Kicker iK500 iPod Speaker Dock (Black)

Like many have said, this speaker has some impressive sound for its size. My only disappointment is that it does not have a powered subwoofer. The 6" "sub" is really a passive radiator that feeds off the 4" drivers. So while it does have impressive bass it cannot hit lows very well (i.e. <100Hz), and consequently rap/hip hop doesn't sound so great. Having heard many other ipod systems the Kicker probably cranks out more mids and lows than any other out there. Having said that, you should understand that you are compromising many features. You can only play music from an ipod or aux device, so no radio or CD (but who uses these anyway?) Overall, it's a nice system and with great sound quality and a decent price.

ok. ON THE LCD SAYS THAT IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO 40 THAT MEANS THE MAX. BUT THE TRUTH IS THE MAX IS 30. AFTER 30 IT DOSENT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.. YOU DONT HEAR A INCREASE OR DECREASE OF VOLUME. THAT MEANS IT GOES TO 30 NOT 40.. THE SOUND IS AMAZING DOU..GREAT BASS FOR HARD ROCK,METAL.POP,JAZZ, BUT NOT FOR HIP POP OR R&B,,,,,,

Over all very happy with my product! Like others have said, the back handle is a little shallow... no big deal. Sound is great!!! Plenty of BASS and treble!!!

Kicker iK500 iPod Speaker Dock (Black) This is an excellent speaker system for portable use. It has very good sound quality and excellent volume. I also like the option of inputing a laptop or other MP3 player to this speaker system. Two minor shortfalls: 1. the carrying handle is built into the top of the box and is a bit shallow for an adult's hand; you get the impression you will drop the speaker. 2. the dock station is about one centimeter to short. My 40G, fourth generation, click wheel iPod just barely fits into the dock. But it does fit and the remote control works to move thru the songs, something most other protable speaker systems do not accomplish. It would be nice if a carrying case were either supplied or offered as an option. Overall I am very happy with this purchase.

So I have a 20G iPod of the 3rd generation variety . . . Now imagine my surprise--after being assured that the iK500 works with any iPod--when I couldn't get my iPod to work on the thing. I knew it couldn't be a problem with my iPod because I have a 'Peripheral' adapter in my car that allows me to run directly into my stereo--it even allows me to change songs, fast forward, and reverse . . . not to mention charge the thing. So there's definitely no problem with my iPod. So why wouldn't it work? After an hour or so of tampering without success I began to think that there must be a problem with the plug on my particular iK500; that I should send it back and exchange it for another . . . That's when I found the answer--it was in the part of the directions that tell you how to use the remote control. It says, "Note: 3rd generation iPods are compatible with the iK500 but will not charge while docked or respond to remote control functions." (WHAT!?!) But this statement is a bit of a lie since plugging the iPod into the iK500 disables its (the iPod's) buttons, making it impossible to actually start, stop, or change a song--or interact with the iPod in any way. Gosh, that would make it seem like it isn't really compatible at all, wouldn't it? It turns out that the only way I can get my iPod to play through the iK500 is to start a song with the iPod unplugged and then connecting it to the iK500 while it's playing. But then it won't play more than one song by this method, meaning that I'd have to unplug it after every song, start the next tune manually, and then plug it back into the socket again. No thank you.
Like I said, I listen to my iPod through my car stereo every day using the exact same plug to do all of those things that the iKick says it can't do with the 3G iPod. So there really is no real reason for this incompatibility other than an attempt at forced obsolescence. But what really torques me is that there is no mention of the fact that the functionality of the system is limited if you use it with a 3G iPod, and even when they DO mention it, it's wrapped up in another lie. (Note: 3rd generation iPods ARE compatible . . . what a load)
I guess I could keep my iK500; I could just plug my trusty old iPod into the iK500 using the 1/8th inch jack . . . but then I could have done that with the stereo I already have and saved myself a load of grief and hassle in the process. It's really too bad that you can't give less than 1 star.