Still portable and still loud, the iK501 still features the outrageous, square-shaped reflex subwoofer on the back of the unit, along with a pair of five-inch woofers and silk-dome tweeters. It’s all juiced by a powerful internal amplifier with digital signal processing for the richest, best-sounding docking system available.
Dig deeper into DSP with the thin infrared remote, fully featured to fine-tune the iPod or iPhone’s music and video content. It helps to navigate with ease through the iK501 system menu, adjusting bass, treble, and aux-in options, as well as through the iPod or iPhone’s menus and sub-menus. Skip forward and back, fast-forward and back, play and pause, volume, mute, and power on/off selections have their own buttons too.
The rotary knob manually serves as the power and selection push button, and controller for bass, treble, auxiliary-input options, or standby mode. Standby will continue to charge the iPod or iPhone even when the system is powered down. In the dark, the knob is back-lit in blue and the display LCD screen continues to steer the user easily through the menu.
A minijack input allows a hookup for stereo sound from alternate media, including other MP3 or compact-disc players, desktop and laptop computers, or satellite radio. RCA stereo outputs allow for even more alternative audio hookup. A two-foot auxiliary cable, integrated carrying handle, AC power cord and 22-volt power supply add up to complete a convenient and enjoyable entertainment experience.
iKick501 Earns 'Editor's Choice' Award
I was not disappointed when it came to the sound and performance of the device. I first started with the axillary in, and connected a portable CD player. WOW! It sounded great, and worked great. I pulled out my iPod and connected it. I immediately saw that it had started to charge my iPod.
Now that it is time to really test the sound, I thought I would first start with some Steve Miller Band: Swingtown. It had nice tight kick drum beats, and the bass guitar had good extension. Vocals were natural and quite smooth sounding. The cymbals were also sufficiently crisp.
Next I wanted to test some real bass with the passive radiator subwoofer. Justin Timberlake: Sexyback did just that. And WOW! The guys at Kicker did a great job designing the iK501! They must have gotten the airspace inside just right, because the passive radiator sure did not sound passive. Bass beats were clean, with a lot of authority. I could actually feel the vibration in my desk and in the floor under my feet! This thing rocks!!
And just incase you aren't really into rockin' out, I then turned to Mannheim Steamroller's Fresh Aire V: Earthrise/Return. I liked the smooth strings, crisp percussion, and overall nice harmonics. There was good resolution in all the instruments. And what surprised me was the soundstage! The iK501 actually provided a nice deep soundstage with good imaging as well.
I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the Kicker iK501. With so many choices of iPod docks, you never know how the device will perform or how good it will sound. With a brand like Kicker, you know they put out products that meet the expectations of their brand. The Kicker iK501 iPhone/Ipod Dock performed well and sounded amazing for an iPod dock. It doesn't get much better then the iK501.
Read the rest of the review at Stereowiseplus.com.
iKick501 Earns 'Awesome Hardware' Award
KICKER Performance Audio designed the iKick501 Docking System for iPod and iPhone to be the loudest and best sounding dock out there, and because of that, among many other features, the iKICK received the 'Awesome Hardware' award from TechwareLabs.com. "While many think of Bose for ultimate sound quality, beware, KICKER is making a name for itself, and kicking the competition to the floor," Dan Shannon of TechwareLabs.com said. The critically acclaimed iKick501 with legendary bass response, smooth midrange and extended top-end frequencies features a 6-inch square reflex subwoofer on the back of the unit, along with a pair of five-inch woofers and silk-dome tweeters. It's all juiced by a powerful internal amplifier with digital signal processing for the richest, most robust sound available.
"No matter what I played, the iK501 took the music in and played it beautifully," Shannon said. "This unit could handle much of anything that you could throw at it." An auxiliary input with a connecting cord allows a hookup for stereo sound from alternate media, including other MP3 or compact-disc players, desktop and laptop computers, or satellite radio. RCA stereo outputs allow for even more alternative audio hookup. There is also an optional power adapter (sold separately) that allows the listener to draw juice from the power port in a car.
Read the rest of the review at TechwareLabs.com.
| Model | iK501 |
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| Speaker Design | 2-Way |
| Woofer (in., cm) | 5, 12.7 |
| Tweeter (in., cm) | 3/4, 2.0 |
| Tweeter Design | Silk Dome |
| Passive Radiator (in., cm) | 6x6, 15x15 |
| RMS Power (watts) | 2x20 |
| Effective Frequency Range (Hz) | 50-20k |
| Power Supply (volts, ampere) | 22, 2.7 |
| Height (in., cm) | 8.5, 21.6 |
| Width (in., cm) | 19.2, 48.8 |
| Depth (in., cm) | 8.4, 21.4 |
| Weight (lb., kg) | 9.2, 4.2 |
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Subwoofer Patent-pending, 6-inch square reflex subwoofer delivers a dynamic bass response with the kind of intensity you’ve come to expect from KICKER. |
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Speakers 5" woofers and 3/4" tweeters fill your room with premium full-range sound quality. |
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Remote Credit-card size remote allows easy control of the system and complete navigation through your iPod's menu. |
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Control Knob The rotary knob serves as the selection button and controller for volume, bass, treble, aux-in, or standby mode. |
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Aux-in The 1/8” auxiliary stereo input allows you to connect additional media sources for richer, louder sound. |
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RCAs RCA stereo outputs allow for even more audio hookup. Video output allows you to pass video from your iPod to a TV. |
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Dock The dock works all iPod models, including the iPod touch and any featuring a click wheel. It is also "Works with iPhone" certified. |
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Handle Convenient carry handle maximizes portability. |
Comments
kicker
i love this system. its powerful, small annd has amazing bass. like i said earlier it takes up 1/4 the room of systems of equal power
iK501
My 1st KICK was disappointment due 2 the "NON-BATTERY MOBILE" device, which was short lived by the ULTIMATE KICKER...turning it on! If I were not a 10 year customer of Apple and iPOD, I would purchase one merely for the opportunity to listen 2 the iK501. ALL COMPETITORS ARE A DISTANT SECOND! The sound is crisp, clean & SHOCKING! I am convinced, Apple wanted this way!
Bravo!
kicker ik501
OMG this is the MOST awesome sounding product. I kept hearing it was for loud music, but I'm playing vocal jazz and it just is incredible. May I say it rocks.
ik501 is the Loudest thing ever
Cons: The little knob used to adjust audio is also the button to change the Aux Input On/Off and Volume. Standford just did a test, if you are multitasking, the less good at your job you will be. This applies to this little knob. Kicker, I recommend more buttons like your amplifiers. Lets say a menu button, and a left and right button. Less retarded changes going on during rotating knob pressing.
PRO's: Sound, this is nothing short of perfection. Its LOUD with the mini Solobaric in the back, that thing just works and works. The treble is as good as you can tune your car or home speakers. I used this outside and anyone inside the 10 ft. radius of the ik501 had to yell to be heard. IT is Sick on how loud it gets. I was a little worried about the new 5th Gen ipod playing, I was proved that it works. And the little dock base that comes with the iPod fits right into the ik501's ipod dock so there is a seamless fit. No misalignments here!!! The remote works as promised except less wide range on the left side of the model as the receiver on the ikick is on the right side behind the grille. This doesn't impede performance at all. Its a pro because now i don't have to touch the "pretty" ipod with dirty hands.
Thank you Kicker for the excellent product. With the next release, I see kicker being iPod dock of the year. haha. I will choose Kicker over any other brand from here on out.