Best Car Speakers: Stop Suffering Through Bad Sound

In order to find the best car speakers available, we dove into the wide selection of different speakers and took a close look at many. With so many different product options, we compared each set of car speakers based on their specific details, from speaker size to materials and construction to ease of installation. We took a look at the specs of each set of car speakers too, considering the wattage for power, the cone structure and material, and the levels available for bass and treble. Our top picks were those car speakers that offer good value for their price and great performance, whether you’re tuned into music or talk radio. 

The JL Audio C2-650X Evolution Series is our best all-around car speaker. They provide a good mix of quality, value, and ease of installation that makes them ideal for a wide range of people and vehicles. That said, even the best speakers will sound bad if they’re poorly installed, so it’s best to make sure of the fit and placement for the best sound.  

If you look up a car speaker sales ad, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with specs, numbers, and features. Don’t get bogged down too much, as it’s not rocket science, and don’t get caught up in fancy styling. 

Also referred to as coaxial speakers, these are the more basic speakers and the most prevalent on the market. The speakers feature a tweeter and a woofer, with the former being responsible for higher frequencies. Woofers deal with the bass at lower and mid-range frequencies. Since these models are so straightforward in design, they require fewer modifications and are more budget-friendly. Improving the sound substantially, you can get up to four-way coaxial speakers to control the flow of the soundwaves. 

This type of car speaker consists of separate parts which are positioned throughout the vehicle and allows you to control the flow of the music based on how you mount them. You can ensure that the tweeters and woofers channel different frequencies to play to their strengths by wiring them correctly. Because of the extra control, the music quality is optimal with component speakers. However, they are more likely to require modifications to the vehicle and also take substantially longer to install. 

Most speakers fall somewhere between four and nine inches. Typically, the larger the vehicle, the bigger the factory speakers. Usually, the speakers are installed behind a protective grill and the amount of space you have to work with determines the size of the speaker you can get (unless you want to make modifications). Generally, the more space there is, the higher the quality of the audio. 

Depending on how much room you have to work with and the layout of your vehicle, you will want a different speaker setup. Within the full-range category, you can find two-, three-, and four-way speakers. Naturally, the more speakers, the higher the quality of audio. Each of the speakers accommodates a specific frequency range, limiting crossover and cutting down on sharp, staticky sounds. 

Another critical feature is the materials of each speaker. Sound results from vibrations, but you don’t want ambient noise. It not only compromises the sound quality, but it also can cause the system to overheat. Look for models with a butyl rubber protective layer. This material absorbs the vibrations, helping prevent damage to the system and preventing background noise. 

Especially if you drive a loud vehicle, wattage is an essential feature. You can find stereos as low as 80 watts and higher than 350 watts. The higher the wattage, the louder it can get. Now, all speakers can blow out, but you are much less likely to face this issue if you’re working with a higher wattage capacity. Consider the type of vehicle you drive when picking out your new speakers. 

You can spend less than $60 and get budget-friendly car speakers with less than 60 RMS and a maximum power output of 100 watts or less. Despite that, most have good sound quality and bass. For $60 to $80, you’ll find speakers that don’t disappoint as they come with great designs and are made of high-quality materials. They can handle extended use without overheating and have impressive sound. Spend $80 or more, and you’ll find car speakers from top-of-the-line brands that will deliver the ultimate music experience. They offer differentiated sound levels, from low to high frequencies, on different cones with no distortion.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.