If you’re looking for loud, clear, high-performance motorcycle audio, Cicada Speakers are among the top brands making waves in the custom bike sound market. Created specifically for Harley-Davidson, Victory, Indian, and other motorcycle platforms, Cicada speakers are engineered to deliver crisp highs, punchy mids, and impressive volume — even at highway speeds. Riders looking for premium-quality coaxial and horn-loaded designs often compare Cicada with popular names like Hertz, Rockford Fosgate, Diamond Audio, and J&M, and the results usually speak for themselves.

In this complete guide, we break down Cicada Speakers’ design, audio performance, real-world riding experience, and the best models to choose for your motorcycle.

What Are Cicada Speakers? (Brand Overview)

Cicada Audio is a motorcycle-specific audio brand focused on producing powerful speakers, amplifiers, and audio upgrades that function exceptionally well in noisy riding environments. Unlike traditional car audio companies that adapt products for motorcycles, Cicada designs purpose-built speakers that account for:

• High-speed wind noise
• Limited mounting depth
• Fairing acoustics
• Weather exposure
• Amplifier compatibility
• Power efficiency

This rider-first engineering approach makes Cicada a favorite among motorcycle audio installers and enthusiasts.

Why Cicada Speakers Are So Popular Among Riders

1. Engineered for Loudness at Highway Speeds

Cicada Speakers emphasize high sensitivity ratings, meaning they produce more volume using less power. Perfect for riders who want clean audio even at 70+ mph.

2. Motorcycle-Specific Design

These speakers are shaped, sized, and tuned for:

• Harley batwing fairings
• Road Glide shark-nose fairings
• Tour pack lids
• Saddlebag lids
• Custom pods

3. Moisture & UV Resistance

Built with durable cones, weather-treated surrounds, and splash-resistant motors, Cicada Speakers withstand sun exposure, rain, and road debris.

4. Compatibility With High-Power Amplifiers

Their speakers pair exceptionally well with motorcycle amps such as:

• Cicada Audio amps
• Diamond Audio
• Rockford Fosgate Power Series
• Soundigital
• MMATS

High RMS handling means they perform flawlessly without distortion.

Cicada Speakers Audio Quality Review

Let’s break down the audio performance categories that matter most to riders.

1. Volume (Loudness)

Cicada Speakers rank among the loudest in the motorcycle audio category. Many models exceed 96–100 dB sensitivity, which is significantly higher than standard car speakers.

What this means:

You get loud, clear sound with less amplifier power — crucial for noisy riding environments.

2. Midrange Clarity

Motorcycle audio depends heavily on midrange performance because these frequencies cut through wind noise.

Cicada excels here thanks to:

• Rigid cone materials
• Strong motor structures
• Efficient voice coil cooling

Vocals and guitars remain sharp and present at all speeds.

3. High Frequencies (Tweeter Performance)

Most Cicada coaxials use horn-loaded tweeters or compression-style tweeters for maximum projection.

You can expect:

• Crisp highs
• Zero harsh distortion
• Excellent off-axis performance

4. Bass Response

Let’s be realistic — bass is limited on a motorcycle without bag subs or 8–10″ midbass upgrades.

But Cicada Speakers produce surprisingly punchy midbass thanks to:

• Lightweight cone materials
• High-excursion design
• Strong neodymium motors

They outperform many Harley-focused brands in midbass accuracy.

Best Cicada Speakers Models (Reviewed)

Below are the top Cicada Speakers for different motorcycle audio needs.

1. Cicada CXX Series (Coaxial Speakers)

Best For: Riders who want plug-and-play upgrades
Sizes: 6.5″, 8″, 6×9″

Key Features

• High-output horn tweeter
• Weather-resistant design
• Great balance of mids + highs
• Perfect for Harley fairings

Why Riders Love Them

They are extremely loud and clear while maintaining a simple coaxial setup.

2. Cicada CH Series (Horn-Loaded Speakers)

Best For: Maximum volume and projection
Sizes: 6.5″, 8″, 10″

Key Features

• Compression horn tweeter
• High RMS handling
• Designed for aggressive custom builds

Why Riders Choose Them

If you want “concert loud,” this is the series.

3. Cicada PRO Lids 6×9″ Sets (Lid Speakers)

Best For: Saddlebags and tour packs

Key Features

• High-output 6×9 speakers
• Built for loud, clean sound
• Works well with high-power amps

These add midbass punch and clarity behind the rider.

4. Cicada Subwoofer Options

While the brand doesn’t focus heavily on subs yet, some kits pair well with:

• Bag subs
• Under-seat Harley subs
• Low-profile 8″ motorcycle subs

Comparison Table: Best Cicada Speakers Series

Cicada Speakers vs Competitors

How does Cicada compare to other popular brands?

Cicada vs Rockford Fosgate

• Cicada: Louder highs & mids
• Rockford: Better low-end bass response
• Ideal for: Riders prioritizing volume

Cicada vs Hertz

• Cicada: Higher sensitivity → louder
• Hertz: Warmer, smoother audio
• Ideal for: Riders who want clean sound at high volume

Cicada vs Diamond Audio

Fairly close matchup.

• Cicada excels in high-frequency projection
• Diamond excels in midbass

Installation Tips for Cicada Speakers

Cicada speakers install similarly to other motorcycle audio brands, but these tips improve performance.

Use the Right Amplifier

Most Cicada speakers perform best with 100–200W RMS per channel.

Sound Treatment Helps

Adding foam or sound deadening behind fairing speakers improves midbass.

Break In the Speakers

Play music at moderate volume for 4–6 hours to loosen the suspension.

Tune Your DSP

If using a digital signal processor, tune mids and highs to reduce harshness.

Real-World Example (Case Study)

Bike: Harley-Davidson Street Glide

Setup: Cicada 6.5″ CXX + Cicada amp

Riding Environment: Highway, urban

Results:

• 35% clearer vocals at highway speeds
• Noticeably louder highs
• Improved midbass punch
• Zero distortion with proper tuning

Riders consistently report improved clarity over factory speakers and many competing brands.

FAQ: Cicada Speakers

Are Cicada Speakers good?

Yes — Cicada Speakers are highly rated for motorcycle audio thanks to their loudness, clarity, and durability.

Which Cicada Speakers are the best?

For most riders, the CXX Series offers the best balance of sound quality and volume. For extreme setups, choose the CH Series.

Are Cicada Speakers waterproof?

They are weather-resistant and built for outdoor motorcycle environments but not fully waterproof submersible units.

Do Cicada Speakers work without an amplifier?

They work, but performance is significantly better with a high-quality amp.

Are Cicada Speakers better than Rockford or Hertz?

They are often louder, while Rockford and Hertz sometimes offer smoother or warmer tone depending on the model.

Conclusion: Are Cicada Speakers Worth It?

If you want motorcycle speakers that deliver extreme clarity, loudness, and durability, Cicada Speakers are absolutely worth considering. Their rider-focused engineering, high sensitivity, and horn-loaded tweeter designs make them stand out in a crowded market. Whether you’re upgrading a Harley fairing, adding lid speakers, or building a custom audio system, Cicada offers some of the best loud-and-clear performance available today.

For riders who want sound that cuts through wind and engine noise without distortion, CICADA consistently delivers — making them one of the top motorcycle speaker brands for 2025 and beyond.