STILLWATER, OK (07.12.2021) – 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 http://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.
STILLWATER, OK (06.22.2021) – KICKER returns to music events for the first time since COVID as the title sponsor of the 25th annual KICKER Country Stampede, at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kan., June 24-26.
More than 40 bands will perform during the three-day event, with over a dozen featured on the Main Stage alone. This year’s headliners are Riley Green, Sam Hunt and Luke Combs, along with Ashley McBryde, Maddie & Tae, Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, Kentucky Headhunters, and a host of others. The attendance is expected to exceed 160,000 fans this year, placing it among the largest country-music festivals in the nation.
KICKER plans to bring the completely revamped XRV (Xtreme Recreational Vehicle) tractor-trailer to serve as the cornerstone of the KICKER booth area. The 82-foot big rig houses a full showroom of KICKER products in addition to the legendary Boom Room, which returns to life following major upgrades. A larger, louder enclosure is now suspended in a custom steel framework, built to withstand the torture emanating from a massive 40,000-watt power plant of amplifiers. A dozen KICKER Q-Class L7 15-inch subwoofers, in addition to an array of 11-inch compression-driver, KM-Series Tower Speakers, deliver tons of bass – and fun – to countless thousands of rabid music fans.
Under the XRV’s awning will be a trio of KICKER-equipped UTVs, featuring a range of powersports speakers, amplifiers, and customized subwoofer enclosures. The SSV Works-equipped Polaris RZR features a KICKER Stage 5 audio kit featuring a 10-inch subwoofer, coaxial speakers and two weather-proof amplifiers.
Select KICKER lifestyle gear will be for sale all weekend, including phone chargers, personal-audio gear, and select wearables. Show-goers will also be able to register for a daily giveaway of a KICKER Bullfrog wireless speaker. Winners will be announced via email, at the KICKER XRV and on social media. Before each performance, each artist will receive a gift basket filled with KICKER gear.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (06.21.2021) – KICKER was the presenting sponsor of the 2021 OKC Mile, an American Flat Track race at magnificent Remington Park in Oklahoma City, on June 18th and 19th.
Remington Park and Casino was the site of the American Flat Track OKC Mile.
Friday with racers on the track.
KICKER was set up outside and inside the grounds at Remington Park. Saturday nights event was sold out. RZR’s and motorcycles were set in place for members of the crowd to experience the latest from KICKER Performance Audio. Lifestyle and marine products were also on display.
Kevin Campbell, KICKER Director of Marketing, welcomed the crowd for Saturday’s OKC Mile.
Each day, KICKER supported AFT riders Cory Texter and sister Shayna Texter-Bauman as they took on the OKC Mile. KICKER also featured live demonstrations of its motorcycle and powersports audio systems, installed in a custom Harley-Davidson Road King and Polaris RZR. KICKER powersports systems are designed for maximum reliability, sound quality and volume, all without over-burdening the factory charging systems.
KICKER demos were set up outside.
Racers on the track during Saturday’s OKC Mile.
“At KICKER, we deliver the kind of products that excite – that make your heart race when you hear your favorite song through our equipment. Members of the crowd experienced that at Remington Park” stated Kevin Campbell, KICKER’s Director of Marketing. “Now approaching our 50th year of developing high-performance audio, our “Livin’ Loud” trademark is a perfect fit for the passion of the athletes and teams of American Flat Track racing.”
The outside KICKER booth after set up on Friday.
Numerous demos were also set up inside.
AFT racers exceeded 140 miles-per-hour in the straightaways and 90 mph in the corners at the OKC Mile. The sport remains perhaps motorsport’s purest test of man and machine.
With more than 75 competitors racing nights, the thrilling American Flat Track race format brings thousands of spectators to each of 17 race dates throughout the year.
STILLWATER, OK (06.17.2021) – KICKER is excited to be the presenting sponsor of the 2021 OKC Mile, an American Flat Track race at magnificent Remington Park in Oklahoma City on June 18-19.
Each day, KICKER will be supporting AFT riders Cory Texter and sister Shayna Texter-Bauman as they take on the OKC Mile. KICKER will also feature live demonstrations of its motorcycle and powersports audio systems, installed in a custom Harley-Davidson Road King and Polaris RZR. KICKER powersports systems are designed for maximum reliability, sound quality and volume, all without over-burdening the factory charging systems.
“At KICKER, we deliver the kind of products that excite – that make your heart race when you hear your favorite song through our equipment,” said Kevin Campbell, KICKER’s Director of Marketing. “Now approaching our 50th year of developing high-performance audio, our “Livin’ Loud” trademark is a perfect fit for the passion of the athletes and teams of American Flat Track racing.”
AFT racers can exceed 140 miles-per-hour in the straightaways and 90 mph in the corners. The sport remains “perhaps motorsport’s purest test of man and machine” according to americanflattrack.com. With more than 75 competitors racing every night, this thrilling race format brings thousands of spectators to each of 17 races throughout the year.
STILLWATER, OK (06.10.2021) – KICKER will once again sponsor Slamology, the 2021 version at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. The automotive and mobile audio-heavy show will take place June 12-13.
A competitor at Slamology gushes over his power bank.
In its 18th year, Slamology is billed as a “family friendly, yet edgy” event put on by Donnie Babb, the show organizer and founder. In its third year of sponsorship, KICKER has frequently attended as a corporate brand.
“We (always) wanted a way to connect with (fans) and have a weekend-long party,” said Babb.
Billed as one of the largest car-stereo competitions in the country, Slamology plays host to competition organizations USACi, MECA, IASCA and dB Drag Racing, which will all have multi-point competitions at the Raceway during the weekend. In the spirit of mobile-sound competition, KICKER is the official car-audio contest sponsor for Slamology 2021 and will run a huge contest in which one lucky show attendee will win special KICKER product.
In addition to a “full-tilt demo session,” the show also features live bands along with RC racing, a tattoo competition, auto-limbo, a hydraulic contest, big-rig show, a bikini contest and more.
LAKE HAVASU, AZ (04.30.2021) – KICKER stretched West from Stillwater, OK to join dealers and fans with festivities at Desert Storm, running April 21-25, on Lake Havasu and Lake Havasu City.
The KICKER XRV rolled out of Stillwater, OK early Tuesday morning for the 1,100 mile trip west to Lake Havasu, AR.
The KICKER XRV rolled out of KICKER HQ on Tuesday morning, April 20th, for the 1100 mile trip to Lake Havasu. Jeremy Wynn, Events and Promotions Manager, was behind the wheel as the XRV hit the road for the first time in a year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Tracy Focht, Western Regional Sales Manager, and David Glasgow were also in the big rig. Glasgow is involved in International Sales and has had his travels overseas restricted as well for nearly a year.
This is the 5th year with KICKER participating in Desert Storm. KICKER first started at Desert Storm with a 10×20 booth with River Dave and Wired 4 Sound. The last 3 years KICKER has been onsite as the Title Sponsor with a much, much larger presence at the downtown Street Festival and on the lake with the Poker Run and boat parades through the days and evening Friday and Saturday.
The vendor party Thursday evening got the activities in gear.
“We feel this grass roots event is the perfect event to work directly with both boat manufacturers, dealers and end consumers. This allows us and our dealers to learn more about what customers are actually looking for and where the the target market is headed. In the years since it evolved the KICKER Sales Team, along with Events and Promotions Manager Jeremy Wynn, continue to see growth at the Desert Storm event. Each year we work diligently to better our approach and showcase KICKER at the event” Focht stated.
KICKER staff worked with their Southern Nevada/Arizona and SoCal Rep Firm Murfco at the event. Dealers Wired 4 Sound, Ron’s In Your Ear Audio and Premium Golf Carts showcased many of their jobs at the event.
There was plenty to see around the XRV.
Murfco’s Riley Murphy stated “Desert Storm was such a great event and we were all excited to get back outside and work with dealers and talk with consumers.” Devin Daniel, also with Murfco said “There was so much excitement during the Poker Run. Boats would pull up beside the Boom Toon to make sure they got their packet with cards. Everything on the water was exciting in spite of the wind.”
Wired 4 Sounds’ Jeff Cuvelier offered “We were right across the street from BJ’s Bar downtown.The number of people on the street was just amazing.To put the Wired 4 Sounds brand in front of people is an investment that will drive store traffic and business.”
The KICKER UTV brought the PowerSports category to Desert Storm.
Ron Burnett, Ron’s In Your Ear Audio, related “Being involved with KICKER and Desert Storm brings so much visibility to consumers for the products we sell. We always see a spike in business from Desert Storm.
KICKER’s Glasgow added “Participating in an event like Desert Storm is certainly something that will interest all of the international customers that I work with…they all like to know about Livin’Loud activities in the US.”
The strong partnership with Rod Voegele of Gatorwraps adds to the overall success of KICKER’s presence at Desert Storm.
The KICKER XRV was a magnet for members of the crowd at Desert Storm.
On the Poker Run, boats competed for the hefty purse. Some prominent boats, including a customized Trifecta Pontoon boat outfitted with top-of-the-line KICKER Marine Audio gear and an 11” Tower System were Livin’Loud on the water. This boat owned and equipped by Dan Murphy of MurfCo. Inc., KICKER Marine Audio’s Manufacturers Rep Group, emphasized the company’s tag line of “Livin’ Loud!”
The Trifecta is one of many boats the 38-year veteran KICKER representative has outfitted for this and many other events. Murphy, who has partnered with KICKER for so long because they are “the best” also partnered with Frank Zepeda on the “Boom Toon”. The “Boom Toon” is a “vintage” 30-foot Starlight 1986 riverboat that was along for the ride and the fun. The boat was transformed into a runabout double decker party barge, and is now a fan favorite, complete with a slide, party poles and a KICKING, KICKER Marine Audio system. The Desert Storm event was “sold out” with 237 boats participating in its 24th year.
This image from above shows the scope of KICKER’s presence at the event.
Also along for the ride at Desert Storm was another KICKER Marine Audio fan and partner, Rod Voegele of California-based, Gatorwraps. The company displayed its specialty large-scale vehicle and vessel wraps on its Kenworth W9 Show rig, and International CXT show truck, both heavily decked with KICKER audio components and broadcasting live and loud from the Street Party and throughout the event.
Also at the event Gatorwraps featured a 30’ Formula 302 SR-1, fully customized with 11 amps powering its over 25 speakers and subs. In addition, a Rinker Flotilla F-24 that has too many KICKER Marine Audio components to list. But ten 8” Horn Coaxial speakers with LED Speaker Rings (plus 2, 6.5” Horns) and 6 11’ Horn pods, plus the appropriate number and size of amps and support gear, gave some idea of the SOUND of this boat that is KICKER Marine Audio ‘Going Overboard’.
The KICKER Boom Toon was a star on the water at Desert Storm.
Said Voegele, “The clarity of KICKER Marine Audio is what sets it apart from other brands. I have a friend with a Rinker installed by Wired 4 Sound in Lake Havasu and when he pulls into a cove, everyone else shuts off their stereos because his sounds like a live concert! We get those comments all the time when we play our KICKER sound systems—the sound is that clear!”
Both MurfCo and Gatorwraps have had long-time KICKER audio affiliations including friendships with KICKER founder Steve Irby, who is known as a pioneer in the 12volt mobile audio world.
The downtown area was packed as enthusiast checked out boats parked along the way.
“KICKER Marine Audio finds kindred spirits in the performance boating community,” stated Jeremy Bale, brand manager, “This group of boaters enjoys being seen and heard and KICKER certainly has all the right top-grade marine equipment to help them achieve those goals! Lake Havasu has been a good location for us with long-time dealers, distributors and installers and we enjoy getting together with Rod (Voegele) and Dan (Murphy) at these events to engage with our customers. We’re happy to lend our support!”
Concluding, Focht offered, “From the first night kicking off the vendor party Wednesday night, to the hustle of the street party Thursday, to the Poker Run on Friday and the family atmosphere throughout the event Desert Storm at Lake Havasu is amazing. We have built friendships and created extended families with the people of Desert Storm. We look forward to learning more that we can do right for 2022 and remain the audio company of Desert Storm.”
STILLWATER, OK (04.22.2021) – KICKER has developed and perfected four new, thin CompRT Loaded Enclosures, 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, CompRT Loaded Enclosures retail from $169.95-$299.95. Compact CompRT Loaded Enclosures are also available at www.kicker.com.
The strength of the CompRT Enclosure is its extraordinary mounting flexibility. Built to fit behind the seat of a pickup or in the back of a hatchback with equal ease, these enclosures deliver serious bass without a deep box, leaving plenty of legroom or cargo space. And with the genius reFLEX passive radiator mounted in the box alongside the active CompRT woofer, listeners enjoy a significant upgrade in bass without increasing overall enclosure depth.
New for 2021, the shallow-mount CompRT features Forced-Air Cooling, which contributes to the woofer’s efficiency and durability. It allows the subwoofer to run more than 20 percent cooler than previous woofer versions. In addition, high-temp, voice-coil wire windings surround a high-mass, solid pole piece for excellent thermal management, and a bumped top plate allows for full voice-coil clearance and excursion.
The CompRT’s large-diameter, progressive-roll spider ensures increased linearity, better overall sound quality and outstanding bass reproduction. Thanks to innovative engineering, the shallow-mount CompRT handles an exceptional amount of power without sacrificing depth. The ribbed Santoprene surround sports signature red KICKER stitching, while the thick polypropylene cone, now blacked out in color, pumps out smooth, clean bass.
Built with thick internal MDF bracing, the enclosures are carpeted and custom embroidered with the KICKER and CompRT logos for a sleek look that is uniquely KICKER.
STILLWATER, OK (03.24.2021) – To give credit to one of the hardest working teams in the 12-volt category, KICKER has honored retailer Car Toys with the Multi-Location Dealer-of-the-Year award. Based in Seattle, the 48-store chain has locations in Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Texas. KICKER recognizes Car Toys to be an outstanding partner through a challenging 2020, and into 2021.
JQ Quesada, Senior Merchandising Manager for Car Toys
“Car Toys did an extraordinary job overcoming the hurdles of 2020,” said Tracy Focht, KICKER’s Western Regional Sales Manager. “Car Toys explored new inventory options last year, allowing [it] to keep up with rigorous demand. [It] has consistently shown a willingness to try new gear that fits customer’s needs.”
A long-standing partner with KICKER, Car Toys expanded its 2020 commitment to the brand by bringing in several sizes of wiring kits and loaded enclosures. Focht received ample feedback from the Car Toys install team, resonating how pleased its customers were with the product.
“Car Toys appreciated the convenience and performance of an enclosure that was made specifically for the subwoofer it is loaded with, and tuned for peak output,” Focht continued. “Their dedication is doing – and getting – the best for their clients. We’re going to continue to grow with them.”
In other West-Coast dealer news, KICKER sales representative Dana Doyle (Weser Sales, Folsom, Calif.) presented Rick Khan of West Coast Car Stereo (Citrus Heights, Calif.) and Stereo City Pros (Fair Oaks, Calif.) with the Northern California Dealer-of-the-Year award. Michael Topalian (Audio Outlet) and Sarkis Topalian (559 Car Audio and Alarm) won Most Improved Dealer awards, and John Tatro (Sierra Select Distributors) won the Distributor-of-the-Year.
DRAPER, UT (03.15.2021) – An Instagram post of an amazing Polaris RZR build by Laketown Speed and Sound grabbed eyeballs at the 12volt Central Studios.
The Polaris RZR pictured by the Laketown Speed and Sound facility in Draper, UT.
Angel Rivera and Isai Hernandez spent the better part of 4 days completing the amazing build that featured Kicker products and included substantial customization. Customized door pods, mount panels and modification to the glove box were color matched in neon green and made using weather resistant Sinatra plastic. All wiring, interconnects and aux battery to help with voltage stabilization were from Stinger Electronics.
The Kicker Pods and Tubes installed and ready to be Livin’Loud.
“This Polaris RZR screams with 2000 watts of Kicker RMS goodness. The system is extremely loud and projects extremely well thanks to the Kicker 11” HLCD,” Rivera offered.
Check out the custom panel work and neon green paint to match the RZR body color.
The list of equipment is as follows:
Kicker KXMA 800.8 running Mids and HLCD mounted on custom amp board made of Sintra plastic
Kicker KXMA 1200.1 running subwoofers mounted on custom amp board made of Sintra plastic
2 Kicker TB10 10″ tube subwoofers (mounted to custom sub board made of Sintra plastic and attached using factory mounting points for durability and functionality)
Stinger X2 series interconnects
Stinger 0 gauge power and ground
Stinger 0 gauge to 4 gauge distribution blocks
The Kicker gear to be installed in the RZR in the installation bay at Laketown Speed and Sound.
System wiring in progress.
Concluding, Rivera stated, “In our Big Sky area the Powersports category is growing rapidly. We see Polaris RZR quite often plus the Can Am Maverick. Thanks again brother for the shout outs and for your work in this industry. We need more people like you keeping things alive, especially in these unusual times.”
SHREVEPORT, LA (03.01.2021) – The last weekend of February saw 3 well attended consumer events. The Lone Star Throwdown (LST) in Conroe, TX, KICKER ArenaCross in Tampa FL and Jeepin’ With Judd in Bartow FL drew strong crowds to the outdoor events. All three events benefited from warm weather.
The LST event was busy from the opening bell Saturday morning. Mike Barcia’s ‘No Compromise Dually’ was featured in front of the Lone Star Expo Center.
The Lone Star Throwdown celebrated the events 10th anniversary with over 2000 vehicles pre-registered for the event at the Lone Star Expo Center in Conroe, TX. Event organizers anticipated attendance to be 15,000. For the 6th straight year KICKER was a title sponsor. Company COVID-19 restrictions limited KICKER’s onsite presents. However there were plenty of vehicles Livin’Loud with KICKER gear on site.
Unique vehicles were featured at the LST event in Conroe, TX.
James Halter, Stereo and Video Center, made the trip from Tyler to Conroe for LST. James, and daughter Katelyn, made the trip a Father Daughter Day with the down and back 300 mile trip. Along with family time Halter wanted to see the cool rides and installs for future work at Stereo and Video Center.
James Halter and daughter Katelyn made the trip to LST from Stereo and Video Center in Tyler, TX. Katelyn supplied cool images for this article.
“There were definitely a lot of cool cars. Main thing was just alot of people and it seemed busier than last year. Could be people wanted to be out again with some many shows cancelled. The sun came out and it was humid but it was a great show. There were a lot of KICKER banners around and I missed seeing the KICKER XRV this year. We are a longtime KICKER dealer and are excited about the new products this year” Halter related to 12volt News. 12volt News eyeballs saw a post that James and Katelyn would attend LST. James supplied info above and Katelyn was a staff photographer sending very cool images from the event.
The floor of the Lone Star Expo Center was filled with rides with thousands more on the LST event grounds.
An crowd shot highlighting Mike Barcia’s ‘No Compromise Dually’ at the event was the first image Katelyn sent for this article. Barcia traveled from Florida to show his award winning ride to the large LST crowd.
KICKER Lifestyle products and PowerSports in the side-by-side were featured on the grounds at the ArenaCross in Tampa.
The KICKER ArenaCross at the East Bay Race Park in Tampa was a 2-day event on the outdoor track. Maddog_Media handled onsite setup and KICKER activities at the event. Lorin Morrell offered “The Saturday Pro Racing was super with a good crowd under the sunny sky. We had a number of KICKER Lifestyle products set up under the tent that really opened eye and ears. In addition, when attendees took a seat in the KICKER Side by Side they understood Livin’Loud! The racing on the track Sunday was also great. Seeing riders flying under the finish structure brought a lot of cheers from the crowd.”
Racers flying side by side as a large crowd watches from trackside.
The Tampa KICKER ArenaCross event featured Rounds 7 and 8 on the 2021 schedule.
The Jeepin’ With Judd event in Bartow FL is a non-profit charity event to raise funds for the Polk Sheriff’s Charities INC. The family friendly event featured bounce houses for children, food truck and vendors. There were raffles and great prizes offered too.
Team Phoenix Honda supporting KICKER and ArenaCross on the semi-trailer. @phoenixhonda
DS18 was on site as an event sponsor and had a major presence on the grounds that included over 4000 Jeeps. “DS18 was standing loud as always. We had several DS18 tents set up with 18 Jeeps under those tents.In addition we counted 10 more DS18 equipped Jeeps in other vendors booths. DS18 offers so many Jeep specific products and the Jeepin’ With Judd” event was a great place to show them to Jeep owners and enthusiasts” DS18’s Aaron Zook stated.
DS18 Had a major presence at Jeepin’ For Judd with 18 Jeep around their tents.
It was terrific to get a sense that spring with bring outdoor events and consumer excitement to the 12volt marketplace.
March begins the 28th year for the 12volt News publication that began as a 1-Page 12volt Advertiser flier in February of 1994 and grew to 192 pages a month. Through the years the marketplace has changed dramatically.
DS18 showed all at Jeepin’ For Judd ‘We Like It Loud’. There were over 4,000 Jeeps on site at the event in Barlow Florida.
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