Video: Kicker Soundgate Powerstage System
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Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.Editor's note: This video was outdated, so we replaced it with a newer, better version: the Kicker PowerStage System.
The Soundgate Powerstage system upgrade by Kicker will transform your compatible vehicle's stock radio and speakers into a high-fidelity sound system capable of giving you full, accurate, and richly-textured musical pleasure. And it does it without changing the look of your interior or dash.
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Zak: Hey, I'm at the Kicker booth at CES 2013 with Aaron, and Aaron why don't you tell us about this Soundgate from Kicker.
Aaron: Soundgate is a phenomenal product for the guy or the girl that just bought a new car or truck and they want that Kicker experience, but they don't have room for four twelves and 10,000 watts of amplifier. So what we've done is given you the ability to have a Kicker quality system that's completely integrated with the stock stuff. Let's have a look.
So here's your stock radio. When you buy the car or truck it comes with this, so we're not gonna swap this out. But what it does not come with is a Kicker amplifier or Kicker subwoofer. So we're gonna move down here and we're gonna add in this multi-channel amplifier with DSP control. Now what the heck is DSP control? It basically means that we can tailor this amplifier for your car perfectly every time. And you don't have to do anything. You just simply plug it in and it works perfectly. So this silver box is pure magic.
Now because you've already got speakers in your car that you already paid for, we're not gonna make you swap those out. This is gonna amplify those speakers and it's specifically equalized and crossed over for those speakers. So it makes them sound a whole lot better. Now of course Kicker is known for bass, so what we've got here is your add on subwoofer, which is also amplified. So we're gonna give you that Kicker thump in your car or truck just like you expect when you're sixteen years old, but now you're a little bit older. We've still got the Kicker for you.
Zak: Great. Thanks, Aaron. That's the Soundgate from Kicker.
Meet Zak Billmeier
I'll do my best to make videos that are helpful and interesting.
I've been a camera nut since I was a kid. I got really into it around age 12, when I got hold of a Pentax K1000 35mm camera. My father is a photo nut also, and we had access to a darkroom. Ever since then I have delighted in trying out new cameras, lenses, and photo techniques. Working here at Crutchfield, I get to handle all the new and cool camera gear I can get my hands on.
I'm also into audio, from car audio to home audio to headphones. I'm a music lover, and an eye-opening moment for me was discovering just how much more there is to musical recordings when you listen using high-quality gear. It's an experience I try to pass along to others as often as possible. I truly believe that having good quality gear in your car or home can really enrich your life.
I started getting into the video side of things early on in my Crutchfield career while I was a copywriter for car audio products. In those days our video program was just getting started, and many of us pitched in when our writing and editing duties allowed. Today, we have a dedicated team that makes hundreds of videos a year, including spotlights on products and product lines, how-to videos, videos that shine a light on our company, end everything in between. I am proud to be a part of that team and of the work we do.
My job is a lot of fun because I get to play around with all the cool stuff you see on our website while I'm making videos. Getting hands-on with the gear helps me see what I should show you about a product, and I look at our videos as a way of having a conversation with you when you are considering a purchase. If I do my job well, you should come away from a Crutchfield video understanding why you do — or don't — want that product. In the end, it's gotta be something you enjoy.
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