Upgrade your vehicle’s audio performance with a new set of 6.5-inch car speakers.
Why 6.5-inch car speakers?
When you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle’s audio performance, why are 6.5-inch speakers so popular? The reason starts with car manufacturers. The most popular speaker size used by manufacturers in their factory installations is 6.5-inches. That’s large enough for good sound quality while still fitting comfortably in the limited space of a car door or back deck. Naturally, when it comes to replacing or upgrading your in-car audio you probably want to stick with that same 6.5-inch form factor. Doing so makes for easier installation, with no modifications required.
What’s the difference between coaxial and component speakers?
For the most part, when people talk about car speakers, they are referring to coaxial speakers. These include all the drivers and components in a single unit and are sometimes referred to as full-range speakers. Component speakers are individual drivers—woofer, tweeters and even subwoofers.
Coaxial speakers have the advantage of easier installation. Most car makers use coaxial speakers so the cutouts are already in place and as a single unit, there is only one set of speaker wires to connect. Component speakers are capable of delivering higher quality audio performance, but require multiple speaker wires to connect and may require modification to the car’s door panels.
What to look for in 6.5-inch car speakers
When considering new 6.5-inch speakers for your vehicle, there are several key factors to consider. First, there is the decision whether to stick with coaxial speakers.
Assuming you’re going to continue with coaxial, the two primary considerations to make are power handling capability and the number of drivers. Power handling is pretty straightforward: the higher the rating (in watts), the louder you can play music. The number of drivers is more complicated. Many people are happy with the performance of a high quality 2-way speaker, which is equipped with a woofer and a tweeter. A 3-way speaker can add more detail to music by incorporating a third, mid-range driver. Both of these factors are also influenced by the speaker’s quality, and some brands are known for premium performance.
Also worth considering, especially if your vehicle’s interior might be exposed to the elements is water resistance. Most vehicles don’t need to worry about this, but when the car is a convertible or off-roading is a possibility, you may want to think about marine-rated 6.5-inch speakers that can resist exposure to water and UV rays. Finally, don’t forget style. The speakers for the audio system will be a visible part of your vehicle’s interior, so driver colours and grill design may come into play.
What are the best 6.5-inch speakers for a car?
The best 6.5 inch speakers for any car (or truck) comes down to your requirements and your objectives. If you are looking for a straight-up replacement of your existing speakers, then choose units with similar specs. But if you want to improve your vehicle’s sound system, then you will be looking for 6.5-inch speakers with better specifications than the originals. That may mean higher power handling capability, maybe an upgrade from 2-way to 3-way, or choosing a premium audio brand. You may even want to make the big move from coaxial speakers to component speakers.