Kicker ZK500 Zune Speaker Dock (Black)

by Kicker

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 8.4 x 8.5 inches ; 12.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 13 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0019DKOVW
• Item model number: ZK500
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

From the indisputable leader in car audio comes its loudest and most innovative stereo system available for your Zune media player: the KICKER ZK500--designed to be the loudest digital portable system available. For nearly 30 years, KICKER has set the standard in its industry as the dominant car audio brand by producing high-performance equipment that guarantees unbeatable sound quality and hard-hitting bass. Now, KICKER busts out of the car and into the home with the bumping KICKER ZK500 Stereo System for Zune.

Maximum volume for your Zune. View larger.

Stereo RCA output and 1/8-inch auxiliary input in back. View larger.

Infrared remote for navigating your music and controlling the ZK500.

More Power
One of KICKER's most powerful MP3 docking stations on the market, the zK500 lets you get more out of your Zune than ever before. Bass and treble adjustment allow users to enjoy their music the way they want. The big, bumping speakers, 5-inch woofers, and 40-watt stereo amplifiers deliver the kind of crisp, powerful sound you expect from a KICKER product. KICKER's patent-pending 6-inch square reflex subwoofer delivers a dynamic bass response unmatched by other MP3 docking stations.

Full-Featured Remote
Equipped for any setting, the ZK500 includes a credit-card-size infrared remote, allowing you to navigate with ease through the stereo system menu. The innovative remote lets you adjust the stereo system's bass, treble, and auxiliary-in options, as well as the Zune menu directories. Select standby mode to continue charging your MP3 player even when it's powered down.

Auxiliary Input:
A mini-jack input also lets you connect additional media to the stereo system, including other MP3 and compact-disc players, as well as desktop and laptop computers, or satellite radio. With adapters fit for all Zune models, the ZK500 delivers a complete entertainment experience.

What's in the Box
KICKER ZK500 iPod Speaker Dock (Black), remote control, Zune adapters, manual.

Product Description

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-Inch woofers and ¾-Inch 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 Zune'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-Inch 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 Zune device to a TV Handle: Convenient carry handle maximizes portability.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Product!!!!, June 13, 2008

By 

Joshua Timothy (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kicker ZK500 Zune Speaker Dock (Black) (Electronics)

I just purchased the zkicker 500 and have had it for a week. It is an amazing product. The sound is extremely clear and crisp, better than anything else I own. Don't worry about turning this one up. At volume level 16/40 It shakes the pictures on my wall. Even at higher volumes there is no distortion. Bass is clean, it puts outs out a lot of bass. Not as much as your 15" sub in your car, but enough. I have never seen a boombox so small that puts out this much sound. It has +-9 on the base and treble settings to make it do what you want with your music. The remote fully controls the zune very accurately. It connects to your entertainment system through componant video. It displays movies great and adds to your sound system. When I watch movies I hook it up to get a larger range of sound. I recomend this product. I would even recomend this product even if you don't have a zune, it has auxillary input for any sound device. It is worth every penny!

High Range: 8/10 produces high range sound well, few sounds missing in movies
Mid Range: 10/10 Very crisp and clear
Low Range: 9/10 Great sounding bass(There is a lot), some people might want a little more
Functionality: 10/10
Price: 10/10 worth the money

47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good sound - erased my Zune Twice, July 14, 2009

By 

J. Veteran "tabletlover" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kicker ZK500 Zune Speaker Dock (Black) (Electronics)

Kicker ZK500 Zune Speaker Dock (Black)

I've owned the Kicker for two months now. I'd give it 3 stars.

Pros: Great Sound, Lightweight, Decent Footprint
Cons: Erased my Zune twice now

One thing you do not want to do with this device is get frustrated with the remote and start pushing the buttons on the Zune while it is connected to the base of the Kicker. This can format the drive on the Zune. All your music/podcasts are deleted. Interstingly, the background art is not.

This is really more of an annoyance than a disaster. You have to reconnect to your PC and re-synchronize. The Zune software on the PC seems to be a little confused as to why your Zune is suddenly empty. My work around is to say 'erase all content' then 'forget this device' followed by quick disconnect and reconnect to your PC and Zune software.

Then you have to wait 20 minutes to an hour to re synch all your music podcasts videos etc.

I think the Zune should operate like this - put the Zune on the kicker, and immediately start using the Zune with the remote or the Zune buttons (squirkle (sp.) etc.). This is not the case. You put the Zune on the Kicker and the Kicker goes into 'Standby' mode. Then the Zune reboots. Afte it reboots it shuts down AGAIN. Then you have to pick up the remote and start the Kicker. This whole process takes at least 30 seconds. Needless to say all you pretty much want to do is get the music going quickly and that isn't happening.

Sadly it is much faster to connect a zune to the AUX input in the back then use the Zune buttons to pick your selection. There is a delay or lag in using the remote, small but noticeable.

Other nit picks would be, is this a portable boom box or not? If it is then the handle is a joke. Basically there is no handle just a place to slip your fingers with no place to put your thumb.

The total lack of a quick off or mute button sux as well. If you can't locate the remote and your phone is ringing or someone is trying to get your attention it takes a bit of time to turn down the volume and get the Kicker quiet enough to be able to speak to someone.

Since the options are so limited for us Zune folks I'd say buy it, but beware of the quick format situation if you don't want to spend an hour re synching the whole device like I'm doing for the second time as I write this.

July 14 2009

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must have, August 24, 2008

By 

Donald Carter (New Hyde Park, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kicker ZK500 Zune Speaker Dock (Black) (Electronics)

Very Nice product that blows the competition out of the water!Nice bass, decent Volume levels and well constructed. All music types I have played thru this were simply great. Get it and be happy!

Now, My only knock and why I did not give it 5 stars is the remote.....flat, bubble keys are not as responsive as you would want and if My experience with this type are an indicator, you better by a second one....the bubble-type keys have a tendency to crack with age.