Great sound in your car audio system could make you even wish for longer commutes. Upgrading your car speakers makes all the difference and certainly makes your drives more enjoyable. In this guide, we'll look at the best 6.5 speakers with excellent sound quality and booming bass.
But why 6.5-inch speakers? There are three key reasons why these speakers are the best upgrade you could make for your car audio system:
- Realistic sound - A great set of 6.5-inch three-way speakers gives a more immersive experience, with enhanced sound quality to take full advantage of your car's modern infotainment center.
- Compact design - Most 6.5 speakers come circular in shape, making them perfect for pickup truck doors and even classic vehicles.
- Affordability - Generally, 6.5-inch car speakers are fairly cheaper than 6.9-inch speakers, presenting a budget-friendly alternative that's just as effective.
1. Kicker 43DSC65
Kicker DSC650 DS Series 6.5" 4-Ohm Coaxial Speakers - Pair
- Polyethylene-Naphthalate domed tweeters
The Kicker 240-Watt two-way coaxial speakers are a massive upgrade in sound quality to your vehicle, even without using an amp. The 6.5" rigid polypropylene cone woofer, coupled with the zero-protrusion dome tweeters, delivers some of the most crips sound quality we have "seen" around. Not to mention, the Kicker 43DSC65 is also reasonably priced.
The components are supported by a stamped steel framework and a ribbed UV-treated foam surround to deliver extended durability without compromising on sound quality. These 6.5 coaxial speakers have a 90db sensitivity with a frequency response range between 40Hz and 20,000HZ and a 4 ohms impedance. The manufacturer recommends using an amplifier power of up to 60 watts RMS.
Additionally, the set features modern grilles with the latest screws, clips and wire connectors. All these add to this coaxial speaker's slim profile, making the set an easy fit and replacement for most ( if not all) factory speakers. Therefore, if you're looking for a solid yet affordable upgrade on your current audio system, these are indeed the best 6.5 speakers for you.
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2. Rockford Fosgate PPS4-6
The Rockford Fosgate PPS4-6 car speakers are built for high sound pressure level (SPL) conditions, allowing them to deliver excellent sound quality in the car. They are engineered to cut down the distortion significantly and produce a highly sensitive sound quality that can handle a lot of power, thanks to the oversized motor structure, fiber reinforced paper cone, high-temperature voice coil and a corrugated treated cloth surround.
These 6.5 car speakers deliver 400 watts of max power per pair and the 100W RMS ratings ensure they can deliver some pretty high volume. They also have a 4-ohm nominal impedance. They certainly deliver a punch when paired with your car's stock sound system, but they really go to town with more power from an external amplifier. Figures aside, these speakers also feature universal mounting hardware and brilliant grilles.
The Rockford Fosgate PPS4-6 are sold in pairs, although you can also buy a single unit too. Generally, these speakers work best in a full setup, capable of delivering high-quality midrange sound. After all, with a punchy bass from one or two subwoofers and crystal-clear highs from your tweeters, plus a solid amplifier, the listening experience is hard to match.
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3. JBL CLUB6520
JBL CLUB6520 6.5" 300W Club Series 2-Way Coaxial Car Speaker (1 Pair)
- High-sensitivity design
- High quality product
- Manufactured in Mexico
These 2-way coaxial speakers are made up of extremely durable UV-resistant polypropylene Plus One woofers. The woofers are built to withstand constant vehicle vibrations and still deliver distortionless sound even at high volumes. And these JBL speakers can be connected directly to your car radio, presenting an immediate upgrade on your factory speakers.
These coaxial speakers feature PEI balanced dome tweeters to deliver well-balanced high notes. With a frequency response ranging between 55HZ to 22,000HZ, you can rest assured of great sound quality overall. The JBL Club6520 don't pack plenty of power (150-watt peak power cap), but the 50W RMS is more than sufficient to make these a decent improvement on your stock sound system.
These JBL speakers sport stunning black grilles with the brand's signature red accents; they'll definitely look good in your car. They're also fairly easy to install, although the screws aren't particularly of the best quality. Paired with a good complete car audio set-up, the JBL Club6520 are certainly one of the best 6.5 speakers for fantastic sound and great aesthetics.
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4. HERTZ HCX 165
HERTZ HCX 165 6.5" 2-Way Hi-Energy Coaxial Speakers HCX165
- HCX165
- HCX-165
- Coaxial
- Speakers
- Hertz
Hertz is truly fantastic at car audio equipment and the HCX 165 high-energy 2-way coaxial speakers are a classic example of their high quality and standards. These speakers have oversized magnets and pure copper coils to power high notes geared to perfection. They also have a damped mesh fiber cone featuring aerodynamic gaskets that helps to get rid of any unwanted distortion.
These coaxial speakers also feature well-built cones that deliver smoother feedback and extended bandwidth, making sure you get constant, long-lasting performance from these monsters. Their power handling is quite impressive: 100W RMS, 4 ohms impedance, 50Hz-22ooo Hz frequency and 92db sensitivity. All these come together to produce incredibly crisp mid and high bass, even at loud volumes. This also makes them possibly the best 6.5 speakers for motorbikes.
The HCX 165 also have rotary high-frequency contours, allowing listeners to tilt the speakers' tweeters toward them. This makes a seamless installation and amazing sound quality. On top of that, the brilliant streamlines designed means these coaxial speakers look just as good as they sound.
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5. Pioneer TS-D65
Sale
Pioneer TS-D65F D Series 6-1/2" 2-Way car Speakers
- Pioneer TS-D65F D Series 6-1/2" 2-way car speakers
- 2-way car speakers (pair)
- 6-1/2" injection-molded polypropylene woofer cone interlaced with...
- 1" polyester soft dome tweeter
- 2-Way Design
If you're looking for bargain replacements for your OEM speakers, then the Pioneer TS-D65 is worth your consideration. They come with remarkable injection-molded polypropylene woofer cones featuring aramid fibers that help to deliver booming bass. The speakers also include coated textile dome tweeters that deliver an excellent high-frequency response.
The set can handle RMS power up to 90 watts and 270 watts of peak power with a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. These speakers use Pioneer's OPEN and SMOOTH sound technology to deliver broad and balanced frequency response, between 32 Hz and 49,000Hz, with a wide sound stage and stunning fidelity. The TS-D65 has exceptionally detailed highs (without being too bright), a robust midrange, and produces sufficient volume without too much power.
It's worth noting these car speakers don't sport grilles. Therefore, you'll have to use your stock grilles or buy aftermarket alternatives. Additionally, the kit doesn't include installation wires, and you might have a few installation challenges, especially if you're just getting into the car audio world.
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Factors to Consider in the Best 6.5 Speakers
1. Brand & Type
You'll hardly ever go wrong with a reputable brand with a rich background and history in sound system production. Generally, top brands don't compromise on their products' quality. All the brands featured in this guide are undoubtedly the best in the industry, and we can assure you their 6.5 speakers are nothing short of first-rate.
The type of 6.5-inch speaker is equally essential:
a). Component Speakers
Component speakers deliver both ultra-high and ultra-low frequency ranges, making them the bread and butter of a good sound system. They comprise the complete system: subwoofer, mid-range speakers, tweeter, and sub-tweeter.
b). Full-Range (Coaxial) Speakers
Coaxial speakers are more complex than component speakers. Full-range features have a built-in tweeter; thus, the subwoofer is left to deliver low-to-mid frequencies as the speaker delivers the highs. A full-range coaxial speaker is an excellent choice since it requires less external hardware while still producing crisp sound quality.
2. Frequency Range
The frequency range determines the quality of sound produced. Typically, this can be tweaked around to improve the quality depending on the specific occasion. The wider the range, the better the sound the speakers can produce.
3. Power Handling
This means the amount of power the speaker can handle. It comes in two main types: peak-to-peak power and RMS. Generally, good speakers have improved power handling capabilities.
4. Compatibility
If you're buying a good set of 6.5-inch car speakers, you'll definitely want a pair that's future-proof. As such, you'll want a set that can evolve with technology, allowing for upgraded features, suchlike Bluetooth compatibility.
5. Crossovers
Crossovers mean each component receives signals through a separate wire. This translates to better sound quality with minimal distortion levels.
6. Tweeters & Amplifiers
Tweeters are an important component if you want high-range sound from your speaker. We recommend going for a speaker with a good set of built-in tweeters. This offers excellent clarity to your sound system, especially for talk radio and music.
Amplifiers improve sound quality by enhancing electrical signals. Some speakers need amplifiers to produce better sound, while others don't. Therefore, getting an amplifier depends on the quality you're getting from your set of 6.5 car speakers.
7. Impedance
Impedance refers to the speaker's electrical resistance when handling power. If you opt for high-powered speakers, you'll need to look out for those that have low sensitivity ratings. Essentially, the lower the impedance, the more you can derive from your speakers.
8. Manufacturing Quality
You obviously want a set of speakers that are going to last for a decent number of years. A speaker's durability largely relies on the build quality, where top-quality speakers have solid constructions for extended functional life. This means opting for car speakers that come with a rubber cone inside for weather resistance, ensuring they can take whatever is thrown at them.
Build quality also determines sound quality. The best tweeters are designed with soft fabrics, mostly silk, to produce better sound. On the other hand, top woofers and subwoofers are made with solid surround material that helps them deliver that powerful bass.
9. Quality Wiring
Wiring and connections will give a clear picture of the speakers' quality. The more seamless the connections, the better. Therefore, go for 6.5 car speakers with well-engineered wirings and cabling for a smooth experience.
10. Design & Size
Needless to say, you should preferably opt for car speakers that match your car's interior. Furthermore, the size also needs to be compatible with your engine battery settings. That said, the 6.5 speakers featured in this guide are sure to meet your needs and match your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on 6.5 Car Speakers
1. What is key to good bass, the RMS rating, or an amplifier?
Both are quite important considerations when buying a new set of car speakers. A high RMS rating, like peak power, basically means the speakers can handle notably more power. Conversely, an amplifier gives your speakers the power boost to enhance the bass.
2. Should I opt for a speaker with a built-in tweeter?
Most certainly. A built-in tweeter means you'll require less external hardware to get high-quality sound.
3. Do new speakers improve the stock sound system?
Yes. Most factory speakers tend to wear out after just a few years of use. The problem is, most of them use a paper cone that cracks over time and affects sound quality. Therefore, a new set of durable car speakers will undoubtedly improve your stock sound system.