"Kick It"
(Click on any of the images to get the full view.)
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Improve your system's soundstage by adding kickpanels.
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...It's difficult to to attain a balanced soundstage. One creative
solution to this common dilemma is the use of kickpanel mounting
pods... The concept is to create small enclosures and mounting
surfaces for the front speakers and to allow them to fire
symmetrically across the front seating area.
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...they (the kickpanel) can mean the difference between a stellar
car stereo and a so-so car radio. For this article Rich Inferrera of
Rich's Car Tunes in Watertown, MA was kind enough to let me sit in on
a class at Ritop and observe pods being constructed.)
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There are some special tools required for this process, so
beware-inexperience in using a router or hole saws could lead to
injury. (All Ritop students are required to wear safety equipment in
the shop and are trained how to use each piece of equipment safely.)
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Imperfections must be completely sanded out in order to leave an
ultra-smooth surface to finish.
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The kickpanel's mission is to place you smack in the middle of a
wonderful illusion, that moment when your stereo system becomes alive
and your favorite performer is suddenly singing to you from the hood
of your car.
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Article written by Micah Sheveloff, photography by Jim Raycroft. Copyright
©1998 by Hachette Filipacchi Magazines
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