Speakers&Amps by stefan @ 2011-06-24
The Kicker iK501 from Stillwater Designs is an iPod/iPhone dock which can deliver quite a punch and also features Composite/Stereo RCA outputs, along with a 3.5mm input, to be able to be connected to other sound sources. With the rotary control knob we can access all the product functions, but the unit is also shipped with a remote in case the dock is placed in an inaccessible location.
At first I would like to thank Stillwater Designs for sending me a sample of the KICKER iKICK iK501 iPhone/iPod dock for reviewing.
"In 1980, KICKER® Performance Audio invented the high-performance stereo enclosure market when company founder and president Steve Irby developed the Original KICKER®, the first full-range speaker box designed specifically for automotive use. From the day we put the power to the Original KICKER, Livin' Loud® has always been the KICKER way – staying one step ahead of the pack and driven to create products that consistently raise the world's expectations for audio performance.
With the onset of the digital music age, KICKER went from the back seat and into portable media players and under the roof by launching into home and personal audio – incredible music reproduction across a wide volume range and legendary KICKER bass™ loaded into high-performance MP3 docking systems, noise-isolation earbuds and comfortable headphones.
KICKER Performance Audio products are designed and manufactured by Stillwater Designs, headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The firm began in 1973 as a two-person operation, hand-building professional sound and musical instrument speaker systems for churches, auditoriums, and entertainers. Building upon the success of the Original KICKER, the company concentrated on the mobile-audio market, applying the same successful research and design skills to the development of a complete line of high-performance components for car audio.
High-performance, mobile-audio products sold under the KICKER brand name include:
SoloX™, Solo-Baric®L7, Solo-Baric L5, Solo Classic™, CompVX™, CompVT™, CompVR®, and Comp™ subwoofers;
KICKER Sub Boxes loaded with Solo-Baric, CompVT, CompVR, and Comp subwoofers;
WX-Series, IX-Series, ZX-Series and DX-Series power amplifiers;
QS-Series matched component systems;
RS-Series matched component systems;
KS-Series component systems, tweeters and coaxial speakers;
DS-Series component systems and coaxial speakers;
KICKER Powersports coaxial speakers for motorcycles;
KICKER Marine subwoofer, sub box, ZXM amplifiers, component systems, coaxial speakers, long-throw tower system, and horn-loaded compression-driver component tower system;
KICKER Full-Range Boxes - Two-way, full-range enclosed speaker system;
KICKER Signal Processors/EQs and ZXSUM8 Summing Interface;
and KICKER Audio Accessories.
High-performance home and personal audio products sold under the KICKER brand name include:
iK501 digital docking system, iK350 digital docking system and iK150 digital docking system/table radio with alarm, all for iPod and iPhone;
ZK500 digital docking system, ZK350 digital docking system and ZK150 digital docking system/table radio with alarm, all for Zune media players;
EB141, EB101, EB101M, EB71M, EB71 and EB51 noise-isolation in-ear monitors and earbuds;
HP541 DJ-style, HP1973 retro-style and HP301 active-style headphones.
KICKER products are currently sold by approximately 1,500 Authorized Dealers in the United States. These locations are served by 15 manufacturers' representative firms. Export sales are managed through a network of distributors serving over 2,000 dealers in approximately 50 countries.
KICKER products are developed by a design team headed by Irby. This hands-on approach from the highest level of management, matched with an energetic workforce of talented individuals in all areas of the company's operations, and an innate ability to create truly musical components, has been the reason for the company's remarkable success.
As audio continues to evolve, KICKER will continue to be on the industry's cutting edge, pushing the limits of audio design technology, performance, and integration in the quest for ultimate sound."
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.
Speakers
5" woofers and 3/4" tweeters fill your room with premium full-range sound quality.
Remote
Credit-card size remote allows easy control of the system and complete navigation through your iPod's menu.
Control Knob
The rotary knob serves as the selection button and controller for volume, bass, treble, aux-in, or standby mode.
Aux-in
The 1/8” auxiliary stereo input allows you to connect additional media sources for richer, louder sound.
RCAs
RCA stereo outputs allow for even more audio hookup. Video output allows you to pass video from your iPod to a TV.
Dock
The dock works all iPod models, including the iPod touch and any featuring a click wheel. It is also "Works with iPhone" certified.
Handle
Convenient carry handle maximizes portability.
The iK501 iKICK iPhone/iPod dock from KICKER is shipped inside a large cardboard box; on the top side we can only see the company logo, along with the product logo:
One of the lateral reveals the product by displaying two photos, one from the front and one from the back:
Also on the outside we can see the supported devices along with their pictograms (iPhone 4 is not listed but the compatibility is confirmed by the manufacturer):
Some other product details (like the main features), are described in multiple languages on the opposite side:
After opening the top side, we can observe some drawings that instruct us what steps we need to perform for operating the device right away:
Inside we can find the dock protected by Styrofoam material; some compartments can also be found here, where the rest of the bundle is located:
The bundle is composed from the following:
-power brick located in a small cardboard box
-power cable
-remote
-3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable
-instruction manual
For added protection, the power brick is wrapped inside a transparent bag:
On the back of the adapter, we can find that it is rated on the output 22V, 2.7A:
On the top side we can locate the manufacturer logo, along with the power LED:
Inside the manual, we are explained which are the main product components, how to operate the device and how to use the remote:
The slim remote control allows us to turn the unit On or Off, adjust the Volume, Skip Forward or Backwards (for Fast Forward or Rewind we have to hold the buttons); with the arrow Up/Down buttons, we can navigate through the iPod menu directory or increase values within the iK501 System menu. The Menu button helps us to navigate to the iPod root directory, but when held pressed, we will be able to get to the iK501 system menu (on the LCD display); the Enter button lets us make selections and enter subdirectories within the iPod; this button can be also used for exiting the iK501 system menu:
On the back of the remote we are shown a schematic on how to remove the battery from its compartment; a plastic film is inserted between the battery and the remote electrical contacts, to avoid accidental discharge when stored/during transport:
Like some iHome iPod/iPhone docks we looked upon previously, this dock also uses plastic inserts:
The plastic adapters come in a number of five, for the supported iPod/iPhones:
iK501 is all black, with the dock mechanism in the center and the 2-way Full-Range drivers on the sides, along with the dome tweeters:
Here is a closer look on the dock, with the connector in center; here is the place where the plastic inserts can be installed; the KICKER logo is also located here:
A vibration isolation pad can be also found here, which also supports the back of the inserted iPod/iPhone:
The Rotary Control along with the LCD display are found on the top side:
Here is a closer look on the driver and the dome tweeter, through the metallic mesh:
Looking in the back of the unit, the passive square radiator (subwoofer) is revealed:
The iKICK is also provided with a handle, to carry it easy from one room to another:
The square reflex subwoofer size is 6x6 inch, for delivering punchy bass at high volumes:
The left side reveals the Composite Video output and the Stereo RCA outputs:
On the right, we can find the DC Power jack, along with the AUX IN:
On the bottom of the unit we can see some small rubber feet, to avoid scratching the surface the dock will stay on, but also to ensure a steady position on the table:
The central sticker reveals the product serial number, along with the input power rating:
When the iPod/iPhone is inserted, the unit will remain in Standby; after turning it on by pressing the Rotary Control, we will be able right away to modify the Volume:
By pressing the Rotary Control again, we will get to the Treble/Bass controls; these can be modified by rotating the wheel clockwise or counter-clockwise:
The next menu is AUX, where we can enable/disable the auxiliary input, also by the help of the Rotary Control:
Right before testing the iKICK iK501, I have tried to insert the Iphone 3GS into the dock, with the protective cover on; while using the supplied insert for the 3GS, this is not possible, but with it removed, it fit perfectly. This is very useful because it is not needed to remove the cover each and every time we are going to use the dock for charging purposes or for listening to music.
With the iHome iP1 and iP3, accessing the bass/treble levels was possible only by using the remote; with the iK501, these controls can be accessed right from the central rotary control knob.
By using the same rotary control knob, we can put the unit into Standby mode, which turns off the dock, but the iPod/iPhone will continue to charge during this time.
On the default bass/treble level of the iK501, the unit does not succeed to reach the punchy bass intensity of the iP1, but after doing some tweaking, we can obtain a nice, non-distorted bass even at high volume levels. However, the iP1 was able to deliver powerful bass even at very low volume levels, compared to the iK501 that needs the volume turned up higher.
The high frequencies are crisp on this unit when playing different types of audio material and the midrange is well defined.
Like some of the previously reviewed docks, this unit is capable of transmitting video/audio signal to the TV, by incorporating Composite/Stereo RCA outputs; the cables needed to make the connections are not included inside the package. Also, iK501 can receive audio signal via 3.5mm from any other sound source like our computer, TV; the unit can be also used with the PS3, but we need to use the 3.5mm output of the TV, because the iK501 does not come with an optical input.
Stillwater Designs have used quality materials for this model; however, in terms of design, this unit is no match to the iP1 and iP3, which have a very modern look.
For moving the unit from one room to another or on the porch, we can use the handle from the back of the device.
The MSRP for this unit is $279.95 and can be found in Europe online stores at prices between 180 and 200 Euros.
I would like to thank again to Stillwater Designs for making this review possible!