You already know that a good car speaker enhances your driving experience. And you may have seen plenty of 3.5 car speakers on the market, but just don’t know which is the best!
In this article, we will cover what model of car speakers are best for you, along with things you may not have thought about when purchasing a speaker. We will discuss:
- Why 3.5-inch car speakers are the preferred car speaker
- The 6 best 3.5 car speakers available in 2023
- How to choose a car speaker based on frequency, compatibility with your car and impedance.
Let’s get into it!
Choosing 3.5 Car Speakers: What’s the Hype?
If you’ve been looking at buying a car speaker, you’ve probably seen the hype around 3.5-inch car speakers.
These speakers are sought after mainly due to their size and versatility. In fact, many cars have dedicated locations for 3.5-inch speakers – making them a convenient choice for direct replacements and the cheapest to find replacement parts for.
Also Read: 9 Best 6.5 Inch Speakers for Bass in 2022
Top 6 Picks for the Best 3.5 Car Speakers in 2023
We’ve tested out numerous 3.5 car speakers and found the very best speakers to suit your needs. Some of our favorites include the Skar Audio range, along with the Boss audio systems and Pioneer speakers.
Table of Contents
- SKAR Audio VX35-ST
- Hifonics ZS35CX
- Rockford Fosgate P123
- DS18 ZXI-354
- BOSS Audio Systems BRS35
- Pioneer TS-A878
1. Skar Audio VX35-ST
These tweeters from Skar Audio are known for their superior audio quality. Being able to deliver 500 watts of peak power, the VX35-ST’s are more powerful than most other options on the list so you might need to use an amplifier for them to work properly, along with a subwoofer since they don’t produce low frequencies.
Product Specifications
- Car Tweeters
- Peak Power: 500 Watts
- RMS Power: 300 Watts
- Frequency Range: 2.2 – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 90dB
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Excellent mid and high-range response.
- These speakers have 500 watts of peak power, which will ensure a loud sound without any distortion.
- Easy to install on most cars.
- Built-in capacitor crossover.
Cons
- May need an amplifier and an external crossover to work properly.
- Must be paired with a subwoofer.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a component tweeter to add to your car stereo system, then the Skar Audio VX35-ST may be one of the best choices. While you will need to pair it with an amplifier and a subwoofer to have the best sound quality, the price of these speakers is quite affordable and worth the larger investment.
What Customers Say About the Skar Audio VX35-ST
The reviews for these speakers are overwhelmingly positive. Users rave about the sound quality, and volume these small speakers can reach. However, others were disappointed to find that you needed to connect these speakers to an existing subwoofer.
“These tweeters are very crisp and clear and loud sounds great that are worth the money” James, Amazon
Some of the negative reviews mentioned that the speakers were a bit fiddly to install, and often needed brackets.
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2. Hifonics ZS35CX
A great option for those looking for a pair of 3.5 coaxial car speakers that are easy to install, the Hifonics ZS35CX will match most car interiors without looking out of place. The price is incredibly affordable: $22, by the time this article was written, making these ones of the most affordable car speakers for those on a budget.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 125 Watts
- RMS Power: 25 Watts
- Frequency Range: 80 – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 88dB
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Very affordable. You can get a pair of these car speakers for only $22.
- Excellent build quality and components.
- Great response in the mids and highs.
- Good sensitivity.
Cons
- May not fit every car model.
Conclusion
A great affordable solution for those on a budget, the Hifonics ZS35CX performs great across all of the frequency spectrum. These, as we said, are very affordable and cost only $22. The only drawback with these car speakers is that they may not fit every car model, but that can be easily solved with the use of OEM adapters.
What Customers Say About the Hifonics ZS35CX
Customers love the fact that these speakers are so affordable, and claim that they are excellent value for money. The only downside mentioned is that they do not perform so well at loud volumes and start to lose their sound definition.
“I listen to classic rock so I wanna hear all the highs. So once I installed these well WOW. Not shrill or tinny, not harsh or overwhelming. Just solid clear sound with definition. I can hear the symbols and fingers on guitar fret” Amazon Customer
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3. Rockford Fosgate P132
Rockford Fosgate is one of the best brands when it comes to car speakers and the P132 proves that. While this pair is more expensive than most other options on the list, it has excellent sound and build quality. Featuring a PEI dome tweeter and a built-in crossover, you can expect these to be very durable and long-lasting.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 50 Watts
- RMS Power: 20 Watts
- Frequency Range: 120 – 22 kHz
- Sensitivity: Not Specificied
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Great design that will look good on most car interiors.
- Excellent build quality, ensuring extra durability for these car speakers.
- Will work without the need for an amplifier on most audio systems.
- Can be easily installed.
Cons
- Not the most powerful pair of speakers.
- Not the best bass response.
Conclusion
The Rockford Fosgate P132 is a great set of 3.5 car speakers considering that they look great and are easily installable. We also like the fact that they have excellent build quality. However, these are not the most powerful pair around since they have only 50 watts of peak power and 20 watts of RMS power. The bass response is not that great.
What Customers Say About the Rockford Fosgate P132
Overall, customers were impressed by the ease with which these speakers could be installed into their cars.
This speaker was a popular option for people who are new to installing car speakers, and people said the speakers are much better than their existing car audio.
“These are a VAST improvement over the stock speakers. They’re almost TOO pronounced, but I was able to find a good speaker balance. Even though they don’t really have “rich” bass or a low-frequency range, they still sound great. They add some punch to the bass produced by the door speakers.” Ticky J, Amazon Customer
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4. DS18 ZXI-354
A great set of car speakers that are priced reasonably well, the DS18 ZXI-354 features a high-quality carbon-like dome woofer, which is not something we see often. They are also very lightweight and easy to install thanks to their plug-and-play style. Let’s see what they offer in terms of sound quality.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 120 Watts
- RMS Power: 40 Watts
- Frequency Range: 120 – 20kHz
- Sensitivity: 89dB
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Excellent build quality.
- The carbon-like dome woofer looks great and feels sturdy.
- Great response at higher frequencies.
- Will fit most car’s stock speaker holes.
Cons
- These don’t have the best bass response.
Conclusion
The DS18 ZXI-354 is a great set of 3.5 car speakers that will fit most car interiors. We like the design of this product a lot and the fact that the build quality is great. The only drawback with the DS18 is that bass response is not the best. While that’s something to expect with smaller car speakers, if you like listening to bass-heavy music genres then there are better options.
What Customers Say About the DS18 ZXI-354
Customers raved about the sound quality of these speakers, in particular the high frequencies and deep bass sounds that can be picked up with the DS18 ZXI-354 model.
Many people also rate these speakers for their bang-for-buck, claiming the sound produced by this speaker outperformed the cost.
“Now sound quality-wise, these are far, far better than the stock stuff. They output really nice subtle treble and have far better midrange sound than the stock speakers. The stock speakers totally blow out the upper midrange, but these tone it down to perfection…. Really happy with these and if you’re also looking for an upgrade over stock that isn’t going to snap your wallet in half, get these things”
Trevor, Amazon Customer
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5. BOSS Audio Systems BRS35
BOSS is one of the best brands in the market of car speakers and the BRS35 proves the point. These speakers are extremely affordable and only cost $12 per unit ($24 per pair). Considering they are full-range units at such a low price point, no other option comes close when we talk about 3.5 speakers on a budget.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 50 Watts
- RMS Power: 20 Watts
- Frequency Range: 100 – 18 kHz
- Sensitivity: 81 dB
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- One of the most affordable car speakers on the market, costing only $12 per unit.
- Very good build quality.
- Easy to install with only 2 connectors.
- Extended warranty.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
We consider the BOSS BRS35 to be the best 3.5 car speakers on a budget. This is because the brand is known for its high-quality products and at only $12 per speaker, the price is simply unmatched. If you’re looking to upgrade the listening experience on your car without having to spend much, then definitely consider getting these speakers.
What Customers Say About the BOSS Audio Systems BRS35
This speaker was a fan favorite amongst electronic music enthusiasts due to the good response to drums and mid and higher-range tones.
The quality, easy installation, and affordability made this one of the highest-rated speakers on the market.
“For a mid speaker this one is top notch at the price point. It’s rare to find single speakers so when I saw this I figured “why not?” I wasn’t in the market for anything top tier after market for a replacement after the factory speaker blew. The sound quality is miles above the factory speaker that came in our 2010 Nissan Rogue”
Nalon Clark, Amazon customer
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6. Pioneer 3 1/2 inch 2 Way 450 W Max Power
One of the best brands on the car audio segment nowadays, Pioneer is known for its high-quality car speakers. The TS-A878 is quite affordable if we consider the quality of this unit, which features a carbon-graphite blended IMPP composite woofer cone that will deliver the best bass response without any distortion.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 60 Watts
- RMS Power: 15 Watts
- Frequency Range: 60 – 28 kHz
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Impedance: Not Specified
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Best bass response on the list.
- Can be powered by most car’s stock head units.
- Good response in the mids and highs.
- Custom-fit for GM, Ford, and Volkswagen vehicles.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
Definitely one of the best 3.5 car speakers on the list, thanks to its extended frequency range: 60 – 28 kHz. With the Pioneer TS-A878, you will get excellent response both in the lower and higher frequencies. Another great benefit is that these can be powered by most car’s stock head unit just fine.
What Customers Say About the Pioneer 3 1/2 inch 2 Way 450 W Max Power
Reviews for this speaker were mostly positive, and many claimed that these speakers had the best response to music with deep bass.
However, some noted that the speakers did not respond perfectly to louder sounds, and worked better at lower-to-mid-range volume.
“Awesome sound! I play a lot of smooth Jazz so I hear many different instruments in different settings and the notes from the instruments REALLY shine through with these Pioneer TS Series TS-A879 speakers. If you’re looking to upgrade or add to your car/truck’s audio system, MAKE SURE you buy a pair, if not two of these to enrich and enhance your listening pleasure. Believe me–you will NOT be disappointed.”
Johnny Jackson, Amazon Customer
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Key Considerations for Choosing the Ideal 3.5 Car Speakers
So you can buy the perfect model of 3.5 car speakers for your particular use case, you must pay attention to several factors. Here are the most important details to look for.
Navigating Speaker Types
Different speakers have different configurations. The most popular one is 2-way. This is a speaker that has a tweeter and woofer.
2-way speakers are the best if you’re looking for quality speakers in a smaller package. They have excellent sound and can handle enough power. This is great for those who are looking for speakers with great bass response but still want to keep the price low.
3-way speakers have a tweeter, woofer, and mid-range speaker in them which are usually hidden behind the grill of your car’s door panel or somewhere else. These types of speakers give you more control over their sound quality, but they also take up more space than 2-way models do. That’s why 3-way models aren’t ideal for those who don’t have much space in their cars.
4-way and 5-way speakers feature all of the mentioned drivers but with the addition of a super tweeter for better response in the mid and high frequencies.
Understanding Power: Peak vs RMS
How much power can a speaker handle at its peak? It’s not just important to know the peak power handling of your speakers, but also how long they can sustain it.
These numbers are usually given in watts and in the form of Peak Power and RMS Power. You should always look for speakers that have a higher RMS value than their MAX wattage. This is because you usually won’t be playing your music at max volume for very long.
RMS stands for Root Mean Square, which is the average amount of power that a speaker can handle over a period of time. It’s measured in watts, just like peak power. The difference between them is that while peak refers to the maximum amount of power that a speaker can handle, RMS refers to how much it handles over time.
It is also important to match these specifications with your head unit and/or amplifier. Make sure that both devices are capable of powering the car speakers that you’re planning to buy.
Impedance and Its Importance
Impedance refers to the amount of power that is required by a speaker to function. It’s measured in Ohms. Usually, low-impedance speakers won’t need an amplifier to work properly and can be powered by the stock head unit alone, but high-impedance speakers will need one.
The impedance should also always match the input rating on your amplifier or head unit. If you have a 4-ohm rated head unit and 6-ohm rated speakers, for example, then you need an amplifier that can produce at least 4 watts per channel at 6 ohms (4X6 = 24 watts).
Understanding Frequency Range
Frequency range refers to the frequency spectrum of a speaker. It is measured in hertz (Hz). A typical car speaker will have a frequency range of 65 – 20 kHz.
This specification is important because it affects how clear the sound from the speaker will be. The higher the frequency range, the more detailed and crisp the sound will be.
Sensitivity and Its Role in Sound Quality
Sensitivity refers to how loud a speaker gets when exposed to a certain amount of power. It is measured in decibels (dB). Sensitivity should always match your amplifier’s output power rating so that it doesn’t produce too much or too little power which could damage your speakers or amp.
Ensuring Compatibility with Your Car
In order to make sure that speakers will work with your car, you need to make sure that they are compatible with your vehicle. Most cars come with factory-installed speakers, and these speakers have a rating of either 4 ohms or 8 ohms. You must make sure that the impedance of the speaker matches its rating.
Another important factor to take into account is the size and mounting holes of the speakers. Always measure the speaker holes on your car and decide whether or not your new car speakers will fit. If the dimensions aren’t compatible, then you might need an OEM adapter. Usually, 3.5 speakers will fit most small car models.
Also Read: 6 Best PA for Acoustic Guitar and Vocals in 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Install 3.5 Car Speakers Myself?
How Much Does it Cost to Have Car Speakers Installed?
Will 3.5 Speakers Fit in Any Car?
What is The Price of Top-Quality 3.5 Car Speakers?
What is The Advantage of Connecting The 3.5 Speakers With An Amp?
Do 3.5 Car Speakers Have Less Bass Response?
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
3.5 car speakers, as you can see, have the benefit of being compact and consuming less power than larger, more expensive speaker types. There are several great options in the market and the best one for your particular use case will depend on a lot of factors.
Overall, we noticed that the main thing you should pay attention to when buying 3.5 car speakers is the bass response: since these units are smaller, they tend to have a less prominent low-frequency performance, but you can still find models that do great in that particular matter.
Apart from that, make sure to always check if the car speakers you’re planning to buy match the specifications of your car model: check for the peak power, RMS power, impedance, and sensitivity to be sure. You can also find more information about your head unit on your vehicle manufacturer’s website.We hope this article was helpful in helping you find the best 3.5 speakers for your car. Remember to share it with your friends and feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
Ian Sniesko is an experienced music producer and musician who loves to share his knowledge about the best audio equipment for making and enjoying great music. For the past 6 years, Ian has written extensively about the audio equipment industry and has contributed to many of the top music magazines.