Kicker hideaway- final upgrade to the $250(+) 3rd gen premium upgrade (+Kicker Key 180.4 amp)

Thanks.

 

@Exracer2 - I'm at a point where I've done the subaru/kicker tweeters, and the cs upgrade to the four speakers. I have a limited budget remaining and I'm choosing between the Key 180.4 or the Hideaway Sub. Which could you not live without?

 

That’s a tough call. I honestly think both need to be done (now that I did both). Because I did the Hideaway first I know it makes a big improvement on its own but the system overall lacks overall power / volume. That said with the Hideaway first and then the Key I ended up turning up the gain on the Hideaway after the Key install to balance out the sound better as I felt it lacked some bass.

Now I did turn the bass down on the head unit to allow the Hideaway to take the heavy lifting in terms of the bass signals. As a guess I think the Key might be a better FIRST install between the two and turn up the bass on the head unit to compensate. This is just a guess. In my opinion I would do both but if you do the Key first you might be ok waiting and doing the Hideaway later. You might even find the Hideaway isn’t nessecary if you get enough balance by playing with the head unit settings.

Try the Key first but be ready to add the Hideaway later when funds allow. I know I was ONLY doing the tweeters. Then..... and then...... The end result is impressive for an OEM ahead unit. Now I want to replace the Harmon Kardon system in my BMW Z3 and will see if I can make a Hideaway work better than the tiny stock sub. It will likely get a Key and some Kicker speakers as well.

 

Turns out I had a bad Hideaway. I exchanged it, plugged in the new new one and it worked perfectly. Thank you for trying to trouble shoot it, I appreciate the effort!

 

Explains why we couldn’t troubleshoot it

 

Good info in this thread, and thanks to all contributors and @destin_meeks. I'm just doing research now and getting together a parts list for spring. I personally think my '19 entune premium sounds terrible. I'm no audio snob or expert, but I love music. I want loud, clear, and bass.

I just found out about the Kicker Key and think I'm going that route with Kicker Cs and Subaru plug ins. I really want to keep the factory head unit and I'm adding a powered sub from a previous vehicle, https://www.crutchfield.com/p_575P30012/Rockford-Fosgate-Punch-P300-12.html

With that subwoofer, I used high level inputs and I wasn't pleased. All my previous audio experience had low level rca inputs. I plan on getting a quality line level output to address that this time, and I hated having to use the added bass volume knob. I want the bass to adjust with the volume. I need to rehash the instructions, but I think I have that option...maybe?

With the Key amp, I will be using the metra harnesses. I'm still a little confused about being a four channel amp and having six speakers and I know nothing about ohms. I'm going to keep researching for a bit before purchasing, but good info here.

 

Replies in bold

 

Thanks man, much appreciated.

It just confuses me that no aftermarket options are available for the front dash. I tried looking into Subaru replacements and couldn't find any either.

If you really recommend going high level, I might try it again tapping into the Tacoma front speakers.

When I installed that subwoofer in a lexus, I may have not tapped the correct speaker wires. I always got a huge bass hum after turning the power off when it was turned up, probably my install. I'd really like to not have to use the remote at all.

 

If I understand correctly you can set the level on the Hideaway OR use the remote. The remote overrides the setting in the Hideaway. Not sure if the RF is the same but I would assume it is.

 

@Exracer2 @destin_meeks

Curious on your general opinions (as well as for others)

after plenty of time witht he upgrades (or after a ton of different installs), curious to if you think there was a large jump in both sound quality AND volume levels. I did the tweets, doors, and hideaway 6 months ago and really the only issue i have is volume with all the windows down, which happens to be how i like to drive most of the time.

thoughts / concerns? I would end up just getting the amp and install at the local best buy.

 

Adding an amp will most certainly add volume. Especially with the kicker CS line. The factory head unit is a travesty in terms of power output (literally like 5w per channel) so bumping up to the Key or similar will put you in the 45w range.
That power going into titanium dome tweeters like the CS line can be cranked far louder than people will need.
You can easily make up for the windows being rolled down.

 

I thought the sound was great and the Hideaway filled in nicely in terms of lows. As long as I had windows up it was ok in terms of volume windows down and I felt I needed more volume. The Key amp rectified this and now I have no issues. If volume is your complaint and have done everything else then I can confidently say the Key will tie everything else together and give the volume you desire. Read up on where people have set their gains. Mine were almost off they are so low. But in trying to add more gain I get a hiss when at low volumes. Just set it so you don’t have the hiss and everything will be fine.

 

Thanks to both. outside of $$, is there any potential downside?

 

I am very happy with the outcome. Size wise the Key is awesome. Sound wise for my ears it is great. It will never be a audio contest winner but that was never the goal of these upgrades. Volume wise you can crank it to more than your ears can tolerate.

 

do you have a preference between the key and the alpine power pack?

any particular reason?

I ask because i was going to do the key at BB here. with install is was roughly $500 installed.

the local audio shop here that is very highly respected and rated can do a alpine power pack for $300 installed.

 

The key was going to be $500 installed? That’s not correct.
The key is $200+tax
Labor should be $80
Male and female harnesses will be $17 each or so, +tax

So $335 after AL state tax @ 9%


At least that’s how I would do it. He may have something different in mind so I can’t speak for him.

 

That was what I got quoted online. Not actually at the store

 

This was a package

 

I see where they’re coming from. Those aren’t the things I would use (and all the other installers I know)

It thinks it’s a normal 4ch amp, so it’s adding on 4ch amp labor, all the wiring, and a line-out converter

However, since we would treat it as a power pack, the labor is $80, and it doesn’t need any additional wiring or parts, aside from the male and female Metra harnesses referenced all over the forum.

Our website tries its best, but occasionally comes up short. The Key is still a fairly new product so it hasn’t gotten the full treatment yet

 

So would it be better to order in and talk with the installer instead of doing it online?