Kicker has added a 1,250 watt monoblock amplifier to its PXA series and refreshed its CXA amplifier line with more power and new features. The company showed the products at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
The new PXA1250.1 makes 1,250 watts RMS at 1 ohm. It carries the same IP66 and IP67 ratings as the rest of the PXA line. Jacob Luckey of Kicker said dealers and customers have asked for a large monoblock in the PXA series. The amp comes with “lug” adapters that let the power and ground wires go straight into the amp, so it stays sealed.
Kicker also showed the KPX600.4, a four channel amp for power sports. It is water resistant and dustproof, but it does not carry an IP rating. Kicker designed it to fit inside the fairing of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It is a little larger than the KPX300.4 and makes 150 watts RMS per channel, double the smaller model. Luckey said the added power lets Kicker compete with other motorcycle amps that have higher ratings. It keeps the quick disconnect plugs on both ends and the plugs over the gain dials that keep water out.
Kicker did not have pricing on either amp.
The CXA refresh raises power across the line. The CXA400.1 becomes the CXA500.1. The CXA800.1 becomes the CXA900.1. The CXA1200.1 becomes the CXA1500.1, and the CXA1800.1 becomes the CXA2000.1. The line also includes the CXA400.4 four channel and the CXA850.5 five channel.
All CXA models now use set screws for speaker, power, and ground connections instead of spade connectors. Kicker moved every connection to one end panel, so wires no longer come in from both sides. The adjustments sit on top of the amp, on the same end as the connections.
Each CXA amp now has a clip indicator behind the gain dial. It shows when the input is clipping while you set the gain. Luckey said this brings a gain and clip indicator to Kicker’s entry level amps for the first time.
The CXA amps still take high level inputs up to 40-volts. Luckey said they work with OE radios without a separate interface. Kicker also redesigned the remote bass knob housing so it mounts under the dash with standard pan head screws instead of very small ones. The knob can still mount flush.
“We understand what made the CX amplifiers popular and what made them work well, and so we kept that formula,” Luckey said.
Editor’s note: CEoutlook filed this story from the SEMA Show floor within hours of speaking with the company. Details may change as we confirm them, and we will post updates as needed.
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