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View Full Version : Zunerama ZK500 Review

David Tucker
04-11-2008, 04:22 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.zunerama.com/zune-accessory-review-kicker-zk500.php' target='_blank'>http://www.zunerama.com/zune-access...icker-zk500.php</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>&ldquo;Available in May 2008, Kicker touts this system as the &quot;loudest and most innovative stereo system available for your Zune&quot;. After a day of poking, prodding, and playing the ZK500, we can attest to its ability to rock the house - and that combined with its impressive feature set earns it our &quot;Recommended by Zunerama&quot; rating.&rdquo; </em></p><p><em><img alt="" border="1" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//zt/auto/1207927217.usr307.png" /></em></p><p><a href="http://www.zunerama.com/zune-accessory-review-kicker-zk500.php">Harvey over at Zunerama</a> was very impressed by the ZK500 speaker dock. After reading through the review and watching the video I can certainly understand why. I&rsquo;ve thought of getting a dock for my Zune since I don&rsquo;t plan on setting up a full stereo everywhere I am in my house and this one definitely looks like it can push out the sound! Even through the YouTube video you can tell that it delivers very strong performance. <br /><br />The styling of the speaker is a different story. Harvey likes it but I think it looks about as loud as the music it delivers. While I wouldn&rsquo;t mind sticking this in my garage to use while I wash the car it just doesn&rsquo;t look like anything I&rsquo;d like to have sitting on a shelf. The $350 price tag is a bit steep for me too but from the sounds of it, if you&rsquo;re an audiophile, this is a good choice. <br /><br />(Ha, I came to put this up and saw Jason just got his in. Go check out Harvey&rsquo;s review as an appetizer for his!) </p>
ManMythLegend
04-12-2008, 02:51 AM
good review, but almost a little too concise.

i have the Altec Lansing M604 and i really like it a lot! i think that the styling on it is far superior to the ZK500 as what i've seen so far; seems like the bass in the M604 lacks at times though when thumping either some Hard Rock or Hip-Hop.

Looks like this could be a good alternative for the financially able.

Hopefully Jason could do a little comparison review for similar units (unfortunately there isn't too much comparing to do)
David Tucker
04-12-2008, 06:31 AM
Hmm, maybe there isn't much comparing to do since we're looking at 2 completely different classes of speakers but for me, the Logitech seems like a better deal and won't scare away guests.

This thing looks to be for true Audiophiles!
Jason Dunn
04-13-2008, 06:39 PM
Hopefully Jason could do a little comparison review for similar units (unfortunately there isn't too much comparing to do)

I have an M604, and it's sitting in the box - I didn't like it all that much (http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/22898/the-altec-lansing-m604-zune-speaker-dock.html) from a sound point of view. Design? Great. Sound? Not great (to my ears). Based on what I heard from it at CES, this thing will run circles around the M604 - and so it should, given the BIG price difference.
Jason Dunn
04-13-2008, 06:43 PM
...but for me, the Logitech seems like a better deal and won't scare away guests.

Scare away guests? With the looks? Or the sound?

This thing looks to be for true Audiophiles!

Well, I don't know about that. I don't consider myself an Audiophile by any means - I don't have exotic speakers or sound systems - but the M604 just didn't sound good enough for my needs. I like good sounding audio.
David Tucker
04-13-2008, 09:59 PM
At $350 I feel like I could better than that though and get an entry level stereo set up and a dock. (yes I meant the looks btw...the price is what scares me off)

While the sound quality is undoubtably superb its just too expensive for what it is (imo) and is too stylized for my tastes since it won't fit in with a lot of decor.
ManMythLegend
04-14-2008, 01:58 AM
Hmm, maybe there isn't much comparing to do since we're looking at 2 completely different classes of speakers but for me, the Logitech seems like a better deal and won't scare away guests.

I have an M604, and it's sitting in the box - I didn't like it all that much (http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/22898/the-altec-lansing-m604-zune-speaker-dock.html) from a sound point of view. Design? Great. Sound? Not great (to my ears). Based on what I heard from it at CES, this thing will run circles around the M604 - and so it should, given the BIG price difference.

Agreed with both. I hastily purchased this on Woot! (as is the nature of Woot!) for 40 bucks and it got the job done (wireless syncing, charging, playing music) but there have definitely been many times when my face instinctively winced at the sound from the Logitech (Chris Martin's falsettos, Lupe Fiasco's low beats)...would be nice to be able to have the Kicker but that price is just too steep right now...

Maybe Woot! will get a hold of a few of these units too....i can only dream...
David Tucker
04-14-2008, 04:42 AM
It'd be nice if they had something the price of the M604 but...good ;)

Honestly all I need is to have a cradle connected to an actual stereo system and it'll do exactly what I need. One of these would be good if I could use the Zune as an alarm clock but as the Zune doesn't do time, that's not an option. (yeah yeah, I know...I've said it doesn't need that...)