Home » Amplifiers » Kenwood KAC-9106D 2000 Watt Monoblock Class D Car Audio Power Amplifier Amp Review

Kenwood KAC-9106D 2000 Watt Monoblock Class D Car Audio Power Amplifier Amp Review

James Benchman
Last Updated on
by James Benchman
kenwood class AB car amplifier

Kenwood is one of those brands who have been around for what seems like forever. Audiophiles around the world have been enjoying their products for years. One thing about Kenwood that really deserves appreciation is their ability to create products which are tuned to the finest standards of sonic fidelity, and then go and build hardware that is more brutish in nature.

The amp we are going to review today belongs to the latter category and is one of the more interesting models in its category.

There’s many great monoblocks you can get today for not a lot of money, but sometimes the logo on the amp really does matter. Kenwood’s ability to go as deep as necessary into signal dynamics and overall sound fidelity gives them a good base of experience they can tap into when a more brutish product needs to be made.

Kenwood KAC9106D is the type of amp that you turn to when your thirst for power needs to be quenched.

Pros
  • Good bang for buck
  • Pushes a lot of power to the subs
  • Delivers clean and clear sound
Cons
  • The bass isn’t so great

Kenwood KAC-9106D Review

There is really nothing refined about the way this Kenwood looks or performs. It’s a sledgehammer just like most of the other kilowatt or higher monoblocks on the market. The important thing is that the core performance is there, and it keeps up with even some of the more outlandish demands out there.

Surprisingly, having a Kenwood logo doesn’t mean you have to lay down big Dollar. On the contrary, Kenwood KAC9106D is very reasonably priced, which definitely makes it competitive with the rest of the barbaric monoblocks available.

Features of the KAC-9106D:

Straight out of the box, Kenwood KAC9106D comes across as pretty chunky. However, it’s among the slimmer amps in its class. Exterior design doesn’t leave much to be desired. The item’s black enclosure is telling of how big the aluminum heat syncs are, and definitely inspires confidence in terms of build quality.

The cover panel is pretty nice when it comes to overall looks, with a big Kenwood logo dominating the surface. There is a red triangle LED indicator near the top, which serves as a nice detail to complete the overall theme of the amp.

One way Kenwood cut down on production costs is by using the most standard type of hardware. We are talking screw-in connectors and similar. The power supply comes in form of a switching MOSFET design that is pretty efficient all things considered. The amp is rated at 2000 Watts RMS at 2 Ohms, 100 Hz. If you need to hit 4 Ohm, you are looking at 500 Watts RMS output.

In terms of features, there’s a standard set you would expect to see on an amp of this type. Speaker level output is there, along with a variable low pass filter and infrasonic filter. For the low pass, you are looking at a frequency response range that goes from 50 Hz to 200 Hz. Infrasonic digs pretty deep and starts working at 20 Hz while it hits 50 Hz.

One of the more interesting specs is the bass boost. Unlike most of the amps it competes against, Kenwood KAC9106D offers +18dB of boost sitting comfortably at 40 Hz.

There’s limited protection available, which is a bit disappointing considering the power output of the Kenwood KAC9106D. With that said, there’s a signal sensing turn-on feature that works rather well at eliminating pops and other issues that might occur when you turn the audio on with at a higher default volume.

A Look at the Performance:

For the most part, this Kenwood works within the limits of what is expected, and well within the limits of what is acceptable. Installing the amp itself is not that hard as long as you account for the necessary space. Kenwood KAC9106D is anything but small, so you might need to choose your location of choice with some care.

If you’re looking to make a stealthy build, this amp works fine with its all black design. When everything is properly connected, your subwoofer will start moving air with at a refreshing rate. The quality of sound is definitely there, but it’s absolutely not something you put in the audiophile category. It will be more than enough for 95% of users, that is for sure.

Heat is always an issue with kilowatt amps, especially ones which are somewhat old-school in terms of design. Kenwood KAC9106D’s large aluminum heat syncs are pretty efficient. However, if you start pushing the gain to its limits, the temperature will reach those levels where you need to be careful.

The sound this puppy can produce is a bit more on the raw side, which is a feature that was welcomed with arms wide open by a variety of blues, rock, and jazz aficionados around the globe. If you like your tones a bit more compressed and sleek, though, other choices are available on our site that could match your needs in a more effective and efficient manner.

What’s our Verdict on this Kenwood?:

At the end of the day, Kenwood KAC9106D is definitely something to consider if you are on a tight budget. The combination of power output, price, and sound quality is good enough for most applications. Whether or not you would want to run more complex setups using this amp is questionable.

Maybe if you get more than one. The fact of the matter is that Kenwood KAC9106D is one of the most popular amps rated at 2 kilowatts at this moment. A lot of great medium audio systems are equipped with this exact model. In that regard, it works just fine.

In a nutshell, this is an item fully worthy of your time and money if the listed price and features are what you are looking for. Overall, this is a quality product, leaving us with no choice but to give it a thumbs up!

Pros
  • Good bang for buck
  • Pushes a lot of power to the subs
  • Delivers clean and clear sound
Cons
  • The bass isn’t so great

About James Benchman
James Benchman
James is an Automotive Mechanic with over 20 years experience and 300+ car repairs. He is an expert with cars and has worked with different models from the biggest brands. James is a Mechanic , Husband , Father of 3 , and head of content at Caraudiologic. Learn more about us
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