Best Car Speakers – For Optimum Sound Responsiveness

Last Updated on May 25, 2023 by Waino Miller

Let Your Car Speakers Prove “There’s a Party in the Back!”

For nearly as long as cars have been around, the idea of “cruisin’” with the music turned up has been something everyone wanted to do. There is simply something awesome about riding down the highway “jamming” to your favorite music. The problem is most cars do not have speakers that truly allow us to turn it up.

They may lack bass or just sound wimpy when we are driving down the highway. This kind of makes the idea of “Cruisin” a little less exciting…​ It is this problem that we hope to help you overcome. We have done the research and discovered the best car speakers in the hopes of helping you enjoy the ride just a little bit more. All these speakers have the potential to show everyone you pass how much you love your music.

Our 3 Top Picks

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JBL GTO629 Co-Axial Speaker

Brand JBL

Speaker Type Coaxial

Quality Sound

Carbon Injected Cone

Item Weight 5.14 pounds

View At Amazon

Alpine S-S65C S-Series

Brand Alpine

Speaker Type Surround

Easy Install

Ample Power Handling Ability

Item Weight 6 pounds

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JBL GTO609C Premium

Speaker Type Personal

Brand JBL

Subwoofer Diameter 6.5 Inches

Versatile I-mount System

Item Weight 6.17 pounds

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List of the Best Car Speakers

1. JBL GTO629 Co-Axial Speaker

The GTO629 speakers are 6.5 inches of high-quality sound according to most who have had the pleasure of hearing them. This could be because they have carbon-injected cones that are larger than others of their kind. The carbon means that they move more air per beat, which can enhance the sound of your bass. They also have the UniPivot tweeter so you can aim the sound in your direction. Imagine having your speakers in the back, but the sound is clear enough to be right next to you. As a bonus, the tweeter has a feature that will always automatically adjust to ensure optimal sound.

These speakers can use every ounce of wattage that your car stereo system has to offer. It then sorts out the highs and lows to ensure the best possible sound quality for your setup. These speakers measure 8.6 x 4.3 x 16.4 inches and it is recommended that they have a 5-1/16” cutout diameter. The mounting depth should be around two inches.

Conclusion: When it comes to high-quality speakers, many people do look toward JBL. These speakers promise quality and dependability. They work to automatically compensate for your vehicle’s “inner acoustics”, but this does not make them ideal for every vehicle. You have to make sure that it will work with your car model or you may end up disappointed by their performance.

2. Pioneer TS-A1670F Car Speaker

These 6.5 inches, 320 watts are an example of the quality we expect from Pioneer. Inside of them, you will discover a hard dome tweeter and a multi-layer, Mica Matrix Cone to provide optimum sound quality. It works to enhance sound reproduction and responsiveness. These premium speakers are designed to be the ultimate upgrade for your vehicle’s factory speakers so that you can listen to the music you love, the way you love it most.

They are oval in shape but come with a square plate to help ensure that they will fit in most vehicles. They use a standard cutout size of 6 x 9 but measure 13.5 x 3.5 x 7.5 inches. This speaker pair is designed to work in the door of your vehicle, but they can be placed in the rear if you need speakers there. When you step out of your vehicle, you can take your music entertainment with you by using the included Alphasonik Earbuds.

Conclusion: Overall, these are good speakers for most people. They provide a crisp, clear sound that most people enjoy. However, some people feel that the bass performance could be a little better. Therefore, it depends on what you want from your speakers.

3. Infinity REF-6522EX Coaxial Car Speakers

When you do not have a lot of space to deal with, these shallow-mount speakers could be the best choice for you. These Infinity speakers need only a mounting depth of 1-13/16-inches even though they are 6-1/2-inch speakers. On average, they fit easily into 6-3/4 – 6-1/2-inch openings.

They also promise impressive sound with their polypropylene woofer cone and hi-roll rubber surround sound. There is also a 1” edge-driven textile dome tweeter. Even if your speaker wires are thin, which is a common problem for many vehicles, these speakers can handle it. They have a 4-ohm load that can handle up to 55-watts RMS or 165-watts peak power.

Conclusion: These speakers prove that not everyone can be happy with one product. According to most people, they sound awesome. Others are unimpressed and say that they lack either highs or lows. In our opinion, if you are looking for a speaker set that allows you to turn it up, these are an option.

4. Alpine S-S65C S-Series

These 2-way Alpine speakers are everything you need out of a speaker according to many who already own them. This speaker system includes two woofers and two 1-inch silk dome tweeters housed in two 6.5-inch speakers. Double the listening pleasure in every way. The tweeters are where your inline crossover comes from and ensures that they can handle up to 80 watts of RMS or about 240 watts of peak power.

All this combines to give you a set of speakers that have a sensitivity of 88dB and a response of 70-22,000 Hz. Each speaker measures 6” x 14” x 11”. This makes them a great fit for many vehicles, but it is important that you check to make sure they will fit your vehicle and where you want them to sit.

Conclusion: When you look at these speakers, they sound like an awesome deal. For many, this is true. However, you also have people who say that they sound only slightly better than their factory speakers. In our opinion, they could be worth considering, but we are disappointed that grills are sold separately.

5. Skar Audio FSX8-4 Evolution Series

Skar Audio Evolution Series promises high-quality sound for your vehicle in a slightly larger speaker than most. They are two-way speakers that measure in at 6-3/4” around. Since many of the speakers on our list are 6.5” but it’s also available in 8-inch and 10-inch you may want the little extra. Overall, these speakers measure about 8.5 x 8.4 x 4.2 inches.

Inside, you will find a mica-filled polypropylene woofer with a rubber surround to ensure that your beats do not rattle. It also has a 3/4” silk dome tweeter. The power range of these speakers is about 350 watts at peak power. They have a 4-ohm and 8-ohm impedance. They are designed to go in vehicle doors but can work well as rear speakers as well. This will depend on what you need from your speaker set.

Conclusion: Skar Audio is a name brand that many people trust for their car stereo systems. We have seen that they do provide quality and these speakers are no exception. Overall, we like them and feel they could be a solid choice for most people.

6. JBL CLUB6520 Club Series Coaxial Car Speaker

If you like JBL speakers, you will not be disappointed by these 6.5” speakers. They have a woofer cone and the ability to handle up to 150-watts peak power. The included dome tweeter is PEI balanced to give you 3 ohms and it offers a sensitivity of 92db. Frequency response of 55Hz-20Khz tops off its impressive list of features.

To install, you do need a cutout of around 4-7/8 inches. The top mount depth is going to be about 1-13/16” for these speakers that measure 15.6 x 4 x 8.5 inches. Most people say that they are basically “plug and play” speakers because they are so simple to install.

Conclusion: Overall, most people who like JBL speakers will enjoy having these in their car. They provide the quality that we expect from JBL. With that being said, it is your choice because some people do say that bass isn’t where it should be for this speaker brand. Read more on Best 12 Inch Car Subwoofers.

7. Polk Audio DB651s Coaxial Speakers (Pair)

These 6.5” speakers are very stylish and uniquely equipped to provide optimal sound no matter what your musical tastes may be. They are also designed to last with a rubber surround that will not get damaged by heat and direct sunlight.

To ensure that they provide you with sounds that you can love, they have a mica composite-filled cone and a 0.75” liquid-cooled silk composite dome tweeter. They are designed for boats but can work in vehicles of all types with a max power input of 165 watts. Their size is only 8 x 14.5 x 4.8 inches which makes them a perfect fit.

Conclusion: We like the slim mount of these speakers because they do allow vehicles with a tighter space to have a speaker upgrade. Above the surface area or inside your car door, you will have about 2 inches of used space. The bottom measures in at about 2-5/16 inches.

8. Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Car Audio Coaxial Speakers Stereo

One of the best things about this set is that you get four speakers with one purchase, which provides you with 180 W of power. Each speaker is 6.5 inches and takes full advantage of three-way audio. The peak power for each is 90 watts. They have a 1/2” silk dome piezo tweeter.

These speakers need a mounting depth of 2-3/16, which is usable for most vehicles. They are very versatile and suitable for installation on a boat or vehicle. The four speakers work together to provide high-quality sound with very little distortion. You can even turn it up and never worry about sound quality.

Conclusion: Most people expect a lot from Fosgate speakers. For that reason, we have to say that some people feel these speakers are not as good as they could be. This does not mean that they are bad speakers. Most people feel that they are awesome, but there are some who say it could be better.

9. Infinity PR9613IS Car Audio Stereo Speaker

The Infinity Primus Series is a musical force to be reckoned with. These two speakers provide a combined 270 watts max power using Edge-Driven textile tweeters. They have a Plus One polypropylene woofer cone and hi-roll rubber surround. These speakers also promise to provide up to 3-ohm impedance and have an impressive 93db sensitivity.

With this speaker, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether they fit or not. They are compatible with almost all car makes and model factory setups. They do not require you to use an amp, though some people still choose to.

Conclusion: Overall, if it is the power you want for your speakers, you will get plenty with the Infinity Primus speakers. They have power that most stock speakers cannot imagine. Most owners agree. As a bonus, you will also get a free pair of Alphasonik earbuds.

10. JBL GTO609C Premium

The JBL GTO609C speakers are carbon-injected Plus One cone that is larger than others within their class. They have soft dome tweeters that will allow for greater heat dissipation. The end result is more bass, more power, and a sound that will be truly impressive.

They are also very easy to mount. At 6.5 inches they use the JBL patented i-mount system. This provides them with flexibility that other speakers cannot promise. It also ensures that the sounds you want to hear are the only ones blasting from your vehicle’s radio.

Conclusion: Although the sound quality of these speakers is great according to many users, some still feel that it is missing something. For most, the addition of an amp helps level the playing field and takes them to extraordinary sound quality. Others say that they do expect more from their speakers than these JBLs provide.

11. KICKER (4) 43CSC654 CSC65 Car Speaker

These KICKER speakers come in a set of four. That means you get a lot of sound for the money. They are two-way speakers, with around 300 watts of peak power and 100 watts of RMS. All in all, it should be dependable car speakers that are rugged in style and very tough.

Simply turn up the volume and hear your bass go boom. It is all due to their polypropylene woofers, polyester foam surround, and heavy-duty structure that takes full advantage of EVC technology. Grills are included.

Conclusion: Although there are some who say that bass is lacking, these speakers still stand out as “better than stock”. If you are looking to upgrade, it could be a great option. Just make sure that it will work with your vehicle.

12. BOSS Audio Systems CH6530

A lot of people turn to BOSS Audio Systems. They are usually top-quality speakers at an affordable price. These are no exception, according to most who have given them a try. They offer a combined 300 watts of power and provide full-range sound.

Other features include that they are the standard 6.5 inches each. They have a polyurethane cone, piezoelectric tweeters, voice coils, rubber surround, and more. If sound quality is what you seek, they offer an impedance of 4 Ohms and a frequency average of 100 Hz to 18 kHz. Their sensitivity is 90 dB. In short, they have the ability to provide much more than average, factory car stereo speakers.

Conclusion: Overall, if you want a set of replacement speakers for your vehicle, these should be a good option. However, as with most products, not everyone will be pleased with their purchase. It depends on what you look for in a speaker system.

13. Kicker 46CSC654 Car Speaker

These 6.5-in speakers are made to last. They use UV-resistant materials for their polyester woofer surround. Sun and heat will not cause premature damage. To enhance the sound, they use Neodymium tweeter magnets, which should enhance bass sound quality.

It is recommended that you have at least 100 watts of power for these speakers. This enables them to provide up to 3.3 ohms at a peak power of 300 watts.

Conclusion: We like that these speakers can work on most vehicles. This is because of their shallow mount and easy size. They should be easy to install by just removing factory speakers and putting these in place.

14. Kenwood KFC-1666S 300 Best Car Speakers

The Kenwood 3-way performance series speakers are designed to flush mount with ease. They work on many different types of vehicles. Their sound quality comes from a 6-1/2-inch paper cone, a 9/16-inch paper cone tweeter, and a 1/2″ ceramic tweeter.

If it’s the power that you want to know about, these provide plenty for most people. They have a power handling ability of up to 320-peak and an RMS of 75 watts. Four ohms are further proof of the potential sound quality as is the 75-20,000 Hz frequency response.

Conclusion: We like the looks of these speakers and very few people can really say anything bad about them. The problem we see is that people often expect top-dollar speakers for rock-bottom prices. No one will ever find that.

15. JVC CS-J620 CS Series Coaxial Best Car Speakers

There are many people who say that JVC speakers are the absolute best that money can buy. These speakers are no real exception, even though some of their specs are lower than others on our list.

They have a peak handling of 300 watts and an RMS of 30 watts. This comes from a Mica cone, an Ether Imide balanced dome tweeter, and a Ferrite Magnet woofer. It also includes a Neodymium Magnet tweeter. In the surround, it uses both hybrid rubber and cloth. Even lacking the RMS, they still manage to boast a frequency response of 35-22,000 Hz and a 92dB sensitivity.

Conclusion: People who want just basic replacements or upgrades for their standard car speakers will be happy that they have these speakers. However, they are not high-quality speakers that everyone will love.

Final Conclusion

One thing that we noticed during our review is that there is no single speaker that is best for everyone. We all seem to want what we want from our speakers and it’s hard to make someone feel differently about a set that they love or hate. The truth is any of the speakers in our top 15 list could be the best thing you have ever heard. You simply have to make the choice that feels best to you.

Our suggestion, look at the size of the hole that you already have, make sure that everything will fit properly, and choose the one with the most impressive specs in your opinion. It is a choice that only you can make for yourself and we hope that you are happy with your decision.