Kicker IK500 iPod Speaker System Weight:
9.2 lbs Dimensions:
8.5" x 19.2" x 8.4"
Ports:
One 1/8" AUX input, stereo RCA output MSRP:
$349.00I don't need to mention to shoppers that currently the market for iPod docking stations is flooded with low end and sub-$200 units looking for a home. Since I have a complete home stereo which I usually plug my iPod into I haven't looked too hard for a docking station. Most of the docks I have heard seemed to sounds very flat and had no clarity or presence, much like a cheap car stereo. Of course the very first dock I actually considered buying was the
Apple iPod Hi Fi, which I saw first at my local Apple store. The sound quality from the Hi Fi was excellent not to mention it would crank when turned up. The $350 price tag seemed a pretty fair price for what you get, however my wallet wasn't heavy enough to be lightened that much and still be smiling.
Jump forward a few months and I'm given the opportunity to jump in the drivers seat on a brand new
2008 Kicker IK500 Speaker System, little did I expect to find exactly the type of unit I wanted most hiding inside that box.
----- Using the IK500 -----Setting up the
iKick (as Kicker Audio describes this unit) for the first time is very easy no matter which current (or ancient) iPod you have. Thanks to swappable inserts for every iPod model you could think of, all you need to do is snap in the right insert for your 'Pod and slide it down onto the dock connector. Thanks to the inserts my old-school 40GB iPod Photo and new generation iPod Nano all fit snugly and without any wobbles. Push in and hold the large selector knob (which doubles as volume control) and the small screen lights up a gentle blue and begs you to pump up the volume. Other than volume control there's only 4 functions available on the menu screen, bass level, treble level, and standby mode. There's also a menu selection for activating the rear AUX input for non-Apple MP3 players, a nice touch for those using other units. You may also plug in a patch cable in the back to connect your iKick to a receiver or other large stereo should you want even
MORE volume, I'm not sure when this would ever be a problem.
For a small unit (8.5" x 19.2" x 8.4") this baby will seriously rock out, far louder that most listeners will need or want. I ran a test of a few songs which would put the unit through it's paces and show any weakness in the sound quality. Everything from Coldplay to Nickel Creek and Moby to Mahalia Jackson sounded very good, so good in fact I started using the iKick as my mobile sound stage. Molded into the top of the iKick is a sturdy handle that allows you to pick up the unit without trying to cradle it in your arms. This works great and makes trudging around with what amounts to an entire receiver/speakers/subwoofer system hanging from your hand a simple task. I've hauled this unit out to a house I was helping to build and since there were no walls up yet I had it sitting on sawhorses and cranked to 75% volume. Everyone commented on how good it sounded and they were universally surprised by the lack of distortion at higher volumes.
Pushing out all that sound is a rear firing 6" x 6"
Square Reflex Subwoofer, two front-mounted 5" Woofers and of course a couple of 3/4" tweeters to let those highs run free. That's a lot of sound for a box the size of a large purse...
Back to the iKick user interface, thank you to Kicker for including a credit card sized remote that's not filled with 83 buttons... 10 is perfect! Once you've plugged in your iPod you can control everything including the menus, volume, and track switching. I'm thankful Kicker left in iPod click-wheel control as well instead of locking out the iPod when in the dock port, sometimes I want to control the unit directly from the iPod and it's nice to have the option.
----- Do I recommend the iKick to iPod owners? -----Without a doubt I do, I owned Kicker audio products back in my ricer youth and I'm very impressed by their durability. My old Toyota Supra Turbo had Kicker subs, mids, and tweeters and I punished them for 4 years straight, they never complained and still sounded good when I sold the car. Kicker has waited long enough to get into the iPod Dock market I'm pretty sure they've got a quality product here. I've been pretty hard on my iKick and it doesn't even show the scuffs and scars I'd expect from use in a garage/construction environment.
I know $350 is a very steep price to pay for what's essentially a speaker system for your iPod, but this unit is that good, it's worth it! For what it's worth, you're buying an
Apple iPod HiFi only more portable, tougher, and with a more killer speaker system. For a limited time it's available for $299 and at that price I'd save up for it, you won't be disappointed.
NOTE: The
Kicker ZK500 is available for shoppers looking for a speaker system to fit their
Microsoft Zune MP3 player.
- -< Full Disclosure >- - I received the Kicker iK500 free of charge from S
CC Grossman Public Relations in return for an honest review here on Epinions.
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