Kicker Sub Install for better performance

[The_Q]

This is the second ZR2 I’ve installed a GM Kicker subwoofer in. The first was a 2022. On that install I did the conventional install, ie… by the instructions. Then later added the Kicker controller and set all the dip switches up.

On my 2024, I wanted to try hooking it up to the Bose subwoofer inputs that run from the center console under the passenger seat. Thanks to @RCF71 for providing pictures of the harness and wire colors to splice into.

The hardest part of going this route is how tight GM wraps the wire harness. The wires for the Bose subwoofer are thicker than the door speaker wires, so you have to use a bigger wire tap. That being said, tapping them is a little harder, requiring patience. I ended up making a 12 inch extension to run between the Bose subwoofer wires and the Kicker wires.

I have to say, this installation is how it should have been from the beginning. The whole system sounds so much better. Channel separation is better and the bass is much more defined, with good punch. I don’t feel a need for the Kicker control knob with this installation.

As a note, the Bose subwoofer wires are blue with a gray stripe and green with a black stripe. I hooked the green Kicker wire to the blue/gray stripe wire and the brown Kicker wire to the green/black stripe (opposite what is pictured).

Below are the pictures that @RCF71 provided me for the installation.

 

[RCF71]

I did similar with the extension, that’s the WAGO connectors you can see in the pics (sorry for not mentioning that, but you obviously did fine without it!).

 

[AXE]

How do you access the sub in the center console? From the top rear or side?

Why can't you just replace the bose sub with a better one? No room?

 

[KLA]

How do you access the sub in the center console? From the top rear or side?

Why can't you just replace the bose sub with a better one? No room?

I believe you can get to the same blue/gray and green/black wires from under the back seat right off of the Bose amp. Might be a bit easier th access.

 

[8ball_99]

How do you access the sub in the center console? From the top rear or side?

Why can't you just replace the bose sub with a better one? No room?

It's a PITA the whole center console has to be removed, but there isn't any alternative sub anyway. Though i haven't really looked in a while. It's only like a 6" sub in a pretty shallow box.

 

[The_Q]

How do you access the sub in the center console? From the top rear or side?

Why can't you just replace the bose sub with a better one? No room?

I didn’t pull the center console apart, so I have no idea about access or suitable replacement.

When I first researched accessing the Bose subwoofer wiring I found that it was accessible near the center console passenger side mount. Then I read a post here about being able to access the wires under the passenger front seat, near the door jamb. The Kicker sub is much better than the Bose, and even better now that it’s wired into the Bose subwoofer wiring.

 

[AXE]

I didn’t pull the center console apart, so I have no idea about access or suitable replacement.

When I first researched accessing the Bose subwoofer wiring I found that it was accessible near the center console passenger side mount. Then I read a post here about being able to access the wires under the passenger front seat, near the door jamb. The Kicker sub is much better than the Bose, and even better now that it’s wired into the Bose subwoofer wiring.

If I decide to do one, I'll do it that way.

 

[RCF71]

Not pointed at anyone here, but I alway see the Bose center console speaker referred to as a subwoofer. This is from Bose’s documentation about the Silverado -

“Available with a premium Bose system, complete with 7 high-performance speakers, including a Richbass woofer.”

From JL Audio -

Woofer - These speakers are used primarily for playing frequencies below the range that a tweeter would play and just above the frequencies that subwoofers are capable of reproducing.

Subwoofers are used for playing the lowest frequencies in music.

I’m much happier with the sound since adding the Kicker subwoofer. But even with it, it’s not as good as Ferd’s B&O systems.

 

[8ball_99]

Not pointed at anyone here, but I alway see the Bose center console speaker referred to as a subwoofer. This is from Bose’s documentation about the Silverado -

“Available with a premium Bose system, complete with 7 high-performance speakers, including a Richbass woofer.”

From JL Audio -

Woofer - These speakers are used primarily for playing frequencies below the range that a tweeter would play and just above the frequencies that subwoofers are capable of reproducing.

Subwoofers are used for playing the lowest frequencies in music.

I’m much happier with the sound since adding the Kicker subwoofer. But even with it, it’s not as good as Ferd’s B&O systems.

The speaker in the bottom of the console is a sub. It's just small and doesn't do much. As far as frequency. I don't remember exactly what that channel tops out at, but it's low 100hz or 80hz. Typically subs are set to around 80hz or less. If the center sub does have slightly higher crossover it doesn't matter at all. It's fine to feed high frequency into your sub amp which has its own crossover. The oem Kicker tells you to tap into the front door speaker. Which is a full range signal, but that sub will only use the low frequencies and block anything above 80-90hz. Tapping into the console channel is the same way. Even if that channel has 120hz or higher frequencies. The sub will ignore anything above its crossover setting.

 

[AXE]

Not pointed at anyone here, but I alway see the Bose center console speaker referred to as a subwoofer. This is from Bose’s documentation about the Silverado -

“Available with a premium Bose system, complete with 7 high-performance speakers, including a Richbass woofer.”

From JL Audio -

Woofer - These speakers are used primarily for playing frequencies below the range that a tweeter would play and just above the frequencies that subwoofers are capable of reproducing.

Subwoofers are used for playing the lowest frequencies in music.

I’m much happier with the sound since adding the Kicker subwoofer. But even with it, it’s not as good as Ferd’s B&O systems.

Mine doesn't woof or richbass, it's basically a fucking victrola!

 

[8ball_99]

Mine doesn't woof or richbass, it's basically a fucking victrola!

It doesn't do much, I can turn all my channels off through my amps software and have just the factory console on. It adds a little bit of bass. Not much at all. Enough to make stuff stored in the console rattle a little, lol.

Here is pictures of the factory sub and box from Crutchfield

 

[AXE]

It doesn't do much, I can turn all my channels off through my amps software and have just the factory console on. It adds a little bit of bass. Not much at all. Enough to make stuff stored in the console rattle a little, lol.

I just want my 22 to sound like the 24, I'm not complicated. I want to tear into to see what the problem is, but not sure I'm that ambitious. With all the talk about subs I might just do one, probably a better use of time.

 

[RCF71]

I’m no expert by any means, just quoted what Bose says. All I know is I had more bass from my front door speakers than from the console.

I was not gonna tear into the console without a known solution. There were plenty of threads/posts about the better sound after adding the kicker sub, so easy choice for me.

 

[MrScottly]

It doesn't do much, I can turn all my channels off through my amps software and have just the factory console on. It adds a little bit of bass. Not much at all. Enough to make stuff stored in the console rattle a little, lol.

Here is pictures of the factory sub and box from Crutchfield
View attachment 18797

And all this time I thought that was a floor A/C vent

 

[8ball_99]

I’m no expert by any means, just quoted what Bose says. All I know is I had more bass from my front door speakers than from the console.

I was not gonna tear into the console without a known solution. There were plenty of threads/posts about the better sound after adding the kicker sub, so easy choice for me.

I also added the oem Kicker to mine. I just power it with a different amp. There isn't a aftermarket solution for the factory sub as far as I know. The only reason we were talking about the console sub was for using that channel for the signal to a different sub. The oem kickers instructions have you run the wire all the way to the dash and tap into a door channel. But since the bose amp is on the back wall anyone adding a sub can tap into any channel they want right under the back seat. Since the console sub doesn't do much, but has a good signal and larger gauge speaker wire. It makes sense to tap into it vs the other channels.

 

[USMCsilver]

I had no idea there was a factory sub in the truck. I was very disappointed with the Bose (as I usually am) but my wife's hybrid Elantra has Bose and it sounds awesome for factory sound. It actually produces deep bass, and will carry that with some volume.

I simply have a Kicker 600.1 amp under the driver's seat and a JL under the seat.

Actually, it's this speaker/box combo: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_136110TGW3/JL-Audio-CS110TG-TW3.html

It his pretty darn hard. When I got it in 2017, it was $399. Kinda crazy that it's $699 now.

 

[soldierx09]

Does anyone know the wiring diagram for the harness that goes into the amp? Mine failed so i have to use an aftermarket amp now and not complety sure how to wire it up. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[AXE]

Look at domemof the amp threads @8ball_99 has posted about this subject. He has pictures too.