Everyone likes to listen to music in their cars, and a great set of car speakers may take your driving experience to the next level. However, with so many options on the market, it is sometimes difficult to decide which are the best car speakers for your particular use case, car model, and sound preferences.
A lot of factors go into choosing this type of product. You want a set of speakers that have a great response across all of the frequency spectrum so as to reproduce your favorite songs with powerful lows and clear mids and highs. Another thing that you must take into account is the configuration of the speaker: 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, 5-way, etc.
Of course, the best option will vary depending on your particular use case and your car model. That’s why we put together this review of 9 of the best car speakers. We will go through all of them in detail, explaining all of their features. We will also discuss everything you must keep in mind to choose the best set so you can have the best experience. Keep reading.
Also Read: Car Stereo Installation Cost
9 Best Car Speakers – Reviewed In Detail
Table of Contents
- Alpine SPE-6090
- JBL GTO939
- Pioneer TS-A6990F
- Pioneer TS-A6967S
- Kicker D-Series 6X9
- Rockford Fosgate P1694
- Pioneer 4″ Speakers
- Kicker 43DSC4606
- JBL GX-6428
1. Alpine SPE-6090
Alpine is one of the best companies in the market when it comes to car speakers. These oval 2-way car speakers provide an excellent performance thanks to its dual drivers and don’t cost that much: priced at $69 by the time this article was written, it is one of the best choices if you compare price vs quality.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 600W Per Pair
- Frequency Response: 65hz – 18,000hz
- Sensitivity: 91db
- Size: 6X9
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- These speakers have a really good build quality and it is very sturdy. It is also very easy to install.
- These speakers have a high power output, which means that you will not have to buy an amplifier to power them. You can simply connect the Alpine SPE-6090 to your car’s stereo system and start enjoying great sound.
- Comes with a lot of accessories, like the aux cable, an audio cable, mounting hardware, and grilles.
- Full range sound with amazing clarity and precision thanks to its dual drivers (2 tweeters + 2 woofers).
- Can be used as front or rear speakers in your car setup, which makes it quite versatile if compared to other options on the list.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
The Alpine SPE-6090 is a great choice for people who are looking for a high-quality car audio speaker that delivers full-range sound with amazing clarity and precision. We like the fact that this particular model is very versatile and can be used both as front and rear speakers. If the oval shape fits your car mountings, it is definitely an amazing pick.
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2. JBL GTO939
JBL is one of the most famous brands when it comes to consumer-grade speakers. The GTO939 is a great pair with lots of interesting features. To start with, it features a dedicated 12db/octave high-quality crossover, meaning you won’t have to spend more buying an amplifier. It also has an impressive bass response.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 270W Each
- Dedicated 12db/Octave High-Quality Crossover
- Low Impedance
- Size: 6X9
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- These speakers have carbon-injected Plus One cones that are larger than others in the same class, which means they can move more and give you a better bass response.
- The soft-dome tweets on the JBL GTO939 help dissipate heat and high-power handling so you have a great sound in the highs.
- The dual-level tweeter volume adjustment compensates for speaker placement and can be customized to suit your preference.
- Dedicated 12db/octave high-quality crossover eliminates the need for an amplifier.
Cons
- More expensive than other options on the list.
Conclusion
With one of the best bass responses on the list, the JBL GTO939 has a balanced sound across all of the frequency spectrum. While it is more expensive than other options on the list, it might still be a good purchase since you won’t need to buy a separate amplifier for these speakers to work (they have a built-in crossover).
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3. Pioneer TS-A6990F
Pioneer is a well-known brand in the car audio world, and with the TS-A6990F they have created a speaker that is both affordable and performs well. These speakers have a very balanced sound, both in the lows and the highs, and are easily installable and upgradeable if you ever need to upgrade your system in the future.
Product Specifications
- 5-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 700W
- High Impedance
- Size: 6X9
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The Plus One+ woofer cone of these speakers is long-lasting, plus it has a rubber surround that helps it handle more power.
- The soft dome tweeters are made from silk material that gives you a clear sound in the highs and mids.
- These speakers also have an anti-corrosion grille for durability, along with gold plated terminals for better connectivity.
- Very affordable if you consider the quality of these speakers.
Cons
- May need an amplifier to work properly.
Conclusion
These are 5-way car speakers, meaning there is 5 dedicated drivers, one for each frequency. This configuration, present on the Pioneer TS-A6990F, can give you an unmatched performance. However, since these speakers have high impedance, they may need an external amplifier to work properly.
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4. Pioneer TS-A6967S
Another pair from Pioneer, the TS-A6967S are a set of 4-way speakers (differently from the Pioneer TS-A6990F, which are 5-way speakers). While this is a simpler configuration, it costs a bit less and will still provide you an excellent sound response, balanced across all of the frequency spectrum.
Product Specifications
- 4-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 450 Watts
- Shallow Design
- Size: 6X9
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Great bass response thanks to the subwoofer dedicated to reproducing the low frequencies.
- Easy to be installed on car doors.
- Coaxial speakers, meaning these won’t need an amplifier to work properly.
- Very affordable. These were priced $46 by the time this article was written.
Cons
- The shallow design can be a disadvantage if you install them on the rear deck of your car, as they may not fit properly.
Conclusion
This set of Pioneer car speakers can be a great choice for those on a budget since they are very affordable and easy to install. Since these speakers are coaxial, you won’t need an amplifier for them to work properly. On and on, the Pioneer TS-A6967S provides an excellent sound for a cheap price.
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5. Kicker D-Series 6X9
Kicker is an excellent brand that is well known for manufacturing high-quality speakers. The Kicker D-Series 6X9 is a shallow mount speaker that delivers excellent sound performance and is suitable for audiophiles on a budget. Plus, it has a great design that will look nice on most car interiors.
Product Specifications
- 3-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 360 Watts
- Foam Surrounds for Optimal Performance
- Size: 6X9
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The Kicker D-Series 6X9 has a high RMS output of 360 watts. This means that it can handle a large amount of power which is perfect for loudness.
- The speakers have foam surrounds, which help reduce distortion and also improves the speaker’s performance.
- Can be used without an amplifier, since these are coaxial speakers.
- Excellent build quality and materials.
Cons
- Do not come with grilles.
Conclusion
Kicker is a great brand that offers great quality products at affordable prices. They are definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for new car speakers at a great price. The Kicker D-Series 6X9 will fit most car interiors just fine and can be bought for cheap, so definitely worth looking into if on a budget.
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6. Rockford Fosgate P1694
The Rockford Fosgate P1694 is an excellent set of 6X9 speakers with a great price for everything they have. They offer an RMS output of 240 watts, which is more than enough for loudness. Plus, they have a sensitivity rating of 89dB, which means that the sound is clear and detailed across all of the frequency spectrum.
Product Specifications
- 4-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 300 Watts
- Built-In Crossover
- Size: 6X9
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The Rockford Fosgate P1694 is easy to install and includes mounting hardware and an OEM adapter plate.
- FlexFit basket design featuring slots instead of screw holes, allowing for a slight adjustment of the speaker when aligning with OEM mounting holes for a better fit.
- Built-in crossover eliminates the need for an external amp.
- Unmatched build quality and materials.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
Certainly one of the best car speakers on the list, the Rockford Fosgate P1694 impressed us regarding its build quality and performance. While not the cheapest option on the list, it is still quite affordable considering that will get several extras in the package, including mounting hardware and an OEM adapter plate.
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7. Pioneer 4 Speakers
Priced at $22.50, these Pioneer 4″ speakers are definitely the most affordable option on the list. While they have simpler features and don’t offer as many extras as other options on the list, you still get a very decent performance from this pair and we recommend them for anyone on a budget.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 150W
- Frequency Range: 45Hz to 14kHz
- Size: 4″
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Extremely affordable. A pair of Pioneer 4″ speakers only costs $22.
- 150W MAX peak power handling. Ideal for loudness.
- Wide frequency range from 45Hz to 14kHz.
- Won’t need an external amplifier since these speakers have a low impedance.
- Easy to install and will fit most car interiors.
- Small size.
Cons
- Less powerful than other options on the list.
Conclusion
A very good deal for the price, the Pioneer 4″ speakers can be installed on any car that supports 4 inch round speakers. Priced at only $22 for a pair, the affordability is unbeatable and you won’t find any cheaper option. For the price, the features are quite good, such as the peak power of 150W.
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8. Kicker 43DSC4606
This set from Kicker comes with a pair of 6.5″ speakers and a subwoofer. The sound quality is quite good and the bass is deep enough, though not as powerful as some other options on the list. The design is sleek and the installation process should be easy enough and the pair has a very good price for the quality.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Coaxial Speakers
- Includes Mountings
- Size: 4X6 Inches
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Coaxial speakers, meaning you won’t need an external amplifier to connect them to your car.
- Simplified mounting. The mountings included on these speakers will match most cars and you won’t have to drill holes on the doors.
- Great price considering the quality of this pair. Priced at $53 by the time this article was written.
- Great build quality with high-sensitivity DS motor.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
One of the best options on the list if you want a pair of speakers that are easy to install. The Kicker 43DSC4606 includes mountings that will fit on most car models without the need for drilling extra holes on your car doors. The price is quite good for the quality of the product too: $53, by the time this article was written.
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9. JBL GX-6428
As we said before, JBL is excellent when it comes to consumer-grade audio products. The JBL GX-6428 is proof. Although small in size, these can give you a very good bass response and clear mids and highs. We like the fact that universal OEM mountings are included, for easier installation process.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Car Speakers
- Peak Power: 120 Watts
- Includes Mountings
- Size: 4X6 Inches
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Universal OEM mountings included. The mountings on these speakers will fit most cars’ doors.
- Great bass response, even though these are 2-way car speakers.
- High-quality build materials. The JBL GX-6428 has an edge-driven soft dome woofer in propylene that minimizes distortion even when listening at loud volumes.
- Great price per pair considering the quality of these speakers.
Cons
- No grill included in the package.
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with JBL products. The GX-6428 is a great choice, particularly if you want a set that is powerful while being easy to install on most car models. Due to the universal OEM mountings, the installation process for the JBL GX-6428 is quite simple and can be done even by those with minimum experience.
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Buying Guide – Best Car Speaker in 2022
Several factors must be taken into account when choosing the best speakers for your particular use case, such as the size, frequency response, impedance, and configuration. Luckily, you can find most of this information on the product page of each speaker and on the manufacturer’s website. Below, we will explain what each factor means.
Size and Shape of the Speakers
It is important to note that speakers are not the same size or shape. You should always check the size of your speakers before making any purchases. If you have a large vehicle, then make sure that you purchase a set of car speakers that are designed to fit the mountings on your doors.
If you have a small vehicle and want to fit new speakers into it, then you need to be careful when purchasing a new set. The smaller the speakers are, the more difficult it will be for them to fit in your vehicle without compromising on sound quality or looks. You need to take this into consideration when purchasing these types of products as well.
We advise you to measure the depth, width, and height of your car’s speaker mounts before making any purchase. Make sure to contact a professional if required.
Frequency Range and Response
The frequency range of a car speaker is its ability to reproduce sounds in the range of 20Hz to 20,000 Hz. This is the range of frequencies that it needs to reproduce. Not all car speakers have the same frequency response: some will have more prominent lows, while others will have a better response in the mids and highs.
A set of speakers with a balanced response across the frequency spectrum will be the most versatile and will work for most people. In our list, we decided to focus on speakers that have the most neutral frequency response but it is always worth taking this into consideration to decide whether or not a certain pair fits your preferences.
Impedance
The impedance of a car speaker is used to measure how much power it can handle. It is measured in ohms (Ω) and ranges from 2 ohms to 16 ohms.
Car speakers with an impedance of 4 ohms or more won’t need an amplifier and may be powered using only the head unit. Car speakers with an impedance of 2 ohms or less will need an external amplifier in order to be powered properly, so you may end up needing to spend more money.
2-Way, 3-Way, 4-Way, or 5-Way Speakers?
Car speakers can be categorized as 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way. The 2-way is the most basic type of speaker. It consists of a woofer and a tweeter. The 2-way speaker only reproduces sound from the front speakers. The 3 and 4-way speaker has a woofer and tweeter in addition to the single woofer and tweeter found in the 2-way speakers.
The 5-way speaker has all different types of drivers: one woofer, two tweeters, and two super tweeters. This type of speaker is usually best when you want to have full-range sound from your system without having to buy multiple sets of speakers (2-way system). 5-way speakers are usually more expensive though.
Coaxial vs Component Car Speakers
Coaxial car speakers are the cheapest and most versatile option. On coaxial speakers, you usually have different drivers dedicated to different parts of the frequency spectrum all built within the same speaker, such as the already discussed 2-way speakers, which feature a woofer for the low frequencies and a tweeter for the mid and high frequencies.
Component car speakers are usually more expensive since you have to buy the drivers separately and connect them to an external amplifier or crossover. For that reason, we decided to focus our list on coaxial speakers only since they are the most convenient option for most buyers.
How Did We Choose The Best Car Speakers for 2022?
In our list of the best car speakers for 2022, we decided to focus on speakers that offer a great value for the price and have an easy installation process. As we mentioned before, all of the speakers on the list are of the coaxial type, since coaxial speakers usually come in a complete package and, in most cases, you won’t need an external amplifier or crossover to power them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between Coaxial and Component Car Speakers?
Component speakers are the best option for those who want the most customization possibilities from their system.
Do I Need an Amplifier for my Car Speakers?
Conclusion
After reviewing these 9 car speakers, we can come to the conclusion that the car speaker market offers a very broad range of products and models. The best car speaker for your particular use case will be one that can provide a full-range sound while fitting your budget and your particular needs.
With that being said, all of the car speakers reviewed on the list proved to be of great quality. Another important thing that we recommend you take into account are eventual costs with the installation of the speakers: if you don’t have the necessary experience to install them yourself, we recommend that you take your car to a service shop for it to be done.
Rockford Fosgate P1694 – Best Car Speaker
Among all of the options on the list, we found the Rockford Fosgate P1694 to have the best performance, with a full response across all of the frequency spectrum. Another fact that we took into account when choosing these as our favorite pair is that it comes with several extras such as the OEM mountings.
Pioneer 4″ Speakers – Best Budget Car Speaker
Considering the great performance these speakers give and their low price, you won’t find any better option in this price range. While these don’t have as many features as other options on the list, were really surprised by the fact that these speakers are so affordable but still offer excellent sound quality and value.
How to Buy
If you’re interested in buying any of the mentioned products on our best car speaker article, the link to each product is at their respective titles on the list. Remember to research extensively and take installation costs into account when buying a new set of speakers for your car. 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.