LAST UPDATED: October 13, 2019
Best Car Component Speakers: Upgrade Your Audio Experience
Upgrade your in-car audio listening experience with the best car component speakers
Entering our 7th season of /DRIVE on NBC Sports, and with millions of YouTube and Facebook followers, The Drive is a leading authority of all things automotive.
The Review Team
-
20 Products
-
13 Hours
-
15 Reviews
How We Decided
The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.
PUBLISHED ON October 13, 2019
You don’t have to settle for the factory basic speakers that are probably in your current ride. There are plenty of affordable aftermarket speakers that offer rich bass and stereo sound. Keep reading for our top picks for the best car component speakers and what you need to know when shopping for them.
Why Trust Us
All of our reviews are based on market research, expert input, or practical experience with most products we include. This way, we offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Tips
- Component speakers are also known as “separates”. This is because this type of speaker doesn’t have the woofer (for bass) and tweeter (for highs and mids) combined in one unit.
- One of the biggest draws of car component speakers is that they’re more customizable. Since the tweeter, woofer, and external crossover are all separate from each other, it allows you to position each piece exactly where you prefer for a more robust, immersive sound.
- True audiophiles will prefer component speakers over full-range speakers that include all speaker components in one unit. Component speakers tend to be made of higher-quality materials and emit a realistic sound.
- Always check the size of the speaker to ensure that it’s compatible with your car. Just like many other products, component speakers come in varying sizes. In addition to confirming RMS and sensitivity ratings, the size is going to impact how easily you can install a speaker—if at all.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if a speaker is powerful enough for my car?
A: When it comes to power, you should focus on the RMS and peak ratings. The RMS figure indicates how much continuous power a speaker can handle. A peak rating outlines how much power a speaker can handle in quick bursts. Ultimately, you should focus on the RMS rating. You need to match the RMS rating to the amp rating of your car’s system.
Q: How do I pick the right sensitivity speakers for my car?
A: When picking car component speakers, you should focus on the opposite sensitivity rating to that of your car’s audio system. A high-amp system should be paired with lower-sensitivity speakers, and conversely, a low-amp system should be paired with high-sensitivity speakers.
Q: Is there anything I should know about installing component speakers?
A: Because component speakers are designed with separate parts, you should have a solid understanding of sound design and wiring before attempting to install this type of speaker on your own. If you’re not comfortable performing this task on your own, you can always work with an experienced car audio installer to complete this project.
Final Thoughts
For the audiophile, opt for our Best Overall pick, the Focal PS 165 6.5" 160 Watts RMS 2-Way Performance Series. It offers a strong RMS rating, easy installation, and customizable tweeter positioning.
Budget-conscious gear heads will appreciate our Best Value selection, the Rockford Fosgate Punch Pro Single 6.5" 4-Ohm Midrange 100 Watts. It manages to merge a modest price point with deep bass and a strong RMS rating.