Bass Not Bumpin’? Here’s What To Consider When Installing Car Speakers

We all spend a ton of time in our vehicles, and much of that time is spent listening to music or podcasts. Knowing that, it’s easy to see how hopping in your car for the morning commute, only to find that a speaker has blown, is a bad day. You may get no sound at all out of the bad speaker, or worse, you might get cracking and distortion.

You can easily remedy this issue at home by installing a new speaker. You’ll need some time and a few tools, but the overall process to replace car speakers is far from the most complicated repair you can make. Newer vehicles with complicated interior trim pieces and highly connected stereos can be more difficult, but The Drive’s editors are here to help you understand the basics.

The best thing you can do to ensure a smooth installation is to research. Research your car and understand what it uses for speakers and know where they are. Take the time to shop for the right speakers that fit and meet your needs, instead of finding the most powerful or most expensive thing you can buy.

Let’s dive in.

Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 hours, depending on vehicle and skill level

Skill Level: Beginner

Vehicle System: Electrical

Speakers, in any scenario, translate audio signals into actual audio. They are the things that provide the sound in your home, vehicle, and at the airport to remind you that boarding ends in five minutes. In cars, we generally see a few different sizes and types of speakers, each designed to handle a different audio frequency.

You’re going to be working with things that use electricity during this job. Disconnect the battery so you don’t find out why that’s dangerous.

You might not need everything in the list below, but it’s a good idea to have more than you need. Every car is different, so check your vehicle’s repair manual to determine exactly what you need.

Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)

You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting your ride out of the clink.

Speaker sizes are a very particular thing in cars, so you’ll want to do your homework to ensure you’re buying the right model for your car. It’s also important that you read both the directions for the speaker and your vehicle’s repair manual. The Drive’s editors are good, but we’re not good enough to know the ins and outs of every car.

Let’s do this! 

Note: If you want subwoofers or extra power, an amplifier and additional installation steps may be needed. 

As much as The Drive loves to put the "you" in do-it-yourself, we know that not everyone has the proper tools, a safe workspace, the spare time, or the confidence to tackle major automotive repairs. Sometimes, you just need quality repair work performed by professionals you can trust like our partners, the certified mechanics at Goodyear Tire & Service.

A few pro-tips we’ve learned along the way.

You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!

A. The best speaker setup for your car will depend on what you’re trying to accomplish. Do you want to shake the car next to you with bass? Your sound system should be heavy on subwoofers and amplifiers. Want to jam Whitesnake in your IROC-Z? You’ll need some solid 6x9s and a good head unit. Retailers like Crutchfield offer both fit and sound guides for various vehicles.

A. Beyond updating the speakers themselves, you could take the extra step of insulating the inside of the door panels with sound deadening materials. This will help direct sound back into your car instead of letting it escape. You can also install new gaskets for each speaker and make sure that your doors themselves don’t have any loose parts that can rattle or make noise.

A. The first, and most important thing, is the size. The best speakers in the world won’t do any good if they don’t fit, and trying to force something to fit by modifying your vehicle is a big pain. Once you’ve found the fit, focus on the characteristics of the speaker, including power output, installation requirements, and cost.

A. This will depend on how many speakers you’re installing and the types of speakers you choose. Some can be had for as little as $20 or so, but don’t expect audiophile levels of sound quality. On the other end, the sky’s the limit, as you can spend as much as you want on super high-end speakers.

A. Yes, you can, but it’s not going to yield the best results. Assuming you’re able to work out the wiring, you’ll need a way to physically install the speakers so they’re not flying around loosely in your car. It’s best to stick with speakers that were made for the application you need.

We’re here to be expert guides in everything How-To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles.

Jonathon Klein: Twitter (@jonathon.klein), Instagram (@jonathon_klein)

Tony Markovich: Twitter (@T_Marko), Instagram (@t_marko)

Chris Teague: Twitter (@TeagueDrives), Instagram (@TeagueDrives)

You can buy speakers and installation equipment almost anywhere, and there are literally hundreds of individual products to choose from. We won’t overload you with sales pitches here, though. The Drive’s editors have chosen a few of the best products for speaker installation that are useful, affordable, and well-reviewed.

Rockford Fosgate 6.5-inch Speakers

Sunitec Bluetooth Upgrade Kit

Skar Audio Dual 10-inch Subwoofer Enclosure

Boss Audio Amplifier Wiring Kit

Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note: guidesandgear@thedrive.com