Shopping Around for Best 6.5 inch Car Speakers: What you need to know before you buy
A lot of people drive around town with their music blasting; singing along to their favorite songs as the music pours in through their speakers. But what a lot of people notice is that the stock speaker configuration in their car or truck is usually lacks something. Is it bass, clarity, loudness? Whatever it may be, replacing the old speakers can most definitely give a huge boost to what you're missing, whether you notice it or not.
Thankfully, since most vehicles feature replaceable, 6.5 speakers, there are a lot of different options that can be taken advantage of when looking to replace them. This article outlines why you should upgrade them, and what the best 6.5 car speakers are on the market.
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** Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews by click in "Reviews" column, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.com .
Upgrading 6.5 inch Car Stereo Speakers: Why is it a good idea to replace them?
Getting into a vehicle that has stock speakers can be an underwhelming experience when you go to crank your tunes. We've all been there before. Driving off of the lot in the car you've been eyeing for weeks, hopping on the freeway, and there's just something missing from the new car experience. Most people tend to just deal with it, but if you're an audiophile like a lot of people, it can be an almost aggravating experience.
A good majority of cars carry a stock audio system when they're sold unless you opt for a pricier vehicle package that includes an upgraded sound system. The receiver normally features a CD player, AM/FM radio, and an auxiliary input especially if the car is newer. Sure, replacing the stock receiver will give you more features, but that's not at all what delivers the sound to your ears. Stock speakers in cars are normally "full-range," which essentially means that they are built to deliver a more all-around sound. They typically include a single driver which delivers all of the sounds, in every frequency.
As music includes more than one sound and is very complex, you can imagine these types of speakers are going to be basic and perform at the minimum to deliver the sound. Aftermarket speakers are engineered to deliver sound better than said "full-range" speakers, as they are made out of more durable materials.
For example, rubber or metal material cones instead of paper. In return, aftermarket speakers deliver a great addition to the low-end bass, mid-range treble, and the higher range will sound much clearer when the volume is turned up. This is especially true in older cars and trucks, as the material that is used has a higher rate of degradation than what is used in aftermarket speakers.
When replacing components in your audio system, it is important to note that replacing the factory speakers are close to the top of the list, even more especially if you're looking to rebuild the system from the ground up. Keep in mind that there are a lot of different variables that go into replacing your speakers when building the perfect stage for your car ranging from the size, sensitivity, build quality and power handling. I've found five options that I feel will improve your time in the car when you're driving to work, or traveling. When looking to purchase, there are very many options to consider. Here are the best 6.5 car speakers that are being sold at this time.
Best 6.5 inch Car Speakers Reviews
Pioneer TSG1645R
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
Hearing the name Pioneer brings a few different positive thoughts to mind, as they are one of the oldest, well-known car audio manufacturers in the industry. The TSG1645R 2-way model features a polypropylene woofer cone that includes an improved design which delivers a superior mid and low-end for better bass, and a more rounded musical experience, as well as a dome tweeter to provide high frequencies directly to your ears. The power range for these speakers is 2-40 watts RMS (250 watts peak power) while delivering your music in a frequency range from 26-27,000 Hz.
Pros
- Well-known manufacturer
- Easy Install
- Great high-end and mid-range response
Cons
- Mass-produced
- Bass is lacking compared to other models
- Very shallow depth
Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
Rockford Fosgate is another well-known name in the industry. The R165X3 speakers are built to give your car audio a definite upgrade, featuring a polypropylene woofer cone with rubber surround, which is specifically designed to deliver pounding bass, and a strong mid-range. The cone is coupled with a piezo super tweeter so that the higher frequencies are as clear as day as well. Another uncommon feature in these speakers is a built-in network crossover so that each driver gets an adequate range of frequencies, which ensures sound is delivered faithfully. Bass can definitely be turned up with this pair, with a frequency response of 52-20,000 Hz, and a power range of 2-45 watts RMS (90 watts peak power).
Pros
- Natural Sound
- Free Install-kit
- Great Bass and Midrange
Cons
- Screws included in Install-kit are typically too long
- Needs a bit more power than factory installation
GMI Pro GMI-2506
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
Although they're not as known as Pioneer and Alpine, GMI Pro still designs a great speaker. The GMI-2506 is a testament to that. Also known as the Silver Shadow, the speaker is designed with bass in mind. It features a 3″ Voice Coil to deliver thunderous tone while keeping the sound clear and concise with a round cone. Keep in mind that this speaker will take more power to get great sound, as its peak energy handling is 250 watts. This particular speaker is used in some different applications, from live sound and DJ's to home theater installations. That being said, be assured these bad boys will sound great in your car.
Pros
- Great low-end and mid-range
- Perfect for turning the bass up
Cons
- Takes more to power than other speakers
- Heavier than most speakers
JBL GTO638 3-Way Speakers
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
Another big name in the audio industry is JBL, and the GTO638 speakers they've brought to the table do not disappoint. They feature a patented One-Cone technology, which increases both bass and midrange since it has a larger area. But that does not take away from the higher frequencies, as the mylar-titanium super-tweeters do a great job at cutting out distortion, so that you can listen loud, without having to worry about rattling or distorting the sound. The speakers carry an 180 Watt peak power handling, with a frequency response of 50 - 21,000 Hz. JBL is well known in the audio world for their high-quality products, from recording studios and live sound, to car audio. These speakers do not disappoint.
Pros
- Quality of materials
- Easy installation
- Great low-end and mid-range
Cons
- Shallow depth
- Wiring needs to be trimmed down
JVC CS-J620 2-Way Speakers
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
Last on this list, but not least, is the JVC CS-J620, which is brought to you by another industry giant. These speakers include a Mica cone, a hybrid cloth, and rubber surrounding, and a 1" Poly-Ether Imide balanced dome tweeter. While this model may not include all the bells and whistles that the other models have, they still are a great choice with a great build quality, at a reasonable price. They also feature a lower wattage rating than most other speakers, at 30 RMS, so that you don't have to worry about pushing more power to them if you're not looking to replace your receiver as well. That being said, they still deliver a clear and concise sound. If you're looking to replace blown-out speakers and you don't care about a huge improvement, these are the speakers for you.
Pros
- Light
- JVC carries a fantastic warranty
- Easy installation
Cons
- Low-end and mid-range lack compared to other models in this price range
Verdict
There are plenty of people on the road who would love to improve their commutes or to travel with better sounding music. There is a horde of different speakers to choose from, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. As a consumer, I strive to choose products that are cost-effective, and that will noticeably improve what I'm looking to replace. Although most people don't tend to pay attention to the sound quality of their favorite songs, I for one am the type of person to crank my music up when a song I love comes on, and usually sing along. That being said, I feel that the JBL GTO638 speakers would be a great addition to my current set up.
After weighing all the pros and cons of the saturated industry, JBL as a brand stands above the rest to me, not only because I am a musician, but because I prefer to have quality products in my life at a reasonable price. This is a great looking product that I can even imagine installing in my car. And being how I am with music, I am one that is pretty particular about how the bass feels when it hits, how clear vocals are in the mid-range, and how guitars or synthesizers sound in the higher frequencies. It also comes with a certain uniqueness that most other manufacturers do not include: an option to turn down the tweeters with a crossover switch. While that may not be huge to a lot of people, a good majority spends an amount of time tweaking their equalizer so that their favorite music sounds better when flowing from the speakers.
