Guenther Oka, professional wakeboarder, visited KICKER audio headquarters in Stillwater Oklahoma as he prepares to outfit his new Axis A225 with the latest KICKER audio system. While there, Jeremy Bale, KICKER Brand Manager, gave Guenther an in-depth tour of not only the rich history of KICKER and their start in the automotive industry but also the latest developments in the marine space and the rigorous testing all products go through.

For more information about KICKER audio systems, visit kicker.com.

The post KICKER HQ Tour With Guenther Oka appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Audio systems intend to deliver the quality of sound the music artist intended us to hear, and KICKER Audio certainly goes above and beyond. Steve Irby, musician and founder of KICKER, started building speakers in 1973 for cars and now marine audio systems. Your marine audio system has to withstand harsh environmental factors like heat, corrosion, and vibration, that audio systems in cars and residences don’t have to undergo, all while delivering a high quality audio experience. Watch now to see KICKER professionals share what real marine audio means to them. 

The post Building a Great Marine System with KICKER Marine Audio appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this new video series presented by KICKER Marine Audio, Randy Vance offers sound advice on what to look for when upgrading the audio systems on your boat.

By now, you know what to consider when upgrading your boat’s head unit, installing new speakers, and choosing an amp and subwoofer. The last piece of the puzzle to really make your sound kick? Tower speakers. In this fourth installment of Sound Advice, Randy walks through key features to consider in tower speakers in order to be in the center of the soundstream from your boat’s awesome stereo.

In the video, Randy covers the KICKER Marine Audio KMFC9 and KMFC11 tower speakers and the KMT series for demonstration. Check out KICKER’s website to learn more and start shopping: kicker.com.

The post Sound Advice: Accentuating Sound with Tower Speakers appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this new video series presented by KICKER Marine Audio, Randy Vance offers sound advice on what to look for when upgrading the audio systems on your boat.

Now that we’ve covered upgrading your boat’s head unit and installing new speakers, how do you make sure you get that big sound you’re looking for? In this third installment of Sound Advice, Randy walks through what you need to look for in order to pump real sound through your boat’s speakers.

Randy uses the KICKER Marine Audio KXMA900.5 five-channel marine amp, the KMA800.1 mono KM-Series marine amplifier and the KMPK4 Amplifier Wiring Kit for demonstration. Check out KICKER’s website to learn more and start shopping: kicker.com.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Sound Advice with Randy Vance.

The post Sound Advice: Choosing an Amp & Subwoofer for Big Sound appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this new video series presented by KICKER Marine Audio, Randy Vance offers sound advice on what to look for when upgrading the audio systems on your boat.

In the first installment (watch it here), Randy Vance explores why you should consider upgrading your boat’s head unit and what to look for when considering options. Now that you’ve upgraded your source unit, chances are your current speaker setup might be a little out of whack. In this second installment of Sound Advice, Randy reviews key things to consider when upgrading your boat’s speaker system, including:

• Do you want to hear your speakers over the noise of your engine?
• Will you need to adjust speaker volume throughout different areas of your boat?
• Do you need a subwoofer and/or an amplifier?
• How much customization do you want with LEDs?

Randy uses the KICKER KM654L coaxial speakers for demonstration. UV treatments on injection-molded cones, Santoprene® surrounds, baskets and grilles all help maintain top-shelf performance. KM speakers will endure almost any weather conditions with splash-and-spray-resistant sealed motors, cones and Locking/Sealed Terminal Covers. Speaker hardware is forged from rustproof, 316L stainless-steel. Check out KICKER’s website to learn more and start shopping: kicker.com.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Sound Advice with Randy Vance presented by KICKER Marine Audio where Randy explores choosing tower speakers for your boat.

The post Sound Advice: Replacing Your Boat’s Speakers appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

In this new video series presented by KICKER Marine Audio, Randy Vance offers sound advice on on what to look for when upgrading the audio systems on your boat.

In this first installment, Randy Vance explores why you should consider upgrading your boat’s head unit and what to look for when considering options. Key considerations include:

• Bluetooth capability
• USB compatibility
• Space used both on and behind dash
• Screen readability in bright sunlight

Randy uses the KICKER KMC3 for demonstration. Equipped with an easily readable screen, rotary encoder and over 200 watts of total peak power into four channels, the KMC3 comes equipped with plenty of power. Check out KICKER’s website to learn more and start shopping: kicker.com.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Sound Advice with Randy Vance presented by KICKER where Randy explore upgrading your boat’s speaker system.

The post Sound Advice: Replacing Your Boat’s Head Unit appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

There are five ways to experience the world around us: what we see, touch, taste, smell and hear. When it comes to boating, all these senses come into play and ultimately impact our experience on the water.

While onboard, imagine for a moment the unbridled joy of viewing a spectacular sunset … or watching dolphins dancing in your wake. Consider the touch of your hands on the wheel and the throttle, the sheer power and adrenaline pumping as you shift forward, open up and unleash the horses! And, who among the boating community doesn’t love the enticing freshness of a cool breeze, the sun on your face or warm salt air? And finally, we’d all agree that everything simply tastes better when you’re boating, from icy cold beverages, to refreshing fruit or delicious picnic lunches enjoyed on a sandy beach.

When it comes to the magic of sound, boaters thrill to laughter of kids splashing in the waves, or the roar of the engine, or the mesmerizing lullaby of water gently slapping the hull. For many, boating is inextricably connected to the sound of music. That universal language transcends space and time, instantly setting the mood for fun and adventure.

So the million dollar question: how good is YOUR sound system? Do you love what you hear?

Since its launch in 1973 by music aficionado Steve Irby who remains actively engaged at the helm, KICKER Marine Audio has always been about the sound. A well-known player in the mobile car and truck market for nearly 50 years, KICKER has brought its years of experience to benefit the boaters. Today, the company sets the benchmark for product innovation, quality, durability and performance in each of the unique markets it serves.

In the marine space, KICKER Marine Audio currently offers a wide array of products, ranging from subwoofers and speakers with LED lighting, to amplifiers and its signature horn-loaded tower systems. With dozens of patents on its product line, KICKER Marine Audio consistently pushes the boundaries of product excellence, backing it with extensive training for its dealers and installers nationwide, along with plenty of customer support for the DIYers.

One major distinction KICKER delivers is an industry-best warranty to ensure customer satisfaction and enjoyment for years to come, the result of exhaustive R & D with products thoroughly tested against the rigors of the harsh marine environment.

According to KICKER executives, it all begins with the thought process.

As KICKER’s engineers and designers consider what is required to set the bar in the recreational marine space, they analyze everything in the process, including the product design, material selection and resistance capability vs. the elements. The team focuses on key concerns like corrosion and UV resistance, along with ensuring sealed designs, drainage and electrical connections.

For example, KICKER’s team developed a proprietary method to maintain dryness inside of its speakers, while simultaneously allowing pressure – caused by temperature changes – to escape. This is just one example of the type of thorough thought processes, backed by extensive factory-mandated testing, that every product undergoes prior to release.

KICKER amplifiers also feature conformal coated circuit boards, gasketed screw-down control covers, and gasket sealed input connections, all important characteristics and unique distinctions. Every design component has been strategically designed and produced to provide crucial protection that creates high-quality sound while ensuring product longevity.

In today’s world of high-tech bells and whistles, the audio experience extends far beyond audio. LED lighting and ambient effects are just as much a part of the overall boating experience as the sound itself. KICKER deploys a mix of rock-solid music, plenty of fine-tuned vibration and your own custom LED light show. Lighting packages feature completely potted and encapsulated RGB lighting elements that are fully sealed, protected from corrosion and moisture. The controller and associated electronics are designed with performance in mind; noise from high-speed circuit switching is completely hidden within the audio system.

When you’re ready to tune in and upgrade your boat’s audio system to maximize your music experience, visit your local dealer to explore KICKER Marine Audio. For a full list of available products, current patents, dealer locator and other information on the brand, cruise on over to KICKER’s website: www.kicker.com/marine-audio.

The post Boaters and Their Music appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

Loud and clear, the Kicker KM8 Marine Speakers are built to pump out the tunes – and the fun – for years to come! Check out more Kicker products at bestmarineelectronics.com/kicker or visit their website at kicker.com.

The post Marine Electronics Guide 2021: Kicker KM8 Speakers appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

When choosing a sound system for your boat, there are a lot of choices and considerations. Aside from the hostility of the wet, salty and foggy marine environment on electronics, your boating lifestyle plays a role as well. Since boaters tend to blast their music, to hear it over engine and wind noise, pure, good quality sound is key. That is where KICKER Marine Audio enters as an important player in your sound system choice.

Founded in 1973 by a musician who sought excellent bass for his own sound system, Steve Irby pioneered the mobile audio market and has long been known in the “12-volt” world as the leader in sound quality. The company’s marine division, KICKER Marine Audio, now heightens its reputation in the boating industry with its line of solid marine-grade components, including the KMFC and KMTC HLCD Horn-Loaded Tower Systems. The HLCD Systems serve the hot and growing segments like wake and surf boats and all those who love projecting sound.

KICKER Marine Audio’s HLCD systems provide the most sonically accurate reproduction available for the HLCD tower speaker category. Key to this sonic purity is the mechanical geometry of the horn itself, according to Phil White, Unit Director, Marine Audio Systems. The KMFC and KMTC horn features a constantly changing cross-section from the horn’s driver to its flare. KICKER Marine Audio’s superior horn geometry eliminates problematic standing waves and resonances found in other HLCD tower speakers that have “straight section with flare” horn design.

As the largest tower speaker currently available on the market, the KMFC11 and KMTC11 speakers also provide the greatest cone area on the market, further enhancing the sound quality and efficiency. Match it with a powerful KICKER Marine Audio KXMA1200.2 amplifier and your boat’s sound will out-play any other on the water!

KICKER Marine Audio offers two mounting options that simplify installation: The KMFC11 speaker and mounting system features “factory” or “flat” surfaces that work with OEM hard points and can bolt right to the tower’s factory tower speaker mounts. All wiring is hidden, as it is routed through the mounting, providing a marine grade connection system for ease of installation. The KMTC11 mounts easily to round tubes, which constitute the majority of boat towers on the market; it also features an even slicker plug-and-play connection system.

All KICKER Marine Audio’s can enclosures are tough, UV-treated and come in black and white to complement a boat’s color scheme. The white or black speaker grilles likewise are UV-treated, and have 7-color LED lights, upgradable to 20 colors and 19 lighting modes by adding the KMLC remote. KMFC11 and KMTC11 speakers have 1.4″ titanium horn drivers and meet or exceed ASTM, UV, salt/fog exposure standards.

When you want to “Kick” up your sound system, rely on the brand that delivers the finest quality acoustics and marine-grade components—KICKER Marine Audio.

kicker.com/kmfc-11-inch-coaxial-tower-system, MSRP: $1,379.95

kicker.com/kmtc-11-inch-4-ohm-coaxial-tower-system, MSRP: $1,579.95

Check out the latest marine electronics at bestmarineelectronics.com.

The post On My Dock: An Inside Look at KICKER’s Tower Speakers appeared first on Wakeboarding Mag.

The Lowdown: Designed specifically for the outdoors, this Bluetooth-enabled speaker is an ideal addition to any dock or boathouse. The Bullfrog delivers 360-degree sound and 20-hour battery life.

• IP66-certified to handle almost any kind of weather

• Streams Bluetooth audio from as far as 100 feet away

• 20 hours of playback with a single charge

MSRP: $399.95

kicker.com

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