Upgrading your car‘s factory speakers can make a world of difference in sound quality. The right new speakers can provide louder, crisper audio with enhanced bass and clearer vocals. But with so many options on the market, choosing the best car speakers for your needs can get confusing. This comprehensive guide breaks down the key factors to consider and provides specific recommendations across various price points.
Types of Car Speakers
The two main categories of car speakers are:
Component Speakers: Component systems include separate woofers, tweeters and crossovers. They produce the best sound quality since their individual parts can be optimally positioned in a vehicle‘s factory speaker locations. But they do require more installation work.
Coaxial (Full-Range) Speakers: Coaxials combine the woofer and tweeter into a single unit, making them easier to install as a direct replacement for factory speakers. Sound quality can rival component systems, especially with higher-end models.
In both types, common woofer sizes are 6.5-inch and 6×9-inch. Larger woofers and those made of more rigid materials like polypropylene can improve bass response. Dome tweeters tend to handle highs better than other designs.
When it comes to materials, polypropylene, silk, and other fabric blends are popular options:
- Polypropylene: This very rigid plastic sustains its shape well, contributing to accurate bass and midrange reproduction.
- Silk: Silk dome tweeters are known for smooth, clear high frequency delivery with good durability.
- Fabric Blends: Mixing fabrics with synthetic materials can optimize speaker balance and durability.
Metal and graphite composite materials are also found in some high-end speaker drivers and deliver their own sonic advantages.
Key Specs and Features
When comparing different car speaker models, pay attention to these key specs and features:
- Power Handling: Measured in Watts RMS, this indicates how much continual power the speakers can handle without damage. Choose speakers that match or slightly exceed your car stereo‘s output. Most factory car stereos put out 10-50 watts RMS.
- Sensitivity: Measured in dB, sensitivity reflects how effectively speakers convert power to volume. The higher the number, the louder the speakers will play at the same power level. 89-95 dB sensitivity is ideal for car speakers.
- Frequency Response: The range of bass, mids and highs reproduced by the speakers, measured in Hz. A wider range with lower lows and higher highs indicates better sound reproduction capabilities. 45-25,000 Hz is exceptional for car speakers.
- Impedance: Measured in Ohms, this affects transfer of power between amplifier and speakers. Match your car stereo‘s specified impedance (often 4 ohms).
- Tweeters and Crossovers: Quality tweeters and crossovers (which direct appropriate frequencies to woofers and tweeters) ensure smooth, balanced sound.
Higher-end speakers also boast features like:
- UV-resistant woofer surrounds for durability
- Custom-shaped mounting baskets
- Corrosion-resistant magnets and voice coils
Advanced digital signal processing (DSP) is also found in some speakers. DSP helps tune the frequency response for a perfectly balanced sound.
Speaker Material Pros and Cons
Here‘s a comparison of the most common speaker driver materials:
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene | Rigid, holds shape very well | Prone to cracking over time |
| Silk | Smooth, clear sound | Less moisture resistant |
| Fabric Blends | Good balance, enhanced durability | Varies with blend ratios |
| Aluminum | Lightweight, adds damping | Can distort at high volumes |
As shown, each material has trade-offs. Blending materials can optimize benefits while minimizing limitations of individual components.
Choosing the Best Car Speakers for Your Vehicle
Follow these tips to pick the right new car speakers for your needs and budget:
- Check your owner‘s manual for factory speaker sizes and locations, power output of the stereo amplifier, and impedance ratings.
- Decide on a speaker budget. Expect to spend $50-$300 or more for a quality system.
- Determine the best speaker type for easy, direct installation or optimal positioning flexibility.
- Match power handling to your stereo amplifier wattage with a little headroom to spare.
- Consider speaker sizes that deliver the bass response you want. Larger cones tend to reproduce lower frequencies better.
- Look for high sensitivity (89 dB+) and wide frequency response for loud, full-range reproduction.
- Choose durable, high-end materials like silk dome tweeters and rigid polypropylene cones.
When comparing specific products, keep an eye on total harmonic distortion (under 1% is solid) for a measure of clear audio quality. Brands like Alpine, Infinity, JBL, Kenwood, Kicker, and Rockford Fosgate rule the car speaker market. Stick with reputable names known for quality car audio gear.
Speaker Recommendations
Based on the criteria above, here are my top picks across various speaker types, sizes, and price points along with a comparison of key specifications:
1. Rockford Fosgate R165X3
Type: Coaxial Size: 6.5-inch Rating: 4.8/5 Price: Under $100
Power Handling: 45 Watts RMS Sensitivity: 91 dB Frequency Response: 52-20,000 Hz
One of the best selling and highest rated 6.5-inch coaxial speaker sets under $100. Offers similar power handling and sensitivity to more expensive models. Great easy upgrade over factory speakers.
2. Infinity Reference REF-6522EX
Type: Coaxial Size: 6.5-inch Rating: 4.7/5 Price: $100-$200
Power Handling: 100 Watts RMS Sensitivity: 93 dB Frequency Response: 45-35,000 Hz
Very highly rated coaxials praised for pure, balanced sound with crisp highs and midrange. Excellent quality drivers and crossovers make these a superb choice without the install work of components.
3. Alpine SPR-60
Type: Component Size: 6.5-inch Rating: 4.8/5 Price: Under $250
Power Handling: 100 Watts RMS Sensitivity: 88 dB Frequency Response: 65-29,000 Hz
Top-selling component system acclaimed for great value. Signature Alpine sound paired with 6.5-inch poly woofers and silk dome tweeters. Pre-built crossovers make installation straightforward. Hard to beat at this price point.
And so on with additional models…
As you can see, going with highly-rated branded speakers known for car audio excellence is a solid bet. The data shows leading options clocking in with 45+ Watts RMS power handling, 90+ dB sensitivity, wide 45-25,000+ Hz frequency response, and low distortion – even at more affordable price points.
Adding Amplifiers and Sound Dampening
Beyond new speakers, further upgrading your car audio system with amplifiers and sound damping materials can take sound to the next level:
Amplifiers: Adding an aftermarket amp provides speakers with cleaner, higher-power audio signals for louder, richer sound. They also reduce strain on your car stereo‘s built-in amp. Look at models putting out 100+ Watts RMS x 4 channels.
Sound Dampening: Applying self-adhesive sound deadener products to doors, floor, trunk, wheel wells, etc muffles road noise that can interfere with music enjoyment. Popular affordable options like Kilmat and Noico perform very well.
Taking these extra install steps really enhances overall audio quality, so factor them into your planning and budget.
Surround Sound Configurations
If you really want a theater-like listening experience in your vehicle, consider configuring surround sound with 4, 5 or even 7+ speakers positioned throughout the cabin:
- Basic Surround: Front component speakers + Rear coaxial speakers
- Intermediate Surround: Front component speakers + Side/Rear coaxial speakers + Subwoofer
- Ultimate Surround: Front component speakers + Rear component speakers + Side coaxial speakers + Subwoofer + Amplifier
If also adding a subwoofer for booming bass, make sure to choose front/rear speakers geared more for midrange and highs – often dubbed satellite speakers when paired with a sub. Custom shops can help design truly enveloping car audio environments.
Installing Your New Speakers
You can tackle speaker installation yourself if you‘re handy with car audio projects. Alternatively, leave it to professional installers to get a flawless setup. Typical steps include:
- Removing door panels and/or other interior trim to access factory speakers
- Detaching the old speakers from their mounting locations
- Connecting your new speakers, including running new speaker wires if going with amplifiers or component systems
- Securing the speakers properly in the optimal mounting positions
- Reinstalling door panels and interior parts
Be sure to use quality mounting brackets, adapters, spacers, and other installation accessories for a clean, secure fit. Also take precautions like using protective materials in door panels to prevent speaker vibration issues.
The Future of In-Car Audio
As dashboard touch screens, voice controls, and integrated streaming entertainment services proliferate, what does that mean for speaker-based audio hardware upgrades?
Industry analysis shows the consumer car speaker market still going strong. Why? Audiophiles know that superb speakers are essential, no matter the quality of a vehicle's head unit or infotainment system:
- Only 53% of car owners are satisfied with their audio system sound quality according to JD Power's 2021 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study.
- Aftermarket car speaker sales are projected to grow at a 4.33% CAGR through 2027 as consumers continue upgrading rides new and old per Fact.MR.
And innovations like digital signal processing that optimizes audio signals before amplification and broadcasting will further improve hardware output capabilities.
So while flashier in-dash technologies may get more buzz today, discerning music lovers know great car audio begins with acoustics – making speakers as relevant as ever.
FAQ
Will new speakers improve my car‘s sound?
Yes, factory car speakers are typically basic and cheap. Aftermarket speakers with larger, better-engineered speaker drivers and surrounds will significantly enhance sound quality.
What if my car has an amplifier?
Make sure to get speakers rated for at least the same power output as your factory amp to avoid damage. Also check if it‘s easier to tap into amplified signals vs. pre-amp outputs.
Will new speakers drain my car battery?
Not typically, as modern car audio systems efficiently deliver only the necessary power to speakers when in use. High-wattage speakers paired with aftermarket amplifiers could impact battery life over long listening periods.
Can I mix component and coaxial speakers?
Yes. For example, you can upgrade front door speakers to components for better quality while putting coaxials in rear deck locations. Just make sure power handling, impedance and other specs align.
With this definitive guide, you now have the key details needed to transform your car‘s factory stereo system into an incredible listening experience. Follow the tips above to make savvy speaker choices and other audio upgrades for your vehicle. Soon you‘ll be cruising down the open road immersed in the high fidelity sound you‘ve always wanted.
