lambchops's Full Review: Kicker IK500 Powered iPod Speaker System (08IK500...
Both my husband and I have our own iPods. His is an older, classic white one with 20GB capacity while mine is a sleek black fifth generation Video iPod with 60GB of space. A few years back, I was gifted what was at that time a cutting edge accessory. The iHome has served me well despite the fact that it is a glorified alarm clock that just happens to have an iPod docking station. It works as one would expect and functions well in its current location in the bathroom. Needless to say, I have been searching for another less practical and much cooler musical solution.
The Kicker iK500 (or simply iKick) came along at just the right time and not only blows the iHome out of the water, it also blows pretty much all other iPod docking stereos away. Boasting the promise that listeners will be Livin' Loud, Kicker has been making excellent car sound systems for 30 years. And by "excellent" I mean so ridiculously bassy and dynamic that you can hear them from miles away. The iKick is a step in right digital direction for Kicker. It is specifically designed to work with iPods of all makes and models (from the Nano to Video and from the Mini to the coveted iPhone). Kicker included many dock adapters to suit whatever model you happen to have. After plugging the power adapter into the back of the iKick I picked the adapter I needed, slapped my iPod into the dock and hit power on the tiny remote control. I was prepared to be disappointed, but with Kicker's great reputation I hoped to be impressed.
Impressed, I was.
I started out gently. The first song I picked from my loaded iPod is also the one I always test new sound equipment with. I'm obviously biased toward liking White Zombie's Thunder Kiss '65 but it never really sounded good on my old trusty iHome. On the iK500 it oozes anger and fun and all those other things I love about it. I turned the volume up a little more--to about 7. The iKick responded with an athletic rendition of Nine Inch Nails' Head Like a Hole. I turned it up even further, all the way to 12. Prior to this point, I could hear and see Kicker's patent pending six-inch square reflex subwoofer on the back of the stereo booming. As the volume increases, the subwoofer becomes more and more agitated. The thumping is insanely loud. I love bass, but I love dynamic bass even more. The iKick is clear and crisp. I am roundly impressed by this product.
The next test was how the stereo fared on more delicate tunes. I couldn't help but love what it did for Rufus wainwright, Grant-Lee Phillips, The Eels, and The Beatles. The stereo's ability to adapt to differing levels makes it a unique and worthy addition to iPod digital accessories. I would be remiss not to mention it retails for $349.99. It is currently on a promotional rate for $299.99. I do believe that while the price is pretty high, it is worth the money. If you only have $100 to spend, save up longer and get this instead of my woefully underpowered iHome.
Continuing forward, I really like the way the iKick looks. Design isn't something I usually concern myself with, though if a product looks good sitting on a shelf I find myself smiling on the inside. The black unit measures about 20" long by 9" tall 8" deep though it features some mean angles that makes it look a little bigger than it actually is. It is also pretty heavy at over 9lbs. As foar as specs go, the iKick has 5" woofers and 3/4" tweeters to go with the six-inch subwoofer on the back of the stereo. The credit card sized remote control is deceptively simple. In fact, the controls of the iKick are all very easy and user friendly. You can change the level of bass, trebel, and volume...and that's about it. There is no radio and no automatic equalization settings. Considering what the actual stereo is for, I find this streamlined menu refreshing. There is a 2.25" LCD display immediately above a knob which works to navigate the menus and to power down the iKick.
The iKick also features an auxiliary connection on the back which allows users to attach other media sources (unsupported MP3 players, CD players, etc...). RCA outputs on the back also make it possible to hook the stereo up for additional audio hookups. Finally, there is a handle on the top back that makes it slightly more portable than even the much smaller iHome clock-radio-dock. I also have to mention the non-skid pads on feet. Considering the volume can be turned up to 40 (I have yet to get that brave--I'm bit afraid of knocking things off shelves and walls), this seemingly small addition comes in very handy.
Obviously I'm impressed by the Kicker iK500 stereo. It sounds and looks great, and isn't in the least bit complex. Thus far, my iKick is rarely turned above 6 or 7. For a party, I could turn it up much louder if I didn't care about engaging in conversation. This is an excellent, cool, and truly mind-numbingly loud (and dynamic) stereo that is perfectly suited to pretty much all iPod models. And, for what it is worth, Kicker also has manufactured a comparable model for the Zune. I for one am in love with the iKick. If you're coming to my house, you'll probably hear it before you see it.
Full Disclosure
I received the iK500 free of charge from SCC Grossman Public Relations in return for an honest review here on Epinions.
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