Best Car Speakers

Listening to the sound of your vehicle as you drive along can be peaceful, but new speakers can turn a quick trip into a concert on wheels. This guide to the best car speakers is for the audiophiles who also happen to be gearheads, and for those who simply want an upgrade from their factory speakers.

Our team of experts has sifted through dozens of high-quality car stereo systems in the hopes of helping customers make informed purchasing decisions. From coaxial car speakers to component speaker systems, we have performed in-depth analyses across a variety of frequency ranges to help you find the quality sound you’re looking for. We did all the research so you don’t have to.

Speaker systems in general, especially car speakers, can be a bit complicated to fully get your head around. Our team members believe that knowing the difference between various types of speakers will help you make a simpler decision on your next audio purchase. We recommend knowing whether you want coaxial or component speakers, as well as if you want two-way or three-way speakers, prior to purchasing a car audio setup. 

Coaxial Vs. Component Speakers

There are two types of speakers that you are likely to encounter when looking for a car audio setup.

• Coaxial speakers: Coaxial speakers have a two-way speaker design that features a tweeter, woofer, and simple crossover. Typically the most popular type of speakers, they offer an upgrade to the factory setup in your car, are usually quite affordable, and are easy to install.
• Component speakers: A more advanced setup than coaxial speakers, component speakers are made up of a separately mounted woofer, tweeter, and crossover. Though they usually produce better sound quality than coaxials do, this type of speaker is more expensive and more complicated to install.

Two-Way Vs. Three-Way Speakers

With varying degrees of sound waves, it’s imperative to know the differences between a two-way speaker system and a three-way speaker setup. It’s human instinct to believe three speakers are better than two, but this isn’t always the case. It depends on the quality of components and the crossover setup.

• Two-way speakers: A two-way loudspeaker that has two separate speakers in it, each speaker is meant to provide separate frequency selections, which are typically highs and lows. This type of speaker performs best for music with less bass.
• Three-way speakers: A three-way loudspeaker consisting of three speakers, each loudspeaker offers separate frequencies – notably high, midrange, and low. This type of speaker allows for more customization and personalization options than two-way speakers.

Speaker Size

Not all speakers are the same size, and size impacts the actual sound quality. A general rule is that the larger the speaker’s diameter, the deeper the sound. 

Speakers that offer deep bass fall in the 10 to 15-inch range, and larger speakers are typically better at producing a clear sound at high volumes.  Speakers between the 4 to 8-inch range, commonly found in most car interiors, are good for mid-frequency response and musical aspects like vocals. 

Subwoofers

Subwoofers are their own category of speaker mainly due to their size. They range from 8-inches all the way to 15-inches and, as we mentioned earlier in the buying guide, they deliver a strong bass sound. 

Subwoofers have their own enclosures separate from the other speakers in your car’s door frame. These come in two different styles:

• Sealed enclosures: These airtight enclosures offer a tighter sound with greater clarity.
• Ported enclosures: A vent allows air into the box allowing better amplification of lower frequencies while sacrificing some sound quality.

1. Best Sound Quality: Rockford Fosgate R165X3
2. Best Value: Pioneer TS-F1634R
3. Best Component Speakers: JBL Club6520
4. Best Bass: Kicker CS Series CSC68
5. Best Response: Kenwood Excelon KFC X683C

The Rockford Fosgate R165X3 is a 6.5-inch speaker with a mounting depth of 2.15 inches. These full-range speakers are coaxial and are rated at 45.0 watts RMS (root mean square). The speaker set features polypropylene cones, a silk dome Piezo tweeter, and a mid-range loudspeaker driver. The three-way speakers also have a 4.0-ohm impedance, which is relatively standard for car speakers.

Rockford Fosgate R165X3 separates itself from competitors with its rubber surround and high-pass (HP) tweeter crossover. The rubber surround makes the speaker system durable, while the HP tweeter crossover allows for benefits usually reserved for component speakers. Although these are coaxial speakers, the HP tweeter crossover allows you to isolate low frequencies from high frequencies as component speakers do. That translates to a high level of audio quality for a very reasonable price tag.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $69
• 6.0-dB high-pass tweeter crossover
• 91.0-dB sensitivity
• 45.0 watts RMS and 90.0 watts max
• Silk dome tweeters

What’s In The Box?

When you purchase a Rockford Fosgate R165X3, you can expect to receive two speakers with grilles, integrated high-pass crossovers, and mounting hardware. A trim ring is also included, while the integrated high-pass crossover is more specifically an integrated tweeter crossover.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 11,500 ratings

Reviews mention the sound quality and the large kHz range of the rear speakers. Many reviewers note how much better these car speakers are than the factory speakers or OEM speakers that were originally installed in their vehicles.

Recognized for being the Best Value car speakers in the industry by our review team, the Pioneer TS-F1634R is an affordable two-way speaker system. These car speakers feature an injection-molded polypropylene (IMPP) composite woofer cone and film-balanced dome tweeters. In terms of power handling, this car audio speaker has a peak power of 200.0 watts and 25.0 watts RMS.

Additionally, these aftermarket speakers hold a frequency response between 30.0 to 28,000.0 Hz and a sensitivity of 90.0 dB. The subwoofer has a diameter of 6.5 inches, but it’s the injection-molded polypropylene composite woofer cone that separates this product from the competition, as it gives the bass more of a punch. Coupled with the staggering $26 price tag, you will be hard-pressed to find an equal deal on car speakers anywhere else on the internet.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $26
• IMPP composite woofer cone
• Between 30.0 and 28,000.0 Hz frequency response
• 25.0 watt RMS and 200.0 watt max

What’s In The Box?

The Pioneer TS-F1634R comes with two 12.0-inch lengths of speaker wire, eight ⅝ -inch self-tapping screws, and eight speed clips.

Additionally, a one-year warranty for the speaker system is included with the product, though not physically in the box.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on 4,400 ratings

Reviews from customers mention how the Pioneer TS-F1634R is an incredible value for money, while others note the ease of installation. Many reviewers mention that the car speakers were an upgrade from the OEM speakers originally installed in their cars. However, a few negative reviews note that the speakers don’t produce the listed maximum power, albeit it being mentioned in the product description.

The JBL Club6520 is a high-sensitivity component speaker setup with a compact design to allow it to fit in most cars or trucks. This speaker system’s Plus One™ woofer cone architecture provides increased low-frequency output and greater musical character. In terms of high-frequency output, the speaker’s dome tweeters are polyetherimide (PEI) balanced for smooth and high-quality sound dispersion. PEI is a polymer used for a variety of products.

The biggest differentiating factor of the JBL Club6520 compared to competitors is its acoustically damped and UV-resistant polypropylene cone. This design is unique to the industry and delivers clean and non-resonant sound quality, with the ability to withstand the sun’s rays and the humidity of a car.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $48
• PEI-balanced dome tweeters
• Acoustically damped and UV-resistant polypropylene cone
• Plus One™ woofer cone architecture
• Compact design

What’s In The Box?

You can expect to receive a pair of woofers, a pair of tweeters, and a pair of crossovers. Additionally, a pair of tweeter surface mount accessories and a pair of tweeter flush mount accessories come included in the box.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on 3,400 ratings

Many customer reviews note the excellent midrange and high sensitivity. Some reviews reference how much power the sound system could pull from a stock head unit, while others simply note the great sound. Negative reviews tend to mention the long break-in time for the bass.

From one of the most recognizable brands in the speaker industry, the Kicker CS Series CSC68 does not disappoint. This speaker setup features Extended Voice Coil (EVC) technology, ribbed surrounds, and sturdy cones to deliver remarkable bass response and a smooth midrange. These three-way speakers have a stamped-steel framework that supports a rigid polypropylene cone and zero-protrusion PEI tweeters.

What separates the Kicker CS Series CSC68 from competitors are the CS series tweeters. A 6.0-dB inline crossover guarantees the proper frequencies are sent to the driver, while a built-in poly-switch protector provides peace of mind when playing music at higher volumes. Neodymium magnets and titanium domes ensure you can hear every last detail of your music.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $89
• Neodymium magnets
• EVC technology
• Zero-protrusion PEI tweeters

What’s In The Box?

Included are two 12.0-inch lengths of speaker wire, four plastic wire caps, eight 1.0-inch screws, eight speed clips, and an owner’s manual.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 800 ratings

Many reviewers mention the quality of the bass and that these speakers make great replacements for specifically Ford’s factory speakers. A few negative reviewers mention that they blew the speakers out, but this could possibly be attributed to user error.

The Kenwood Excelon KFC X683C are full-range speakers with balanced dome tweeters that provide smooth audio at high frequencies without sounding harsh. These car speakers feature a diamond-like pattern etched into the woofers that increases the strength of the carbon-propylene cone for unparalleled dynamic response and lower distortion. Additionally, the butyl rubber surround is weather-resistant, meaning you can play your music no matter what.

Kenwood’s Excelon KFC X683C separates itself from competitors with its more accurate response. This is achieved through specially designed magnetic circuitry and neodymium magnets, as the tweeters in this speaker system feature less steel in their construction than most other speaker’s tweeters do.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $119
• Specially designed magnetic circuitry
• Diamond-pattern etched woofers
• Butyl rubber surround

What’s In The Box?

Customers can expect two 11.0-inch lengths of speaker wire and eight self-tapping screws. 

A warranty card is also included in the box and details the exact conditions of the speaker’s warranty.

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on around 100 ratings

A large number of reviewers specifically mention the clarity of these speakers, as well as how well the speakers fit in their vehicles. Additionally, many reviewers note how easy it was to connect to the speakers via Bluetooth^®. Some negative reviews for this product can be attributed to a lack of awareness in regard to the dimensions of the speakers, according to our research.

After spending countless hours researching the best car speakers of 2023, it’s clear to our review team that knowing what you want before you buy is of utmost importance. Most important of all is size, as our team encountered numerous reviews from customers who purchased a speaker that simply won’t fit in their vehicle.

Next, you’ll need to decide whether you’re looking for a simple factory upgrade on your speakers (such as the Pioneer coaxial speakers) or something more complicated (like the JBL component speakers). Last and certainly not least, we advise taking the time to decide whether a two-way or three-way speaker best suits the genre of music you typically listen to.

*Data accurate at time of publication.