L7 vs Fi Q vsFI BL

[waltham415 0]

I need some advise for a friend, somewhat new to the car audio scene, with a decent amount of money... For about 300 bucks, he can get a kicker L7 15in sub. For the same price, he could get a Fi Q or a Fi BL (both also 15 inch subs) they will be recieving about 800-1000wrms. Any sugestions on which would be the best. He is more of a SPL guy (thats why he is leaning towards kicker) but still wants to get a somewhat decent sq from the settup? He listens to mainly rock and metal,(metallica to All that Remains to three days grace). the box will be custom made, probably tuned to 32ish hz. No shops around here carry kicker so we have never heard any of the three. Any suggestions, tips, ideas? thanks

[BigCProductions99 21]

I Vote BL, Mainly Because I Don't Think The Q Should Be Used In This Application, And The Fact That I Think It Is A Much Better Driver Than The L7 In All Facets Of Imagination. Even On That Little Of Power, In The Right Application, I Think A BL Should Meet Your Needs Best. You Also Get The Addition Of Great Build Quality And Customer Service.

[jcarter1885 995]

I need some advise for a friend, somewhat new to the car audio scene, with a decent amount of money... For about 300 bucks, he can get a kicker L7 15in sub. For the same price, he could get a Fi Q or a Fi BL (both also 15 inch subs) they will be recieving about 800-1000wrms. Any sugestions on which would be the best. He is more of a SPL guy (thats why he is leaning towards kicker) but still wants to get a somewhat decent sq from the settup? He listens to mainly rock and metal,(metallica to All that Remains to three days grace). the box will be custom made, probably tuned to 32ish hz. No shops around here carry kicker so we have never heard any of the three. Any suggestions, tips, ideas? thanks

With the information giving I would go with the FI BL over the Kicker L7, the FI Q is not spl oriented so it wouldnt fit it in his goals.

[Mac N Cheese 90]

I need some advise for a friend, somewhat new to the car audio scene, with a decent amount of money... For about 300 bucks, he can get a kicker L7 15in sub. For the same price, he could get a Fi Q or a Fi BL (both also 15 inch subs) they will be recieving about 800-1000wrms. Any sugestions on which would be the best. He is more of a SPL guy (thats why he is leaning towards kicker) but still wants to get a somewhat decent sq from the settup? He listens to mainly rock and metal,(metallica to All that Remains to three days grace). the box will be custom made, probably tuned to 32ish hz. No shops around here carry kicker so we have never heard any of the three. Any suggestions, tips, ideas? thanks

With the information giving I would go with the FI BL over the Kicker L7, the FI Q is not spl oriented so it wouldnt fit it in his goals.

x2, another vote for BL

[Julian 641]

I owned the BL and personally loved it. Every L7 i've heard sounds like utter shit. IMHO

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

I need some advise for a friend, somewhat new to the car audio scene, with a decent amount of money... For about 300 bucks, he can get a kicker L7 15in sub. For the same price, he could get a Fi Q or a Fi BL (both also 15 inch subs) they will be recieving about 800-1000wrms. Any sugestions on which would be the best. He is more of a SPL guy (thats why he is leaning towards kicker) but still wants to get a somewhat decent sq from the settup? He listens to mainly rock and metal,(metallica to All that Remains to three days grace). the box will be custom made, probably tuned to 32ish hz. No shops around here carry kicker so we have never heard any of the three. Any suggestions, tips, ideas? thanks

With the information giving I would go with the FI BL over the Kicker L7, the FI Q is not spl oriented so it wouldnt fit it in his goals.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[waltham415 0]

alright, thanks. kicker's subs have never really impressed me, im a SQ guy, but i figured i would throw it in because everyone talks of how loud they are. so has anyone delt with Fi, how much of a pain is it to order from them?

[jcarter1885 995]

alright, thanks. kicker's subs have never really impressed me, im a SQ guy, but i figured i would throw it in because everyone talks of how loud they are. so has anyone delt with Fi, how much of a pain is it to order from them?

Not a pain at all considering they have excellent quality service, every company on this forum has great company service.

[mustangsub 1]

go with the fi bl. fi audio til i die

[keetykush 34]

I never owned a l7, but had a cvx then converted to fi. I must say the cvx could not compete with FI, especially when it came to SPL, well actually all around because it also had outstanding SQ, and this was the SSD. I'd give the SSD a look too.

[Julian 641]

very painless, customer service grade A+++. They'll usually answer your questions in 1 day or less. I owned the BL and had it beating on my Saz-3000d @ 2 ohms getting +1.5kwrms daily.

Edited December 29, 2009 by Julian

[waltham415 0]

Thanks for the quick responces. the general vote seems to lean towards the Fi BL which looks like a great sub. As recomended, i looked into the Fi SSD series and found that the 18in SSD is within the price range also. what would be the advantages/disadvantages of each sub (15in Bl or 18in SSD) being that they cost the same?

[jcarter1885 995]

Thanks for the quick responces. the general vote seems to lean towards the Fi BL which looks like a great sub. As recomended, i looked into the Fi SSD series and found that the 18in SSD is within the price range also. what would be the advantages/disadvantages of each sub (15in Bl or 18in SSD) being that they cost the same?

One takes more power, if you dont have the room to run an 18" subwoofer then it will be a waste of money and should just stick with the 15" of either model you get.

[keetykush 34]

Thanks for the quick responces. the general vote seems to lean towards the Fi BL which looks like a great sub. As recomended, i looked into the Fi SSD series and found that the 18in SSD is within the price range also. what would be the advantages/disadvantages of each sub (15in Bl or 18in SSD) being that they cost the same?

One takes more power, if you dont have the room to run an 18" subwoofer then it will be a waste of money and should just stick with the 15" of either model you get.

Fully loaded I would say go with 1000 watts, to get the ssd moving nice.

[waltham415 0]

Thanks for the quick responces. the general vote seems to lean towards the Fi BL which looks like a great sub. As recomended, i looked into the Fi SSD series and found that the 18in SSD is within the price range also. what would be the advantages/disadvantages of each sub (15in Bl or 18in SSD) being that they cost the same?

One takes more power, if you dont have the room to run an 18" subwoofer then it will be a waste of money and should just stick with the 15" of either model you get.

well its going in the back of a jeep cherokee so room shouldnt be an issue. but if there are no big advantages to an 18in sub ill probably stick with the 15in BL

[jcarter1885 995]

Those are two different subs for two different goals, yeah there are more differences but that is one of the main one (power, sub design, space, electrical upgrades, etc.)

[Duran 387]

The L7 is worthless in my opinion. It's just a paperweight. The Fi is in a different league, for that reason you shouldn't even consider the L7, and considering the Q is meant for sound quality, not loudness, you should choose the BL or BTL.

[outhopu 70]

I never owned a l7, but had a cvx then converted to fi. I must say the cvx could not compete with FI, especially when it came to SPL, well actually all around because it also had outstanding SQ, and this was the SSD. I'd give the SSD a look too.

Thanks for the quick responces. the general vote seems to lean towards the Fi BL which looks like a great sub. As recomended, i looked into the Fi SSD series and found that the 18in SSD is within the price range also. what would be the advantages/disadvantages of each sub (15in Bl or 18in SSD) being that they cost the same?

I'm no pro but I did recently install a 10" Fi SSD in a ported enclosure (using areo ports) tuned to 32hz, powered with 880watts/rms. I will say it is the single most impressive subwoofer I've ever purchased. It plays low and can also handle the fast drum beats of metal as well. I've always bought "brand name" stuff (JL, Polk, Infinity...)before, what a waste of cash that was. I had a few friends come over to take a listen and they all were as impressed as I was. I can't wait to build a real ground pounder with multiple subs and big power. For the cash you can't go wrong with Fi. This was the first Fi product I've used but won't be the last.

Hope this helps some.

[///M5 2,833]

All this L7 bashing I find funny. It really is a great sub as well, just happens to be mainstream. I am an SQ guy, but yet still chose to put one of these in my sisters boat (gift) and not only is it really fucking loud it sounds pretty damn good doing it. The box is far from ideal for my listening style, but that wasn't the point. For the OP the L7 would be a WAY better choice than the Q. Personally I haven't compared one with the BL so I can't comment, but I'd bet that everyone who responded above me couldn't either.

[mustangsub 1]

yeah havent heard the fi q but have heard l7 vs fi bl and fi bl vs fi ssd all 15" i personall dont like the square subs. and the fi deleima is how much power your car can handle

[Kawonu 0]

I had a 12 L7 on 750 rms and it got loud. I had Kicker speakers for many years. The L7 was not in the right box for tight accurate bass though, just a SPL box.

I have now switched to a 15 Fi BL. It is my first sub over a 12. I have it on 1000 rms in a 4 cube box @ 32 Hz in the back of a SUV. It by far is louder than the L7 and by far more accurate. I can play metal to rap to country and all sound damn good. The L7 did not handle thermal stress well. The BL I can play full tilt for as long as I can stand and it still doesn't get barely warm.

[jcarter1885 995]

I had a 12 L7 on 750 rms and it got loud. I had Kicker speakers for many years. The L7 was not in the right box for tight accurate bass though, just a SPL box.

I have now switched to a 15 Fi BL. It is my first sub over a 12. I have it on 1000 rms in a 4 cube box @ 32 Hz in the back of a SUV. It by far is louder than the L7 and by far more accurate. I can play metal to rap to country and all sound damn good. The L7 did not handle thermal stress well. The BL I can play full tilt for as long as I can stand and it still doesn't get barely warm.

You had it in the wrong box, the same thing ///M5 was saying. You can even compare the two since one was in the recommended box and the other wasnt. I love Kicker subs and those are the only subs I mess with that are mainstream, I always put mine in the right enclosure and they sound lovely. I wouldnt be afraid to go back to Kicker, I like L7's but CVX's better just my preference but I dont have a problem with Kicker subs at all (square or round).

[waltham415 0]

Alright, So having passed all this to my friend he has desided to go with a 15in Fi SSD equipted with the BP Power and flatwound coil options, allowing him a little extra money to get an amp to replace his old jensen. We are going to place it in a 4cuft ported box tuned to (hopefully) 32hz.

Does anyone have any box design ideas? im not sure of the exact dimensions of his cherokee but any designs within reason should fit easily.

thanks again

[slim2fattycake 85]

pm shizzzon for box designs.

[keetykush 34]

All this L7 bashing I find funny. It really is a great sub as well

I don't know but, kickers to me just sound horrible. Like I can hear a car roll up and spot the distinct sound. Its just bluntly hollow in my opinion.