Kicker amping up audio for mobile devices with Amphitheater BT2
As mobile devices continue to dominate the landscape, the one thing that they need help with is delivering quality audio. The folks at Kicker, long known for car-fi subwoofers, have announced that their Amphitheater BT2 system announced at the 2013 International CES is now available for sale. It connects to your device via Bluetooth and offers a 50 watts amp to power the 5” Drivers, 3/4 “ tweeters and of course there is the 6” square reflex subwoofer found on the back.
We have tested several tabletop audio systems in the past for mobile gaming and entertainment, and the BT2 looks like it will be one of the best at delivering those hidden audio components that most mobile apps contain, but cannot be heard due to limitations of headphones or built-in speakers. Taking a look at the video, it looks like the BT2 should deliver quality audio and with the sub on the back, deep bass. It is rated with a frequency response of 24hz – 20K Hz, which offers a much broader range of audio than most table-top systems, especially at the $250 price point. Speaking of which, if interested, you can pick up the Amphitheater BT2 directly from Kicker on their website.
News from KICKER Performance Audio
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2013
KICKER® Continues Amphitheater™ Evolution with a Bluetooth®-Streaming Audio System
STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® now offers the Amphitheater™ BT2, a purely wireless, full-range audio system to place on a desktop or bookshelf. It utilizes dependable Bluetooth® streaming in the newest evolution of KICKER Amphitheater High-Performance Systems. Whether it’s in the bedroom, the den, the garage, the office, the dorm, the tailgate or anywhere else, the Amphitheater delivers music with depth, clarity and the excitement that can only be experienced through a KICKER system.
Resembling the open-air musical venue for which it’s named, the Amphitheater delivers remarkable sound quality and legendary KICKER bass response from a 6-inch, square reflex subwoofer. Music is instantly brought to life by stunning 5-inch drivers and 3/4-inch, silk-dome tweeters. A 50-watt internal amplifier is optimized with digital signal processing (DSP) to get the most performance from the system. The Amphitheater’s sound is the result of years of engineering in KICKER’s acoustic labs resulting in a sophisticated mix of smooth highs, deep, rich lows and a signature KICKER sound.
The Amphitheater pairs with Bluetooth-enabled devices including smartphones, tablets and computers. Listeners can also adjust the sound by downloading the free KickStart™ app from iTunes® or Google® Play. It features an 8-band equalizer, bass and treble sliders, and a tight or wide spatialization selection for soundstage control. It also provides the option to load and save sound presets for categorizing music, which is great for customizing by individual listeners or each music source like Internet radio or a cloud player. The app provides a social-media integration tool so users can brag to Facebook® friends about what they’re listening to on the Amphitheater. Users can also update firmware as needed through the app.
KickStart offers Bluetooth support as well. Auto Connect will allow a device within range to stream, if enabled by the user. Selectable Auto Play continues where a song last left off. Priority List shows up to five devices paired to the Amphitheater in priority order, set automatically or manually.
For added convenience, the audio system implements a USB port for charging external devices and an auxiliary-input jack for connecting and playing non-Bluetooth devices. A status LED illuminates to indicate current function and command. An included ergonomic remote provides full control of the system, incorporating bass and treble adjustment, source change (Bluetooth or aux-input), volume, mute, play/pause, track forward/back and fast forward/back. Four easy-to-select buttons on top of the unit are featured for source/pair, mute, and volume up and down.
KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the home and mobile audio aftermarket at authorized dealers worldwide, and also as selected Original Equipment through other manufacturers. Consumers needing 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 or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio.
