There’s nothing better than cruising along on a sunny day with your windows rolled down and your favorite tunes blasting from the stereo. At the same time, there’s nothing worse than having your favorite songs ruined by terrible audio quality!
Fortunately, most modern cars are equipped with decent speakers from the get-go. However, if you want to get better sound quality from your vehicle without paying a premium factory price – there are plenty of affordable aftermarket speaker upgrades out there.
Whether you want to upgrade your speakers before your next summer road trip or you just want to make your morning commute a bit more enjoyable, you’re in the right place.
In this article, you’ll find a diverse range of options to suit every budget. What’s more, we’ve chosen these speaker systems based on functionality, ease of installation, and sound quality to give you a well-rounded selection of speakers to improve your listening experience.
Let’s get started!
The Best Car Speakers of 2021
1. Rockford Fosgate 3 Way Car Audio Coaxial Speakers Stereo
The Rockford Fosgate R165X3 coaxial speaker is packed full of fantastic features to make any drive better. With an appealing aesthetic appearance and a tough and sturdy build – these car speakers are high-quality and built to last.
These speakers measure 8.1 x 7.1 x 10.9 inches and provide a peak power of 90W, as well as RMS of 45W and impedance level of 4 Ohms. These Rockford Fosgate R165X3 speakers are three-way speakers, which means the woofers, midrange drivers, and tweeters stand along to provide you with a better all-round sound experience. No matter what you like listening to as you drive, you can rest assured that you’ll be listening in great HD sound quality. With a crisp and clear sound, you can even listen at top volume without compromising on quality.
The sleek design featuring glossy dome tweeters and a flat back make these speakers extremely attractive and designed to suit any vehicle interior design. Fosgate speakers look so great that it’s considered a shame to put grills over them as they look so much worse than the actual speakers!
If you’re looking for affordable, robust, and visually appealing speakers – we highly recommend these Rockford Fosgate R165X3 coaxial speakers stereo. Compact, attractive, and easy to install – these speakers are a great deal for customers seeking the best in basic audio speakers.
Pros
- Excellent output quality
- Sleek design
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Slightly low volume
2 . JBL CLUB6520 6 5 inch 2-Way Coaxial Car Speaker
JBL is a household name when it comes to all things speaker-related. If your factory speakers simply aren’t doing it for you anymore, JBL’s Club Series speakers are a sure-fire way to boost your driving experience. JBL’s Club 6520 6 5 inch coaxial speakers are equipped with UV-resistant polypropylene woofers to ensure great performance even in the chilliest of conditions.
The speakers’ patented Plus One woofer structure extends the cone surface area to provide a better bass experience. With these speakers, listeners can enjoy smooth high-frequencies with incredible dispersion due to the edge-driven PEI dome tweeters. What does this mean? A better listening experience than any old factory speakers can provide.
The low-impedance design of these JBL car audio speakers safely draws power from your car stereo and improves sound quality, making them some of the best on the market. Even better? A JBL car speaker is a super affordable investment to make if you want excellent frequency response and the best sound quality every time.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- UV-resistant polypropylene woofer material
- Great bass experience
Cons
- Power and music quality is not as good as other similar car speakers
3. Polk Audio DB651 6.5″/6.75″ 2-Way Marine Certified db Series Car Speakers
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Polk Audio DB6501 6 5 inch/6 75 inch 2-way component system speakers is a popular choice for car audio enthusiasts looking for the best sounding speakers on the market. This speaker system provides exceptional music quality and long-lasting powerful performance. The 25mm liquid-cooled polymer and silk dome tweeter provides clear and detailed high-frequency sound.
You’ll find these speakers provide great placement flexibility with adapter rings, meaning they easily fit into various car models like VWs, BMWs, and plenty of other European car imports. With surface and flush mount swivel cups. What’s more, they feature high and low pass crossover filters, durable dome woofer material made from a polymer/mica composite, as well stainless steel mounts, and sleek ABS grilles that’ll add a touch of elegance to your car interior.
If you’re looking for sleek, stylish, and durable car audio speakers then Polk Audio DB6501 rival competitors like JBL in terms of sound quality, frequency response, and price per pair. They’re also marine certified to withstand tough environmental conditions, which makes them a great fit for boats and home theater systems.
Pros
- Polymer and silk dome tweeters
- Marine-certified
- Features an adapter ring to fit both 6-1/2-inch and 6-3/4-inch applications
Cons
- Sound quality can be lost if not installed carefully
4. JBL Stage 9603 3-way speakers
We’ve already mentioned how JBL is a recognized brand in the world of speakers, particularly car speakers. JBL’s Stage 9603 speakers are a great option for those looking to take their car’s speaker system to the next level.
Featuring a 6″x9″ polypropylene woofer cone to provide responsive and robust sound, a balanced dome tweeter for smooth highs, and a super tweeter for incredible detail – you’ll be hard-pressed to find speakers that offer this much bang for your buck.
These highly sensitive speakers can handle up to 70 RMS watts, and with an impedance level of 4 ohms, they’ll combine perfectly with a factory stereo. That being said, if you want to get a taste of their full performance potential you should pair them with an aftermarket car amp.
What’s more, these JBL Stage 9603 speakers come with a one-year warranty so you can rest assured that if anything goes wrong, you’re covered.
Pros
- Quality bass sound
- Easy installation
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Volume may distort when turned up
5. Infinity Reference 8632CFX
These Infinity Reference speakers are well known for being some of the best sounding speakers available at a competitive price. If you’re in the market for new stereo speakers for your car then these Infinity Reference component speakers are a modern classic.
So what features make them so special? These are ideal upgrades for those looking to boost their driving experience with a brand new component speaker system. Offering a 1″ edge-driven tweeter for smooth highs, a polypropylene woofer with durable rubber surround, and a pusher button tweeter attenuation; you can expect nothing but powerful sound.
The oversized woofer cone moves more air than your standard run of the mill car speakers of similar size, which adds a whole lot of punchy sound to their performance! They also provide excellent power-handling that words well when powered by an internal amplifier, but they’re also sensitive enough to be a perfect match for aftermarket stereos.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a great pair of speakers to provide better sound for your daily commutes to work or summer road trips, these Infinity speakers deliver the brand’s premium quality at an affordable price.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Great power-handling
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Not the best option for booming bass
6. DS18 PRO-X6.4BM Loudspeaker
These 6.5″ midrange speakers cater to the whole audible spectrum providing concert-like sounds that’ll blow you and your passengers away. The DS18 PRO red aluminum bullet speakers sound great with instrumentals, and better yet with vocals!
The PRO-X6.4BM features a high-temperature CCAW coil that can handle extreme heat levels while still maintaining its structure. What does this mean? That you can expect a long life from these speakers! They deliver 500W power with 250 watts per 4 Ohms, so you can hear a full range of audio when listening to your favorite songs, podcasts, and radio stations.
Pros
- Crystal-clear car speaker
- Sleek exterior design
- Easy to install
Cons
- Quality can diminish without a proper amplifier
7. JVC CS-J620 300W
These JVC CS-J620 300W two-way coaxial Car Speakers are some of the best of the best car speakers on the market. Each speaker has a peak power of 300 watts and an RMS of 60 watts. They feature woofer cones which are made of a durable elastic mica material and feature a ferrite metal exterior.
If you’re looking for speakers that offer exceptional frequency response across mid-range and low-end frequencies for better sound, these JVC CS-J620 are guaranteed to impress. The tweeters are made from poly-Ether Imide and Neodymium magnets that work together seamlessly to ensure speakers from the JVC CS series supply full-range sound frequencies and have a high-performing lifespan.
They’re compatible with most amplifiers, and, unlike OEM speakers, the amplifiers work well in regards to enhancing audio and providing ample heat resistance. They feature coils made of high-quality aluminum. The best part? They’re extremely easy to install. Any D-I-Y enthusiast can do it!
Pros
- Easy installation with pre-arranged hole patterns for mounting
- Compatible with more amplifiers
- Hybrid cloth and rubber surround for durability
Cons
- Engineered holes not compatible with every vehicle
8. Pioneer TS-G1620F
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If you’re looking for powerful sound from your car’s audio system, these Pioneer TS-G1620F speakers deliver top quality at an affordable price. These 3-way audio speakers measure 6.5 inches per speaker per pair and deliver a maximum power of 300 watts and 50 watts RMS. What does this translate to? Unbeatable sound. They feature polypropylene cones on each speaker, which are also protected with rubber-coated cloth, and balanced dome speakers.
These Pioneer TS-G1620F take the cake when it comes to power capability and sound output. They feature a Progressive Flex Suspension System that’s unique to the Pioneer brand and supports voice coils while dampening the vibrations in the large cone to prevent any imperfections caused by movement. This means you can enjoy smooth, clear sound all the time.
Pros
- Progressive Flex Suspension System to prevent sound alterations by movement
- Powerful sound output
- Durable design
Cons
- Weak bass response
9. Pyle PL453BL Speaker System
This triaxial speaker system by Pyle features a woofer with a blue poly-injection cone for enhanced durability and a 1-inch ASV voice coil for high-performance in high-temperature and high-wattage situations.
This Pyle PL453BL speaker comes at one of the most affordable prices around for 4×6 car speakers. They offer great features to compliment the excellent sound quality they produce. The speakers include wires, grills, and hardware for easy installation. What’s more, the blue poly-injection cone and high-temperature ASV coil make this speaker a top choice for car audio enthusiasts.
Pros
- Butyl rubber surrounds provide extra durability
- Distinct and clear sound quality
- Easy to install
Cons
- Low volume sound is not very high quality
10. Blaupunkt 4-Way Coaxial Car Speaker Sound System
The oval 6 x 8 Blaupunkt speakers feature a top-quality polypropylene cone woofer and a foam butyl surround with a mylar dome tweeter. They’re also driven by ceramic magnets and feature aluminum voice coils for resisting high-temperatures. This means they’re highly efficient and provide great durability for their price.
These speakers allow listeners to enjoy balanced audio and rich bass tone for a seamless listening experience. What’s more, they’re easy to mount and offer peak power of up to 300 watts as well as an RMS power handling of 120 watts per speaker and 4 ohms impedance. If you’re looking for the best car speakers on a budget to replace your old sound system, then these Blaupunkt are a good fit for any car.
Pros:
- High-quality, well-engineered parts
- Efficient and durable speakers
Cons:
- Audio inconsistent at high volumes
11. Kicker 43DSC69304 D-Series
These fabulous speakers from Kickers are a great alternative to replace a worn-out car audio system. They offer dynamic, powerful audio that every customer will love. The bass driver is made with polypropylene and features a ribbed polyester foam surround to create an absorbent surface that reduces unwanted reverb.
They feature a PEI domed high capacity driver that measures half an inch and works extremely efficiently. What’s more, they handle a peak power of 200 watts per speaker and an impedance of 4 ohms.
Pros:
- Dynamically balanced sound
- Top 2-way class performer
- Made from quality materials
Cons
- No speaker grills included
12. BOSS Audio Systems CH6520 Car Speakers
The Boss Audio CH6520 2-way coaxial car stereo speakers deliver clear and crisp tones for an excellent listening experience every time. They also provide a durable construction with a red metallic polymer-infused woofer with a rubber surround for added protection and the best audio possible.
These full-range speakers also feature a 1-inch tweeter and a 2-inch polyamide cone which provides mid-range car speaker functionality. With a peak power of 250-watt capacity and 125 watts RMS, we guarantee that this is the best car speaker for anyone seeking powerful quality. What’s more, the 90DB sensitivity means these are much louder than standard speakers with a higher sensitivity rating.
Pros
- Car speaker with powerful audio
- Durable construction
Cons
- Not compatible with all vehicles
13. KICKER CS Series CSC65
The Kicker CS Series is well known for delivering exceptional audio performance and clean bass. These Kicker CS Series CSC65 speakers use a heavy-duty motor and magnet structure with an extendable coil to provide better audio than any stock speaker possibly could. They also feature polypropylene cones with ribbed surrounds for enhanced durability and linear audio amplification.
They provide great sound quality without interfering with factory grilles and work best with 100 watts of power. If you’re looking for a great factory replacement, you can’t go wrong with the Kicker CS series!
Pros
- Durable build
- Backed by warranty
- Easy to install
Cons
- Slight sound distortion at high volumes
Buyer’s Guide: Things to consider when buying Car Speakers
When it comes to speakers for your car countless brands are offering various models. When investing in aftermarket car speakers to replace your factory ones, it’s important to consider what you want to get out of them. Let’s take a look at some of the main things to consider when buying speakers.
Type of speakers
There are two main types of vehicle speakers on the market today: component speakers and full-range speakers. We’re going to explain the key differences:
Coaxial or full-range speakers
Full-range speakers contain all of the speaker elements in a single basket. They consist of a woofer for low range frequency response, and a tweeter attached for the high range frequencies. More advanced models will feature additional midrange drivers or super tweeters for premium music quality.
If you’re looking to replace your stock speakers quickly and easily, this type of speaker is your best option as they can be easily mounted into factory speaker locations. What’s more, full-range speakers are available at every price point so you’re guaranteed to find a pair that suits your budget. Coaxial speakers are the most common type of aftermarket speakers and also provide the most affordable solution.
Component speakers
Component speakers are created to ensure the best sound possible. Component systems include separate woofers, dome tweeters, and external crossovers which are designed to work in tandem. In component systems, the tweeter comes separately. On account of it being separate, the user can mount it in the best location for imaging. The result? More realistic and deeper music quality.
As the crossover network in a component system is external to the woofers and dome tweeters, the internal components can be made of higher quality which ensures better delineations between frequencies and better sound. Generally, component systems are made of higher quality materials than their full-range counterparts, which makes them the best car speaker type for music enthusiasts seeking an exceptional listening experience.
Build Quality
Build quality is another important aspect to consider when investing in a new sound system for your car. Every single part of the speaker should be built to last, from the woofer material to the exterior design. It’s always a good idea to check car speaker reviews to see what people have said about the materials, as consumers are often willing to leave reviews if they’re disappointed by a flimsy speaker or impressed by a tough one.
When it comes to the woofer, the material should be lightweight but tough. A good material to look out for is polypropylene, as this will enhance the durability of your speaker. What’s more, they should feature rubber surrounds for flexibility and heat-resistance. On the other hand, tweet materials should be soft enough that they can produce refined sound quality. Good tweeter materials to look out for are silk or poly.
When in the market for a new sound system for your ride, it’s important to weigh up the costs with the quality. There’s no point in investing in cheap products that won’t deliver the sound quality you want. Instead, it’s a good idea to spend a little bit more and choose speakers that provide great power handling and exceptional durability so you can enjoy music in the car for years to come, without a problem.
Size
Speaker systems come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 4 inches to 9 inches. They’re usually installed in a specific area on car doors or other aspects of the car’s interior. The larger the depth and size of the speaker enclosure design, the better the music quality that you’ll experience. It’s important to choose the right size speaker sound system for your car model, so you don’t invest only to find they aren’t compatible with your car.
FAQs
1 . What is the difference between 2-way and 3-way car speakers?
The main difference between the two and three-way systems is the number of components they have. Two-way speakers feature two kinds of drivers known as a woofer and a tweeter that is designed for low and high-frequency sounds respectively. Three-way systems, on the other hand, generate sound from three devices including the mid-range, woofer, and tweeter drivers. Therefore, they produce fuller, clearer, and more powerful sound.
Each kind of speaker lends itself to different kinds of music. For example, a two-way speaker system will produce a more balanced sound and are ideal for music with less bass. They’re also easier to connect as there are fewer cables that require connecting. A three-way speaker is designed to focus on the lows, which makes them the best choice for rock, R&B, or deep bass lovers. This type of speaker also features customization options, so you can choose the best frequency filter to suit your music taste.
2 . How much power do my speakers need to have?
In general, manufacturers provide a range of RMS for the speakers and typically speaking the higher the RMS the better the audio results. However, speakers with a lower RMS power range are more suitable when used in conjunction with a factory or aftermarket head unit, whereas a higher RMS power range works better with an external amplifier.
3 . How do I install car speakers?
Luckily, installing new speakers in your vehicle isn’t as difficult as it may sound. What’s more, doing so is one of the best, most cost-effective improvements you can make to your car’s audio system! Whether you opt for a component speaker or a coaxial one, the installation process is usually relatively hassle-free providing you make sure to choose the right size.
Most of the time, installing new speakers requires tools that you’re likely to have around the house already. Always be sure to read the instruction manual carefully, to see if there are any specific rules for installation that apply to your chosen system. Each vehicle will have specific installation issues depending on the factory speaker that it came with. These include speaker location, how deeply it’s mounted, and the factory wiring. Know that a component system presents a more complex process, as there are more parts involved.
