Do you want to change the car speakers and want to understand which are the best car speakers to buy today? In this buying guide, we have selected and included the best quality-price models on the market to help you choose more easily.
If you’re in the process of doing an upgrade to your car’s sound system, or if you just need to swap out old speakers and buy new ones, choosing the right car speaker model can help you achieve noticeably better sound than stock speakers.
Getting more qualitative audio while traveling is one of the greatest satisfactions for those who love to listen to music and radio programs, and there is no need to spend exaggerated amounts to achieve this goal.
The car speakers are all very similar in shape and size, but care must be taken in choosing the model with a diameter that corresponds with the installation hole.
To buy the best speaker for your needs, you also need to understand if you need a coaxial or two-way model. The first is car speakers composed of a single body, with the tweeter positioned in front of the woofer. The latter is composed of two separate elements (woofer and tweeter), generally better in performance and sound quality.
For the power level it is important to remember that if you buy a top-of-the-range car speaker with a high amount of Watt in output unless you also install a stereo system with a suitable amplifier, you will not be able to fully exploit its capabilities.
Finally, we want to remind you that car speakers generally have a range of frequencies that cover the mids and high frequencies well and that if you want to have a level of bass to make the car shake you will also have to consider buying a dedicated car subwoofer, for this.
That said, let’s find out which are the best pairs of car speakers to buy this year, with practical information for installation and technical specifications of the different models.
1. Hertz Cento CK 165
The best high-end car speakers
Among the best audio systems for audio that we recommend for lovers of music in the car, there is the Hertz CENTO CK165. You will need to install three elements for each channel as this kit consists of two woofers, two tweeters, and two crossovers. So make sure you have enough space in your car, inside the door.
The woofer is 165mm (6.5 inches), while the tweeter is 26mm (1 inch), the power output is 95 Watts RMS and 285 Watts in peak power. They have a sensitivity of 93 dB and an impedance of 4 ohms. The frequency response ranges from 55 to 22,500 Hz.
Pair this kit with a car amplifier with good output power, and you will have a really great sound, powerful, rich in detail, and with a lot of punch.
For those who have great needs in the reproduction of low frequencies, you can then add an additional dedicated car subwoofer (under the seat or in the trunk), but for listening to music in general this pair of speakers is already very performing and represents a great leap of quality from your car’s standard speakers.
Pros
- High sound quality
- RMS Power 95 Watts
Cons
- They need space to place crossovers
2. JBL Club 6520 (6.5-Inch)
2-Way Coaxial Stereo Speakers for car stereo systems, with the high build quality
Among the best woofers for build quality, there is the JBL CLUB 6520. If you are looking for a pair of two-way coaxial car speakers, much better than the standard speakers, and above all durable, choose this model.
These two speakers are powerful and performing, with 50 Watt RMS delivered and an impedance of 3 ohms, they certainly give the best if connected to a dedicated amplifier, rather than the standard stereo, in order to enjoy their full power.
The woofer membrane is made of UV-resistant polypropylene, to withstand even under non-ideal situations, on the other hand, the soundbox is generally placed inside the door, where the temperature is not always ideal.
The JBL CLUB 6520 coaxial speakers are car speakers with powerful bass thanks to the Plus One technology that allows for more performing low frequencies than other models of the same high price range, with a greater presence of bass and better sound spectrum. However, if your needs for a sound body are very advanced, you should know that you will still have to buy a separate subwoofer.
Those of the JBL Club 6520 are also among the best car tweeters around, and allow you to hear a significant amount of sonic detail compared to the stock speakers.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Sound detail
- Good presence of low frequencies
Cons
- They need a subwoofer for a fuller sound
3. Hertz Dieci DSK165.3 (3 6-1/2 Inch)
The best car speakers Component System by power level
For loud music lovers, the best mid-high car speakers are the Hertz DSK165.3, a pair of powerful car speakers that will allow you to get a noticeable boost in sonic boost.
This car speaker kit consists of two 165mm diameter woofers, two 24mm dome tweeters, and two crossovers. The power per channel is 80 Watts RMS, for a 160W stereo system in total.
You will need to be careful to have enough space in the hole for the woofer as this takes up 72mm deep. The tweeters can be installed in the dedicated holes found in most cars, usually on the top of the door or on the front of the passenger compartment.
The V-cone system of the woofers is one of the best for sound dispersion and allows us to obtain quality listening even if the speakers are positioned at the level of the legs.
The frequency response is 50-23,000 Hz. We are truly amazed at how much you can turn up the volume with these speakers, and how detailed the mid-high quality is. If you’re looking for the best 165mm car speakers, the Hertz DSK165.3 might be for you.
Pros
- 160 Watts RMS
- Excellent sound impact
- Value for money
Cons
- They need space to place crossovers
4. Pioneer TS-A1370F (5-1/4 Inch)
Pair of 13 cm coaxial speakers
The Pioneer TS-A1370F are excellent mid-range car speakers, indicated to improve the standard audio system with speakers that offer power, clear and well-defined sound.
These are universal 3-way coaxial speakers and are therefore compatible with every car model. It develops a power of 300 watts and measures 30.5 x 17.8 x 10.2 cm and the weight is 3.4 lbs. The blue injection-molded polypropylene cone enhances the midbass response, thus offering a very high sound quality.
The frequency response is fluid, three-dimensional, and well-balanced thanks to an open and smooth design. The diameter is 13 cm. The power supply works via cable while the impedance is 4 Ohm.
Completing the installation will be extremely simple and that is why by purchasing the Pioneer TS-A1370F you will significantly and immediately improve the audio quality of your machine while maintaining the low investment.
Pros
- 300 W
- Universal
- Value for money
Cons
- Low frequencies that can be improved
5. Alpine Electronics SPG-17C2
The best mid-range coaxial speaker
The SPG-17C2 are powerful two-way car speakers with a diameter of 16.5 cm, ideal for those looking for a unique solution to improve the sound of their stereo system in the car, without spending a lot.
The output power of 60 Watts RMS is above the average of the original series speakers and allows us an extra notch in the reproduction volume. The frequency response is 68 – 20,000 Hz, with good sound quality and frequency range distribution.
Among the best car tweeters around, the 20mm dome tweeters of the Alpine speakers have a crystal clear and detailed sound, while the 6-inch woofer is able to reproduce the mid frequencies well.
To mount them on the car door, you need an installation hole of 14.1 cm and a depth of 6.1 cm. The sensitivity is 88.5 dB and the impedance is 4 ohms.
For a completely satisfying experience for those who really want to blow the car, we will also have to add a dedicated external sub, but for most users who simply like to listen to music and radio with good signal quality, the Alpine Electronics SPG- 17C2 is fine.
Pros
Crystal clear sound
Right size for many car types
Cons
The sin of low frequencies
6. Alpine SXE-1750S
A good upgrade from the stock car speakers
Among the best car speakers for value for money, we find the Alpine SXE-1750S, excellent if you are looking for a not too expensive solution to replace the old speakers of your small car.
The woofers are 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) and need a 139 cm installation hole, the depth is 46 mm. The total diameter of the diffuser is 165 cm and it is very easy to install thanks to the presence of numerous invitations.
The presence of the small dome-type tweeters helps to keep the high frequencies separate from the medium frequencies, they are clear and crystalline and have better sound detail than the speakers mounted on the most common cars. There is no additional crossover (the crossover is integrated into the tweeter) so there is no need to find space for the latter, for the benefit of a less difficult installation process.
The power output is 45 Watts RMS, with a frequency response of 60Hz-20kHz, and the sensitivity is 90dB. When used with your car’s stock stereo, you can turn the volume up a notch more than the stock speakers, and enjoy the higher sound quality.
Pros
- Crystal clear quality tweeters
- Very advantageous quality/price ratio
Cons
- Slightly flat medium sounding woofer
7. Alpine SXE-1725S
Entry-level coaxial car speakers
Always for those looking for a cheap car speaker model to change the stock system of their car and get a higher quality sound, the Alpine SXE-1725S is a good compromise between quality and price, and are suitable for those who need to mount a coaxial car speaker, with woofer and tweeter integrated into a single 6.5-inch (16.5 cm) body.
These passive speakers have decent performance in the mid-high range, lack little low frequencies, perhaps a little more than the other models of car speakers already described so far, but still produce a clean, intelligible, and clear sound, particularly appreciable for listening to radio programs.
The power output is 40W, 92dB sensitivity, good build quality, and easy to install in most cars inside the door. They need a depth of more than 46mm and a 139mm installation hole.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Good reproduction of mid-high frequencies
Cons
- Lack of low frequencies
8. Pioneer TS-1702I
The best car stereo speakers to replace the old system without spending a lot
Among the best entry-level models of car speakers, we find the Pioneer TS-1702I, which are good for changing the old car speakers without spending a lot and without wasting a lot of time on installation (or having to make changes to the car chassis).
Much appreciated by those who have fitted them to replace the old speaker system, these passive speakers offer a nominal power of 35 Watts, an impedance of 4 ohms, frequency response from 32 – 26,000 Hz, peak power of 170 W, and a tweeter of 30 mm.
Being coaxial speakers, they are simply installed inside the door and connected to the car radio using the supplied cables. The diameter of the woofer is 165 mm total and requires a 147 mm installation hole, and a depth of 46 mm.
The sound quality is similar to that of the standard speakers of the most modern cars, but for those who have an older utility car and decide to change the speakers to hear the music better, you will hear the difference, and the price is definitely inviting.
Pros
- Ease of installation
- Improved sound compared to stock speakers
- Economic range
Cons
- Less suitable for loud music
9. Sony XSFB1620E
Powerful economic range speakers, to turn up the volume in the car
The Sony XSFB1620E is a pair of car speakers with an unbeatable value for money, and for this reason, they are currently among the best entry-level speakers for those looking to improve the stereo system in the car.
With an output power of 45W RMS and a peak power of 260W, these are economical speakers that allow us to turn up the volume and have better performance than the standard speakers.
With a 6.5-inch ferrite woofer and a tweeter with neodymium magnet and PEI diaphragm, the coaxial speakers from Sony offer good sound quality, build quality, and durability, which is what you are looking for in a car speaker.
For even clearer sound, couple them to a quality amplifier and you will get greater sonic detail, but already with the standard stereo, they ensure a more than acceptable level of performance.
If we have to find a negative side, we will say that the sound dispersion is not exceptional and that when they are positioned at the level of the legs they will be less crystalline than other models.
Pros
- Unbeatable price-quality
- 45W output power
Cons
- The sound dispersion is not great
10. JVC CS-J620X
A good replacement for the stock speakers
If you have no particular needs and want to replace the car speakers, obtaining an audio quality similar to the standard speakers, the JVC CS-J620X is an economical and convenient solution.
You will mount a pair of speakers with a power of 30W RMS and peak power of 300W, coaxial type, with ferrite woofer and neodymium tweeter. The diameter of the cases is 16 cm, and the depth is 43 mm.
The frequency response is 35 – 22,000 Hz and has a sensitivity of 92dB. The Hybrid Surround capability makes the sound a little more rounded and immersive than other speakers in the same price range, and the build quality is decent, allowing you to make them last over time.
For bass lovers, these aren’t very high-performance speakers in this department. So if you expect to get a puffy and powerful sound, go somewhere else and forget about this model. If, on the other hand, you want to get a standard quality, which allows you to listen to music and radio at an acceptable level, then this could be the right product for your needs.
Pros
- Good economic speakers
- Build quality better than the standard speakers
Cons
- Low with little presence
11. JVC CS-J520X
Cheap car speaker with 13cm diameter
Another economic model that we find in the entry-level price range, good for those looking for a 13 cm diameter speaker to replace the speakers in their car, is the JVC CS-J520X. Also good as secondary speakers to be placed in the rear seats to integrate the existing system.
The build quality is very good, with the woofer magnet made of ferrite materials and composite fiber membrane, while the tweeter is made of neodymium magnet. The hybrid surround system allows you to have a good feeling of immersion in the musical environment and to listen to music with a certain level of detail.
With this pair of car speakers, we will have a maximum output of 30W RMS, with 250W peak power. Since the speakers are smaller than the 16 cm models, the bass will be even less present, to be used therefore knowing that the performances are not exceptional in this department. The frequency response is 40-22000 Hz.
Pros
- Good economic speakers
- Build quality better than the standard speakers
Cons
- Almost non-existent bass
12. JVC CS-J420X
The cheapest coaxial car speakers
For small cars such as a Fiat 600, the best 10cm speakers are the JVC CS-J420X, suitable for mounting in place of the stock speakers.
The JVC CS-J420X are two-way coaxial speakers, with a woofer membrane in mica fiber and ferrite magnet, while the tweeter is in neodymium. The installation depth is 43 mm, and the sound pressure produced is 90dB.
The output power is 21 Watts RMS, they are certainly not at the level of other more powerful speakers and will not allow you to listen to music at very high levels, therefore they are good for those who do not have great needs either in volume or sound detail.
Being very small, low frequencies are almost absent, and you will therefore have an audio reproduction that prefers medium-high frequencies.
Pros
- Economic range and good quality
- Easy to install
- Little power
Cons
- Almost non-existent bass