Nothing can rival the feeling you get as you drive your car on an empty road while listening to your favorite beats coming out of a capable speaker system. Unfortunately, unless your vehicle is manufactured by a premium brand, your sound system isn’t going to perform as you’d expect it to. That’s why most people eventually turn to Google to find the best car speaker – one that you can add to your drive without breaking the bank.
We understand that finding the right car speaker seems like a complicated process, which is why we’ve taken care of the hard work and reviewed the top products in the category. We also put together a detailed buying guide that will help you make the right decision, which you’ll find down below.
Without further ado, here our picks for the title of the best car speaker that money can get you today:
1. JBL GTO609C Premium 6.5-Inch Car Speaker
JBL has been known as one of the best manufacturers of speakers and headphones for ages, so it’s easy to see why a car speaker that carries this brand name tops our list. Not only is the GTO speaker capable of delivering crystal-clear sound, but it’s also pretty affordable for the power and efficiency it offers.
JBL’s GTO609C Premium 6.5-Inch Car Speaker boasts a couple of compacts, dome tweeters that can supply high-frequency sounds with low-level distortions. Not only that, but they also feature a dual-level volume adjustment option so that you can adjust the sound to your own preference.
The highs are also well taken care of by the oversized voice coils with their 270W capacity. Bass enthusiasts will like the big carbon-infused woofer cones that allow for better air circulation throughout the device.
Pros
- Soft-dome tweeters that deliver crystal-clear sound
- Features big carbon-infused woofer cones
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- The speaker may feel piercing sometimes
2. Rockford Fosgate R1675X2 Car Speaker
We’re a bunch of budget speaker connoisseurs, and we believe that the real gems of this category are hidden within the wallet-friendly side of the spectrum, which is why we’re recommending the Rockford Fosgate as the best car speaker for budget seekers.
- Vacuum Polypropylene cone
- Rubber surround.Crossover:Tweeter High-Pass (HP): 6dB
Last update on 2023-03-26 at 10:15 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Despite its low price, Rockford’s Fosgate R1675X2 Car Speaker is capable of producing clear sounds in all frequencies without additional subwoofers and such. To do that, the speaker boasts silk dome tweeters and polypropylene cones, allowing it to produce some of the clearest sounds you can hear.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Aesthetically-appealing
Cons
- The bass isn’t impressive
3. KICKER 43CDC654 CSC65 6.5 Car Speaker
The KICKER car speaker is another affordable unit that’s capable of delivering clear sounds over a broad range of frequencies – ranging from 40Hz to 20KHz, to be exact. With a two-way design and 300 watts of power per unit, each of the included speakers excels in terms of producing clean, strong bass. Furthermore, the speaker boasts a reliable motor and magnet design that leverages extended voice coil technology, which you don’t find often in budget speakers.
- Features EVC technology for improved woofer performanc
- Includes 2 6.5-inch coaxial speakers with 0.5-inch tweeters for rich sound detail
Last update on 2023-03-26 at 10:15 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The speakers come with mounting holes measuring that measure 123mm, making them compatible with most mounting stations.
Each speaker uses sturdy, UV-treated polypropylene woofer cones, which are surrounded by foam surrounds rather than rubber surrounds. Don’t let that discourage you, as although the latter type is more durable, surrounds don’t cost much, which means that you can easily replace them without blowing a hole in your wallet in the rare occasion of severe damage. The polypropylene woofer cones work hand in hand with the non-protrusion PEI tweeters to produce sounds that KICK (get it?).
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Non-protrusion PEI tweeters
- Heavy-duty polypropylene woofer cones
Cons
- Poor bass
4. Pioneer TS-M650 PRO Mid-Range Car Speakers
The appealing, futuristic looks of these speakers aren’t their only perk, as they’re also known for the great versatility they offer. Although most speakers focus on being the “jack of all trades,” the Pioneer TS-M650 speaker pair focuses on certain aspects to become a master of them. With premium components and an impressive peak capacity of 500 watts per unit, these speakers are bound to impress you with the excellent bass sound that they can produce and the high volumes that they can reach.
The P.R.O. speakers from Pioneer are large, so you can expect nothing but power from them to offer. Not only do they excel when it comes to the lows, but they also deliver clean-sounding highs no matter the volume level thanks to bullet tweeters, the delicately-blended pulp cones of the woofers, and the corrugated surrounds that ensure that the PRO speakers from Pioneer can handle any volume and frequency with ease.
Pros
- Clear sound
- Corrugated surrounds
- Sturdy oversized magnet motor construction
Cons
- A bit large
5. JVC CS-J620 300W 6.5 Car Speakers
Back to the affordable side of the spectrum with a couple of car speakers that would make for a great upgrade from your car’s factory-issued speakers. Despite their low price tag, these speakers boast a sturdy construction and offer a peak capacity of 300 watts per unit. They’re also extremely easy to install, just like the rest of the models in the CS series, as they come with pre-arranged hole patterns and all the necessary hardware to make the mounting process breeze, which is a huge plus if you’ve never installed a sound system before.
- 6.5" CS Series 2-Way Car Speakers
- Power Handling: Peak: 300 watts / RMS: 30 watts
Last update on 2023-03-26 at 10:15 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The JVC CS-J620 300W 6.5 Car Speakers can cover a broad range of frequencies thanks to the excellent woofers and tweeters that they feature. On the one hand, the tweeters are made of polyetherimide and Neodymium magnets, which allow them to reach a sensitivity if around 92 dB over the frequency range of 30Hz to 21Khz.
The woofer cones, on the other hand, are made of an elastic mica material with a ferrite metal design, making them both durable and capable of supplying smooth mids and lows. As for the surround, the woofers have a hybrid cloth and rubber one. Quite the complete combo, huh?
Pros
- Affordable price
- Loud, crisp sound
- Polyetherimide tweeters
Cons
- Poor bass
Choosing the Best Car Speaker – Buying Guide
Even though we’ve already chosen the best car speakers that you can get today, you still have to pick only one of them (unless you’re willing to get every model we recommended above). To make the process easier for you, we’re including a detailed buying guide that covers every factor and features you should consider when buying the best car speaker for your vehicle.
Different Components of a Speaker
Speakers have three main components: Tweeters, Woofers, and Subwoofers.
- Tweeters
A tweeter, or a treble speaker, is the smallest out of the pack, as it measures around 1.5 inches. Tweeters take care of high frequencies, ranging typically from around 2KHz to 20Khz, as well as treble sounds, and they’re mounted in the middle of the woofers. Tweeters have a funny name, that’s for sure, and it’s derived from the high-pitched sounds that some birds make, or rather tweet.
- Woofers
Woofers measure around 3.5 to 7.5 inches, and they handle mid-range frequencies, typically ranging from 40 Hz to 500 Hz. Small woofers can also handle low-end frequencies, while larger ones can take care of frequencies that are close to the high-end. The name woofer is derived from the low-pitched sounds that many dogs make, or rather woof.
- Subwoofers/li>
A subwoofer measures around 10 to 15 inches, and it takes care of low-pitched frequencies, known as bass and sub-bass, which typically range from 20 Hz to 200 Hz. Subwoofers can add excellent depth to your beats, making them perfect for hip hop lovers.
Different Types of Speaker Systems
Speaker systems come in two main types: component speaker systems, and full range speakers.
- Component Speaker Systems
If you want to live the music, a component speaker system is a way to go, as such a system offers more customization, though it’s more complicated to set up and may require professional installation. In the component speaker system, the woofers are installed separately from the tweeters so that each element can provide the best performance within its frequency range. The system also includes crossovers that direct each audio frequency to its respective speaker.
- Full Range Speakers
Full-range speakers, or coaxial speakers, incorporate all the components into a single system, with tweeters that deliver high frequencies and a woofer than takes care of low frequencies. They also feature drivers that handle the middle range frequencies. Compared to component speaker systems, full-range speakers are easier to install and less customizable.
What to Consider When Looking for the Best Car Speakers
There are certain features that you must take into account when shopping for car speakers, which would determine how well your newly-acquired device will perform, and how great your music listening experience is going to be. Here are the main factors that you must consider when buying the best car speaker:
- Size
Before delving into our list of the best car speakers, it’s essential to take the measurements of your vehicle’s pre-installed speakers to know the exact size that you must aim for. Also, look for a pair of speakers that’s compatible with the audio system’s power output so that you get the best sound quality.
- Power Handling
This is another critical factor that you must consider. Before making your final choice, make sure to check the amount of power that the speaker can handle – more so if you’re planning to use the existing head units of your old factory-issued system. For you to enjoy your beats with peace of mind, your new speakers must be able to handle the power, which is measured in watts, that the amplifier or head unit transmits. If that’s not the case, you’ll end up with distortion, which is never a good thing when it comes to car speakers – or any sound system, for that matter.
- Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a speaker refers to how much power the unit must receive to produce sound at a specific volume. If you’re replacing only some components of the stereo system of your car, then a high-sensitivity speaker would be the best choice, as it requires less power. On the other hand, if you’re replacing the entire system at once, then you ought to get a low-sensitivity speaker.
- Build Quality
The build quality is an essential factor to consider no matter what device you’re buying. When you’re about to purchase the best car speaker, it’s critical to check the quality of each individual component, as that would determine the durability and performance that you can expect. Different weather conditions, such as cold and heat, can really affect the speakers of your car, which makes the build quality a priority.
When examining the build quality of a car speaker, start by checking the material of the surround. The surround on a woofer plays a major role, as it allows the woofer cone to emit bolder bass by moving freely. The surround on the best car speaker’s woofer must be durable to withstand extreme weather conditions. Here, rubber surrounds are more durable than those made of other materials. Foam and cloth surrounds are also a viable option, though not as durable as rubber surrounds. On the bright side, they cost less, which means that you can easily replace them in case of damage.
You should also take a look at the tweeters, for which a hard material, such as graphite, or a soft one, such as silk, would do. The woofer is equally important to check, where a stiff yet lightweight material, such as paper, polypropylene, and metal, would be the best choice.
Verdict
Music is a blessing, and if you really want to enjoy your beats, you should crank up the volume while driving your car. Of course, the sound quality is as essential as the volume, which is why you should look for the best car speaker for your vehicle.
Any of the above recommendations can be the best car speaker for you, depending on your own needs and preferences, so make sure to check our buying guide thoroughly before making a choice.