When you’re ready to upgrade your vehicle’s audio system, how do you know which kind of speakers you should get?
For starters, many people often confuse coaxial speakers with component speakers. However, they’re quite different. In this guide, we’re going to review the best 6.5-inch component speakers. The main reason why component speakers are so popular is that they give you greater control over your audio experience and better-quality sound.
In short, a coaxial speaker contains a mid-range and a tweeter all together in one piece. In a component-speaker set, your woofer, tweeter, and often even the crossover are all separate parts.
What is the Best 6.5 Component Speakers for Clarity?
6.5 Component Speakers | RMS Watts | Sensitiity | Impedance (Ohms) | Frequency Response | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morel Maximo Ultra | 90 | 90.5 | 4 | 50 - 20k Hz | Check Price | |
Infinity-Reference- 6520cx | 90 | 93 | 3 | 53 - 21k Hz | Check Price | |
Focal PS165F Flax | 70 | 91.6 | 4 | 60 - 28k Hz | Check Price | |
Alpine R-S65C | 100 | 88 | 4 | 65 - 29k Hz | Check Price | |
JBL CLUB6500C | 60 | 92 | 3 | 55 - 20k Hz | Check Price | |
Polk Audio DB6502 | 100 | 92 | 4 | 35 - 23k Hz | Check Price | |
Rockford P165SI | 60 | 88 | 4 | 44 - 20k Hz | Check Price | |
Kicker 43CSS654 CSS65 | 100 | 90 | 4 | 35 - 21k Hz | Check Price | |
Rockford R165-S R1 Prime | 40 | 89 | 4 | 60 - 20k Hz | Check Price | |
MB Quart ZC1-216 | 60 | 88 | 4 | 20 - 20k Hz | Check Price | |
Rockford Fosgate T1650-S | 80 | 88 | 8 | 47 - 20k Hz | Check Price |
1. Morel Maximo Ultra – Best for the Money
Manufactured in Israel, Morel has a long-standing reputation for making high-fidelity speakers that give quality sound. Their Maximo Ultra line is a range of excellent entry-level component speakers. This component set contains two mids, two crossovers, two tweeters and two woofers.
When playing music that requires a stronger mid-range and mid-bass, this set performs well. If your budget is anywhere between $100 to $250 maximum, then it’s hard to find a component set that would give you better sound quality than this one.
- They produce crystal-clear and warm sound, even when amplified and turned up full blast. It’s extremely hard to blow out these speakers.
- The mids are smooth and clean.
- The tweeter holders are removable, making them easier to install.
- The speakers lack tweeter-attenuation options. The only way to turn down the tweeters is to adjust the treble and bass settings in your head unit.
- Make sure you have the room for them.
2. Infinity REF6520CX – Best Budget Speakers
People love how this set gives you a great sound upgrade from the original manufacturer’s speakers. Instead of paper cones and fairly small magnets like you find on the originally installed speakers, this set has fiberglass cones and magnets that are almost three times larger and heavier.
- Speakers work nicely for factory head units and you may also upgrade later with an amp if you like.
- Clear sound with no harsh highs and prevalent midrange.
- Sound much better then OEM speakers.
- Don’t expect the bass on this Infinity set to sound like 12-inch woofers. The manufactures made this set to accommodate an average pitch range only.
- The crossover could be smaller.
- Will require extra speaker wire and connectors to complete mount
3. Focal PS165F Flax – High-End Component Speakers
Even if you’re driving with the windows down, you’ll still hear your music loudly and clearly with this premium 6.5 component set.
You can crank your tunes up to the maximum volume, and you still get sound neutral and clear.
This set includes two mid-bass parts, two tweeters and two crossovers. Although the RMS rating for input capability says 70 Watts, they do handle more power well. Customers can use them at 100 Watts RMS daily without a problem if they have an amplifier tuned correctly.
- Detailed and crisp sound with beautiful imaging.
- Great midbass.
- Well built.
- Crossover wires are too short.
- Need to be professionally installed.
4. JBL CLUB6500C – Can Play Without Amp
If you want a reasonably priced speaker set to replace your car’s standard factory speakers, then this JBL model is a good deal. They operate at a lower ohm rating so you can power them with an OEM radio.
They’re not for high-fidelity enthusiasts, but they sound great for most people listening to popular music. You can expect a good response from the mid-bass with clear vocals and a fairly warm sound overall.
This set includes two woofers, two tweeters and all the installation parts you need, like mounting brackets and screws. Remember to check that you have the right speaker-wire adapters for your vehicle beforehand to avoid wiring problems.
If you’re a true audiophile, then you’ll probably think the sound from this set isn’t very powerful on its own. It can take a month or so to “break in” the bass. If you want to blast music, then you’ll want to buy an additional amplifier and subwoofer with this. Buyers recommend getting a subwoofer larger than 8 inches to go with it.
- Smooth, precise and attention to detail sound.
- The tweeters are bright.
- Tiny crossover.
- Weak, mediocre midbass.
- Although it comes with screws to help you install it, they’re very cheap ones. You’re better off buying stronger screws on your own to secure them.
5. Rockford P165SI – Without External Crossover, Integrated Concealed Crossover
The main advantage to this set is that because it has a hidden crossover, you won’t need to mount any of those black boxes you’d normally have with other systems. Plus, this set definitely has more power than most factory-installed car speakers. It offers a high dynamic range almost like an expander would, so the music gets a lot louder even when you turn the volume up just a little.
They don’t need an amplifier to sound good if you prefer music without much bass. Still, you should note that the internal crossover dims down most bass frequencies because it’s supposed to work with an additional amplifier and subwoofer. Do not mistake this set for coaxial or full-range speakers because they’re not the same.
When you order it, you’re getting a total of four speakers, or two mids and two tweeters.
- Clarity of sound with the stock head unit.
- This set is better than other Rockford models if you don’t have much space in your vehicle for an external crossover.
- Easy install.
- They require an extra amplifier and subwoofer to get any strong bass out of them.
- The tweeter’s mounting system in this set is not the easiest to install. Consider getting a professional to set it up for you if you don’t have much experience installing car speakers.
6. Alpine R-Series R-S65C – Dependable Performance at a Decent Price
Alpine is a well-trusted brand of speakers in the music community. BMW and Mercedes factories have often had Alpine speakers inside them for good reason.
Buyers have commented that listening to their music on these speakers while driving is almost like being in a concert hall.
This set comes with two subwoofers, two tweeters and two external crossovers.
- Sound quality is good enough for you to blast these speakers without any distortion.
- Unlike other speakers in this price range, it doesn’t sound too bright. They have a strong mid-range.
- Audiophiles should really get a good equalizer system to connect it with to control the mid-range sound. Otherwise, the audio can get too brassy.
- You need a powerful amplifier to drive these if you want to get the most sound out of them.
7. Kicker 43CSS654 – Best Sound with a 50 Watt-Per-Channel Amp
The Kicker made this set with polypropylene cones that feature both ribbed and UV-treated surrounds. Set at a very affordable price, these speakers are powerful, taking 100 Watts RMS each.
Please note that these component systems really need a 50 Watt-per-channel amplifier at the minimum for you to get the full audio experience from them.
This set features two tweeters, two mids and two crossovers.
- The sound comes out crisp and clean for all types of music.
- When you use it with the right amplifiers, the sound is comparable to other top brands.
- This system is not easy to mount in midsize SUVs. It may require customized mounting inside the sail panels. Consult a professional installer.
- Due to the lower selling rice, the manufacturers made some of their parts from cheaper materials. Therefore, do not expect them to last as long as higher-quality speakers.
8. Rockford R165-S R1 Prime – Budget Speakers for the Factory Head Unit
The mylar-balanced dome tweeters in this set work well to give you crisp, clear sound with every instrument well-defined over the speakers. It even sounds good without an additional amplifier to the average listeners and represent a big improvement over the stock paper cones.
You get two tweeters and two woofers with grills in this set. It also comes with the parts you need for either flush or surface mounting in your vehicle. Comes with crossovers built inside the tweeters. You don’t need to buy an additional crossover unless you are particularly picky about splitting the higher frequencies from the lower frequencies.
To enhance the lower-range performance, it helps to install an additional 10-inch subwoofer with a low-pass crossover on the amplifier.
- For the price they sound good.
- The highs sound very bright with a well-performing mid-range too.
- Bass overall is lacking even with additional amp.
9. MB Quart ZC1-216 – Compact Design that Lasts
Some consider the clean sound from these speakers to be right on par with Polk, JBL and Infinity, which is excellent considering the lower price point.
This set includes four speakers. You get two tweeters and two mid-range speakers with their crossover. Plus, they include the hardware you need to mount them either flush with your interior or on the surface. To get the best results while listening to your music, use them with a high-quality deck like the Alpine brand and an additional amplifier.
Remember that because these speakers are not like coaxial ones, you have to mount the tweeters separately. Like other component systems, these tweeters belong in their own holes in the car’s interior.
- They can easily perform well even after several years.
- Made with ceramic-coated tweeters that have titanium domes, they give a well-balanced sound.
- They will blow out if you’re not careful when installing them. They can’t handle an excess of power.
- Do not expect these speakers to be as heavy-duty as brands like Pioneer. They have a lighter build, meant for average buyers.
10. Rockford Fosgate T1650-S – Superior Sound System with Good Midbass
You’ll appreciate the highly durable construction of these speakers, made from carbon fiber and polypropylene cone with Santoprene-type rubber surrounds. That means you can blast your music for hours without blowing them. The tweeter’s clear highs balance out the heavy bass nicely. People love how the external crossover network has selectable tweeter levels with axis switching that adjusts the high frequencies for you.
Plus, you do receive both flush-mounting and surface-mounting hardware with your purchase.
Even though these component speakers work efficiently with most types of stock stereos or common head units, an additional quality amplifier really does make a difference. That way, you can see how they perform at their full potential.
- Clean bass and clear vocals.
- These quality components are easy to install.
- They are at a higher price point than some people would like to pay. However, true audiophiles will appreciate the depth of their sound quality compared to other cheaper brands.
11. Polk Audio DB6502 DB+ Series – Waterproof and Dirt-Resistant
These speakers are ideal for those driving off-road since they can handle exposure to the elements. In this package, you’ll receive two tweeters, two subwoofers, crossovers and the wiring hardware you need for installation. If you use it with an amplifier like the Infinity Primus, then that helps a lot to bring out the best possible sound from this system. Audiophiles will prefer using it with head units that have separate adjustment settings for bass, treble and mid-range pitches.
Some people have blown out the tweeters because they accidentally played their music louder than their radio could handle. If you notice the sound “garbling” when you turn it up, then turn the volume back down. That means you need a radio with more power. Check the specifications of your vehicle’s head unit so that you know beforehand how compatible it will be with this system.
Please note that the tweeters in this set do mount separately. The best places to install them are usually on the side pillars of your interior or inside the front corners of your car’s dashboard.
- At this price, they offer higher-quality sound than most other waterproof speakers.
- Their low-range frequencies sound well-balanced for most popular music when you add the right tweeter drivers.
- This speaker system doesn’t deliver hard-core, thumping bass well. Even after adding amplifiers, it’s not the same as a higher-quality set of components.
- Do not expect these to sound like top-quality speakers. The low-end frequencies generally don’t compare for audiophiles who have higher music standards.
Buyer’s Guide
What are the advantages of component speakers?
Now keep in mind, any set of speakers in which the mids, tweeters and crossovers are separate parts is a set of “component speakers.” Why is that good?
Mounting tweeters from a component set in separate locations inside your vehicle creates the ultimate surround-sound experience. Placing your tweeter in different locations gives better sound staging inside your car. That’s what drastically improves your overall listening experience.
The way a component audio system works goes like this:
First, your music passes through the head unit. Some head units have a lot of options to adjust bass, treble and other things as well. Your head unit transmits your music as a low-level signal to your amplifier.
Next, your amplifier enhances the signal and passes it through your crossover network to the tweeter and your “mid,” or mid-range frequency device. They work together to give you optimal sound quality by balancing all of the components.
Component speakers give you more freedom to tune your speakers. That’s why you can get much better sound from them in your car than most coaxial speakers or factory-installed speakers.
What 6.5-inch component speakers are best for bass?
According to most audio enthusiasts, Rockford and Focal have the best reputations for giving you strong bass.
You should keep in mind though that this is kind of a trick question. That’s because the manufacturers designed component speakers as mid-range managers. The whole point of a component set of speakers is to use them with an amplifier in order to see what they can really do.
RMS Power Rating: How much power do I need for my new speakers?
When you’re comparing speaker specifications, you will see two types. First, they list “RMS”, which represents the continuous power-handling capacity. Then they also list the peak or maximum capacity of power the speaker can handle. The most important specification to look at is the RMS rating.
For example, if your speaker has a 150 Watts RMS rating, then that means your speaker will handle 150 Watts of power without blowing out. The key point to remember from this rating is that you should get an amplifier that’s greater than 150 Watts to use with the speaker. Make sure you’re supplying your speaker with the right amount of power so that you don’t damage it.
As a general rule of thumb, lower RMS-rated speakers work better to power factory-installed or aftermarket stereos. Higher RMS-rated speakers work best when you use an external amplifier.
The truth is that most speakers can handle about 25 percent extra power than their listed RMS rating. That surplus of power will not shorten its lifespan.
For example, a speaker with a rating of 100 Watts RMS can easily handle up to 125 Watts RMS. However, it’s best not to push your amplifier beyond its limits because that will blow the speakers.
To give an example of acceptable power you can estimate that a speaker could receive 25% more power than its RMS rating and still have a long life. So a speaker that is rated for 100 watts RMS could safely handle 125 watts RMS. Of course, if you push the 125 watt amplifier to its limits you’re back in the same boat and your speakers will eventually die a hard death. Be kind to your speakers and to your ears. If your ears or the music sounds bad then turn it down. Your speakers and your ears are being damaged and your speakers are the only one that can be replaced.
What is a sensitivity rating?
The term sensitivity rating refers to measurement in decibels, or “dB.” It’s a rating that tells you how loud your speakers will play with the amount of power you have from your amplifier.
The higher the sensitivity rating is, or the greater the decibel number is of the rating, the less power you need to get the same amount of sound. When people talk about the most energy-efficient speakers, they’re often talking about this type of sensitivity rating.
Speakers materials
Component | Materials |
---|---|
Tweeter | Silk, polyurethane for mellow sound. Metal, ceramics and graphite for brighter highs. |
Woofer | Polypropylene best for bass. Woven fabrics or metal coated synthetics also be used. |
Surround Materials | The best material is rubber. Foam and cloth surrounds are less expensive. |
What’s in the future of component speakers for vehicles?
New sound engineers continue to work on designing speakers that can deliver more sound with less parts. For example, News18.com reported that Ac2ated Sound is developing an innovative transducer that works with a copper-coil-wrapped magnet.
The goal is to eliminate the need for subwoofers or tweeters. They’re giving the speakers the ability to resonate different-frequency pitches off of the existing interior parts of your car. They call the effect of it as their “3D immersive sound.” For now, you have any one of the above 11 great speaker systems to choose from. In the future, however, you can look forward to some great technological advancements in component speakers.
The biggest question I have is I have a 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan 14 speaker setup. I do not know what or who makes the speakers that come in the car. I would like to replace with either focal or JL. Don’t know if I need to JUST REPLACE the speakers or get a 3 way component with crossovers as all tuning goes through the Lexicon amp.
Do I just replace separate speakers or buy the 3 way components?
Also not sure about fidelity if the focal hemp speaker.
I have a stock 14 speaker Genesis sedan with a dual 8 JL Audi sub in trunk.
Hey Terry,
Harman (AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson) designed and built audio system for the Genesis.
The OEM audio system is tuned to work with the OEM speakers. You can just replace the speakers but a new one need to match the impedance OEM speakers.
To achieve a nice level of sound quality you need to replace the OEM amp and all of the speakers.
To overcome factory head unit processing you will need an aftermarket digital sound processor and a proper tune.
So, this is going to be quite costly)
Hi Andrew,
I have the Rockford Prime 1675-S powered by a Pioneer headunit. I plan to get a Kicker Key and use its bi-amp mode. In this mode, the Key sets a high pass filter for the tweeters at 3500Khz. However, the Prime tweeters have an inline crossover set at 4500Khz. Will the bi-amp setup work? Or should I remove the built-in filter on the tweeters?
Thanks.
It will work fine.. run the setup rta and it will calibrate your sound.