Kenwood KSC-SW01

The Kenwood KSC-SW01 is an active (meaning it has a built in amplifier) in car subwoofer, Saying that it would also be ideal in a Boat, Lorry, Bus, Motorhome, Digger and more...

I do love products like this. It's a kind of fact that many cars roll off the production line with average sounding car stereo systems. Leaving the customer craving a little bass, or even a deeper sound.
With many cars getting more compact space is always an issue too, when adding additional stereo equipment, that’s where the Kenwood KSC-SW01 comes into its own. Now don’t get me wrong, this subwoofer unit isn’t a match for a tuned 10 inch or 12 inch subwoofer with more amplification. But for what it does and what it costs it’s really a nice bit of kit.
Most cars have a car stereo fitted already. However most factory car stereos will only have wiring for four speakers, that’s why a lot of people change the radio for a more modern system with RCA expansion plugs. So they can add subwoofers etc.

FITTING:
The Kenwood KSC-SW01 can be wired in two ways, Firstly directly from the car stereos existing speaker wiring, Just splice into the left and right audio speaker wires. So you will end up with four joins, Left positive and negative and Right positive and negative. The advantage of doing this is you can choose to have the subwoofer to come on with the front or rear speakers.
The Second way is to use the included RCA wires and run these directly to an after market car radio. Typically a Sony, Kenwood, Alpine, Clarion or any car radio with an RCA output. A good thing about this is like I explained in the Kenwood 3051G review, A few modern car radios have a function to turn the RCA output from rear or subwoofer. If the Kenwood KSC-SW01 was wired into a subwoofer output this would give the user a little more control, To turn the overall subwoofer volume up and down, and even adjust the frequency’s all from the car radio. But saying all that isn’t a huge problem because the Kenwood KSC-SW01 comes with a wired remote control device with a volume dial on it. This unit is quiet small and I have found it can be fitted any where you choose.
The rest of the wiring involves connecting the permanent live from the cars battery to the subwoofer unit, a switched live from the car radio to the subwoofer and of course a good earth. Shorter the better. And to a nice clean bit of metal. As always if ever in any doubt about fitting or even a little advice just contact your local mobile radio fitter. Search the internet, you’ll find him.
And all the wiring needed comes in the box. Also in the box are two metal flat style brackets, simply two holes that line up with two holes on the subwoofer unit and two holes for fixing down to a surface. If fitting say behind the rear seats in a Mitsubishi L200 you can simply screw this subwoofer down via these brackets. Fitting under a seat you can simply Velcro it down or snip the carpet and cable tie the brackets down.

If I was to fit the Kenwood KSC-SW01 into a Mazda MX5 it would take just over an hour. And in something like the new ford fiesta maybe just over 2 hours…

FEATURES:
The Kenwood KSC-SW01 has only a few features. As it’s simply an item to add a bass to your music listening experience, the user can adjust the gain (volume) from the wired remote if fitted. Also adjust the frequency via a little dial in the subwoofer unit itself. This goes from 50 to 120. 50 being low deep rumble bass and 120 being a slightly higher punchy near vocal level bass.
The total power output is 150 watts, and subwoofer speaker within the unit is just 160mm.
There’s also a phase switch on the subwoofer unit. This simply can either help or not. When the 180 phase switch is activated it will either pull or push the subwoofer on the bass note. Depending on what car it’s fitted in and what sound system is in the car already I have found some times it simply makes the bass sound richer. There is a science involved here showing to alter the phase can increase or delay the amplifiers output signal to the subwoofer speaker itself. Again all this comes into play when using different sound systems along side the amplifier your adding.

EASE OF USE:
The Kenwood KSC-SW01 is very easy to use. With the hardest task of fitting it the operation is very simple. Set the gain depending what music you listen to, this is a taste thing. And turn it up or down via the remote.

DESIGN:
I think this subwoofer unit is the business. The finish is very good indeed. Mainly constructed in a hardened plastic and metal and finished in a combination or gloss and matt black. The top surround has a finish that looks like leather. But is hard plastic. I like this attention to detail.
The wired Remote control is also plastic and finished in a combination of gloss and matt black. And around the volume dial it has a light which glows blue. And a nice white Kenwood logo, and a min and max also in white.
The only one negative point I have with the wired remote is the finish is a little too glossy where the volume dial is. A massive finger print magnet.
Dimensions (W, H, D) 270 x 70 x 180mm.

PRICE:
The Kenwood KSC-SW01 is, as they say, on the money. I have just seen Andy at Road Radio has it listed for only £108.99. And for this price I bet there getting low of stock. I honestly think if any car audio shop had one of these on display all rigged up it would just appeal to so many people.

OVERALL:

The Kenwood KSC-SW01 is my favourite product this month. It’s affordable, Looks great and sounds very good. The wired remote control makes it simple to operate too.
It will fit under car seats, even behind trim work (people carriers), under metal parcel shelf’s (BMW), Can be fitted upright, lying flat or upside down.
This is one of those products that just simply enhance what you already have.
And on to the score, I give this great little item a very strong 9.5/10. There’s a few of these style active subwoofer units on the market and all I’m saying is I’ve fitted all three of the main branded ones, and this Kenwood KSC-SW01 leaves the competition behind. The big question is would I have this in my car ? Yes I would, and did… I ran one for three weeks before selling it to a friend as an ex demo. Its now in a Honda Civic and the owner is loving it. And his wife still has all the boot space for shopping. (lol)

Steve