Nothing beats the excitement of going on car rides while playing some incredible music through the car stereo. But if you want to take your audio experience to the next level, upgrading your car’s speakers is a must. Replacing factory-installed speakers with aftermarket ones would usually provide you with plenty of sonic benefits such as deeper bass, clearer highs, and overall better sound quality.
To be able to enjoy these acoustic benefits, choosing high-quality speakers for your vehicle is a must. In this article, we’ll give you our picks for the 10 best car speakers that you can find online. We’ve also included a buying guide to give you an idea of how we chose our picks!
Quick List - Top Car Speakers
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Plenty of considerations must be made before you can choose the right speakers for your car. While most of these considerations involve reading specifications, take note that these specs will rarely tell you much about the sound quality of the car speakers. Hearing them in a car shop would still be the best way for you to get an idea of the sound quality of that particular set of speakers.
The first decision to make when choosing car speakers is whether to get full-range or component ones. Each type of speaker has its own advantages and disadvantages over the other. Read on to learn more!
Full-range speakers, also known as coaxial speakers, are those that can usually output all frequencies between 20 to 20,000 Hz spectrum of audio in just one enclosure. This means that they do all the sound reproduction within your car's audio system. To do this, they usually consist of tweeters, midranges, and woofers to handle the high, mid, and low frequencies, respectively.
Full-range speakers are the best choice for those who want convenience, as they're the simplest to install. Most stock speakers are full-range, so replacing them with aftermarket full-range speakers is an easy way to upgrade your audio system. They're also usually the most affordable aftermarket speakers available. However, they just won't sound as good as dedicated component speakers.
Higher-end component systems will have dedicated midrange speakers for better performance in the mid-frequencies, perfect for vocal- and instrument-centric music. You can also get subwoofers if you’re after a deep and rumbling bass sound.
Since this setup involves separate speakers, component speakers are generally considered to offer better sound quality than full-range ones. These give you the “live performance” sound experience that would make any audiophile smile. However, due to their multiple parts, component speakers are usually more challenging to install.
One consideration that must not be overlooked is the speaker’s size. Since different cars come with differently-sized speaker cutouts, knowledge of the speaker’s size will help you identify whether it will be right for your vehicle. If you do end up getting the wrong size, you will have to modify your speaker ports just so you can fit them in your car.
Do keep in mind that the size refers to the dimensions of the speaker itself, not the dimensions of the cutout. If you have the technical know-how, you can open up your car’s speaker enclosures to access and measure the speakers themselves. Alternatively, you could use online fitting tools like Crutchfield to identify which size of speakers will fit your car.
The speaker’s sensitivity is the measure of how effectively it will convert power from your stereo or amplifier into audible volume. You’ll want to match your speaker’s sensitivity with the power output of your stereo or amplifier for the best possible audio quality.
Factory-installed stereos are usually rated at around 10-15 Watts RMS. For low-powered stereos such as these, go for speakers that are rated at least 90 dB. On the other hand, those with high-powered external amplifiers will be able to drive speakers with less than 90 dB of sensitivity with no problem.
While you’ll want to be able to fully power your speakers, providing too much power could actually damage them. To ensure that this doesn’t happen, check the speaker’s power-handling. Power-handling is given by both the peak power and the maximum RMS.
The peak power is the wattage that the speaker can take before failing, while RMS is the wattage at which the speaker will perform at its best. You’ll want to match your speakers’ total RMS with your amplifier or head unit’s power output. If you’re using your factory-installed head unit, speakers rated at 2-50 Watts RMS is will appropriate.
The different types of speakers that we've previously mentioned may be made from different materials. Aside from the common materials that we will state below, do take note that different brands are continuously developing their own special materials to tailor the sound of their speakers.
Tweeters are designed to be lightweight to facilitate quicker vibrations, yet they should be stiff enough to handle higher volumes without distorting. Silk is widely used since it has a nice balance of these properties and provides a characteristic warm and mellow tone. Meanwhile, metal tweeters like those made of aluminum give a sharper and crisper sound.
Midranges, woofers, and subwoofers have cones that must be rigid enough to produce the intended sound without adding any unwanted sound coloration. You’ll find that most speaker cones are made out of polypropylene or plastic, as this material is reasonably stiff and provides a smooth sound.
To a lesser extent, metals are also used as materials for these speakers. Those made from aluminum and magnesium are known for having the least coloration, giving you accurate sound. Some higher-end speakers would even feature kevlar, which is a material that provides sound with low distortion.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Infinity REF6532IX Car Speakers | ![]() | Has High Sensitivity for Greater Volume | |
2 | Kicker Front and Rear Speaker Package | ![]() | Comes With a Tweeter for Crisper and Sharper Sound | |
3 | Rockford Fosgate Prime R1S4-12|R1S412 | ![]() | Perfect for Clean and Deep Bass Sounds | |
4 | Focal Access/165 AS3 | ![]() | Has Fiberglass Cones for More Durability | |
5 | Kenwood 2-Way Car Audio Door Coaxial Speakers | ![]() | A Powerful Car Speaker With Crisp Sound | |
6 | Polk Audio DB+ Series|DB6502 | ![]() | Marine-Certified Speakers for Excellent Longevity | |
7 | JBL Stage 2/634 | ![]() | For a Concert Experience Sound Quality |
Sporting a 93dB sensitivity, this speaker from Infinity will give you a louder volume without drawing too much power. In terms of overall sound quality, this one produces smooth and clear highs with its edge-driven textile tweeters. It also offers more surface area for higher bass output and enhanced midrange performance.
Another thing its users love about this product is that it’s easy to mount because of its compact stamped steel frame. Overall, this speaker has an outstanding balance of audio quality, price, and usability.
Like to be a little bit extra? Kicker has got you! This car speaker set does not only come with a front and rear unit but also with a pair of tweeters as well. With the combination of these audio systems, you’ll surely get sharper and crisper sound — perfect for sound trips for long travels.
The 43DSC6504 speaker is equipped with a 90dB sensitivity for great volume and is built with high-quality materials such as Zero protrusion PEI tweeters, and a rigid polypropylene cone with Extended Voice Coil technology to deliver exceptional sound quality. Some of its users also like how it’s easy to install and has a good high and low output without much distortion.
Looking for an immersive bass sound? The R1S412 subwoofer from Rockford Fosgate has got it! It uses a rigid polypropylene cone to output bass frequencies with ease! Although rated at only 150W RMS, this one can still reach very deep tones and is a great choice for those who appreciate clean and accurate lows.
It's made of high-quality materials, too! It has solid-steel frames and an aluminum voice coil to ensure that it won't fail, even under heavy load! It's definitely a steal at its price, especially since you're getting a great-sounding subwoofer from such a well-respected car speaker manufacturer. Just make sure to use a decent amplifier and enclosure to get the best sound out of it!
This component system from Focal promises great sound reproduction across all frequencies, plus you get inverted dome tweeters to take care of the highs and help create a very wide soundstage. Its woofers will also provide you with a powerful bass sound, while the midrange drivers fill the gap between the tweeters and woofers to provide you with smooth mids.
Moreover, its midrange drivers and woofers use fiberglass cones, making them durable for long-term performance. Its high power handling means that it will handle most amplifiers without any problems. And yet, they're sensitive enough to sound great with even the most basic head units! If you have the budget to splurge for a car speaker with great durability, this might be for you!
If you’re someone who likes to turn the volume up when playing music in your car, this car speaker set from Kenwood will give you just that! With a 30-watt RMS or 300 watts peak power, this speaker will be able to give you amazing volume without sounding muffled. In fact, its users love how it delivers crisp sounds!
Another thing to love is its low-profile tweeter design that not only produces that clear, vibrant, and high-end sound but also makes installation a breeze — perfect for replacing factory-fitted equipment even in tight spaces. It also sports a carbon mica blended polypropylene woofer cone, which produces smooth low to mid-frequency sounds.
Want something that will give you a bang for your buck? Well, this component system from Polk Audio is a great choice if you want an upgrade in the long run. Its silk dome tweeters provide you with a smooth yet clear treble, plus its polypropylene woofers output natural-sounding mids and lows.
Aside from sounding great, these speakers are actually marine-certified, meaning they're made from high-quality components, including a polypropylene UV-tolerant cone and waterproof inner and outer surrounds. They are also designed to withstand harsh environments and have been tested against salt fog, UV, and humidity.
Looking for a perfect addition to your car audio system without breaking the bank? JBL’s Stage2 634 Car Speakers might be it! These speakers are engineered to deliver exceptional sound quality, with clear highs and deep, powerful bass. With a peak power handling of 250 watts and a sensitivity rating of 91dB, these speakers will give you great volume.
Moreover, its balanced dome tweeter ensures crisp, clear highs, while the vented magnet motor structure keeps the speakers cool during prolonged use. You’ll also love its frame design, which has been engineered to easily fit into most factory openings without the need to modify the vehicle, mounting location, or the speaker itself.
Having a great car audio system can definitely make any road trip entertaining. If you plan on driving a lot, making your vehicle more comfortable to ride in is a must. Here are some of the best leather seat covers, air purifiers, and air fresheners to make your rides much more comfortable!
While great car speakers paired with great music can make your music-listening experience very immersive, keep in mind that your focus should always be on the road. As much as possible, avoid operating your stereo equipment while driving. Accidents can happen in a split second, so ensure that you aren’t being distracted by your audio system.
We hope you found this article helpful in choosing the right speakers for your car. If it did, consider sharing your car audio setup and tagging us through our Instagram and Facebook page. Have a safe ride!
Author: A. Coseip
Editor: R. Umlas
No. 1: Infinity|REF6532IX Car Speakers
No. 2: Kicker|Front and Rear Speaker Package
No. 3: Rockford Fosgate|Prime R1S4-12|R1S412
No. 4: Focal|Access/165 AS3
No. 5: Kenwood|2-Way Car Audio Door Coaxial Speakers
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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