Zune stereo dock - KICKER ZK500

[heysesar]

I purchased a Zk500 for my Zune 120 Gb two days ago and am regreting it since.

The system is not that great in terms of sound quality and the docking bay is defective.

Even more, I have been warned not to play it at a loud volume, for the risk of erasing all the content of my 45 gigs of music.

It has made me hate my Zune, (which I loved before) because of the lack of possibilities for sound systems in the market that would allow me to stay away from this piece of Kicker junk.

[northsiderollers]

i just got one!! check it out!

[4785627]

yo this thing really does bump! i tried it out at electronic express! its very clear

[waisowsirius]

awesome. tnx!

[masterwolf1212]

Hehe, you say it like subwuufer. Anyways, just to let u know, the 6" square subwoofer in the back is a passive radiator, and a passive radiator is a subwoofer with no magnet, and no power going to it. It moves by the pressure from the 2 woofers in the front. Just to let u guys know. Oh, and I have an iphone. Why am I in zune...

[11DanceKing11]

is this better than the zN9??

[hchute]

I have both, and they're for completely different uses. The ZN9 (from iHome) is a small clock radio with a Zune dock - it's appropriate for a kitchen or maybe a dorm room.

The Kicker ZK500 is a more high-performance sound system - far superior in sound, range, audio controls, etc. (No clock or alarm, though!)

[lilazn24]

i wonder if it bumbs hardd

[LocustDeystroyer]

well it is from kicker and it has 2 mid woofers and the square sub for bottom end so I'm sure it's really good.

but it would be nice to have a more powerful amp like a 80 or 100 watt's

[barrygd2]

thats ugly

[bboylilpeace]

Ugly must be the new SEXXYYY!!!

[blahpoo22]

Good review

but i have a question about this speaker dock can it hold the 120gb zune

[hchute]

Yes, it can. The 120gb has the same body shape and port configuration as the 80gb.

Thanks for your feedback on the review!

[Killer9ss]

thx i was also wondering about the 120gb zune

[LoveThyPitBull]

Your review and ThoughtsMedia interview helped make me and my wifes mind up real fast lol. We purchased it this weekend (shipped today Mon) and we can't wait. Don't mind paying the money to support what seems like the only company trying to put merchandise out for the Zune. It will be great grilling out with the ZK500 blasting Bob Marley's "Don't worry be happy" with a Long Island Ice Tea in my hand ;). Thank you for the review and great job Kicker.

[hchute]

Thanks for your note. I've been using my Kicker for the past 3 months and continue to enjoy it immensely. I recently brought it upstairs so I could play it up there while we were spending the weekend painting rooms. It's got a great sound and I'm sure you'll be pleased too.

[LoveThyPitBull]

WOW it came in today and it's been playing for 3 hours straight and we are blown away at the sound. I/We listen to just about anything and it all sounds great. We are very very happy with it. A bit expensive but when you here it, you'll know it's worth every single penny. Very clear at all volumes no matter what Genre you have playing. Rock music is clear (AC/DC, Pantera, GNR), trance is awesome (Teisto/Paul O.), hip hop thumps with vocals clear (Wu-tang, Trick Daddy, ect). Buy it well worth it.

[hchute]

That's great! Enjoy!!

[jparks409]

I've heard the Bose sounddock and don't get me wrong I have a few Bose products and they are good quality, good sound, but a little pricey for what you actually get. This however, seems like your getting more for your 300 hard earned dollars than what the Bose sounddock has to offer. Well, looks like Kicker really has them beat on this one for power, bass, and overall value. Don't get me wrong people reading this. I'm definitely not a Bose hater, just like to get the best bang out the buck!!

[jparks409]

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!

[hchute]

Yeah, it's worthy of your desire. I've been using mine a lot, for a few weeks now, and continue to love it.

[nufsikcarc]

why would i want to buy a sound system that costs more than the zune itself?

[hchute]

It's not for everyone, but I think many will pay that to essentially convert a portable player into a decent home audio system.

[Soccerfreak2413]

Awesome. :D Thanks for the video look at it.

[jakencook]

Great vid. I'm looking forward to seeing this in May.

[hchute]

Thank you! I think this stereo is going to do well with Zune owners. I've been using mine daily since it arrived.

[jakencook]

So how does the Altec-Lansing dock stack up? I'm reading that the Kicker dock will run somewhere around $350, which might place it out of my price range. The Altec-Lansing can be found for in between 40 and 90 bucks online these days. Do you think the Kicker dock is 250 to 300 bucks better? Keep up the great work with the videos and the site!

[hchute]

It's definitely in a different category than the Altec-Lansing Zune dock. The A-L M604 retails for $200, and you're right the ZK500 goes for $350. You can probably find cheaper prices for the A-L.

I would put the ZK500 closer to the category of VAF's Octavio 1.

If you have a small room, limited budget, and don't care about deep pounding bass, the A-L may suffice, but it pales in comparison to the sound quality of the ZK500. For some, the power difference is worth the price diff.

[jakencook]

Thanks for the breakdown. As a college student, I would likely find it hard to drop that much cheddar on a dock. I could see myself waiting until they drop a bit though.