Fyi cicada audio
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 179
Likes: 66
From: South Central Missouri
I bought a Cx150.4 amp and Cx6.5 coaxial speakers for my Street Glide. I did find that their self described "motorcycle amp" produces alot of Class D noise, and speaking with Cicada tech support, they are aware of it and seemingly not have cared, or just not been able to reduce it for their "motorcycle amp". I bought mine set through Cory of Backwoods audio of Tennessee, and he has been caught in the middle of this and is trying to assist with the problem.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 658
Likes: 52
From: Lakeshore Wis.
I just finished installing my DSP 150. I am still in the process of setting it up. Damn,.. I feel dumb !
Other than that, I have not gotten far enough to hear noise. My only problem with it is, the power lug. For me, I think that should have been installed @ the factory. I'm not sure how far it is supposed to go in. I can't get it in any farther and judging other amps that I have, they ALL look like the block butts up against the face plate. I also don't like the design of the block. Every amp I have ever seen has the screws for securing the power and ground cables either on top or in front. I actually thought it was made wrong. I emailed Cicada tech support. They told me it was designed this way. FWIW,.. once you install the block into the amp, you can not get an allen wrench in there to tighten the set screws ! I had to tape shut all the vents/holes and anything that looked like it could let dirt in or out. Then I took a little dremel to grind little eyebrows on the mounting foot, until I could get an allen wrench on the screw ! 2 things are for CERTAIN. 1) You better disconnect the power cable from the battery BEFORE trying to check the tightness on these screws ! You surely would arc the wrench against the mtg. foot. 2) You cannot even get a wrench on the screws when the amp is installed ! So, see rule 1.
Other than that, I have not gotten far enough to hear noise. My only problem with it is, the power lug. For me, I think that should have been installed @ the factory. I'm not sure how far it is supposed to go in. I can't get it in any farther and judging other amps that I have, they ALL look like the block butts up against the face plate. I also don't like the design of the block. Every amp I have ever seen has the screws for securing the power and ground cables either on top or in front. I actually thought it was made wrong. I emailed Cicada tech support. They told me it was designed this way. FWIW,.. once you install the block into the amp, you can not get an allen wrench in there to tighten the set screws ! I had to tape shut all the vents/holes and anything that looked like it could let dirt in or out. Then I took a little dremel to grind little eyebrows on the mounting foot, until I could get an allen wrench on the screw ! 2 things are for CERTAIN. 1) You better disconnect the power cable from the battery BEFORE trying to check the tightness on these screws ! You surely would arc the wrench against the mtg. foot. 2) You cannot even get a wrench on the screws when the amp is installed ! So, see rule 1.
I just finished installing my DSP 150. I am still in the process of setting it up. Damn,.. I feel dumb !
Other than that, I have not gotten far enough to hear noise. My only problem with it is, the power lug. For me, I think that should have been installed @ the factory. I'm not sure how far it is supposed to go in. I can't get it in any farther and judging other amps that I have, they ALL look like the block butts up against the face plate. I also don't like the design of the block. Every amp I have ever seen has the screws for securing the power and ground cables either on top or in front. I actually thought it was made wrong. I emailed Cicada tech support. They told me it was designed this way. FWIW,.. once you install the block into the amp, you can not get an allen wrench in there to tighten the set screws ! I had to tape shut all the vents/holes and anything that looked like it could let dirt in or out. Then I took a little dremel to grind little eyebrows on the mounting foot, until I could get an allen wrench on the screw ! 2 things are for CERTAIN. 1) You better disconnect the power cable from the battery BEFORE trying to check the tightness on these screws ! You surely would arc the wrench against the mtg. foot. 2) You cannot even get a wrench on the screws when the amp is installed ! So, see rule 1.
Other than that, I have not gotten far enough to hear noise. My only problem with it is, the power lug. For me, I think that should have been installed @ the factory. I'm not sure how far it is supposed to go in. I can't get it in any farther and judging other amps that I have, they ALL look like the block butts up against the face plate. I also don't like the design of the block. Every amp I have ever seen has the screws for securing the power and ground cables either on top or in front. I actually thought it was made wrong. I emailed Cicada tech support. They told me it was designed this way. FWIW,.. once you install the block into the amp, you can not get an allen wrench in there to tighten the set screws ! I had to tape shut all the vents/holes and anything that looked like it could let dirt in or out. Then I took a little dremel to grind little eyebrows on the mounting foot, until I could get an allen wrench on the screw ! 2 things are for CERTAIN. 1) You better disconnect the power cable from the battery BEFORE trying to check the tightness on these screws ! You surely would arc the wrench against the mtg. foot. 2) You cannot even get a wrench on the screws when the amp is installed ! So, see rule 1.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 574
From: Lockport Illinois
I just finished installing my DSP 150. I am still in the process of setting it up. Damn,.. I feel dumb !
Other than that, I have not gotten far enough to hear noise. My only problem with it is, the power lug. For me, I think that should have been installed @ the factory. I'm not sure how far it is supposed to go in. I can't get it in any farther and judging other amps that I have, they ALL look like the block butts up against the face plate. I also don't like the design of the block. Every amp I have ever seen has the screws for securing the power and ground cables either on top or in front. I actually thought it was made wrong. I emailed Cicada tech support. They told me it was designed this way. FWIW,.. once you install the block into the amp, you can not get an allen wrench in there to tighten the set screws ! I had to tape shut all the vents/holes and anything that looked like it could let dirt in or out. Then I took a little dremel to grind little eyebrows on the mounting foot, until I could get an allen wrench on the screw ! 2 things are for CERTAIN. 1) You better disconnect the power cable from the battery BEFORE trying to check the tightness on these screws ! You surely would arc the wrench against the mtg. foot. 2) You cannot even get a wrench on the screws when the amp is installed ! So, see rule 1.
Other than that, I have not gotten far enough to hear noise. My only problem with it is, the power lug. For me, I think that should have been installed @ the factory. I'm not sure how far it is supposed to go in. I can't get it in any farther and judging other amps that I have, they ALL look like the block butts up against the face plate. I also don't like the design of the block. Every amp I have ever seen has the screws for securing the power and ground cables either on top or in front. I actually thought it was made wrong. I emailed Cicada tech support. They told me it was designed this way. FWIW,.. once you install the block into the amp, you can not get an allen wrench in there to tighten the set screws ! I had to tape shut all the vents/holes and anything that looked like it could let dirt in or out. Then I took a little dremel to grind little eyebrows on the mounting foot, until I could get an allen wrench on the screw ! 2 things are for CERTAIN. 1) You better disconnect the power cable from the battery BEFORE trying to check the tightness on these screws ! You surely would arc the wrench against the mtg. foot. 2) You cannot even get a wrench on the screws when the amp is installed ! So, see rule 1.
I use those amps and have NEVER had an issue with the power supply plug. Never had to grind on the amp chassis as the design is to be assembled before plugging in.
The higher end JL HD series amps use a similar power plug and have been for years without any issues.
Sealing off the ventilation holes with tape is going to cause the amp to run hot and possibly fail prematurely.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 91
Likes: 15
From: Chicago
I bought a Cx150.4 amp and Cx6.5 coaxial speakers for my Street Glide. I did find that their self described "motorcycle amp" produces alot of Class D noise, and speaking with Cicada tech support, they are aware of it and seemingly not have cared, or just not been able to reduce it for their "motorcycle amp". I bought mine set through Cory of Backwoods audio of Tennessee, and he has been caught in the middle of this and is trying to assist with the problem.
Using high or RCA input? Where is your gain set at? (did you set properly?) Are you using. DSP? Good RCA cables if using them?
All amps are going to give you a little static when there is no audio playing. (when audio is playing as well but you will not hear it). With that said, if it is LOUD then you have gains set WAY too high. The CX150 is only 70/4 (or 218/2 @ 2ohm). Remember, the gain is not a volume ****.
. I've use the map in a 2 speaker (plus horn) set up and have not had issues with them.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 658
Likes: 52
From: Lakeshore Wis.
I use those amps and have NEVER had an issue with the power supply plug. Never had to grind on the amp chassis as the design is to be assembled before plugging in.
The higher end JL HD series amps use a similar power plug and have been for years without any issues.
Sealing off the ventilation holes with tape is going to cause the amp to run hot and possibly fail prematurely.
The higher end JL HD series amps use a similar power plug and have been for years without any issues.
Sealing off the ventilation holes with tape is going to cause the amp to run hot and possibly fail prematurely.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 658
Likes: 52
From: Lakeshore Wis.
Using same kit. But never had an amp where the block wasn't already installed in the amp. The block is pretty tight in there. Don't really want to try to take it out. Nice and tight and don't want it to start to loosen up from in and out. Probably be ok but, that's just me.
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