Both Skar and Kicker are decades-old in the audio market. As a result, they both enjoy some level of command in terms of production, performance, design, etc. in this article, we look at Skar and Kicker in detail to help you choose between the two brands.
Kicker offers a more modern design, power, and performance than Skar. Besides, they have a much better build quality. They are, however, more expensive than Skar, and you will have to dig deeper into your budget to acquire Kicker products.
A Brief History Of Skar Audio
Skar audio was started by the current CEO, Kevin Schlenker, in early 2012 at the University of Central Florida.
The company was founded with the principle of designing and manufacturing the highest quality car audio products including speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers.
Skar has grown rapidly and was ranked amongst Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies in America for 2019. It was also the Newsweek’s best online shop of 2020.
A Brief History Of Kicker
Kicker is an audio company founded in 1973 by Steve Irby in Stillwater, Oklahoma, U.S.A. In 1980, the company invented the high-performance stereo enclosure market.
This was when Steve Irby – the founder and president of the company, built the Original KICKER.
The original KICKER became the first full-frequency-range speaker box built specifically for cars and trucks.
Skar audio Vs. Kicker
Audio Products
Skar audio produces a diverse range of audio products. The main products at Skar Audio include Car audio amplifiers, subwoofers, speakers, loaded and empty enclosures, amp kits, equalizers, and wiring.
Kicker is also more diverse in terms of the products they send to the market. The first full frequency-range speaker box explicitly built for cars and trucks was the Original KICKER.
Some of the mobile-audio products produced and sold under Kicker’s brand name include vehicle Specific audio solutions, powered subwoofers, KICKER enclosures, KM-Series Marine Head Units, Power Amplifiers, wiring, Empty Tower Enclosures, and Digital signal processors.
Kicker, therefore, offers a wider range of audio products compared to Skar Audio. The diversity may, however, be a result of the many years of research and development in the industry.
Sound Quality
Skar Audio products deliver high-quality sound. from the subwoofers to speakers, the products sound good with amazing bass and crystal-clear audio.
Kicker on the other hand also produces excellent sound quality, though at a little higher cost. Let’s compare some of the best subwoofers from Skar Audio and Kicker products in the same category.
The company continues to produce concert-like audio quality across a wide range with accurate sound and renowned bass.
Skar Audio EVL-12 D2” Vs. Kicker 12” 800 Wall Comp VR subwoofers
Vs. 
Skar Audio EVL-12” is one of the best 12-inch subwoofers with a multi-spoke basket that helps prevent overheating. At 2500 watts, you can be sure to get the best bass and purest sound. It is however more expensive than the Kicker 12” 800 Wall Comp VR.
It produces deep and punchy bass, has a durable voice coil, and has a high power handling capacity. It however has a lower sensitivity and is much heavier.
Kicker 12” 800 Wall Comp VR on the other hand is cheaper, easy to install, and delivers plenty of punch. With an RMS power of 400 Watts and a peak power of 800 Watts, this sub can handle any music.
It has a higher sensitivity, and good power handling capacity, and the audio quality is superior. It is however not quite as nuanced as a higher-end subwoofer.
Power
Skar Audio products are much more power-hungry than Kicker. For instance, while the Skar Audio EVL 12 inch subwoofer has a peak power demand of 2,500 watts and 1,200 watts RMS, the Kicker 12 inch 800 wall VR subwoofer demands a maximum of 800 watts and 400 watt RMS power handling.
Skar Audio will, therefore, be more demanding in terms of power consumption and may easily drive up your power bills.
Sensitivity
Skar Audio products have a little lower sensitivity compared to Kicker. For instance, the Kicker 12 inch 800 wall VR subwoofer is more sensitive at 86.9 dB compared to Skar Audio EVL 12 inch subwoofer at 85.1 dB.
Price
Skar Audio products are much more reasonably priced. They are therefore best for those who are working on a tight budget but still need good quality sound.
Kicker is on the flip side of the Skar pricing. They are more expensive than Skar Audio products. Although their quality is better, the pricing is considered by many customers as high-end.
Design
Kicker speakers have much more superior design and build quality compared to Skar Audio speakers. For instance, Kicker CompQ subwoofer is more solid with a sleek appearance compared to the Skar SDR-10 10 inch subwoofer.
Durability
Skar Audio products are built to last. The construction material used in the building of speakers, subwoofers, and other products will withstand high pressure, tear, and bad weather over a long period.
Kicker products are also made of durable construction material. The company also builds marine products designed to be completely weather-proof to increase their lifespan.
However, the period the products remain usable also depends on how you use them and the conditions of use.
Performance
Skar Audio manufactures performance-based SPL car audio and some entry-level marine audio products. The company sets standards from high-performance car amplifiers that combine power, efficiency, and reliability to speakers and subwoofers.
Kicker also builds high-performance audio systems for cars and marine products for deep-sea sailing. These are built with weather elements and audio performance in mind. The speakers and subwoofers deliver pristine audio quality.
Customer Support
As a small company born in the age of the internet, Skar takes advantage of this era and utilizes greater agility compared to other brands in customer support.
Therefore, the company has earned a reputation for responsive problem-solving and efficient order fulfillment while keeping a solid warranty for products that have been built to last.
Kicker on the other hand does not have any help page, FAQ, or forum to speed up customer support. Their customer service is therefore poorer.
Advantages Of Skar Audio
- The products are more durable
- High-quality audio products
- Best performance products
Advantages Of Kicker
- The sealed box or acoustic suspension speaker design is easier to build and tune
- The speakers offer high power handling, extended low-end output, and fast response
- High power handling capacity
- Excellent transient response
- Extended low-frequency response and smooth roll-off
Conclusion
Generally, Kicker outperforms Skar in power and design with their enclosures offering better build quality overall. They are, however, much more. Despite that, Skar also offers market-competitive high-quality, durable, and affordable products and you need to do a sufficient side-by-side comparison before making your order.
