 500 watts
C12vr
1.0 cu.ft.
28.3 liters
Power Handling = 400 watts
1.25 cu.ft.
35.4 liters
Power Handling = 400 watts
4.6 cu.ft.
130.3 liters
Power Handling = 300 watts
C10vr
0.8 cu.ft.
22.6 liters
Power Handling = 300 watts
1.0 cu.ft.
28.3 liters
Power Handling = 300 watts
3.0 cu.ft.
85.0 liters
Power Handling = 300 watts
C8vr
0.4 cu.ft
11.3 liters
Power Handling = 200 watts
0.5 cu.ft
14.2 liters
Power Handling = 200 watts
1.8 cu.ft
60.0 liters
Power Handling = 140 watts
NOTE: All sealed boxes should be 50% filled with loose polyfil. Allow about two weeks break-in time for the KICKER CompVR to
reach optimum low bass performance.
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C15vr
sealed
boxUpdate,
drawing
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KICKER CompVR Ported/Vented Enclosure Applications
Our recommended ported enclosures
increased bass efficiency over a sealed
incorporate massive slot-loaded ports with
enclosure, yet can still fit in tighter
ultra-low air velocity that will produce
applications. Although it is the smallest
absolutely concussive, deep street bass!
ported enclosure, the output from 30 to 80
These are the type of boxes that are rapidly
Hz will be considerably higher than that of a
becoming the enclosure of choice for high
sealed box.
performance bass either on the street or in
Street Bass is a medium-sized enclosure
the lanes at an SPL contest.
that will deliver superior all-around
The following chart shows three
performance, with an optimal mix of low-
recommended ported enclosures for each
bass, power-handling, and percussive
KICKER CompVR sub. If installation space
impact.
is not the primary consideration and you
want to get the highest possible output from
the new CompVR, try one of these designs.
SPL/Deep Bass is a larger enclosure that
has it all. It is high efficiency and ultra-high
output with extended low end that takes
You won't be disappointed!
bass performance to a whole new
Compact is the smallest ported design that
dimension.
will work well for each woofer. It has
Recommended Ported Enclosures –
High Efficiency
Model
Compact
(minimum enclosure volume)
Street Bass
(optimal enclosure volume)
SPL / Deep Bass
(maximum enclosure volume)
5.0 cu..ft + port;
4.0 cu.ft. + port;
3.0 cu.ft. + port;
3.0x15.5" port, 22" long
3.0x15.5" port, 23" long
2.75x15.5" port, 25.75" long
C15vr
141.6 liters + port
113.3 liters + port
85.0 liters + port
76.2x393.7mm port, 558.8mm long
76.2x393.7mm port, 584.2mm long
69.9x393.7mm port, 654.1mm long
Power Handling = 500 watts
Power Handling = 500 watts
Power Handling = 500 watts
2.25 cu..ft + port;
2.0 cu.ft. + port;
1.75 cu.ft. + port;
3.0x12.5" port, 20.5" long
3.0x12.5" port, 21.5" long
2.5x12.5" port, 20.75" long
C12vr
63.8 liters + port
56.6 liters + port
49.6 liters + port
76.2x317.5mm port, 520.7mm long
76.2x317.5mm port, 546.1mm long
63.5x317.5mm port, 527.1mm long
Power Handling = 300 watts
Power Handling = 300 watts
Power Handling = 300 watts
1.75 cu.ft. + port;
1.5 cu.ft. + port;
1.25 cu.ft. + port;
1.5x10.5" port, 20" long
2.5x10.5" port, 21" long
2.0x10.5" port, 20" long
49.6 liters + port
42.5 liters + port
C10vr
35.4 liters + port
38.1x266.7mm port, 508mm
63.5x266.7mm port, 533.4 long
50.8x266.7mm port, 508mm
Power Handling = 200 watts
Power Handling = 200 watts
Power Handling = 200 watts
1.2 cu..ft + port;
1.0 cu.ft. + port;
0.8 cu.ft. + port;
2.0x8" port, 20" long
1.75x8" port, 20.5" long
1.5x8" port, 20" long
C8vr
33.9 liters + port
28.3 liters + port
22.7 liters + port
49.6x203.2mm port, 508mm long
44.5x317.5mm port, 546.1mm long
63.5x317.5mm port, 508mm long
Power Handling = 80 watts
Power Handling = 80 watts
Power Handling = 75 watts
NOTE: The use of a subsonic filter (such as a Kicker SWX - without chips & set to highpass) will significantly increase the power
handling. The power handling specifications listed in the chart above include the use of a 25 Hz, 24dB/octave subsonic filter.
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Box-Building Notes
All the cubic feet numbers given in the above charts include the displacement of the woofer.
For the ported boxes the displacement of the port must be added to the final design. It will be
impractical to use round ports for these designs. The rectangular port information given will yield
the best results.
Always use 3/4" or thicker MDF and make sure all the joints are secure and well sealed. The
peak pressure in a ported box can exceed that of a sealed enclosure. KICKER recommends
using a good grade of wood glue and silicone sealer for an airtight box.
All of these designs need some internal bracing. Be sure to add 2"x2" to 3"x3" triangle braces
between each of the larger unsupported panels.
If you prefer an ultra-smooth bass response, you should loosely fill your ported KICKER
CompVR enclosure with polyfil. If you do so, the entrance to the port (inside the box) should be
covered with hardware cloth, chicken wire, or expanded metal to prevent the polyfil from being
blown out through the port. Use of polyfil will slightly decrease efficiency, but will deepen and
extend low bass response.
Do not install a ported box with the port against a solid surface. The port opening must remain
unobstructed. Use the smallest dimension of the rectangular port as the minimum amount of
space required between the port and any surface to insure unrestricted airflow.
All sealed boxes should be 50% filled with loose polyfil.
For more advice on box building, see the Choosing and Building Enclosures page in the Tech
Tips & FAQs section of the Support area on the KICKER website, www.kicker.com.
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Notes
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Notes
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©2001, Stillwater Designs, PO Box 459, Stillwater, OK 74076 USA
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