KICKER CXA800.1 Review: 800 W Class D Mono Amp With 1-Ohm Stability

This Kicker CXA800.1 review asks whether an 800-watt Class D monoblock at $299.99 (USD) is the right amplifier for one or two car subwoofers. For most buyers running a 1 ohm or 2 ohm subwoofer stage on a modest budget, the answer is yes, with two caveats. The amp ships without a bass remote or wiring, and no independent lab measurements were found to back the ratings.

Kicker still lists the amp on its current product pages as part of the 2019 CX-Series, and no successor is confirmed. Retail bundles vary widely, so the figures below come from Kicker's owner's manual, white paper and product page, then are compared with two amplifiers at similar prices.

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What the Kicker CXA800.1 is, and where it sits

The CXA800.1 (part number 46CXA8001) is the second-smallest of four amplifiers in Kicker's 2019 CX mono manual, between the CXA400.1 and the CXA1200.1. It is a mono Class D design with a stated response of 25 Hz to 200 Hz, so it suits subwoofers only. Kicker rates it at 300 watts RMS into 4 ohms, 600 watts into 2 ohms and 800 watts into 1 ohm, measured at 14.4 volts with 1% THD+N or less. The manual adds that the 1 ohm rating carries a plus or minus 10 percent tolerance.

Names vary in shops. Kicker's page header reads CX800.1 while its specification table reads CXA800.1, and both mean this amplifier. Some retail titles add a 1,600-watt peak figure that Kicker does not publish, so this review uses the RMS ratings only.

Kicker CXA800.1 design and build

The white paper lists a UV-treated anodized extruded aluminum heat sink with powder-coated stamped steel end plates. The body measures 20.6 x 17 x 5.9 cm (8-1/8 x 6-3/4 x 2-3/8 in). That footprint is about 21% smaller than the Rockford Fosgate R2-750X1 and 24% smaller than the Alpine S2-A60M, calculated from published lengths and widths.

Vertical mounting brackets are included, and the manual asks for at least 4 inches (10 cm) of open space for ventilation, preferably in the climate-controlled passenger compartment. The controls sit on the side panel with power and protection LEDs that glow green when all is well and red under thermal, voltage or short-circuit protection.

Kicker CXA800.1 features and controls

The input section is flexible. Differential RCA inputs take low-level signals from 125 mV to 5 V or high-level signals from 1 V to 40 V, an input level switch selects between them, and full-range RCA pass-through outputs can feed another amp. Kicker states that the amp needs no line output converter for speaker-level sources, although the manual still shows speaker wires reaching the RCA input through an optional KISL adapter. Buyers who want a bundle with a remote and wiring can look at this Kicker CXA800.1 bundle and then check the contents against the list later in this review.

Turn-on works from a 12-volt remote wire or from a DC offset above 2.5 volts on a high-level input, and a three-second delay on turn-on and turn-off limits pops. Tuning controls are gain, a low-pass filter from 50 Hz to 200 Hz at 12 dB per octave (the manual suggests starting near 80 Hz), a KickEQ bass boost of 0 to 6 dB at 40 Hz and a fixed 25 Hz subsonic filter at 24 dB per octave. The white paper also notes compatibility with Start/Stop vehicle systems.

The bass remote is a separate purchase. The CXARC is sold separately, and the DBRC dual-amp remote can control one or two compatible mono amps. The manual warns not to connect or disconnect the 3.5 mm remote cable with power on, and that a cable plugged in without the knob makes the amp run at full gain. There are no clip LEDs, so the manual recommends setting gain with a 50 Hz sine wave and a voltmeter against its power chart.

CXA800.1 power ratings and what the numbers mean

Kicker's manual states ratings at 14.4 volts with 1% THD+N or less, and cites CEA-2006B for the 4 ohm figure and for a 75 dB signal-to-noise ratio referenced to 1 watt. BestCarAudio.com's summary of the current CTA-2006-D revision describes the same 14.4-volt basis with a 1 percent distortion limit. The table adds voltage and current calculated from the ratings.

Load	Rated power (W)	Calculated volts RMS	Calculated amps RMS	Cost per rated watt (USD)
4 ohm	300	34.6	8.7	$1.00
2 ohm	600	34.6	17.3	$0.50
1 ohm	800 (+/-10%)	28.3	28.3	$0.37

The calculated output is 34.6 volts RMS at both 4 ohms and 2 ohms, so power doubles only because the load halves. At 1 ohm the voltage falls to about 28.3 volts while current climbs to about 28.3 amps. The plus or minus 10 percent tolerance means a unit rated at 800 watts could sit anywhere from 720 to 880 watts at 1 ohm.

Our research found no independent lab measurements for this model. Everything here therefore rests on Kicker's published figures. The white paper gives a draw of under 80 amps at rated power, idle draw under 3 amps and standby draw under 2 milliamps, though it does not state the supply voltage for the 80-amp figure. The same sheet lists under-voltage protection at 8 volts with a warning at 10.5 volts and over-voltage protection at 16 volts. Kicker's signal-to-noise figures are above 95 dB referenced to rated power and above 75 dB under the CEA reference of 1 watt, so the two numbers describe different conditions.

Installing the CXA800.1: wiring, fuse and speaker load checklist

The manual sets these installation rules.

1. Fuse the power cable with an 80 A fuse within 18 inches (45 cm) of the battery. The fuse is not included.
2. Use 4 AWG power and ground wire, with the ground 24 inches (60 cm) or shorter on bare, paint-free metal.
3. Add a second ground wire of the same gauge or larger from the battery negative post to the chassis, as the manual recommends.
4. Do not load the amp below 1 ohm. The manual shows a 1 ohm minimum for mono operation.
5. Cross RCA and power wiring at 90 degrees, and use 18 gauge wire for the remote turn-on lead.

Speaker wiring decides which rating applies. The table lists net loads calculated from common voice coil layouts, with Kicker's rating for each load.

Subwoofer layout	Net load	Rated amp power	Power per subwoofer
One 4 ohm single voice coil	4 ohm	300 W	300 W
One 4 ohm dual voice coil, coils in parallel	2 ohm	600 W	600 W
One 2 ohm dual voice coil, coils in parallel	1 ohm	800 (+/-10%) W	800 W
Two 2 ohm dual voice coil, coils in series, subs in parallel	2 ohm	600 W	300 W each
Two 4 ohm dual voice coil, all coils in parallel	1 ohm	800 (+/-10%) W	400 W each
Two 2 ohm single voice coil, in parallel	1 ohm	800 (+/-10%) W	400 W each

Kicker adds one year to the standard warranty when the amp is paired with a qualifying Kicker installation kit, provided both come from an authorized Kicker dealer in the United States. The manual lists 4 AWG kits PK4 and CK4 for this amplifier.

CXA800.1 vs Rockford Fosgate R2-750X1 and Alpine S2-A60M

The closest rivals are the Rockford Fosgate R2-750X1, a 750-watt Class D monoblock with an included remote, and the Alpine S2-A60M, a 600-watt Class D monoblock that costs about the same as the Kicker. Test conditions differ by brand.

Specification	Kicker CXA800.1	Rockford Fosgate R2-750X1	Alpine S2-A60M
Price (USD)	$299.99	$379.99	$299.95
Rated power at 4 ohm	300 W	250 W	330 W
Rated power at 2 ohm	600 W	500 W	600 W
Rated power at 1 ohm	800 W (+/-10%)	750 W	600 W
Low-pass range and slope	50 Hz to 200 Hz, 12 dB/oct	50 Hz to 250 Hz, 12 dB/oct	50 Hz to 400 Hz, 24 dB/oct
Subsonic or infrasonic	25 Hz fixed, 24 dB/oct	15 Hz to 40 Hz variable	Not listed
Bass boost	0 to +6 dB at 40 Hz	0 to +18 dB at 45 Hz	0 to +12 dB at 50 Hz
Bass remote	Sold separately	Included	Sold separately
Recommended fuse	80 A	120 A	60 A (two 30 A)
Size (L x W x H)	20.6 x 17 x 5.9 cm	25.5 x 17.3 x 4.9 cm	21 x 22 x 5.65 cm
Warranty	2 years	1 year	Not confirmed

The Kicker gives the most rated power at 1 ohm: 6.7% more than the Rockford Fosgate R2-750X1 (0.28 dB) and 33% more than the Alpine S2-A60M (1.25 dB). The gap to the Rockford Fosgate is smaller than the Kicker's own plus or minus 10 percent tolerance, so the two should be treated as close. At 1 ohm the Kicker costs $0.37 per rated watt against $0.51 and $0.50. The Alpine leads at 4 ohms with 330 watts, and the Rockford Fosgate offers a wider boost range and an included remote. The Kicker's draw figure of under 80 amps equals its 80 A fuse rating, while the Rockford Fosgate lists 71 amps against a 120 A fuse, which is 59% of the fuse rating. Alpine states that each unit ships with a certificate of its measured power. Independent data was not found for any of the three.

Who should buy or skip the Kicker CXA800.1

The best fit is a one-subwoofer or two-small-subwoofer system at 1 ohm or 2 ohms where budget and size matter. Factory-radio users benefit from the high-level input with DC-offset turn-on. Shoppers who want the amp in a bundle can compare the CXA800.1 listing on Amazon with Kicker's own page.

• Buy it for a 1 ohm or 2 ohm subwoofer stage with a healthy battery, alternator and 4 AWG wiring.
• Buy it for tight installs, since the footprint is the smallest of the three compared here.
• Skip it if an included bass remote matters, because the remote costs extra.
• Skip it for full-range speakers, since the response ends at 200 Hz and the 25 Hz subsonic filter cannot be switched off.
• Skip it if rated power must be independently confirmed, since no lab data was found.

The manual excludes products bought from unauthorized dealers from warranty coverage, and refurbished or B-stock units carry only three months.

Kicker CXA800.1 price and pre-purchase checks

The Kicker CXA800.1 costs $299.99 (USD), or $0.37 per rated watt at 1 ohm, $0.50 at 2 ohms and $1.00 at 4 ohms. Fuse, power wire, speaker wire and a bass remote are not included with the amplifier alone. Prices change often, so check the current listing.

• Confirm the exact model is CXA800.1 (part 46CXA8001) and not the CXA400.1 or CXA1200.1.
• Confirm the seller is an authorized Kicker dealer, since the 2-year warranty depends on it.
• List the bundle contents. Bundles may add a DBRC or CXARC remote, a wiring kit and a line output converter, and the converter is optional for this amp.
• Check bundle wire is 4 AWG and the fuse is 80 A. A third-party kit may not qualify for Kicker's extra warranty year.
• Ignore peak power claims, since Kicker publishes RMS ratings only.

Installers should price a 4 AWG kit and an 80 A fuse holder before comparing totals, then review the current CXA800.1 bundle on Amazon next to other authorized sellers.

CXA800.1 rating: how it scores

Each area is scored from 0 to 5 and weighted. Scores are conservative because every performance figure comes from the manufacturer and no independent measurements were found.

Area	Weight	Score	Weighted points
Performance and sound/function	40%	3.5	1.400
Features and usability	20%	3.5	0.700
Build quality and design	15%	4.0	0.600
Value at the review price	25%	4.0	1.000
Weighted total	100%	3.70	Rounds to 3.5

Performance earns 3.5 because the ratings, protection limits and wide input range are well documented, but nothing independent backs them and the fuse rating leaves no stated headroom over the draw figure. Features earn 3.5 for speaker-level inputs, DC-offset turn-on and remote compatibility, held back by no included remote, no clip LEDs and a fixed subsonic filter. Build earns 4.0 for the anodized aluminum heat sink, compact body and 2-year warranty. Value earns 4.0 because $299.99 gives the lowest cost per rated watt at 1 ohm of the three amps compared and ties for lowest at 2 ohms.

The weighted total of 3.70 rounds to the nearest half point, giving a final rating of 3.5 out of 5. Our research score is based on the rated figures and documented details above.

Sources and further reading

• Kicker CXA800.1 product page: ratings, features, price and warranty.
• Kicker CX amplifier owner's manual: rating basis, fuse and wire, wiring rules, warranty terms.
• Kicker CXA800.1 white paper: current draw, protection limits, dimensions.
• Kicker DBRC dual-amp bass remote page: remote compatibility.
• BestCarAudio.com explainer on the CTA-2006-D standard: standard requirements.
• Rockford Fosgate R2-750X1 product page: competitor specifications and price.
• Alpine S2-A60M product page: competitor specifications and price.
• Alpine S2-A60M owner's manual: competitor rating conditions, fuse and filters.