Hogtunes / Metrix Audio

otter · 07-23-2017, 07:08 PM

Hey gang,

I'm having some issues with a Hogtunes / Metrix Audio amp.

Bought the speakers two years ago and got the amp as a gift this last spring. The amp and wiring were installed by a tech at my dealership. It lasted about 20 hours before failing: first the left, then the right speaker went dead. When I pulled over, I could hear distorted crackle music coming through the speakers and with the volume to "0" a faint high pitched screech coming through the speakers.

I send Hogtunes a vid and audio of the behaviour. They sent out a new amp no questions asked, didn't want the old one back. (way cool!)

Swapped the amp out myself yesterday, had the tunes going for a bit to make sure everything was ok. Good to go.

Went riding today and the new amp lasted about an hour before doing exactly the same thing. I've contacted hogtunes and will be speaking to their tech guy on Monday.

Anyone else had this type of issue or know what the cause may be? I'm starting to suspect the dealer tech picked his own power sources. He did all the work through the headlight opening so he wouldn't have to take the fairing apart. Does power source matter? It's obvious the amp is getting power and ground and the wiring into the amp is idiot proof, plug and play.

Amp #2 has bit the dust. Unless I'm extremely lucky, there's something wrong.

otter · 07-26-2017, 07:38 PM

update: happy to say Hogtunes bent over backwards and it appears the problem is solved.

**JD Hog** · 07-27-2017, 10:55 AM

What was the problem?

Demolition Man · 07-27-2017, 02:07 PM

yeah, WHAT was the problem ! Dont leave us alone guessing !

Cu,
Sven

otter · 07-29-2017, 09:56 PM

One of two things:

Either I'm really unlucky and got two bum amps or it was the wiring harness. They had sent me a new one as well as replacement amps. When I pulled the original out, there were loose connections on the switched power wire tap. Bad bullet connector at the tap end and loose in the plug that also has main power and ground plugged into the amp.

People I've spoken to and Hogtunes hold the opinion that a bad switched power wire wouldn't cause that type of failure, but... the latest amp is holding up.

The only solid thing I can say is that changing amps and finally the wiring harness was the cure.

otter · 07-30-2017, 03:24 PM

There's a third possibility. They set the gain quite high before sending the first two and I don't know when to quit turning it up.

pfrehner · 04-23-2019, 02:59 PM

just to jump an old thread, I just purchased the metrix/hogtunes kit for my 14 vaquero. installed it and sounded good for an hour. same problem as the first guy - started to whine and pop on right side. even with the radio off.

had to pull the fuse to stop the whine (and lost the use of the radio).

called hogtunes and they are sending out a replacement amp. will hope that this is the problem.

pfrehner · 04-29-2019, 09:31 AM

followup -

I emailed Hogtunes/Metrix and they shipped me a replacement amp next day.
swapped out the amp and all is good now.

hopefully this one is not a dud.

but I am getting pretty good at taking the bike apart

07-23-2017, 07:08 PM	#1
otter Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 87	Hogtunes / Metrix Audio Hey gang, I'm having some issues with a Hogtunes / Metrix Audio amp. Bought the speakers two years ago and got the amp as a gift this last spring. The amp and wiring were installed by a tech at my dealership. It lasted about 20 hours before failing: first the left, then the right speaker went dead. When I pulled over, I could hear distorted crackle music coming through the speakers and with the volume to "0" a faint high pitched screech coming through the speakers. I send Hogtunes a vid and audio of the behaviour. They sent out a new amp no questions asked, didn't want the old one back. (way cool!) Swapped the amp out myself yesterday, had the tunes going for a bit to make sure everything was ok. Good to go. Went riding today and the new amp lasted about an hour before doing exactly the same thing. I've contacted hogtunes and will be speaking to their tech guy on Monday. Anyone else had this type of issue or know what the cause may be? I'm starting to suspect the dealer tech picked his own power sources. He did all the work through the headlight opening so he wouldn't have to take the fairing apart. Does power source matter? It's obvious the amp is getting power and ground and the wiring into the amp is idiot proof, plug and play. Amp #2 has bit the dust. Unless I'm extremely lucky, there's something wrong. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-27-2017, 10:55 AM	#3
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,945	What Was The Problem What was the problem? __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
	0

07-27-2017, 02:07 PM	#4
Demolition Man Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Hannover, Germany Posts: 380	yeah, WHAT was the problem ! Dont leave us alone guessing ! Cu, Sven __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb." - Benjamin Franklin MY LIFE - MY RULES ! 2018 Indian Roadmaster
	0

07-29-2017, 09:56 PM	#5
otter Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 87	One of two things: Either I'm really unlucky and got two bum amps or it was the wiring harness. They had sent me a new one as well as replacement amps. When I pulled the original out, there were loose connections on the switched power wire tap. Bad bullet connector at the tap end and loose in the plug that also has main power and ground plugged into the amp. People I've spoken to and Hogtunes hold the opinion that a bad switched power wire wouldn't cause that type of failure, but... the latest amp is holding up. The only solid thing I can say is that changing amps and finally the wiring harness was the cure. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-26-2017, 07:38 PM	#2
otter Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 87	update: happy to say Hogtunes bent over backwards and it appears the problem is solved.
	0

07-30-2017, 03:24 PM	#6
otter Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 87	There's a third possibility. They set the gain quite high before sending the first two and I don't know when to quit turning it up.
	0

04-23-2019, 02:59 PM	#7
pfrehner Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 9	just to jump an old thread, I just purchased the metrix/hogtunes kit for my 14 vaquero. installed it and sounded good for an hour. same problem as the first guy - started to whine and pop on right side. even with the radio off. had to pull the fuse to stop the whine (and lost the use of the radio). called hogtunes and they are sending out a replacement amp. will hope that this is the problem.
	0

04-29-2019, 09:31 AM	#8
pfrehner Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 9	followup - I emailed Hogtunes/Metrix and they shipped me a replacement amp next day. swapped out the amp and all is good now. hopefully this one is not a dud. but I am getting pretty good at taking the bike apart
	0