Performance
The KAC-X301T performed quite well during our test session. The 2-ohm power rating of 200 watts x 2 (14.4 volts) is the only rating that the amp didn’t exceed, and our measurements show a close enough figure of 196 watts x 2 at 14 volts. In a bridged configuration, the KAC-X301T produced 466 watts into our 4-ohm reactive load and a mere .02% THD+N into a resistive 4-ohm load at its rated power of 400 watts. Signal-to-Noise measured –116.5 dB with the cooling fan in operation and about –118 dB with it off.

The amp’s filtering options include an infrasonic filter set at 25 Hz with an 18 dB-per-octave roll off and crossovers capable of either high- or low-pass operation. The crossover points are variable over a range of 52 Hz to 200 Hz and roll-off rates for the high- and low-pass sections are 12 dB and 18 dB-per-octave, respectively. In a rather unusual twist, enabling the low-pass crossover seems to increase input sensitivity by about 10 dB. It’s probably just a small trick to make the amp seem louder than the competition when driving subwoofers. It shouldn’t cause a hassle as long as you know what’s going on; just call it “instant gain overlap.”

The KAC-X301T’s Bass Management System consists of a bass boost circuit with a center frequency that’s continuously variable from 53 Hz to 98 Hz. This circuit can be activated either at the amplifier or by a Kenwood head unit with the external amp control option. Activation at the amp provides 6 dB of boost. Via head unit control, boost options are increase to 0 dB, +6 dB, and +12 dB.

Connections & Adjustments
Connections to the KAC-X301T include RCA line inputs and outputs, 1/2-inch spade receptacles for power and 5/16-inch spade receptacles for speaker connections, remote turn-on, external amp control, and RCA cable ground lead. Variable controls for high- and low-pass cutoff frequency, input sensitivity, and bass boost center frequency are located on top of the amp, under a sliding panel. Switches that control stereo/mono operation, crossover mode, infrasonic filter and external amp control are found on one end plate. The external amp control switch allows you to either control the amp’s sliding panel or bass boost function with the proper Kenwood head unit.

Installation
The KAC-X310T provides a substantial amount of installation flexibility. This makes it a bit more complicated than the average amp, but Kenwood obviously gave a little thought to this unit’s layout. In basic terms, the KAC-X301T’s design resembles most other amps with power and speaker connections at one end and input/adjustments at the other. However, it’s the small touches that count. All of the amp’s configuration switches are deeply recessed into the endplate and are somewhat difficult to operate, exactly what you want in a set-and-forget operation. The consequences of accidentally bumping a switch range from mere annoyance to potential destruction.

All of the amp’s variable controls are located on top and can be adjusted by hand or with a large flat-head screwdriver. Few things are more aggravating than trying to manipulate a variable adjustment on the typical amp once it’s installed. The endplate is usually about 2 inches high and the pots are both recessed and numerous. Even if you were fortunate enough to get your tiny screwdriver into the proper slot, good luck trying to tune the system by ear; you’d have to be a contortionist.

Perhaps my favorite small touch is the location of the turn-on connection. On practically every amp out there, this connection is either between or beside the amp’s power input terminals. This probably simplifies the manufacturing process and it also works well on the test bench, but in the real world, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. If the turn on\off signal is coming from a head unit, wouldn’t it make more sense to put that connection close to the amp’s RCA inputs rather than the power connections? Kenwood seems to think so and I’d have to agree.