Kicker CompRT vs. CompVT Subwoofer
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Kicker CompRT vs. CompVT Subwoofer

Kicker CompRT vs. CompVT Subwoofer


Kicker CompRT

The Kicker CompRT is Kicker's best performing, thin-profile subwoofer and one of our favorites. The shallow mounting depth of the Kicker CompRT is perfect for installations in tight spaces or installs that need to work within small volume enclosures. Many thin, or low-profile, woofers on the market sound like shallow mount subwoofers. The CompRT is one of the few exceptions. These subwoofers offer full-size bass in a low-profile, compact package.

Kicker CompVT

The Kicker CompVT subwoofer is the older, legacy, low-profile subwoofer from Kicker. The CompVT subwoofers are the same woofers that come with Kicker's VSS subwoofer packages for new vehicles. We feel that the CompRT is a much better low-profile subwoofer. It is newer, hits harder, can handle more power, and it just sounds better.

Sizes

The Kicker CompRT comes in a few more sizes than the Kicker CompVT lineup, with sizes in the 6.75", 8", 10", and 12" diameters. The Kicker CompVT subwoofers come in both 10" and 12" diameters. If you're looking for more versatility on sizing, the Kicker CompRT lineup is the way to go.

Voice Coils

Kicker's CompRT lineup comes in dual 1-ohm or dual 2-ohm voice coil configurations, while the CompVT lineup sticks to single-coil 2-ohm or single-coil 4-ohm construction. Be sure to check out which setup the subwoofer you're selecting has when planning out your installation if this is one of the most important factors in your selection.

Power Handling

Depending on the size, the Kicker CompRT lineup has RMS power handling in the 150-watt to 500-watt performance based on the size of the subwoofer selected. The CompVT lineup handles 350 watts at the 10" diameter and 400 watts at the 12" diameter. If you're looking for a bit more RMS power handling, be sure to go with the upgraded CompRT lineup when selecting your subs.

Mounting Depth

The upgrades in the CompRT lineup pay off in the mounting depth line. Although both subwoofers are thin-profile subs, the CompRT features a more shallow mounting depth across all comparable sizes between the two lineups. If you're looking for better space-saving options with your installation, be sure to check out the shallower depths of the CompRT lineup over the CompVT lineup at your selected size sub. We're sure you'll be impressed.

Recommended Enclosure Size

If you look at recommended sealed box-sizing between the CompRT lineup and the CompVT lineup, you'll see that the recommended sizing is the same between comparably sized models. However, you will see a smaller recommended size for the minimum sealed box recommended volume on the CompRT lineup. If you're looking to save some space in that area, you'll want to check out the minimum recommendations on the CompRT lineup first.

Recommended Amplifiers

The recommended amplifier for your subwoofers will vary greatly depending on the size and quantity of subwoofers you select for your installation. The following lists are comparisons between amplifiers for subwoofers in the same dimensions between the different models. The list begins with a factory recommendation for amps that provide enough power handling for the subwoofer(s), and then move on to our professional recommendations that may vary slightly from the factory recommendations. These Classic Car Stereo recommendations may be an amp with a higher price point that will service the subs better, or an amp that provides RMS power handling over the recommended amount which will allow you to not have to maximize the output on your amp to provide full power to your subs.

*SPECIAL NOTE ON COMPVT SUBWOOFER MODELS: Classic Car Stereos highly recommends you purchase the CompRT models of subwoofers over the CompVT line. For that purpose, we'll only be listing the recommended subwoofer and amp pairings for the range of CompRT subwoofers in this article.

Sub: (Qty 1) CompRT 6.75"

  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 1 Ohm CXA400.1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: CXA400.1

    Sub: (Qty 2) CompRT 6.75"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 2-ohm CXA400.1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: CXA400.1

    Sub: (Qty 1) CompRT 8"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 1 Ohm CXA400.1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: CXA400.1

    Sub: (Qty 2) CompRT 8"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 2-ohm CXA800.1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: CXA800.1

    Sub: (Qty 1) CompRT 10"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): Dual 1 or 2-ohm CXA400.1. OR KXA400.1 or KEY500.1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: CXA400.1

    Sub: (Qty 2) CompRT 10"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): CXA800.1 or KXA800.1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: CXA800.1

    Sub: (Qty 1) CompRT 12"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): 2-ohm DVC KEY500.1, CXA400.1 or KXA400.1. OR 4-ohm DVC CXA800.1 or KXA800.1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: CXA400.1

    Sub: (Qty 2) CompRT 12"
  • Factory Amp Recommendation(s): CXA800.1, CX1200.1 or KX800.1
  • Classic Car Stereo Recommendation: CXA800.1

    Price Points

    The CompRT lineup is an upgraded lineup over the CompVT line and will come with a small increase in price to reflect that between comparably sized models. However, with all the upgrades listed above, we think the small increase in price is well worth the purchase price as an upgrade to your installation. If the money is available, it will be money well spent.

    In Conclusion

    Both the Kicker CompRT and CompVT models are thin-profile subwoofers for more compact installations. However, we'd recommend the small increase in price point for the CompRT model over the legacy CompVT model. The CompRT model features a wider range of installation diameters as well as better RMS power handling, all of which are well worth the relatively small increase in price over the legacy model CompVT.

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