[jslc]

Curiosity got the best of me. I ordered the Kicker 46HS10 to see if it's any better than the 11HS8 I installed a couple weeks ago. While I didn't need more volume from the 8" sub, it just seemed to struggle with some songs and sounded distorted at even middle range volumes. I'm sure some of the issue is due to the speaker being buried in the sub-trunk. The 10" replacement sounds more clear despite the poor placement and produces bass effortlessly without being overwhelmed -- even at higher volumes. The new speaker uses the same wiring harness as the old one so it was an easy swap and it still fits in the same space as the original Meridian sub. I'm really pleased with the improvement and will be returning the 11HS8.

BTW, both of these speakers just dropped in price. The 10" is now available for $315 and the 8" is $255.

 

[jslc]

Any tips on how to unplug the 12v? Did you pull the whole socket out or just the wiring behind it? I cant seem to get it to unplug to pull it out.

Can you show me where you routed the wire under the plastic? I think I can see a spot toward the back where it looks like it could push it through with some fish tape

I routed the wire in the channel where the red arrow is below. It was not a tight fit so no fish tape was required. I just slid it in, reached through the access panel by the 12V socket and grabbed it.

I didn't remove the whole 12V socket, just the wires leading to the back of the socket. They should just pull right off like you're unplugging something from the wall. The back of the socket looks something like the image below and the wiring terminates in an L shaped plastic harness that pulls right off. Once the wires were off, I pulled them through the access door and had enough length to splice into the positive.

 

[jslc]

I just installed my Kicker 11HS8 and boy is that what the car needed! The sound system now sounds like what I was expecting in the first place (maybe a little better). Installation was very easy thanks to this forum. Here are a few things I learned in case it helps anyone.

1. The ground wire can connect to one of the 10mm screws that were removed when the old sub was uninstalled. I soldered a ring terminal to the end of the ground wire and then screwed it down. Just sand a little where the terminal will contact the car body for a good connection. In retrospect, I see in the forum pictures that some of you did this but wanted to call attention to it.

2. The positive is easy to slide under the plastic so that all cables are completely hidden. Just pop open the panel under the 12V socket, reach in and you should be able to feel the wire at the bottom as you push it from the subwoofer cavity toward the tail light.

3. The wiring to the 12V socket unplugs just like a wall outlet. This makes splicing in the positive very easy. Just unplug and then pull the wiring out the access panel along with the wire you just fished through and splice away. You can choose to either plug the wiring back in to the 12V socket or leave it disconnected to reduce your chances of exceeding circuit capacity. FWIW, I plugged mine back in. I figured the fuse will keep things in check and there are workaounds if you need to plug in something that uses 15A: You could use a different 12V socket in the car or you could temporarily unplug or turn off the sub.

4. Leaving one of the plastic access ports off to the subwoofer cavity seems to have a positive effect on sound quality. I'm still experimenting with this. It also provides easy access to the adjustment knobs on the subwoofer.

 

[jslc]

Ordered the 1879003730AS harnass from the previous listed Korean website. Also, ordered from mykiaparts.com. Hopefully between the two websites I get the correct wiring harness for plug and play.

Debating between the Kicker 10 inch that has 4.5 rating on amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083M9HR4D/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A1FKUCA1GX5YMG&psc=1

Or the 8 inch Kicker that has 4 rating on amazon https://www.amazon.com/Kicker-11HS8-Hideaway-Subwoofer-Enclosure/dp/B007LQWSYC/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3QEON4EDNED14&keywords=kicker+8+inch&qid=1672761127&s=electronics&sprefix=,electronics,83&sr=1-8&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3

I tried both. Go with the 10 inch. It sounded much better!

 

[jslc]

Well I've had about a week with my EV6 and the Kicker 11HS8. While the Kicker is a solid upgrade, the system really could use more low end. The little 8" sub keeps up with the mains until the volume is up about half way (~35 out of 75 on the volume slider). I feel like the Kicker gets the sound system into the realm of "good car audio" but is not "impressive" by any means. I think a more powerful sub would get it there because the cabin speakers really are quite nice.

My Subaru Crosstrek came from the factory with a Harmon Kardon system (no sub) that outperforms the KIA even with the Kicker sub. I use the Subie as a reference point for other cars' premium (not custom) audio systems.

I played around with placement of the Kicker, putting it in the cavity where the old Meridian was and then up top in the cargo area. While the sound was a bit better when it was unobstructed, the difference was surprisingly subtle. I plan to keep it in the cavity just so it's conveniently out of the way.

I wish I would have found a more powerful sub. I wonder if the 46HS10 would have been better? I'm not sure if I'd swap it out at this point but it may be food for thought if you're considering replacing your Meridian sub. The 11HS8 is still a solid choice but keep your expectations in check about what you're getting in the end.

 

[jslc]

Hi JSLC
I infer from the fact that you didn't connect the blue wire, that you set the "Auto Turn On" switch to "DC" ?
Is it Right ?

That's correct.

 

[jslc]

Bonjour JSLC.
Ne pas être un spécialiste des connexions audio, je serais intéressé par un schéma de vos connexions aux câbles d'origine connectés au caisson de basses Meridian. Pourriez-vous noter les connexions d'origine (couleur des câbles d'origine à laquelle connexion sur le subwoofer Kicker)
Merci beaucoup pour vos indications

Kicker Cable Color	Goes to...
Red	Splice into 12V socket red wire
Black	Car body (ground)
Blue	Do not use
White / White with black stripe	White goes to either of the red wires connected to Meridian Sub, White with black goes to the black wire next to the red used by the white
Grey / Grey with black stripe	Grey goes to the other red wire connected to Meridian Sub, Grey with black goes to the black wire next to the red used by the Grey