One of the hottest debates in the automobile audio community revolves around which brand offers the best car speakers in the market.
After all, nothing compares to riding around town while enjoying your favorite songs on full blast.
It’s also no surprise that even those who aren’t necessarily audiophiles end up investing in this upgrade.
Most pre-installed factory car speakers either don’t last long or don’t sound good enough.
We want speakers that deliver sound from mere audio to a full sensation. So, what is the best car speaker we can buy out there?
I’m afraid there seems to be no hard or singular answer for that, as it will depend largely on your personal preference.
Choosing the Best Car Speakers
There are a lot of factors that come into consideration, but your preferences play a significant role.
What do you usually use your car speakers for, and which sound system can enhance that experience for you?
Are you looking into converting your speakers to a surround sound system?
Are you merely fixing a speaker that broke or truly looking for an overhaul to your car’s sound system? How much are you willing to shell out for this project?
It depends so much on the kind of sound each person is looking for that naming any random set or even some crazy high-end product just won’t cut it.
On the other hand, not everyone wants to spend $800 per set of speakers. To others, that amount could already pay off their rent or bills.
Luckily, and to help everyone find a perfect set of speakers for their car, the team of Gear4Wheels.com has put together a monster comparison between the top 10 car speaker lines on the market.
This compilation is not merely an overview of each of their features but also takes into consideration the budget you might have.
And so, from audiophile-level to budget-friendly speakers, we’ve got it all right here just for you.
A Word of Caution
This article is massive. It’s meant to be the ultimate resource for those looking for a new speaker. Take your time. Bookmark it. Click through the links. Double-check the details. Learn from the information. And most of all, enjoy!
There’s a grand total of 10 in-depth speaker reviews. Five of these are relatively on the higher budget scale, while the remaining target a budget-friendlier cost. There are also two comparison tables, one for the high-end speakers and another one for the budget-friendly choices.
At the end of the reviews, you will find a Buyer’s Guide.
There, we took the time to explain how the sound system works and what you can do to ensure that before purchasing anything, you know exactly what you’re signing up for. The last thing you want is to shell out good money without becoming a wiser buyer.
You’ll find a quick navigation table a bit further down below some premium materials.
Top 10 Mobile Audio Speakers Reviewed
Click or tap on any section to jump straight to it.
Let’s jump into the reviews:
1. JL Audio C5 Series
The JL Audio C5 series is a high-end component speaker system that includes proprietary JL technology and engineering, which promises an unparalleled listening experience.
JL Audio, founded in 1975 is a very well-known and renowned brand in the mobile, marine and home audio industry.
Based in Miramar, Florida, they are one of the few companies that still make a lot of its products in the US and they have continued to be an industry leader in quality and innovation. Over the years, they have become a benchmark in terms of creating sound systems that target audio quality.
Some of JL Audio’s products, such as the C5 woofers and tweeters are precision built in Germany by Dr. Kurt Müller & Co. They feature DMA optimized motors, elevated frame cooling and high end silk dome tweeters.
The passive crossover networks are built with premium component parts including Mylar capacitors and segmented air-core inductors.
They offer four levels of tweeter attenuation as well as three levels of mid-range presence adjustment.
The C5’s are available in both coaxial and component configurations with the coaxial models featuring RSR (Ratcheting Swivel Rotation) for precise tweeter aiming that gives the ability for a more ‘on-axis’ tweeter.
The coaxial models are available in 5.25” (C5-525x), 5×7/6×8” (C5-570x) and 6.5” (C5-650x) sizes, while the component models are available in 2-way 5.25” (C5-525), 5×7/6×8” (C5-570) and 6.5” (C5-650) sizes as well as the 3-way 6.5” (C5-653) components.
C5-650/C5-650x/C5-653 Specs:
- 2-way component or coaxial system/3-way component system
- High quality external passive crossover network
- Continuous power handling (RMS): 75 Watts
- Peak power handling (MAX): 225 Watts
- Recommended power handling (RMS): 25-150 Watts per channel
- System efficiency: 89.5 dB @ 1 W/1 mFrequency response: 48Hz – 25KHz (+3 dB)
- Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
Note: See our JL Audio speaker review for more information on JL Audio and their current line of speakers
2. Hertz Mille Pro
The Hertz Mille Pro series is another high-end component system that will give just about any other component set in its class a run for their money. In a nutshell, it is a speaker meant for the music critic.
The Mille Pro is one step below the Hertz flagship speaker line, the Mille Legend series. “One step below” is saying a lot considering the number of different speaker sets that Hertz produces and the overall quality of their products.
Starting in 1998, Hertz released its first mobile audio offering, the 1st generation Hi-Energy series of speakers which was a complete line of woofers, midrange speakers, tweeters, and coaxials, breaking into the world of car audio as protagonist for high sensitivity and strong power handling. Not only does it promise improved sound, but it also creates a listening environment you can carry with you across any drive.
In 2005, Hertz released the first generation of its Mille line of speakers which saw a step towards the high end level of its flagship components that were to follow.
Then in 2011, they released the 3rd generation of their Mille components which was another leap in quality and technical achievements for component speakers.
As Hertz states about their release at the time: “These new components comprise the entire technical evolution reached by the Hertz R&D Division and are further improved thanks to the modern and advanced research and verification tools; especially for the geometric modeling of cones and surrounds the tool used is the Klippel Scanning Vibrometer”.
As a result of all the years of experience and technical R&D, Hertz has become a leader in the car audio industry for high-end and audiophile-grade components, as well as value products that are sure to deliver a step up in sound quality and fidelity. These innovations are a testament to how they cater to more than just music lovers; they also aim to meet the demanding needs of audiophiles.
The quality and craftsmanship evident in their complete line of speakers carries over to their amplifiers and subwoofers as well.
MPX 165.3 PRO Specs
| 200 |
| 100 |
| 4 |
| 45 ÷ 21,5k |
| 92 |
| 165 (6.5) |
| 25 (1) |
| 36 (1.42) |
| 20 (0.8) |
| High density flux ferrite |
| Neodymium |
| Pressed-pulp cone with cotton fibers |
| Tetolon |
MPX 690.3 PRO Specs
| 260 |
| 130 |
| 4 |
| 30 ÷ 24k |
| 94 |
| 6 x 9 |
| 35 (1.4) |
| 29 (1.14) |
| 38 (1.5) |
| 28 (1.1) |
| High density flux ferrite |
| Neodymium |
| Pressed-pulp cone with cotton fibers |
| Tetolon |
| Tetolon |
MPK 163.3 PRO Specs
| 300 |
| 150 |
| 4 |
| 40 ÷ 22,5k |
| 92 |
| 25 (1) |
| 165 (6.5) |
| 29 (1.14) |
| High density flux ferrite |
| Neodymium |
| Pressed-pulp cone with cotton fibers |
| Tetolon |
| 3 Way Passive Crossover |
| 450Hz – 5.5k Hz |
MPK 165.3 PRO Specs
| 220 |
| 110 |
| 4 |
| 40 ÷ 22,5k |
| 92 |
| 25 (1) |
| 165 (6.5) |
| 29 (1.14) |
| High density flux ferrite |
| Neodymium |
| Pressed-pulp cone with cotton fibers |
| Tetolon |
| 2 Way Passive Crossover |
| 3,5 kHz |
MPK 165P.3 PRO Specs
| 230 |
| 115 |
| 3 |
| 45 ÷ 22,5k |
| 93 |
| 25 (1) |
| 165 (6.5) |
| 29 (1.14) |
| High density flux ferrite |
| Neodymium |
| Pressed-pulp cone with cotton fibers |
| Tetolon |
| 2 Way Passive Crossover |
| 4 kHz |
MPK 1650.3 PRO Specs
| 230 |
| 115 |
| 3 |
| 45 ÷ 22,5k |
| 93 |
| 25 (1) |
| 165 (6.5) |
| 29 (1.14) |
| High density flux ferrite |
| Neodymium |
| Pressed-pulp cone with cotton fibers |
| Tetolon |
| 2 Way Passive Crossover |
| 4 kHz |
The Mille Pro series feature component systems, coaxial and individual speakers for custom builds or to run in an active system, without the need for passive crossovers.
The coaxial models are available in 6.5” (MPX 165.3 PRO) and 6×9” (MPX 690.3 PRO) sizes and the components are available as 2-Way and 3-Way systems.
The 3-Way (MPK 163.3 PRO) measures 6.5”, 3” and 1.14” respectively for the mid-bass, mid-range and tweeter.
There are multiple versions of the 2-Way components, the 6.5” (MPK 165.3 PRO), 6.5” (MPK 165P.3 PRO) and 6.5” (MPK 1650.3). Each of the two-way speakers slightly differs in parameters that are designed for different listening environments.
3. Morel Hybrid
Morel is one of the premium brands in the mobile audio arena. There are a handful of companies that produce audiophile grade speakers, as most of the industry is focused on quantity over quality
Luckily for us, audio nerds, there are companies like Morel who still believe that accurate and dynamic sound reproduction in the mobile environment is the ultimate achievement. The goal to recreate as much natural sound close to actual listening is always part of their main objectives.
The Morel Hybrid series of components highlights the superb technology and design that go into all of their products. Designing an audio system around the Hybrid series will produce some seriously hard-to-beat results, which go beyond mere crisp sound or balanced sound. Rather, it becomes an all-around more accurate sound.
The Hybrid’s components are made up of the Hybrid woofers (402, 502 and 602), the MT230 tweeters and the MXR240 crossovers.
The woofers utilize a specially designed hybrid magnet system and feature advanced technologies such as the one piece DPC cone and a large 2.1” Hexatech voice coil in an EVC structure.
The Patented C.A.R. filter improves the acoustic loading by controlling airflow within the driver, mimicking the effects of a sealed enclosure while improving power handling. In addition, the Uniflow aluminum chassis minimizes reflective distortion and increases the woofers overall performance.
The MT230 tweeter delivers the warm sound that Morel is known for with its powerful double neodymium magnet and Acuflex coated soft dome tweeter. The 1-1/8” diameter Hexatech aluminum voice coil provides excellent power handling with a low resonance point.
These features make it a highly transient and dynamic tweeter that forms a wide soundstage and an extremely accurate image.
Adding in the Morel Crossover Resolution MXR240, with its near-perfect phase control and consistent transition between drivers, the Morel Hybrid components made a truly epic combination of audio excellence. The system delivers nothing short of a crystal-clear listening experience.
The Hybrid series is available as a 4” (Hybrid 402), 5.25” (Hybrid 502) and 6.5” (Hybrid 602) component speaker system.
Here’s a video where you can hear the difference between the Hybrids and the C5’s by JL.
4. JL Audio C3 Series
When it comes to finding a quality car speaker system that is second-to-none, look no further than the JL Audio C3 Series.
This comes on 6.5 inch, 5 inch and a dual 5×7″ or 6×8″ size. It is a two-way convertible component that you can customize however you want.
It has a peak of 300 watts per set, which means it uses 150 watts on each side of the sound system. Standard power output is half of that at 150 watts per set, or 75 watts per side.
The best part about this is that you can control the amount of power going to each set based on your needs.
The frequency response rate is also exceptional in that it gives you plenty of range so that you can easily get the results you want. This set does more than just deliver optimal performance; instead, you get a highly impressive performance.
The range goes from 48 to 25,000 Hz, which is one of the highest ranges you will find. The frequencies settle to within three decibels of the exact frequency.
This particular speaker system has a sensitivity rating of about 93 dB and an impedance of 4 ohms, both of which help deliver exceptional sound quality, worthy to be discussed and reviewed in music articles as much as in automotive ones.
Pros
- Greatest quality.
- Best Frequency Range
- Very High Sensitivity
- Very flexible
- Full System
Cons
- The tweeter is really powerful, only recommended for audiophiles.
5. JBL GTO Series
If you’re looking for a pair of three-way speakers that perform just as well, if not better, than some of the most expensive options on the list, then the JBL GTO is for you.
This particular pair of speakers packs in a ton of features that are going to make your listening experience as great as it possible can be.
For starters, you’re going to get a patented woofer cone that makes your car sound like you’re in a movie theater or surround-sound chair in your home.
Additionally, you’re going to get a true sound from built-in crossover network that delivers even tones between both speakers.
In terms of the tweet, it is a mylar-titanium tweeter and it is adjustable with level control so that you can easily get it how you want it.
JBL touts that the tweeter used in these speakers are the same as those found in home theater applications.
Therefore, you get even more quality sound that you expect to only hear while watching the latest blockbuster summer movie.
The downside of this speakers is that without an amplifier they simply won’t deliver.
As stated earlier, these tiny additions to your car audio’s arsenal are well worth it.
This is one of the best-sounding 3-way car component speakers in the market, but it’s most definitely a great buy if you are after fantastic-sounding bass.
The GTO Series is available on the following sizes:
- 3.5″
- 4″
- 4×6″
- 5×7″
- 5.25″
- 6.5″
- 6×9″
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Great for bass
- High power
- Strong mylar-titanium tweeter
Cons
- Underperforms when not paired with an amplifier.
6. Focal Access
The Focal Access product line, as the name implies, makes Focal quality and engineering accessible to just about any budget.
Based in Etienne, France; Focal has created an audio company that is synonymous with high fidelity, audiophile grade components.
To prove this point, you need look no further than their Ultima line of products to see just how far their expertise goes.
Not many companies can produce this echelon of quality and innovation. (I’m still trying to get Focal to send me a set of the Ultima’s to demo, but I’ll probably see a flying unicorn that pukes rainbows before that happens…) I digress though. – Joe Harvey, Mobile Audio Expert
The Focal Access series is an excellent choice if you’re looking to step into the world of aftermarket speakers or if you just want to replace those tired paper cone tech factory speakers.
Speaking of woofer cones, the new DFS cone tech on the Access speakers provides excellent stability in terms of power handling and resistance to elements that are naturally occurring within driving conditions.
Other features include reinforced ABS baskets, built in terminal board, streamlined grilles and redesigned tweeters.
The Access series includes coaxial and 2-Way/3-Way component systems with a wide range of sizes to fit just about any vehicle.
The coaxial sets are available in the following sizes: 4” (100 AC), 5.25” (130 AC), 6.5” (165 AC), 5×7” (570 AC) and 6×9” (690 AC).
The component sets are available as a 3-Way 6.5”/4”/1” (165 AS 3) and 2-Way 5” (130 AS) or 6.5” (165 AS).
Check their sound quality on this video.
7. JL C2 Evolution Series
The C2 Evolution speakers are quite versatile and come in a wide variety of sizes and with multiple install configurations available.
They are a step up from JL’s budget line which are the C1’s (formerly the TR line) which we will not review here.
While the C2’s are still in the budget category, they offer a great bang for your buck and incorporate tweeter technology used in the higher end C5 components.
They feature silk dome tweeters and mineral filled polypropylene woofer cones.
The C2’s are available in both coaxial and component configurations.
The coaxial models are available in 3.5” (C2-350x), 4” (C2-200x), 5.25” (C2-525x), 5×7/6×8” (C2-570x), 6” (C2-600x), 6.5” (C2-650x) and 6×9” (C2-690tx) sizes. The component models are available in the following sizes: 5.25” (C2-525), 6” (C2-600) and 6.5” (C2-650).
8. Pioneer TS A-Series
Because there are so many products on the market and since the car audio industry is highly competitive, you can find many great speakers and systems at a low price.
If you make a direct comparison with the cheaper speakers, one series stands out from the rest in terms of value for the money.
Buy with confidence if you want an aftermarket sound system for less and still end up with a fair share of quality.
You have a ton of different options when it comes to size for the Pioneer TS A-Series, especially in terms of system class and output power.
You have five choices of sizes, ranging from 4 x 6 up to 6 x 9 inches.
You also get to choose among three-, four- and five-way versions. Eight power options go from 200 watts to 650 watts.
In terms of flexibility, Pioneer is a master at cramming a lot of good stuff into small speakers, so you can easily say goodbye to your stock speakers and switch them up to this.
While the majority of the specifications depend on which size, class and output you select, there are still some features that will remain the same throughout all of the speakers.
In general terms, when it comes to car audio manufacturers we like Pioneer more for head units than for speakers or subs but this ones offer so much value for money and they sound so good for the price that we had to include them.
Check their sound quality on this video.
Pros
- Easy to use interface
- Easy installation
- Syncs with most smartphones
- RMS 22 watts x 4 channels
- Remote control included
- Bluetooth compatible
- Plays all kinds of music files
- Takes CDs
- Aux input
- Sirius/XM compatible
Cons
- Display screen is analog, which may be a bad thing for some users
- Daylight illumination levels are poor.
- The USB connection may not work properly at times
- In rare cases, the sound quality may be lagging
9. Rockford Fosgate Punch P Series
The Punch P series is yet another product that comes from a highly recommended brand.
Rockford Fosgate is also one of our trusted brands for we know from firsthand experience just how good their customer service is.
Rockford Fosgate is also one of our trusted brands for we know from first hand how good is their customer service.
Additionally, this particular modelis available in 11 different sizes, so be sure you have measured properly or you have checked a guide to ensure you’re buying the right fit for your vehicle.
Sizes include 3.5, 4, 5.25, 6, 6.5, 6.75, 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 6 x 8, 6 x 9 and 6 x 9 four-way in terms of inches.
The 5 x 7 full-range speakercomes with a maximum power handling of 120 watts, which is plenty to make sure that you are able to get the sound you desire.
Additionally, it comes with some other great features such as the FlexFit basket design, dome tweeters, injection molded cone, and a one-year standard warranty.
The FlexFit basket on this speaker means that you’re going to have no problem slightly adjusting the speaker after it has been mounted so that you can get a perfect fit on this speaker when you install it.
In terms of the specs, there is a 75Hz to 22kHz frequency response with a 89 dB sensitivity.
Same as the R Series from Rockford Fosgate, this is an absolute bestselling article with more than a thousand reviews.
You can hear a sample audio from these speakers on this video.
Pros
- Price
- Lots of different sizes, you will surely find one that fits your car
- Quality of build and materials
- Rockford Fosgate customer service is fantastic
Cons
- Lack of depth on lows. Not the best ones for bass.
10. Rockford Fosgate R Series
Right off the bat, it’s important that you realize there are a lot of different size options that you can choose from when it comes to Rockford Fosgate speakers.
These components are some of the best in the industry, so pay attention to these speakers.
There are seven different size options in the Rockford Fosgate R series. Before you go ahead and buy them, make sure that you’re getting the sound system that fits perfectly in your vehicle.
Additionally, this is on the more affordable end for speakers, which is always helpful when you consider which sound systems deserve your hard-earned dollars.
The R series comes with two speakers, one for each side of the vehicle, in the following sizes: 4, 5.25, 6 x 8, 6 x 9, 6 x 9 (two-way), 6.5 and 6.75 inches.
These standard sizes can fit most vehicles whether you have a compact car or an SUV.
In terms of the features and specifications of these particular speakers, you’re going to get a vacuum polypropylene cone with a rubber surround.
These help protect your speakers and point the sound in the right direction.
Precision manufacturing creates the right cone to direct the sound in the perfect direction, while the lightweight rubber components buffer the sound from the rest of the speaker.
You can replace your factory radios, as you won’t find this high-tech advancement in standard factory components.
Furthermore, the silk dome pole-mounted tweeter and midrange provide lightweight, yet sturdy, mounting hardware for your system. Instead of taking away from the sound experience, the components used to put the speakers in your car enhance your listening to peak power.
Rockford Fosgate prides itself on customer service after the sale.
That’s why it comes with easy-to-mount hardware and instructions that are so simple that just about anyone can install these speakers.
If you’re just facing the decline of factory speakers pre-installed in your car, this is a good gear4wheels1-20nt. These speakers have been an all-timer bestseller and have a massive amount of positive reviews, which proves that price doesn’t always compromise quality.
It simply doesn’t get any better than this for two speakers that overhaul your audio system. The power rating is 65 watts per side, or 130 watts between the two speakers.
Customers rave about the power behind the smallest speakers in this set.
Pros
- Price
- Power
- Fantastic sound
- Easy to install
Cons
- May need extra harness for some installs
Now that we’ve gone through the nitty-gritty technicalities of our Top 10, let’s go back to understanding how things work.
When you can figure out how a sound system functions, you can make a wiser purchase for your next upgrade.
Below is a crash course into seeing how each of the features and parts create sounds and make things sound better.
Car Speakers Buyer’s Guide
How Your Car’s Sound System Works
A sound system converts electrical signals into sound waves. There are three main components of your car’s audio system:
1. The Head Unit
This is what controls everything, from the sound input, the bass level, the volume, and the balance of the speakers.This is often referred to as the “stereo” and its mission is to translate data into electric pulses. These include but are not limited to songs stored on a CD, USB, or ones streamed over the radio.
2. The Amplifier
You (may) have an amplifier, which is a device that strengthens the audio signal to the speakers. It takes the pre-amplified signal from the head unit, and boosts it to feed powerful, undistorted signals to the speakers.
3. The Speakers
The third part includes the speakers themselves, which finally translate those electric pulses into sound.
The pulses go to the coils of the speaker and create a magnetic field that moves the cone. The cone then moves up and down, ultimately creating sound waves.
Here is an awesome animated graphic that shows with great visuals how speakers are made and how they work to reproduce sound.
There are various different types of speakers that enhance the sound quality in your car, according to the range of frequencies they reproduce.
Subwoofers produce lower-toned sounds, also known as the bass.
Mid-range drivers, sometimes called woofers, handle middle-of-the-road frequencies in between lower pitches and higher pitches. Tweeters handle the highest frequencies of sound.
Combine these elements of all three speakers and you will have a dynamic sound system that delivers.
What To Look For On An Aftermarket Car Speaker
Considering you’ve understood how each part of a sound system adds to the balanced sound that great speakers make, when you shop for an aftermarket car speaker, you must know exactly what you are looking for and what can help make a great sound system.
The following are some helpful tips and reminders you need to consider to make sure you get the right system for you among two major choices: the component speakers and the full-range system.
1. Always make sure that they fit just right.
It may sound obvious, but new speakers have to fit your car. If you are directly replacing the factory speakers, the best thing you can do if you’re not sure is take them off the door and measure them directly.
You can also use Amazon’s Will It Fit? tool to help you see if the size is right. Their tool is always updated and covers most cars on the market.
2. The low needs to be low, while the highs have to be high.
You want to look at the range of frequencies that the speakers reproduce, especially since these make up the wide range of sound you would want to hear (and feel).
Music enthusiasts and audiophiles want to invest in a sound system that makes them feel the bass riffs. At the same time, they want to be carried by the high pitches and electric solos.
As a rule of thumb, the wider the better. Although you can count that for very low frequencies, the sound quality of small speakers simply cannot be too good, as proper SQ for bass requires a bigger cone. That’s typically the mission of the subwoofer.
3. Be sensitive towards your volume reach.
Sensitivity is a value that expresses the capacity of the speaker to produce sound pressure.
It measures how many audible decibels are produced with just 1 watt of power, at 1 meter of distance from the speaker.
The higher this value is, the louder the speaker is going to be.
4. Make the potential meet the actual.
The term RMS stands for “Root Mean Square” which is a way of rating a speaker’s capacity to handle audio signal power.
On the practical side of it, what concerns us is that the higher this value is, the more power we can (and should!) feed the speakers. Only by doing so can your speakers become as louder as they can be.
We have to try our best to match the RMS from the speaker to the RMS that the head unit or amplifier is able to produce.
In most cases, the amplified signal from a head unit won’t reach more than 25w RMS.
Underpowered speakers don’t give their full potential, and we are likely to turn the volume up to compensate for that lack of power which will produce more distortion.
However, if we include an amplifier (there are really good amps for little money, you can check our recommendations here) we can push those new speakers we just got ourselves to the right RMS and truly enjoy their full potential.
Plus, we get undistorted music which will increase the sound quality and crispiness dramatically. We want to be able to feel the music and not get distracted by distorted noise.
5. The perfect match matters and exists.
In simple electrical terms, a speaker is a resistance and its value is expressed in Ohms.
You have to pair that impedance (ohm value) to the impedance your head unit or amplifier is ready to handle.
Take for instance the Rockford Fosgate Punch on 6×9″ size. They rate 75w RMS at 4ohms impedance.
You want your amplifier to be 4ohm stable, and to produce as close as possible to 75w RMS for everything to work smoothly.
If you are hooking them straight to the head unit, make sure the Ohm rating of your head unit is the same as that of the speakers.
This is really relevant when we install multiple speakers together and we wire them in series or parallel, changing the total impedance of the set.
6. Flexibility vs Simplicity
When it comes to the full-range speaker system, you are getting an all-in-one system.
Typically, these systems are going to be the simplest to install and have the lowest prices.
They produce a wide range of sounds so you can listen to just about any type of music . While they are not as customizable as the component speakers, a nice set will still provide you with quality music to replace the factory sound system.
Take into consideration some of the extra features that can be included with a sound system, and pay attention to the features offered.
For example, detachable tweeters can be installed in just about any sound system and it is great because they can easily be switched between systems.
Furthermore, external crossovers help to separate the frequencies set in the tweeter and woofer so that they aren’t attempting to produce sounds that they can’t make.
This results in much better sounding music.
Lastly, the pivoting tweeters are great because they can be moved around so that they can point towards where you are listening. This is how you can recreate that movie theater surround sound experience within the simple confines of a car.
Best Car Speaker Brands
Today, we are lucky enough to have the internet as a powerful pool of necessary information. We can readily share each other’s reviews and first-hand experiences when it comes to buying a product.
Below is our list of our most trusted speaker brands.
This list was made to compile and to sum up what we have experienced, along with those in the automotive and audiophile communities. This way, you can be reminded that sometimes branding is worth trusting.
1. JL Audio
The American brand was founded in 1975 by James Birch and Lucio Proni. They combined the initals of their first names to name the brand, JL.
The company is based in Miramar, Florida, where they design, manufacture and were originally selling their subs back in 1979.
JL strives to give customers exactly what they want because they know that great audio has incredible value and it’s easy for customer to tell the difference between low-end audio and high-end audio.
2. Focal
Focal is a French manufacturer that has been in the car audio industry for the last 38 years. They are one of the most renowned brands when it comes to audio fidelity and sound quality. They are an audiophile’s dream come true.
3. Rockford Fosgate
Rockford Fosgate originally began producing audio equipment in 1973 and ever since then, they continued to produce high-end, exceptional quality sound for a lot of vehicles.
Across each and every one of products, there is a brilliant use of technology and design so that you can enjoy everything you should enjoy about your music. They appeal to both the high-end part of the market and to the super tight budgets.
What’s even more convincing is that no matter what innovation they produce, they always deliver across a wide range of budgets. This is one of the reasons why I believe they have to make it in to my top 3.
The top three brands above, as you might have noticed, also cater to a wide budget range. That said, it is possible not to go all out in upgrading or replacing your car speakers. At the end of the day, the system should work based on your preferences.
Additional Resources
Here are a few articles that you may be interested in reading if you’re about to buy a new speaker:
- 2 Way Vs. 3 Way speakers. We settle the debate as of which one sounds best and why you should pick the right one according to your desired results.
- Best Car Tweeters. Remember that you can add separate tweeters to your front stage to get a richer sound. If the speaker set you’re going for doesn’t come with component tweeters, you can always get some aftermarket ones! These are our choices.