Ready to Crank Up the Volume? Look For These 8 Qualities
Looking at speakers for your car can feel overwhelming, especially with all the technical jargon and specifications to consider.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about selecting the perfect audio upgrade for your vehicle, explaining it in plain language along the way.
Car Speakers: Understanding the Basics
Before diving into specs and features, let’s clarify what makes types of car speakers different from home audio.
Your car presents unique challenges; road noise, varying temperatures, limited space, and acoustic reflections all influence how speakers perform. That’s why choosing speakers designed specifically for automotive use matters so much. The confined space of a vehicle creates standing waves and resonances that home speakers aren’t designed to handle. Automotive speakers use specialized materials and construction techniques to combat these challenges.
If you’re upgrading your car stereo, you’ll probably want to look at:
- Car speakers that handle mid-range tones.
- A tweeter for the upper register of higher pitches.
- A subwoofer for bass – all the low notes.
Car Speakers and Power Handling
Power handling might sound technical, but it’s really about matching your speakers to your amplifier, which is in charge of the power.
Root mean square (RMS) power rating tells you how much continuous power the speaker can take, while peak power indicates maximum short bursts. Think of RMS as your everyday driving speed and peak as how fast your car could go. If you’re interested in performance, you’ll mostly care about the RMS.
The RMS of your car speakers should not exceed the RMS per channel of the amplifier and vice-versa. Doing so can result in underperformance or distortion.
Size Matters In Car Speakers
One of the most basic yet vital aspects of selecting the best car speakers involves proper sizing. Factory speaker openings come in standard sizes like 6×9, 6.5, or 5.25 inches. Measuring your existing speakers helps avoid frustrating fitment issues later.
Some speakers for cars offer mounting brackets to adapt different sizes, but matching your factory size typically provides the easiest installation path. Depth measurements are equally significant; many aftermarket speakers are deeper than factory ones, so checking available mounting depth prevents clearance issues with window mechanisms or door panels.
If you shop at a reputable car stereo store, the technicians can help you choose the right size speakers for your ride and take the guesswork out of your experience.
Car Speakers and Frequency Response
For subwoofers, lower frequency response numbers mean deeper bass, while higher numbers indicate crisper highs. Most car speakers handle frequencies between 50 hertz (Hz) and 20 kilohertz (kHz). The real magic lies in how evenly they reproduce these frequencies. Smooth response across the range creates more natural sound than speakers that emphasize certain frequencies too much.
Pay attention to the speaker’s resonant frequency. This indicates the lowest frequency it can reproduce effectively. A lower resonant frequency often translates to better bass response.
Component vs. Coaxial Speakers For Cars
Component systems separate the tweeter (high frequencies) from the subwoofer (low frequencies), allowing optimal placement of each. They deliver superior sound staging, making music feel like it’s coming from in front of you rather than from your doors.
Coaxial speakers combine both drivers in one unit. They’re simpler to install, but in exchange, you get less flexibility in sound adjustment.
Mid-range drivers in three-way systems add clarity to vocals and instruments, filling the gap between bass and treble frequencies.
Materials Make the Music
Woofer materials affect how your speakers sound. Synthetic films like polypropylene provide good performance at lower costs. Woven fabrics offer improved detail. Metal cones can deliver exceptional clarity, but can sound a bit harsh.
For surrounds, rubber lasts longer than foam and performs better in extreme temperatures. Newer materials like carbon fiber and kevlar blend strength with lightweight properties, reducing distortion at high volumes while maintaining durability.
Car Speakers and Sensitivity Rating
A speaker’s sensitivity rating indicates how efficiently it converts power into sound. Higher numbers mean louder output from the same power input.
If you’re using a factory radio or low-powered amplifier, choosing speakers with higher sensitivity above 90 decibels (dB) helps achieve better volume without requiring massive power. Every increase of 3dB in sensitivity doubles the perceived volume from the same power input, making this specification particularly relevant for systems without external amplification.
Car Speakers: The Crossover Factor
Whether built into coaxial speakers or separate in component systems, crossovers direct different frequencies to appropriate drivers. Better crossover networks use higher quality parts and more sophisticated designs. This creates cleaner separation between high and low frequencies, reducing distortion when you turn up the volume.
Look for crossovers with multiple adjustment options. Being able to fine-tune the crossover point and tweeter level helps optimize sound for your specific installation.
Installation Environment
The space where you mount your speakers significantly impacts their performance, too. Door speakers need proper sound deadening to prevent vibration. Rear deck speakers might require spacers to avoid interference with the back glass.
Taking time to prepare mounting locations, including sealing any holes and adding sound dampening material, dramatically improves final sound quality. Consider the angle of speaker mounting as well; slightly angling speakers toward listeners can improve high-frequency response and imaging.
Fine-Tuning Your Sound
Even the best car speakers need proper setup to sound their best. Setting crossover points, adjusting equalizer (EQ), and properly setting gain structures helps achieve optimal performance. Start with minimal EQ adjustments, focusing first on proper installation and speaker placement. Use high-pass filters to protect smaller speakers from excessive bass that could damage them.
Take time learning how different music genres sound through your system. What sounds perfect for classical might need adjustment for electronic music.
Go Shopping For Car Speakers
These guidelines serve as your starting point in choosing new speakers for your car. Take your time researching options, reading reviews from actual users, and if possible, listening to different models before making your decision. The right speakers transform every drive into an enjoyable listening experience.
