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Kicker Key and Sub bad install

Etron

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So.. following up in a previous post, I had a local shop install a kicker key and kicker hideaway 10, and it sounds like sh*t. I used forscan and it's still not there. Before I have to tear this whole thing apart I was curious if someone with knowledge could weigh in on this.

Before I took it up there, I talked to someone on the phone and had explained to them exactly what I wanted to do and it was following other people in this forum that had done it successfully. I had already changed out the door and rear column and tweeters to kickers recommend on this forum, just needed them to install the sub and key.

When I dropped it off I specifically told them to tie into the front door speakers with the key. They did not do that, I'm told by them, and also they have covered up my rear AC vents by putting everything under the seats (which I did not request by the way, I wanted it in the very back). I'm going to deal with them soon enough AFTER I get the microphone back for my kicker key, because they first lied and said they had one but mine should have been in the box. It was not. They have mine. I paid for it and I want it and I will get it Monday in person.

Also one of the brand new rear Kicker speakers was blown when I tested it shortly after picking it up from them after install (never even at that high of a volume) and I had to go through crutchfield to get it replaced. I even had to install it myself because the guy I talked to was being nothing short of a little b*tch and I didn't want to waste any more time going back and forth with him. Again, I'll deal with him later and make a nice thorough post complete with photos and video for socials. They are absolutely liars and a horrible company to deal with, but that's not the point of this post. I don't trust them to do any more work on my vehicle so I'm not going to take it back to them but I do want it to sound at least relatively decent.

As of right now it's super trebly, like shrill, and the bass is very hit or miss, when I put it on rear occupants setting it sounds like the back speakers will explode (again). Back to the base though it's completely missing certain octaves then going crazy on other songs. It was like this before I adjusted Forscan. Depending on what settings even the door speakers sound like they're gonna blow. Interestingly when I put it at super super low levels, almost off, The only thing faintly coming through is only treble through the dash tweeters.

Here's what I'm working with:
Front tweeters were installed with crossovers still attached. Since I found out they tied into the back pillar speakers I did change in forscan the back to full range, which did make some improvement. I'm wondering if the crossovers need to be cut out of those since they are choking out all bass? If that's a stupid statement I literally don't know what I'm doing, but I'm trying to figure it out.

I'm including pictures of the kicker key and Hideaway, but I can't really get to the hideaway because of where the idiots put it so if there's any settings I needed to adjust on that I'll have to take the seat out.

Dip switches on the key, only the first one is in the down position, the rest are up.

Ford Maverick Kicker Key and Sub bad install 20260329_105148


Ford Maverick Kicker Key and Sub bad install 20260329_104041


Ford Maverick Kicker Key and Sub bad install 20260329_104037


Ford Maverick Kicker Key and Sub bad install 20260329_103935


Ford Maverick Kicker Key and Sub bad install 20260329_103619


Ford Maverick Kicker Key and Sub bad install 20260329_102154
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Carlitos_92

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Dip switches look good. I didn't use the "Kicker EQ" but that isn't likely to be causing your problems.

That amp location is redonk. I know you don't have real winters where you're at, but if you ever run the heat, it will dump right on the amp.

It doesn't look like they ever set the gain for front or rear on the Key, which is dumb. Also probably not your whole problem, but since it is easy to get to, you can set those based on the instructions in the manual.

When you say "crossovers" on the rear speakers, what are you referring to? I think I have said this before, but even your new 4" speakers cannot take 50W of full-range signal. When I put my HS10 in, I put bass blockers on my rears because they had been all kinds of overdriven unless I moved the fader very far forward. (Yes, it may seem counterintuitive to set the rears to full-range output in Forscan, and then come right back and put bass blockers on them anyway, but the rear head unit signals are what I tapped for the HS10...)

I still think the error is how they tapped the wires feeding the sub. Luckily that is probably not under the seat, but it is behind the HVAC controls. If you haven't done it already, I would pull the fuse for the HS10 (you'd have to to re-run the Key setup anyway) and see if you can get the 4 regular channels sounding more or less okay first, and then add the sub to the equation.

In hindsight, that probably is going to be a horrible place to put the sub, just for the sake of setting it up. I am still curious what they set the phase to, what they set the crossover to, and where the gain is at. I can't believe the installer didn't listen to this system and get your buy-in before they handed it back. :facepalm:
 
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Etron

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Dip switches look good. I didn't use the "Kicker EQ" but that isn't likely to be causing your problems.

That amp location is redonk. I know you don't have real winters where you're at, but if you ever run the heat, it will dump right on the amp.

It doesn't look like they ever set the gain for front or rear on the Key, which is dumb. Also probably not your whole problem, but since it is easy to get to, you can set those based on the instructions in the manual.

When you say "crossovers" on the rear speakers, what are you referring to? I think I have said this before, but even your new 4" speakers cannot take 50W of full-range signal. When I put my HS10 in, I put bass blockers on my rears because they had been all kinds of overdriven unless I moved the fader very far forward. (Yes, it may seem counterintuitive to set the rears to full-range output in Forscan, and then come right back and put bass blockers on them anyway, but the rear head unit signals are what I tapped for the HS10...)

I still think the error is how they tapped the wires feeding the sub. Luckily that is probably not under the seat, but it is behind the HVAC controls. If you haven't done it already, I would pull the fuse for the HS10 (you'd have to to re-run the Key setup anyway) and see if you can get the 4 regular channels sounding more or less okay first, and then add the sub to the equation.

In hindsight, that probably is going to be a horrible place to put the sub, just for the sake of setting it up. I am still curious what they set the phase to, what they set the crossover to, and where the gain is at. I can't believe the installer didn't listen to this system and get your buy-in before they handed it back. :facepalm:
Heya!
The crossovers are on the front tweeters, they were already wired in line when I received them from crutchfield so I left them in place Even though in the form I was looking at there was a lot of debate, I erred on the side of safety.

It looks like I'll probably just need to tear it apart and trace each line, I was hoping it would be something obvious like the dip switch positions etc but looks like that's not the case. Womp. And yes by the way I'm going to need to move the sub to the back and move the key to near the dash, I already planned on getting the plug'n'play wiring harness anyhow.
 

Carlitos_92

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Heya!
The crossovers are on the front tweeters, they were already wired in line when I received them from crutchfield so I left them in place Even though in the form I was looking at there was a lot of debate, I erred on the side of safety.

It looks like I'll probably just need to tear it apart and trace each line, I was hoping it would be something obvious like the dip switch positions etc but looks like that's not the case. Womp. And yes by the way I'm going to need to move the sub to the back and move the key to near the dash, I already planned on getting the plug'n'play wiring harness anyhow.
Got it. Nothing wrong with crossovers on the tweeters. Mine are stuck inside the back wall of the glovebox.

Sucks to take the scorched-earth route, but I think you got at least one "lesson learned" about that installer now.

The good news is that there is plenty of precedent around here for similar setups. My install thread has links to where I got the ideas for the amp install and 3D-printed bracket etc.
 

Milous

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...I'm going to need to move the sub to the back and move the key to near the dash, I already planned on getting the plug'n'play wiring harness anyhow.
Yes, I would move the Key and put it above the glovebox. I would leave it "loose" until you adjust all of the settings. And of course move the sub to behind the rear passenger seat. For the harness, get the version with the subwoofer harness (Kit 11-2). I put together an illustrated PDF document covering the install of the Kicker amp and Kicker subwoofer, shoot me a PM if you want a copy.
 

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Milous

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Dip switches on the key, only the first one is in the down position, the rest are up.
My Kicker amp is set to 120Hz for the bypass filter, suggested by a tech who evaluated my install. Note that I have not changed any settings via Forscan.
 

Milous

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...but I can't really get to the hideaway because of where the idiots put it...
How did they secure the Hideaway, did they run screws into the floorboard? If so you may need to seal those holes when you remove it.
 
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Etron

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It's just sitting there not attached to anything. Idiots.
 

Milous

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It's just sitting there not attached to anything. Idiots.
Wow, that's unbelievable!! Just curious, have you looked up their Google or other reviews? Based on your experience I would think they would have a lot of negative reviews.
 
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Etron

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Wow, that's unbelievable!! Just curious, have you looked up their Google or other reviews? Based on your experience I would think they would have a lot of negative reviews.
Mostly positive (because I think most of their installs just want to hear head rattling bass) but the negative reviews they have nail my experience. They clearly didn't know how to set this up and were too egotistical to listen because they are the "experts".

I'll definitely make a proper post for them, and am considering all options moving forward bcause they've been such dicks about it.
 

Carlitos_92

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