If you think your life is tough now, take heart—you could have been born as a piece of automotive audio equipment. We expect the sound systems in our cars to last for decades, endure a combination of Death Valley heat and Alaskan cold, shrug off the occasional splash of water or soda, and still produce home-theater-quality sound while using much less power than you can get out of a wall plug. Oh, and it all needs to be affordable.
No surprise that many cars come off the production line with audio systems that can’t match that near-impossible list of requirements. For much of the time, it’s sound quality that doesn’t make the cut. Going back 30 years ago, the fix was simplicity itself: remove the standard-sized head unit and replace it with something else. Things aren’t as easy nowadays. More often than not, the “head unit” is now part of a larger system that controls everything from navigation to air conditioning. Removing or replacing it can be cumbersome.
This doesn’t mean you can’t improve your car’s sound, however. The best way to do it: a good set of aftermarket speakers. A little money and effort spent here can go a long way. Expect to hear more detail, experience a more defined sound stage, and endure less distortion at the extremes of volume. I’ve come up with some of the best ways to make that happen, whether your budget is modest or ambitious. Let’s rock.
Best Car Speakers
- Most Affordable Rock Music Upgrade: Rockford Fosgate Punch 4-Pack
- Best Value For Small Cars: Pioneer TS-A1676R 6.5
- Best Car Speakers For Demanding Ears: Focal ES 165
- Best For Cars That Can Take An Aftermarket Amplifier: Kicker CS Series
- Best Quick Fix for Troubled Car Audio: Kenwood KFC-1666s
The Expert: I’ve been an audiophile for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been building home and automotive sound systems for more than 25 years. My first system was a complete rewire of a new VW Fox; my last one was a high-power, subwoofer-heavy, from-scratch install in (of all things) a stick-shift Mercury Milan. I’ve had Land Rovers with four amplifiers and 16 aftermarket speakers in them, and I’ve also made do with just an extra subwoofer in a complex fiber-optic factory system. I’m passionate about great sound in cars, in the home, and on the go.
What To Consider When Upgrading Your Car Speakers
Size and Location
When in doubt, just remove and measure your existing speakers, then get something the same size or similar. There's actually a lot of "slack" in many car speaker installs, and there's also a variety of “standard” sizes that should work in many cars. Don’t forget about speaker depth; that’s often the most important measurement of all. Most of these items are best installed by a competent local shop.
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Woofers and Tweeters
While it’s true that you can get pretty good sound from single-cone speakers mounted around the car, upgrading to “component” speakers will make a drastic difference that you can easily hear. Different frequencies of sound are best reproduced by speakers that are optimized for those frequencies, so heavy bass is best in a large “woofer,” while piercing highs are reproduced most accurately by small dome “tweeters.”
Want to up the ante a bit? Adding a subwoofer (or two) will reproduce the lowest bass from today’s hip-hop and R&B while also offering a subtle fill to classical (or classic rock) music. Mid-bass speakers add detail that woofers and subwoofers miss, while mid-range speakers provide additional clarity to vocals, guitars, and woodwinds.
Adding all of these can take up extra space, so if you don’t have it to spare look for “co-axial” or “full-range” products that mount different-sized speakers on top of one another to fit into smaller enclosures. It’s not an ideal way to do it, but the results are still better than what you’d get from a single speaker.
Source and Signal
Make sure your speakers are powered by a conventional wire with positive and negative leads. In some cases, your car may use optical cable or a “common ground” wiring system; consult an expert if that’s the case. Some German and British luxury cars can use a converter box of sorts to facilitate the installation of traditional speakers. When in doubt, call a shop, or your dealership, and ask.
Choosing Your Upgrade
If you’re not able to swap out all your speakers at once, which ones should you choose? Go big first! In other words, replace the largest speakers in your car before the smaller ones. The larger ones are tasked with making most of the noise in your co*ckpit, so an improvement will be more audible than if you swap out the tweeters in your car’s A-pillar, for example.
Assuming you’re also the driver, it’s also worth spending your money up front first. In some cases, even the passengers in the rear will appreciate your doing so, as many systems have a heavy front bias regardless of what you do with the fader knob.
How We Selected These Car Speakers
As a lifetime audiophile and sound-system builder in both home and automotive, I’ve built, installed, and listened to dozens of high-end car-stereo speaker systems over the past three decades. Having listened to and examined many of these systems, I’ve seen—and heard—first-hand what works and what doesn’t. I’ve used that experience to select and recommend the speakers below.
1
Most Affordable Rock Music Upgrade
Rockford Fosgate Punch 4-Pack
1
Most Affordable Rock Music Upgrade
Rockford Fosgate Punch 4-Pack
Pros
High-power capacity- Factory-fit sizes
- Biased for rock and high-energy music
Cons
- Won’t fit every car
- Some subtleties get lost in the mix
Rockford Fosgate has always been about volume and dynamics, and this affordable set is no exception. The value here is pretty staggering, as well—this is a lot of volume and power capacity for not much money.
Using the factory-standard 6-inch by 9-inch and 6.5-inch sizes found in plenty of vehicles, this set can bring life to a lot of middling-grade audio systems in everyday cars. The Flex Fit basket on the 6x9 speakers ensures compatibility with odd-shaped factory speaker locations.
Don’t expect to hear the individual hairs of a drum brush but “Rock You Like A Hurricane” should come through loud and clear.
Key Specs
| 4-way | Two 6x9-in. |
|---|---|
| 2-way | Two 6.5-in round coaxial |
2
Best Value For Small Cars
Pioneer TS-A1676R 6.5
2
Best Value For Small Cars
Pioneer TS-A1676R 6.5
Pros
- Works in small cars with limited speaker space
- Durable
Cons
- Not audiophile quality
Pioneer has been doing good work with replacement speakers that fit almost anywhere and can endure a lot of punishment. These 6.5-inch coaxials are a good example of this because they are relatively shallow and should fit in most factory locations.
Most smaller and import cars have room for at least two; get creative with a two-seater or convertible and you can fit all four with two in the doors or mounted in the dashboard.
There’s a lot going on in a small space, with three separate speakers in the same enclosure. This level of integration at this price means you won’t mistake your car for Carnegie Hall—but it should be a solid improvement on many factory systems, particularly in older cars.
Key Specs
| Woofer | 6.5-in. |
|---|---|
| Midrange | 1-5/8-in. |
| Tweeter | 3/8-in. |
3
Best Car Speakers For Demanding Ears
Focal ES 165
Pros
- How they sound
- How they look
Cons
- These are deep speakers, so plan to make some room
Focal has been making waves in headphones and speakers lately. The French firm doesn’t do things halfway, and it likes to build its products in-house rather than have it done somewhere cheaper. That is why you can expect remarkable clarity and dynamic capability from this component set.
Very little expense has been spared in the construction of these speakers, with carbon fiber and expensive metals used when necessary, and a proprietary crossover to separate the audio signal into separate signals by frequency range, ensuring that each speaker only gets what it’s best at.
The good news is that you will want to place each of the three kinds of speaker very precisely for the best imaging. The bad news? It won’t be easy. The woofers are deep and will require careful mounting, as will the midranges. For large sedans, SUVs, and vans, you shouldn't have an issue. Got a pickup truck or sports car? Measure twice before you cut a hole for these speakers.
Key Specs
| Woofer | 6-1/2-in. |
|---|---|
| Misc. | Separate midrange and tweeters for better imaging |
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4
Best For Cars That Can Take An Aftermarket Amplifier
Kicker CS Series
4
Best For Cars That Can Take An Aftermarket Amplifier
Kicker CS Series
Pros
- A great way to get around weak factory amps
- Dynamic, powerful sound
Cons
- Installation more complicated than just plugging in a new speaker
If your car is one of the many recent models that can send a sound signal to a separate amplifier, you’re in business. Kicker has put together a value package of speakers and amp that are well-matched and capable of out-rocking all but the most upscale factory audio packages.
Anyone who has installed a lot of audio systems will tell you how hard it is to find an amp that works with a broad range of speakers, but you won’t have to struggle because Kicker has matched the whole set.
Expect this one to go louder than most of your passengers can even pretend to tolerate, and better yet, without much distortion. Installation isn’t beginner-level, but for many cars it will be well within the reach of the average hobbyist.
Key Specs
| Amplifier | 65-watt per channel |
|---|---|
| Round speakers | 6.5-in. |
| Coaxial speakers | 6x9-in. |
5
Best Quick Fix for Troubled Car Audio
Kenwood KFC-1666s
5
Best Quick Fix for Troubled Car Audio
Kenwood KFC-1666s
Pros
- Ease of installation
Cons
- May not work well in cars with powerful amplifiers
If your car has buzzing or dead speakers, this affordable pair of 6.5-inch speakers might be just what the doctor ordered. How, you’re wondering, can a set of $30 coaxials be an upgrade?
You’d be surprised what some automakers put in their cars, particularly entry-level or low-option models. I like these for ex-rental cars, winter beaters, and other vehicles where you just want to hear clear music at sensible volumes. Check your car’s amplifier rating first, as these are best with 30 watts or less of power.
Key Specs
| Round coaxial | 6.5-in. |
|---|---|
| Power handling | 30W |
6
Best Subwoofer for Tight Spaces
JL Audio TW3
6
Best Subwoofer for Tight Spaces
JL Audio TW3
Pros
- The standard in mobile subwoofers
- A wide range of installation possibilities
Cons
- You’ll need to build your own enclosure, or make an existing one fit
JL Audio commands immense respect in the subwoofer game, thanks to decades of contest-winning boomin’. This TW3 won’t knock the windows out, but it does have a neat party trick: you can mount it with less than 3.5 inches of available depth. That means it fits everywhere, from under pickup-truck seats to the factory toolkit enclosures in some imported cars.
It’s hard to overstate the difference a first-rate subwoofer can make in your automotive audio experience. It’s like the difference between watching the playground from your grade-school window and actually being on the swings.
Key Specs
| Subwoofer | 10-in. shallow-mount enclosure |
|---|
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7
Most Affordable Subwoofer System
Memphis Mini Mojo
7
Most Affordable Subwoofer System
Memphis Mini Mojo
Pros
- Big sounds in a small box
- Durable
Cons
- Won’t fit everywhere
Memphis Audio’s focus on price has led a lot of people to dismiss its subwoofers. That said, two years ago, your author bought a mid-range enclosure from them and proceeded to beat it without mercy using everything from DJ Magic Mike’s “Vicious Bass: Back to Haunt You” to a FLAC rip of “John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.”
After two decades of using cost-almost-no-object subs from JL and elsewhere, I expected to be tolerant at best. Well, that Memphis sub has earned its place in this lineup. This one might do the same for you. It’s a lot of subwoofer in a tidy enclosure that doesn’t require any effort other than perhaps bringing two fewer grocery bags home.
Key Specs
| Subwoofer | 8-in. |
|---|---|
| Box | 20.7 x 16.1 x 12.6-in. |
8
Best Audiophile-On-A-Budget Speakers
Focal Access 165
8
Best Audiophile-On-A-Budget Speakers
Focal Access 165
Pros
- Industry standard size
Cons
- Requires some depth for installation
Focal’s made-in-France line is justly famous for quality, looks, and sound, but the Focal Access gives you much of what makes those speakers great at a lower price.
Owners rave about the precise midrange, the stereo imaging, and the general hi-fi sound. As with their fancy siblings, these Focals require some mounting depth, so do your measurements before you buy. If they’ll fit, however, you’ll find that the Focal Access is a genuine upgrade for 95-percent of the audio systems on the road.
Key Specs
| Tweeters | 6.5-in. two-way |
|---|
Our expert Jack Baruth gives guidance on how you know your car is ready to rock, the clarifying power of speakers, and the biggest mistake buyers make.
What should car audio sound like after an upgrade? How do you know it’s mission accomplished?
A well-upgraded system should do three things. It should place you "inside" the music, giving you a stronger sense of being in the studio with the instruments around you. It should improve the clarity of your sound, letting you hear the squeak of an acoustic- guitar chord change or the breath of a vocalist. And it should, when the volume is cranked, give you a physical sense of the music, with drums and other percussion instruments eliciting a response in your skin or chest.
How much power do I need for my new speakers?
They say that power corrupts, but in car audio power actually clarifies! Each speaker comes with a power recommendation; you should always be on the high side if you can afford it. A more powerful amplifier is less likely to distort the music at your preferred listening level, even if you're not a crank-it-up sort of person.
Do woofer and tweeter cone materials make a difference?
Generally speaking, the quality of speaker manufacturer makes more difference than the materials; a high-end paper cone will always sound better than a cheap aluminum or carbon-fiber cone. But if you're driving a Jeep or convertible, consider an "exotic" material like titanium or carbon for water resistance and durability.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when buying car speakers?
Getting a bigger speaker that costs less, thinking it will be louder. It might be, but you'll pay a price in sound quality.
Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth is a writer and competitor who has earned podiums in more than fifteen different classes and sanctions of automotive and cycling competition, in both amateur and professional capacities, as well as an enthusiastic hobbyist musician and audiophile who owns hundreds of musical instruments and audio systems. His work has appeared in Bicycling, Cycle World, Road & Track, WIRED, Wheels Weekly, EVO Malaysia, Esquire, and many other publications. His original design for a guitar, the Melody Burner, has been played by Billy Gibbons, Sheryl Crow, and others.
