STILLWATER, USA – In conjunction with European distributor Celsus UK, Ltd., KICKER® was among the audio brands taking part in the 31st annual METSTRADE Show (Marine Electronic Trade Show), the world’s largest trade exhibition of marine equipment, materials and systems. METSTRADE was held at Amsterdam RAI, which becomes the European continent’s central hub for the leisure marine industry one week each fall.
Nearly 25,000 show-goers and 1,600 exhibitors strong, METSTRADE is also touted on the event website as “the world’s most visited B2B leisure marine-equipment show.” Attendees gravitated to KICKER’s interactive display, which helped to spark conversation between themselves and Celsus executives Paul Baker, Mike Keenan and Mark Baker. Those conversations led to interest from parties representing central Europe and beyond, with emerging opportunities for the KICKER Marine line in potentially 26 new countries.
“This was KICKER’s inaugural year of attendance and we were met with a very good acceptance,” said Chet Weddle, KICKER Director of International Sales. “Over the three days, we met with several customers and yielded multiple opportunities for the KICKER Marine line.
“Based on the response,” Weddle continued, “we can anticipate that KICKER will continue to up the ante on attending the METSTRADE show, and continue to expand the Marine product offering throughout the EU.”
For more information on KICKER Marine, those interested can check out www.kicker.com/marine-audio.
For KICKER EU inquiries, consumers can log onto www.celsusice.co.uk.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® has developed the KMA-Series Marine Amplifiers for 2021, made to be as versatile as they are affordable. Featuring even higher power ratings than its predecessors, these five new models of amplifiers are now shipping and ready for purchase at Authorized KICKER Dealers in-store and online. Introduced to the world on the KICKER UnMASKED! Live™ show in October, KMA Marine Amplifiers retail in a price range from $179.95-$449.95. KMA Amplifiers are also available at www.kicker.com.
Continuing to research the products most requested by boaters, KICKER created the full-range, six-channel KMA600.6 to power up to three independent full-range zones simultaneously. This 600-watt-plus amp provides an easy way to get the perfect volume levels on the deck, in the water, or inside the cabin at the same time.
The 800-watt KMA800.1 subwoofer amplifier comes with a remote bass-level controller, and a fixed 25dB subsonic filter that ensures improved subwoofer performance by actively filtering out damaging ultra-low frequencies during playback. KMA800.1 represents KICKER’s only true marine mono-channel amp.
A pair of four-channel amps and a stereo amp round out the lineup, perfect for adding extra intensity to a large boat system. The amplifiers are also equipped with the KickEQ™ 6dB of variable bass boost, as well as a 12dB crossover.
Every KICKER KMA-Series Amplifier comes with a host of Real Marine™ features: weather-ready speaker terminals, stainless-steel hardware, gasket-sealed input connectors, conformal-coated circuit boards and ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) / NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association)-compliant power connections. KICKER only designs and builds USCG (U.S. Coast Guard) and ABYC-compliant, marine-accessory products. KICKER Marine Audio products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet or exceed marine-industry standards for UV exposure as well as humidity and salt-water exposure.
For more information on this product, consumers can visit www.kicker.com/kma-amplifiers.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
Common to All Models
Input Sensitivity: High Level 250mV-10V, Low Level 125mV-5V
Frequency Response: full-range 10-20kHz; mono 25-200Hz (+0/-1dB)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >95dB, A-weighted, re: rated power
KickEQ™ Bass Boost: Variable 0-6dB, centered @ 40Hz (KMA.6 amp 3 only)
KMA.1/KMA.6 Subsonic Filter: Fixed @ 25Hz, 24dB/octave (KMA.6 in LP mode only)
KMA.1 includes KMBLC Remote Bass Level Controller
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® has developed the KMA-Series of marine amplifiers, made to be as versatile as they are affordable. These four new amplifiers will be unveiled during CES 2018 and will be available at Authorized KICKER Dealers in-store and online by early first-quarter 2018. KMA-Series Amps will also be available for purchase at www.kicker.com.
Every KMA-Series Amp (KMA150.2 stereo; KMA300.4 4-channel; KMA450.6 6-channel; KMA600.1 mono) comes with marine-grade speaker terminals, stainless-steel hardware, conformal-coated circuit boards and ABYC/NMMA/NMEA-compliant power connections. The amplifiers are also equipped with the KickEQ™ variable, 12dB bass boost, as well as a 12dB crossover.
Specifically with boat owners in mind, KICKER created the KMA450.6 6-Channel Amp to power up to three independent full-range boat zones simultaneously. This six-channel, 450-watt amp provides an easy way to get the perfect volume levels on the deck, in the water, or inside the cabin at the same time. Boaters can control the volume of one zone with the receiver, and then the second zone can be dictated with the included remote level controller, which can be mounted on (or under) nearly any flat surface.
Additionally, the KMA600.1 Mono Amplifier comes with a remote level controller for increasing volume from anywhere on the boat. The subwoofer amp also includes a 24dB subsonic filter ensuring efficient subwoofer performance by actively filtering out damaging ultra-low frequencies during playback.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio.
KICKER KMA-Series Marine Amplifiers Specifications
Mono/Stereo/Multi-Channel Models (at 14.4V) KMA600.1 KMA450.6 KMA150.2 KMA300.4
Power (watts/ch) 2 Ohm Stereo: - 75 x 6 75 x 2 75 x 4
Power (watts/ch) 4 Ohm Stereo: - 40 x 6 40 x 2 40 x 4
Power (watts/ch) 4 Ohm Mono Bridged: - 150 x 3 150 x 1 150 x 2
Power (watts/ch) 2 Ohm Mono Sub Ch: 600 x 1 - - -
Power (watts/ch) 4 Ohm Mono Sub Ch: 300 x 1 - - -
Frequency Response (Hz): 25-200 10-20k 10-20k 10-20k
Remote Level Controller Included: yes yes - -
Dimensions (in, cm):
(all models 2-5/16”H x 7-1/8”W x …”L, 8-1/16, 13-15/16, 8-1/16, 12-7/16,
5.9cmH x 18cmW x …cmL): 20.5 35.3 20.4 31.5
Common to all Models
Input Sensitivity: High Level 250mV-10V, Low Level 125mV-5V
Signal to Noise Ratio: >95dB, a-weighted, re: rated power
Active Crossover (KMA.2/KMA.4): 12dB/octave, variable 50-200Hz, HP, LP or all pass
Active Crossover (KMA.6): (Amp 1 and 2) 12dB/octave, 0-200Hz, HP only; (Amp 3) 12dB/octave, variable 25-200Hz, HP, LP or all pass
Active Crossover (KMA.1): 12dB/octave, variable 50-200Hz, LP only
Subsonic Filter (KMA.1/KMA.6 amp 3 only): 24dB/octave HP fixed at 25Hz
KickEQ+™ Bass Boost (all models/KMA.6 amp 3 only): variable to+12dB, centered at 40Hz
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER®, the audio brand produced by Stillwater Designs® of Stillwater, Oklahoma, is pleased to announce the Crossover Marketing Group (Portland, Ore.) as its newest Sales Representative firm in the Pacific Northwest. They will service authorized KICKER dealers in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.
“We wanted a firm that focused on KICKER and wanted to concentrate on forging deep relationships with KICKER dealers in the region,” said Tracy Focht, KICKER’s Western Regional Sales Manager. “Crossover is extremely relationship driven. They are dedicated to working hand-in-hand with retailers.”
Focusing on quality over quantity, Crossover Marketing principal Rob Sutton is committed to a select line card and defining his company’s direction as “an old-school approach with a 21st-century back end.” Sutton said he believes representing KICKER is something to aspire to, highlighting the people as much as keeping the brand’s 51-year legacy flourishing.
“I managed reps for decades,” Sutton said. “We want to reinvigorate what we think reps should do. That means no pressure – a true partnership that focuses on being there for the dealer. We will provide a personal touch to as many people as we can. It’s about service.”
“I’ve gotten to know Rob over the past year,” Focht said. “He has decades of 12-volt experience at the manufacturer, distribution, and retail levels, plus his reputation is second to none. After listening to the dealers and how excited they are, Crossover was the natural choice.”
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc., are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® will be live and supporting the Midwest SPL World Finals, held at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia October 27-28. It will be the second straight year that KICKER has involved its brand with the MWSPL main event.
KICKER is also attending the event to support its marketing associate JY Power. The lithium-battery manufacturer continues to impress show-goers with “The Cube” – the 60,000-watt SPL vehicle sporting 40 KICKER 15-inch L7® square subwoofers and more than 160 KICKER marine coaxial speakers. The Cube is widely recognized as one of the loudest demo vehicles in the country.
The Finals will feature several unique facets to the three-day event. In addition to traditional head-to-head SPL competition, MWSPL features a “List Race” that allows competitors to directly challenge others in their class. KICKER is sponsoring awards for this unique competition style.
After the competition has ended for the day, a competitor’s party with costume contest and casino night are also planned. Record turnout is expected.
“It’s a way to give back to the competitors,” MWSPL founder Steve Stern noted.
In continuing its support of car-stereo competition across the country, KICKER also was involved at the combined Car Audio Championships and USACi World Finals earlier in this month.
Consumers can visit www.midwestspl.com/finals online for additional details.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® will attend its first MasterTech Expo at the Mesa (Ariz.) Convention Center, March 6-8. KICKER will be in booths 201 and 202, located by the concession area on the show floor. In a one-time offer, KICKER dealers and associates can log onto the company’s KNET portal and find a code to save money on registration fees to attend the Expo.
The entire KICKER product line will be on display, including the new PXA Waterproof Amplifiers, ST-Series P.A.-style Speakers, Competition Gold Subwoofers and award-winning KMXL Horn-Loaded Marine Speakers.
The KICKER Tech Force training group will join Joe Hobart, KICKER’s Director of Electrical Engineering, to host a manufacturers training focusing on modern audio integration techniques, aimed at the quick identification of acoustic and electrical challenges that installers face when adding amplifiers. The class will also discuss the equipment needed to diagnose the issue.
A completely unique event in the aftermarket industry, the MasterTech Expo consists of industry experts training builders and enthusiasts in several vital aspects of aftermarket production and business operations. Each attendee can choose one of several educational “tracks”, including fabrication, audio integration, upholstery, advanced design concepts and more. This year, legendary designer Chip Foose will take attendees through a live sketch session.
For more details and to register, industry enthusiasts can visit www.mastertechexpo.com.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® has combined the mounting flexibility of a thin, true subwoofer to the added cone area of its iconic Solo-Baric® L7® square subs. Six models of this new L7T™ Subwoofer line have now begun shipping to Authorized Dealers in the United States and are available both in-store and online.
The unique square cone provides up to 20 percent additional cone area compared to a standard circular sub of the same size, making a 12-inch square sub perform like a 15-inch round subwoofer, without requiring a larger frame or motor. The consumer enjoys more volume, deeper bass and greater overall value, and in the case with the L7T, the ability to fit into the trickiest installations with its thin design.
The extended top plate has a patented “bumped” design, allowing extra excursion and long throw for deeper overall bass, despite its shallow makeup. KICKER’s UniPlate™ combines the pole piece and backplate as a single, seamless unit meant to pull damaging heat away from the sub. Perimeter venting is also used above the top plate, bringing additional cooling air in and around the motor.
KICKER’s SoloKon™ technology employs an injection-molded polypropylene square cone and 360-degree back bracing as a single solid unit. The unique design assists in both cooling the motor and eliminating distortion. Patented ribbed corners are incorporated into the high-roll Santoprene® surround. The corners allow the square suspension to move smoothly under high SPL requirements, providing a loud, accurate response. KICKER then stitches the cone to the surround, providing an additional level of integrity.
For more information, consumers can log on to www.kicker.com/2019-l7t-subwoofers.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
KICKER L7T Subwoofer Specifications
Model L7T8 L7T10 L7T12
Woofer (in, cm) 8, 20 10, 25 12, 30
Impedance (Ohms, DVC) 2 or 4 2 or 4 2 or 4
Rec. Amplifier Power (watts RMS) 350 500 600
Peak Power Handling (watts) 700 1,000 1,200
Frequency Response (Hz) 30-100 25-100 25-100
Mounting Depth (in, cm) 2-3/4, 7 3-3/4, 9.5 4-1/8, 10.5
Cutout Size (in, cm) 7-3/8, 18.8 9-5/16, 23.7 11-1/16, 28.1
Max Rec Sealed Box Vol (cu. ft, liters) 1.0, 28.32 1.25, 35.4 2.0, 56.6
Min Rec Sealed Box Vol (cu. ft, liters) 0.2, 5.66 0.4, 11.3 0.55, 15.6
Max Rec Vented Box Vol (cu. ft, liters) 1.2, 34 1.75, 49.6 2.25, 63.7
Min Rec Vented Box Vol (cu. ft, liters) 0.8, 22.7 1.25, 35.4 1.75, 49.6
Sensitivity (1W, 1m) 84.835 85.98 86.54
Xmax (linear excursion mm) 7.25 9.2 10.25
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® has combined the mounting flexibility of a thin subwoofer to the added cone area of KICKER’s iconic L7 square subs, and then embedded it in a factory-tuned enclosure. Dubbed the TL7T Loaded Enclosure, six versions of the thin-profile box are now available, both online and in-store at Authorized KICKER Dealers.
KICKER’s unique, patented square cone provides up to 20% additional cone area compared to a standard round sub of equal size, providing the listener with louder volume and deeper bass to enjoy, along with the ability to fit into the trickiest installations with its thin design.
Designed to fit perfectly under or behind a seat, each enclosure features plush black carpeting with rounded corners and custom embroidery. Inside the enclosure, thick MDF construction and heavy internal bracing offers strength and stability over years of use.
The L7T subwoofer’s extended top plate utilizes a patented “bumped” design, allowing extra excursion and long throw for deeper overall bass in an extremely thin design. KICKER’s UniPlate™ combines the pole piece and back plate, making them a single, seamless unit meant to pull away damaging heat from the sub. Perimeter venting is also used above the top plate, bringing additional cooling air in and around the motor.
KICKER’s SoloKon™ technology employs an injection-molded polypropylene cone and 360-degree back bracing as a single solid unit. The unique design assists in both cooling the motor and eliminating distortion. Patented ribbed corners are incorporated into the high-roll, Santoprene® surround, allowing the square suspension to move smoothly under high SPL stress and providing a loud, accurate response. KICKER then stitches the cone to the surround, providing an additional level of integrity.
Spring-loaded, nickel-plated binding posts are housed in a convenient terminal cup, accepting wires as large as eight gauge (8 AWG).
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
KICKER TL7T Loaded Enclosure Specifications
Model TL7T8 TL7T10 TL7T12
Type [no. of woofers] single truck (1) single truck (1) single truck (1)
Woofer [in, cm] 8, 20 10, 25 12, 30
Impedance [Ohms] 2 or 4 2 or 4 2 or 4
Rec. Amplifier Power [watts RMS] 350 500 600
Peak Power Handling 700 1000 1200
Frequency Response [Hz] 30-100 25-100 25-100
Sensitivity (dB 1w/1m) 84.84 85.98 86.54
Top Depth [in, cm] 3-5/8, 9.2 4-3/8, 11.3 4-3/8, 11.3
Base Depth [in, cm] 6-1/4, 16 7-1/4, 18.5 7-1/4, 18.5
Width [in, cm] 19-5/8, 50 20-1/4, 51.5 21-1/2, 54.6
Height [in, cm] 11-1/4, 28.5 12, 30.4 13-3/4, 35
STILLWATER, USA – Adding to a long line of installation innovations, KICKER® announces the availability of the KISLOC2 Stereo Line Output Converter, now available at Authorized KICKER Dealers both in-store and online. In addition to standard LOC traits, KISLOC2 features a remote turn-on wire so installers don’t have to search for a switched 12-volt power source.
In addition, unlike traditional LOCs, the KICKER KISLOC2 was designed without inductors to deliver a completely flat frequency response, regardless of volume level or music type.
Along with touting superior sonic accuracy, the innovative KICKER KISLOC2 uses the radio’s DC offset to convert the incoming high-level signal into both an RCA signal and a powerful 100-milliamp, 12-volt remote wire, supplying enough remote power to turn on multiple amplifiers with this single connection. KISLOC2 also includes a signal-sensing LED for turn-on verification.
For more information, consumers can log onto www.kicker.com/KISLOC2.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® Marine Audio delivers a higher standard to its Marine Power and Signal Accessories, engineered by boat owners, for boat owners. A complete wiring solution, a new family of interconnects, power wire, fusing, power distribution and amplifier kits are all built to the highest standards in the marine industry, meeting or exceeding U.S. Coast Guard and ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) testing standards. They will be available at Authorized KICKER Marine Dealers in-store and online. Complete marine power kits retail from $129.95 to $199.95.
MARINE WIRE (retail range $99.95 [20 ft. 8 AWG] to $549.95 [50 ft. 1/0 AWG])
To ensure maximum power transfer and reliability, KICKER takes pure, full-spec OFC (oxygen-free copper) and tins it to prevent corrosion. Compliant with USCG and ABYC standards, the power cable features soft, flexible jacketing that makes installation easy, even when running cable around corners. The power and ground wire are offered in eight, four and 1/0 AWG. The speaker wire is 16 AWG. A spool with 150 feet of combo speaker/RGB wire is also available.
MARINE INTERCONNECTS (retail range $19.95 to $49.95)
KICKER Marine interconnects feature split-pin connections and OFC wire for superior bass response and signal clarity. Specific to the marine line, the PVC jacketing is extended to completely cover the ground ring, providing a superior seal between the elements and your amplifier. All marine RCA cables feature an ultra-slim union for snag-free cable routing in tight places. It is offered in one, three, seven and 10-meter lengths, and a male-to-dual-female Y adapter is also available.
MARINE POWER DISTRIBUTION (retail range $19.95 to $79.95)
KICKER is the only 12-volt aftermarket brand to offer a power-distribution system that meets USCG and ABYC standards, therefore safe enough to be used in new boat construction.
KICKER’s MRBF fuses also meet SAE-J1171 standards for ignition protection and are IP66 rated. Sizes ranging from 40 to 300 amps are available.
The RT series of easy-crimp ring terminals (available in eight, four and 1/0 AWG), KMFMF Master Fuse Holder, KMFDB3 Fused Distribution Block and KMDB3 Ground Distribution Block are all nickel-coated to prevent corrosion, and all meet the same stringent standards of the rest of the new marine accessory line.
The KMFMF is engineered to fit directly on a marine battery, while the power distribution block is designed to conveniently fit an MRBF fuse on each of the three threaded posts, with an RT ring terminal securely fastened to each.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® is deeply saddened to announce the unexpected passing of colleague Rob Limbaugh. Limbaugh departed this life Friday while at home. An 18-year KICKER employee and longtime industry veteran, Limbaugh first served as National Sales Director at Stillwater Designs, ultimately ascending to Director of Business Development and Vice President.
“He was an amazing visionary for the big picture,” said KICKER President and co-founder Steve Irby. “We will certainly miss his contributions, his viewpoints, and his insightful plans.”
While under Limbaugh’s watch, KICKER expanded the Marine and Powersports lines of products, formed the Home and Portables division, and relocated 200 employees into the company’s new world headquarters in Stillwater, Okla. He was instrumental in keeping KICKER relevant into the 21st century, playing an essential part of moving KICKER products into big-box retail and developing KICKER’s current UMAP (Unilateral Minimum Advertised Pricing) policy so dealers could grow their revenue.
He also got the KICKER brand involved in his auto passion, One Lap of America, for several years, and he co-drove a BMW during the 2018 road-course race.
Limbaugh started his audio career in 1975 at Pacific Stereo in Fresno, Calif. His passion for audio led him to be vice president at Linear Power for six years. After that he led Polk Audio’s car-audio division for more than a decade before joining KICKER’s sales team.
“Rob was always extremely sharp,” said KICKER Director of Global Supply Chain Greg Lew. “He loved going to soundoffs. He loved loud audio. He was witty, trustworthy, and a great friend – somebody you could chat with and challenge.”
Behind his famously dry wit and wry smile, Limbaugh was known to be a deep thinker and consistent voice among KICKER leadership.
“He had an amazing mind for seeing the overall plan,” recalled KICKER General Manager Jay Ralston. “He was an integral part of every major decision and had a gift for considering all the angles.”
“He was always presenting a bigger picture solution and played that role very well,” Irby said. “It’s important to have a diversity of opinions in a company to make balanced decisions, and we could always count on Rob. He will definitely be missed.”
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® has announced the promotion of Jacob Luckey to its group of global product-training specialists, known to the brand’s dealer base as the Tech Force.
“Following an extensive interview process, we invited Jacob to join the Tech Force and will begin his training duties on July 15,” said Aaron Malin, Tech Force Global Training Manager.
Prior to his promotion, Luckey has been a vital member of the KICKER Consumer Technical Support team for the last three years. During that time while learning KICKER’s vast product offerings, he also worked to earn MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) certification. Luckey began at Stillwater Designs, the manufacturer of KICKER products, in 2016 and has held duties in various departments prior to landing the Consumer Tech Support position.
Luckey becomes the fourth member of the KICKER Tech Force, a team that’s responsible for educating KICKER dealers and installers about KICKER audio products through live appearances, recorded video and live digital streaming.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® has begun shipping the newest version of its fresh take on a classic concept: he “tube” subwoofer. KICKER TB-Series Compact Subwoofer Systems are made in 10- and 8-inch models, with 2- or 4-Ohm loads, all weather-proof and ready for most any application. These four additions to the KICKER subwoofer line were unveiled during CES 2019 and will be available very soon at Authorized KICKER Dealers in-store and online. TB-Series Sub Systems are also available for purchase at www.kicker.com.
The TB Systems’ compressed housing features thick ABS construction and a new-for-2019, low-profile, aluminum bracketing system. This flexible system allows installations to be easily performed horizontally, vertically or inverted with total confidence, even in boats or off-road applications. Spring-loaded speaker terminals come standard on every enclosure, as are a set of matched KICKER CompR® Subwoofer grilles on each end.
The heart of the TB-Series is made up of a steady KICKER CompR Subwoofer and passive reflex subwoofer technology. The CompR features a stacked magnet structure for high power handling and sound quality, UniPlate™ solid pole piece and backplate for excellent heat dissipation, red double-stitched Santoprene® surround and an all-polypropylene SoloKon™ cone system with 360-degree back bracing. It all combines to maintain a superior level of volume and musical accuracy while delivering reliable performance in the rain, snow and sun.
On the opposite side of the TB enclosure is the reflex subwoofer, made with the same cone and surround materials as the CompR. The reflex sub not only gives the tube more volume and deeper bass, but is the formula that allows the sub system to be extremely loud and compact. The result is a flexible sub that plays hard in any environment, yet leaves plenty of room for cargo storage in a vehicle. It can be installed in a boat, UTV, trunk or truck. It fits anywhere - and bumps everywhere!
For more information, consumers can log on to www.kicker.com/tb-loaded-enclosures.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
KICKER TB-Series Compact Subwoofer Systems Specifications:
Model TB10 TB8
KICKER CompR Active Woofer (in, cm) 10, 25 8, 20
Passive Reflex Subwoofer 10, 25 8, 20
Impedance (Ohms) 2 or 4 2 or 4
Rec. Amplifier Power (Watts RMS) 400 300
Frequency Response (Hz) 25-500 30-500
Sensitivity (1w, 1m) 85.7 84.4
Diameter (in, cm) 10-5/8, 27 8-1/2, 21.6
Depth (in, cm) 16-9/16, 42.1 12-7/8, 32.8
Height with Horizontal Bracket (in, cm) 10-3/4, 27.3 8-5/8, 21.9
Height with Vertical Bracket (in, cm) 17-1/16, 43.4 13-7/16, 34.1
STILLWATER, USA – One year ago KICKER® engineers set the audio world on alert with its first auto-tuning, smart amp that literally repairs inferior factory or aftermarket audio. This year KICKER introduced compact KEY™ amplifiers that improve both full-range and bass sound. The KEY200.4 Smart 4-Channel Amp/Processor and the KEY500.1 Smart Mono Amp/Bass Revealer use AI-driven DSP (digital signal processing) to dramatically improve audio, and they are now shipping to Authorized KICKER Dealers nationwide, available for purchase online and in-store.
Built to improve the performance of door speakers and tweeters, the start/stop-compatible KEY200.4 four-channel amplifier comes with a microphone and integrated push-button remote. The remote is designed to start the automatic tuning and calibration process once amplifier installation is complete.
A simple press of the selector (attached to the microphone) sets the KEY’s test tones and proprietary algorithms in motion. The system detects each speakers’ size, applies a 24dB crossover and 40 channels of equalization, applies time alignment, and customizes the gain levels of each channel independently. The true potential of the vehicle’s full-range system is revealed in a matter of seconds, delivering dramatic improvements in realism and soundstage without the need for expensive external processors or professional tuning.
The KEY500.1 is a 500-watt subwoofer amplifier, built in the same compact footprint as its four-channel cousin but focusing on a single bass channel. Using KICKER’s supplied test tones downloadable from the company website, the KEY sub amp automatically analyzes the audio being fed directly into the amplifier. Once analyzed, the KEY500.1 automatically repairs peaks in that signal while revealing the low bass that is typically missing in mediocre systems. In a matter of moments, it reveals a clean, even bass response at all volume levels. The KEY500.1 comes with 24dB sub-sonic and low-pass crossovers, bass boost and gain controls, and matches perfectly with any KICKER subwoofer or loaded sub enclosure that’s 12 inches or smaller.
Both the KEY200.4 and KEY500.1 represent a completely revolutionary approach to achieving greatly improved sound quality in an affordable package that installs nearly anywhere, and works with even the most modern factory or aftermarket audio systems. KICKER’s exclusive FIT2™ (Fail-safe Integration Technology) allows KEY amps to work with nearly any radio.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
KICKER KEY Smart Amplifier Specifications
Models (at 14.4V) KEY200.4 4-Ch. KEY500.1 Mono
Power (watts/ch), 4 Ohm Stereo 50 x 4 N/A
Power (watts/ch), 4 Ohm Mono N/A 150 x 1
Power (watts/ch), 2 Ohm Mono N/A 300 x 1
Power (watts/ch), 1 Ohm Mono N/A 500 x 1
Frequency Response (Hz) 20-20k 10-160
Input Sensitivity Hi-level 250mV-10V Lo-level 125mV-5V, Hi-level 1V-40V
S-to-N Ratio (dB, a-weighted, re: rated power) >90 >90
Bi-Amp Capability Yes (defeatable) N/A
Auto-Time Delay Yes (defeatable) N/A
Auto-EQ Yes (defeatable) N/A
Auto Turn-On 12v or DC offset DC offset
Height (in, cm) 1-11/16, 4.3 1-11/16, 4.3
Length (in, cm) 7-3/8, 18.7 8-1/8, 20.7
Width (in, cm) 2-3/4, 7 4-1/8, 9.2
Active Crossover (KEY200.4) 24dB/octave, selective AP or HP at 60, 80, or 120Hz
Active Crossover (KEY500.1) 24dB/octave, variable LP 40-160Hz
Subsonic Filter (KEY500.1) 24dB/octave, variable HP 10-40Hz
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® is now shipping its new-for-2021 CompRT® Thin Subwoofers, featuring Forced-Air Cooling™ and available for purchase at Authorized KICKER Dealers nationwide both in-store and online. Introduced to the world on the KICKER UnMASKED! Live™ show in October, CompRT Subwoofers will retail from $109.95-$219.95. CompRT Subwoofers are also available at www.kicker.com.
CompRT’s Forced-Air Cooling contributes to the woofers’ efficiency and durability, allowing it to run more than 20 percent cooler than previous versions of the ultimate KICKER thin woofer. High-temp voice coil wire windings surround a high-mass, solid pole piece adding to CompRT’s excellent thermal management. As a result, the CompRT boasts one of the highest power ratings of any thin sub on the market.
The CompRT’s magnet structure provides superior power handling and sound quality, while dual-ended, satin nickel terminals allow for multiple wiring possibilities. The CompRT utilizes a large-diameter, progressive-roll spider for increased linearity and better overall sound quality. A bumped top plate allows for full voice-coil clearance and excursion, creating outstanding bass.
Now with a sleek, blacked-out look, the CompRT Subwoofer is currenlty available in 8-, 10- and 12-inch versions with dual voice coils (2 or 4 Ohm) and still requires less than four inches of mounting depth. The thin-mount, weather-proof design is ideal for trucks, motorcycles and UTVs off-road or in the outdoors – anywhere that needs big bass without a big box. Six-and-three-quarter-inch CompRT subwoofers will ship later in the quarter.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® announces a booth filled with world-class custom vehicles and a non-stop schedule of celebrity appearances at the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31-November 3 in Las Vegas. KICKER will be located in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall, booth #11861.
Featured in the KICKER booth this year is a handcrafted 1957 Ford Fairlane created by Kindig-It Design. The stars of Velocity Network’s Bitchin’ Rides, Dave Kindig and his team made this ground-up restoration, which has qualified as a candidate for the 2017 GoodGuys Custom Rod-of-the-Year.
In addition to the Kindig Fairlane, award-winning shop SIC CHOPS built a 1951 VW Beetle to be featured in the KICKER booth. The Beetle has a full, elite KICKER Q-Class audio system with five channels of active control, including the L7QB8 aluminum subwoofer enclosure and full Bluetooth® control.
KICKER has packed the booth with celebrity signings this year. Starting Tuesday from 1-2:30 p.m., fans can meet James Torrez, star of NFL Network’s Tackle My Ride and owner of Demented Customs in Hobbs, N.M. After that, Dave Kindig and KevDog from Kindig-It Design and Bitchin’ Rides meet their fans from 3-4 p.m.
On Wednesday, the stars of Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws will be at the KICKER booth. These renowned drivers and fabricators will meet their fans, take pictures and sign autographs from 10-11:30 a.m., beginning with Farmtruck and AZN. From 1-3 p.m., Chuck “Death Trap” Seitsinger, “Daddy Dave” Comstock and Tina Pierce meet and greet from 1-3 p.m.
Then Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m., Mod Kids USA racers Mason Prater and Mia Chapman stop by the KICKER booth to meet Modified-Kart racing fans. Finally, Street Outlaws stars Justin “Big Chief” Shearer, Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington, Jeff Lutz and Shane “Blackbird Vega” McAlary will be signing autographs from 1-3 p.m.
Powersports partner SSV Works™ will unveil a custom Polaris® GENERAL™ in the booth, with a massive audio system exceeding 3000 watts of power. The side-by-side’s system includes KICKER marine and powersports speakers and amplifiers, four L7QB8 subwoofer enclosures and four slim CompRT® 10-inch subwoofers. A closer inspection also reveals an SSV Works under-dash subwoofer enclosure, custom kick-panel pods with KICKER all-weather 6.5-inch speakers, an SSV Works cage mount with KICKER speakers, and a direct-fit dash kit with SSV Works MRB3 Bluetooth controller.
The KICKER VSS™ (Vehicle-Specific Solutions) Chevy® Tahoe will also be in the booth as the focus of audio demonstrations using vehicle-specific gear. The amplifier from the VSS PowerStage™ upgrade is designed to integrate seamlessly with the factory radio and speaker system, increasing power by 50 watts per channel. The amp’s digital signal processor and 200-watt powered subwoofer are acoustically optimized for the Tahoe’s cabin space.
Several elite builders throughout the show have chosen KICKER audio gear in their SEMA projects. Elite builders like the Ring Brothers, Kindig-It Designs, Classic Car Studio and RMD Garage are among more than 80 world-class vehicles that feature KICKER audio gear in their builds this year. Full event details are available on the SEMA Show web page at www.semashow.com.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® and longtime distributor partner NTC Group (Selangor, Malaysia) have announced the inaugural class of the NTC Technical Training Center (NTTC), KICKER’s first organized, global training endeavor.
The NTC Technical Training Center is an invitation-only, 12-day class, dedicated to enhancing the skill sets of Chinese distributors and 12-volt business owners.
“The curriculum covers everything from bookkeeping to social media, merchandising, product knowledge and marketing,” said Chet Weddle, KICKER International Sales Manager for the Asia/Pacific region.
NTTC features a complete KICKER sound room and retail store environment, where each product line is thoroughly explained. The students are given an opportunity to hear and experience the differences in each product for themselves.
“They start with signal, finish with sound, and cover everything in between,” Weddle said. “They are modifying what they learn for their business model, then taking it to their retail establishments. We’re creating a hierarchy of knowledge.”
When training internationally, overcoming language barriers is an ongoing challenge. The inception of NTTC serves as a significant stride to overcome this issue. A curriculum was created specifically to service business in a Chinese culture, taught in their native language.
“We’re trying to find a better way to do business in China,” Weddle explained “When you get to a dealer, a one-hour training can become a two-and-a-half hour process because of the translation. It’s very difficult.
“We discussed if can we develop a facility within their environment. We (KICKER) can be a big part of that now, because we’ve invested in the NTC Group for 30 years, and in China for 20 of those. They’re taking these students and teaching them how to do business, and KICKER is the main staple of that business, using what NTTC teaches them.”
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® kicks off the 2019 boating season at the Miami International Boat Show, exhibiting revolutionary tower systems, marine-ready amplifiers, subwoofers and speakers. The show is located at the Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin, running from February 14-18, and KICKER experts will be on hand to present products and information to consumers.
KICKER’s booth will be located in the Sport Fishing Pavilion (Tent D), booth D139. KICKER marine products will also be available for purchase on-site at El Capitan Sports Center’s booth, D135 next door to KICKER.
KICKER representatives will be discussing its marine offerings with boat manufacturers and interested consumers throughout the week, as well as creating informational, entertaining videos recorded live during the show and then posted on social media.
The KICKER booth and reps will be showcasing powerful KMTC oversized horn-loaded tower cans that generate concert-level volume with exceptional clarity. Every KICKER marine product meets or exceeds ASTM industry standards for salt/fog, humidity and UV exposure.
KMTC Tower Systems mount vertically or horizontally with ease, and its mounting-clamp locking cam/toggle system enables the speaker to swivel 359 degrees without tools – an industry first. They also fit straight bars or curved bars without hassle.
Marine-grade subwoofers and coaxial speakers with LEDs, flat-mount tower systems, water-resistant amplifiers and other marine accessories will be shown through the show’s duration.
Visit www.miamiboatshow.comfor more information.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® will continue its long-standing relationship with Ridetech and its annual 48-Hour Build. This year’s project is a restored 1968 GMC C10, and KICKER is providing gear and an extra set of hands to the project. Car enthusiasts and other viewers can watch live updates of the build at www.ridetech.com/48hourc10.
KICKER global trainer John Myers will be among the live installation team working on the C10, installing a KICKER KMC10 Media Center/Source Unit, a KICKER Hideaway™ powered subwoofer and KICKER KS-Series Coaxial Speakers.
The installation is set to run from January 14-22 and will take place at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Ariz., in Barrett-Jackson’s new DIY Pavilion. Ridetech and Barrett-Jackson has brought the event to a new level of entertainment with live webcasts throughout the installation, with the completed project to immediately be auctioned at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 (Lot 7005) on Velocity TV.
While the installation is progressing, Ridetech plans to add some variety to the webcasts by giving project updates, interviews with the 20-plus supplier representatives, and product spotlights. For more information, visit www.ridetech.com.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio.