When I bought the BOSS Audio KIT2 8 Gauge Amplifier Installation Wiring Kit and showed it to a friend, his first question was how I decided to buy this kit instead of the others available at Amazon. In this car amplifier installation wiring kit review, I will show you the pros and cons of this kit. Then maybe we can decide if it’s the best amplifier installation wiring kit. Or if it’s a total piece of junk.
The BOSS Audio KIT2 8 Gauge Amplifier Installation Wiring Kit Package
Let’s start with a bit of unboxing and see what comes with the BOSS Audio KIT2 8 Gauge Amplifier Installation Wiring Kit. The package is supposed to contain everything you need to wire your head unit to your amp and the speakers.
The kit includes the following:
•Split Loom Tubing, 6 feet
•Blue Turn-On Wire, 18 GA, 16 feet
•Red Power Cable, 8 GA, 20 feet
•Competition Fuse Holder, High Quality
•Blue RCA, High Performance, 20 feet
•Wire Ties, 4 inches, 20 pieces
•Rubber Grommets, 3 pieces
•Ring Terminal, 5/16 inch
•Ring Terminal, ¼ inch
•Black Ground Cable, 8 GA, 3 feet
•Speaker Wire, 30 feet
•Ring Terminal, #10
All of these wires and knickknacks came inside a box that weighed about a couple of pounds. It looks like we have everything we need so let’s get wiring.
The Wires - BOSS Audio KIT2 8 Gauge Amplifier Installation Wiring
I might be a bit biased with this review because I’ve had experience installing the 10-gauge kit before to the same friend I mentioned earlier. I never had any problems during installation and the wires have held on for more than a year now. Else, I would have been charged with arson and have lost a friend.
Anyway, the thing I loved the most with the BOSS audio wiring kit is how easy it is to install. Since this 8-gauge came from the same supplier, I shouldn’t encounter any hiccups too, right?
Well, there were plenty of red cable to work with since I used this to wire the head unit to the battery. But I wish the black ground wire had the same length because it kind of fell a bit short from where I wanted it to be. As a workaround, I fixed it inside the truck’s cabin. Not the most ideal location, but decent enough.
Before I bought this kit, I’ve read reviews that the wires included are not really 8-gauge and a lot thinner. Well, the comments were right. The red wires, for example, felt a bit thin. I’ve installed standard 8-gauge wires before, so I know how it should look like. The positive side to this is that the gauge of these wires made them easier to work with. They are more flexible so pulling and fixing them around nooks and crannies was never a problem for me.
Come to think of it, the wires actually felt like 10-gauge ones. But then again, I’m not planning to install gigantic speakers and insanely powerful amplifiers, so this kit should be enough. For this project, I’ll be using a 400W amplifier so the wires should be able to handle the loudest sound possible coming off from this system.
For those who are a bit hesitant and think that the wires might not be thick enough, there are other suppliers out there. I remember a car audio technician who recommended the ones from the Surge Installer Series. He said it’s a true 8-gauge wiring kit and should be able to handle 1000W of amplifying power. Since I’ll be needing less than half of that, then BOSS Audio KIT2 8 Gauge Amplifier Installation Wiring Kit should be fine for me.
The rest of the parts included in the kit were perfect, though. Not that it’s mandatory to use them all. Depending on the size of the vehicle and the way you want to wire the whole system, there should be some spares left after you’re done with your project.
Who Should Buy This?
You can always buy all the parts you need to wire your amplifier to the battery and the speaker. What makes a kit easy to work with is that you have all the parts you need for the job in one package. Wiring amplifiers without a kit takes a lot of planning and even more guesswork. Kits like BOSS Audio KIT2 8 Gauge Amplifier Installation Wiring Kit have been packaged to be installed with the least time and effort possible. The kit even comes with clear and simple instructions on how to do the wiring. And since all the parts you need are already in the kit such as the wires, ring terminals, grommets, tubing, etc., you won’t need several trips to the electronic shop.
But some may be worried that this kit won’t last long and it might be prone to heating and eventually become a fire hazard. I totally understand. As I’ve said, the wires included in the kit are thinner than what an 8-gauge should be. But that shouldn’t be a problem if you’re not planning on wiring an amplifier with a power requirement of more than 400W.
Also, kits and DIY audio wiring in general, requires a bit of electronics knowledge. You don’t need to be a certified car audio technician but a bit of know-how on car electronics will come in handy when you encounter problems with your project. Some tools are also mandatory like continuity and voltage testers. Basic tools include pliers, cutters, and wire strippers – all of these should already be in your arsenal if you’re into DIY.
What I can say is that I’m confident with this product and it will work well as long as it is used within its limits.
Wrapping it Up
The BOSS Audio KIT2 8 Gauge Amplifier Installation Wiring Kit comes complete with all the necessary parts and instructions for your car audio wiring. The price is also reasonable considering the things you get with the kit. There are other similar products out there but I’ve used this series for a couple of times and I can say that it’s the best amplifier installation wiring kit and is worth the cost and the effort.
Simon graduated with a Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Degree. He has over 20 years of servicing experience in both Japanese and German car dealerships. He now acts as a freelance mechanic’s instructor for local schools.
