Just as a follow up to this string....
I have my KMC 3 speaker, and I must say, it is WAY powerful, loud, strong bass and sounds very clear!!! I am using it successfully in my semi, after some trails and tribulations.
It's a very nice looking speaker, I must say, larger than what I anticipated, I was hoping I could put it on my dash, which, it will fit on, however, it blocks too much view in my sight lines, therefore, I have it strapped to the passenger seat facing me, which gives it a natural angle towards my ear. The other benefit is the seat cushions vibration, which I would imagine will increase the lifetime of use.
I purchased two different power inverters to try... a "cigarette only" 180 Watt adapter and a 400 Watt that can go into either the cigarette lighter socket or direct to the battery.
The smaller unit couldn't handle higher volume levels, and would cut out...I quickly switched to the 400 Watt inverter. Due to the noise level inside my truck, especially with windows down, to hear spoken word podcasts, at times, I need the volume level up to near max. The cigarette side of the 400 Watt inverter couldn't handle much more than about 70-80% volume levels...it would start "squaking" and, at times would reboot...no good! There is a nice meter on the 400 Watt inverter to tell you what % of output the power outlet is using...a nice feature. I ended up going direct to battery with the inverter, which wasn't as hard to do as I imagined, the fuse box in my truck is on the top of the dash and there were connections I could make there. Since doing so, I can go to full volume levels on the speaker and not have an issue with the inverter. I never listen at full volume, but, its nice to know it can handle it! As might be expected, the bass distorts a little bit at full volume, so, I can't imagine anyone wanting to listen at that level.
It's taken a bit to get used to the Bluetooth connection...its a little tricky since I also use a Bluetooth headset...I had to customize the settings so that the headset handled all phone calls and the speaker handles audio. I like it...I can load my phone up with podcasts, music or stream. When a phone call comes in, it automatically pauses the program, and then restarts when I hang up. So simple.
The KMC 3 remote is handy, one of the features I really wanted to have. Its a nice size, fits easily in my hand while I drive or in my shirt pocket...its convenient to change volume without having to even look or touch the speaker...my hands never leave the wheel. The "on/off" switch works most times from the remote, as does the "pause/play" on the remote, which is actually pausing the program on the phone through the speaker...however, if I don't hit the "play" (basically hit the pause button again) almost immediately, it seems to lose the connection to the phone, and, the only way to restart the program is by touching the play button on the phone...not a huge inconvenience, but, it would be nice if this feature was more solid. I notice too, to get a program to "pause", I have to hit the button twice. Perhaps that is how it is designed, I'm not sure, but, it is a bit tricky.
Overall, I am VERY satisfied with this speaker, other than the size, which I find to be a bit on the bulky side, however, considering the high output, I can live with it.
The features, sound and volume in the price range of the KMC 3 makes it a real bargain!!! I was able to find this speaker on Amazon, brand new, $150 including shipping. I did a lot of research, and, sub-$200, its very hard to find a speaker that is more powerful or sounds better.
It's probably not proper etiquette to mention competitors products, however, I must say, I was a Bose advocate before. I have a sound link mini, which, sound wise, is very rich and deep. At certain volume levels, the Bose beats the KMC 3...the portability of the Bose of course is a hands-down winner, as is the rechargeable battery. Both speakers are about the same vintage of technology. However, more recently, Bose has come out with the Soundlink 10 which blows the Soundlink Mini away, and gives Klipsch a run for the money! The Soundlink 10 I saw retailed for $199. Its a few more $ than the KMC 3, however, I got a chance to listen and play with one at a retail store...its incredible the amount of sound that comes from it, the form factor is much smaller, and, it comes with a rechargeable battery! I don't recall if it has a remote, but, I don't think it did...for me, a draw-back. I'd love to see Klipsch work on a speaker that is a bit smaller, as powerful, with the remote feature, that comes with and gives a choice of powering from a built-in rechargeable battery or AC, as does the Bose Soundlink 10. Or, offer a replaceable, rechargeable battery for the KMC 3??? Of course, this would add to the price...and likely take the price over $200.
On a side note, I am from Chicago...it's nice to know there is a sound technology company like Klipsch so near by in Indy! Keep up the good work from the Hoosier State!