The majority of modern automobiles are equipped with decent stereo systems nowadays, especially as compared to old cars. Maybe you don’t want to spend more money than you have to on your car’s audio system straight from the manufacturer, but you want better audio performance.
There are many types of speaker upgrades available in the aftermarket, many of them directly replacing your head unit, so you do not have to worry about getting a new head unit or even adding an amplifier to your vehicle.
Since most new cars come with complex infotainment systems that cannot be easily removed, this is especially important.
Make sure you get the correct size of replacement car speakers when shopping for speakers for your specific model of car. Should this not be possible, you might have to look at getting a custom installation done.
It is our intention that the speakers on this list be OE replacement speakers, something you could do yourself in your own garage if you are reasonably knowledgeable about wiring and how stereo systems operate.
NVX VSP65 6.5″ Pro-Grade 2-Way Car Speakers
NVX VSP65 is one of the best options for those looking to upgrade their stock speakers to something of a higher standard without breaking the bank.
The amplifier deliver excellent highs as well as powerful mids even with a standard head unit – which is exactly what you need for an audio upgrade.
The VSP65 from NVX is capable of producing an impressive RMS of 200W (100W for each of the two VSP65s) and a peak of 600W (300W for each of these).
From its N-Series speakers, NVX have adapted the silk-dome tweeters and increased their surface area from 20mm to 25mm. In the end, the result is a speaker that might cost twice or else three times as much as its competitors.
As well as being built to last for many years, these speakers provide excellent sound quality. The cones are made from polypropylene, an ultralight material that is designed with outstanding mid- and low-range characteristics.
It is important to note that the rubber surround of the Nitrile Butadiene speakers provides a way of supporting the linear movements of the speakers to ensure optimal accuracy. A highly stable Y30 Ferrite motor also maintains excellent driver control for tight, crisp reproduction.
BOSS Audio Chaos Extreme
BOSS Audio has introduced its 6.5-inch and 5.25-inch Chaos Extreme speaker series, which offers an affordable option for upgrading your speakers.
As for the 5.25-inch speakers, they are offered in a two-way or three-way configuration, while the 6.5-inch speakers are available in two-way, shallow mount, three-way, and as a component set.
It comes with two 5.25-inch speakers with a 4-ohm impedance, with a frequency response between 100 Hz and 18 kHz.
The polyimide domes of each of the speakers are one-inch and one-inch voice coils, respectively, while the poly injection cones of the woofers accommodate one-inch cones.
It is recommended that you do not use more than 200 watts for peak power. Each of the three-way speakers has a 5.25-inch woofer and a tweeter in addition to the peak power of 112.5 watts x two (225 watts).
Two-way speakers measuring 6.5 inches and 125 watts each will give you a peak power of 250 watts, while the 5-inch speakers have the same specifications.
Shallow-mount versions require an enclosure depth of 1.8 inches, while conventional two-way speakers require an enclosure depth of 2.1 inches. It adds 150 watts of power to each speaker, with a peak power of 300 watts per speaker in the three-way version.
Kenwood KFC-1695PS
There is another manufacturer that is reputable in the car audio market, Kenwood. Kenwood offers the KFC-1695PS, which are coaxial speakers with a diameter of 6.5 inches.
Featuring a 4-ohm impedance, they have an RMS power rating of 75 watts or a peak power rating of 320 watts.
As for the woofers, the 6.5-inch cone is made of paper and the 1.5625-inch cone is made of paper. It also contains an additional ceramic super tweeter of 0.5 inches.
The frequency response of these speakers is 75 Hz to 20 kHz and they have a mounting depth of 1.8125 inches. There are many positive reviews for these devices on Amazon, and many of them deliver solid performance for a reasonable price.
Infinity PR6500CS Primus
The Infinity PR6500CS Primus is a mid-range option that can handle 80 watts RMS power or 320 watts peak power with ease. The company’s two-way component systems’ 6.5-inch speakers feature the company’s PlusOne cones, which increase the cone’s efficiency compared with speakers of the same size from conventional brands.
Consequently, speakers that produce greater bass output with a smaller amplifier play louder than others. The impedance of the speakers is three ohms because the speaker wires are thin gauge.
A textile dome tweeter with edge-driven technology will be able to handle more power and reduce distortion, creating more clarity in the mid/woofer driver.
A separate woofer and tweeter module, along with a separate crossover, are included with this particular model.
Cerwin Vega XED693
Cerwin Vega offers the XED693 from Cerwin Vega as an affordable offering of 6 x 9-inch speakers. A three-way coaxial speaker consisting of a curvilinear poly cone, butyl rubber surround, balanced metal dome with a 2.5-inch midrange speaker, balanced piezo metal dome 0.75-inch CV tweeter and a black coat stamped steel basket.
A 300 watt power rating is given to them and they have an operating frequency range of 50 Hz to 18 kHz.
These are, for the price, some of the best 6×9-inch subwoofers you can buy. They are an excellent aftermarket replacement for the original head unit, as they work great with it.