10 Best 6.5″ Speakers

The best thing about upgrading your car’s audio system is just how much different and incredible music sounds. You’ll go from listening to your stock speakers that provide average sound quality to hearing deeper bass, richer vocals, and different levels you didn’t think were possible in a vehicle.

When you’re looking at making that upgrade, there are plenty of things you need to consider before making the purchase. There are plenty of different types of speakers, installation guides, prices, brands, and features.

For the beginner into car audio, this can seem downright confusing and overwhelming. What are 2-way, 3-way- and 4-way speakers? What is a class D amp and how is that different than a multi-channel amp like the Alpine PDX V9?

Finding the right speakers for you depends on personal taste, budget, and the size of your car. This review isn’t going to be telling you which speaker is the best for you to buy, but a list of some of our favorite options.

Today, we’re going to be going over the best 6.5 speakers on the market.

Take a look at the list and see which option could be the top option for you and your vehicle.

Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime Speaker Set

Rockford Fosgate subs and amplifiers have long been on the top of the car audio mountain. Their products are known for their quality components and fantastic sound without costing you a fortune.

One thing that stands out to us immediately is that you can get these speakers to work without the external crossover. They’re pretty easy to set up and make good speakers for any beginners.

These speakers are plenty powerful and offer clean audio quality for a fairly economical price. The sensitivity range is pretty good and the frequency range is spectacular, going from 20-20,000 Hz.

Both speakers come with a polypropylene woofer and rubber surround. In addition, these speakers come with a ½ inch silk dome tweeter that’s pole mounted.

With an integrated tweeter crossover, it will make sure your speakers are receiving the correct frequencies.

As we said, these speakers are fairly easy to install and come with everything you may need in the box.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Very easy installation, good for beginners
• Powerful performance
• Fair price and great value
• Durable components mean it can withstand any environment

Cons:

• Some users have stated these speakers blow out

Kicker 40CS654 2-Way Speakers

Sometimes, even the easiest of installations can be a bit tricky. Figuring out all the little things can be a pain and what may take someone one hour may take you two.

But, we have to give Kicker credit with these speakers. They were by far the easiest installation we’ve ever seen. They weren’t as easy as the LEGOs we used to play with, but you won’t fret about putting them in your vehicle.

Now that we’ve sung the praises of the installation, it’s time to talk about the sound.

We found that these speakers had great bass and incredibly clear sound overall. With 600 Watts of peak power, they bring more than enough to the table in order to power your bass. Of course if you are looking for bone rattling bass, a pair of Kicker subwoofers can be added to your setup as well.

These speakers have reduced-depth baskets that come with easy fitting components and make these speakers quite durable.

With the extended voice coil, you’ll be able to hear super-clean bass without any rattling. The rest of the components come together beautifully to make a fantastic looking and sounding speaker.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Built to last, great components make these speakers durable
• Deep bass with clear sound
• Installation is an absolute breeze
• Plenty of power to handle bass and loud high volume

Cons:

• Some distortion and crackling during initial use

Boss Audio CH6530 3-Way Speaker Set

Boss Audio comes through again with a quality product at a bargain price. These speakers do just about everything, making them a great buy for beginners or those looking for an immediate update to their car’s sound system.

These speakers are made with extra-durable components and can withstand just about everything that gets thrown their way. Boss Audio is quite confident in their abilities and offered a 3-year warranty to go with the speakers.

Their voice coils are designed to withstand the highest temperatures and can withstand long play times. If you’re someone that has to have your music playing from the moment you sit down in the car to the moment you get out, then these speakers are the ideal choices for you.

You don’t need a crossover to use these speakers, as they come with a Piezoelectric tweeter, able to resist overloads and electrical properties.

When it comes to installation, these are fairly easy to install. If you know the basics, you won’t have to take them to a professional to get everything set up.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Very durable, can play in just about any condition
• Bargain price and fantastic value
• Comes with a 3-year warranty

Cons:

• Couldn’t handle loud volumes well
• Bass is just OK

Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime Speaker Set

Another day, another Rockford Fosgate. Who can say they’re surprised?

One of the best things about this speaker set is the integrated concealed crossover. They also work incredibly well with your stock system if you’re not looking to make an upgrade over your whole system.

These speakers deliver a high-quality sound at an economical price. They’re durable and steady, so you know you’ll be getting a great product from the start. No matter what environment you’re in, these speakers will be able to stand up to the pressure and give you great sound.

The components are top-notch, and you’ll get a silk Piezo mid-range and tweeter along with a polypropylene woofer cones. As mentioned above, the integrated crossover is concealed away in a basket for easy installation and a cleaner, sleeker look and feel.

With a great frequency response and solid power range, you’ll be getting plenty of solid audio from these speakers for years to come.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent quality for price, bargain deal
• The integrated concealed crossover is hidden away
• Very easy to install

Cons:

• Don’t have the full-range capability as other counterparts

Kenwood KFC-1659PS 3-Way Speakers

These speakers check all the boxes and come out to be one of the best all-around speakers you can find on the market.

They come at a reasonable price and last for quite a long time, so you know your dollar is going to go really far here. That’s largely because of the top-quality components that go into making these speakers what they are.

With water-resistant paper cones and a radial rib pattern, you’ll be getting plenty of deep bass which is definitely one of the strengths of these speakers.

In addition, a lot of the features you’ll find with these speakers are a result of advanced technology that shows up in the design and overall sound.

You won’t hear much better detail from any other speakers as you would with these. They come fitted with an acoustic sound harmonizer to make your experience smoother and more enjoyable over long trips.

Installation on these speakers is also pretty easy, with many users saying they could complete the entire process in under an hour.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Comes with an acoustic sound harmonizer for amazing sound quality
• Plenty of power for a solid bass
• Great value
• Easy and quick installation

Cons:

• The sound quality overall is just average

Pioneer TS-A1686F A-Series Speakers

If you’re looking for loud music that plays clearly no matter how high the volume goes, then these speakers should be your choice.

These speakers are optimally designed for high-quality audio and sound, built with a heat-resistant voice coil that can withstand high temperatures and plenty of power being pumped through the system.

But then again, would you expect anything else from Pioneer? They’ve been in the car audio game for quite some time now and it shows with the components they’ve built in these bad boys.

Each speaker comes with a multi-layer Mica Matrix woofer and an elastic polymer surround. This means they can sound great in any stereo system, especially if you don’t want to upgrade your entire system.

In addition, we have to talk about how nice these speakers look. The cosmetic design is one of the best on our list and it may surprise you that you won’t have to be paying extra for the look.

Overall, the sound quality and clarity is top-notch. You get dynamic range and a great-sounding bass that will keep the tunes thumping for quite some time.

No matter what kind of music you select, you’re going to be listening to fantastic sounds throughout the entire day.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Fantastic cosmetic design, they look great and sound better
• Top-notch handling power to deliver great sound quality
• Easy and fast installation

Cons:

• Distortion was present at higher volumes for some users

Pyle 3-Way Speaker System

Pyle has long been in the game because they make affordable speakers that are easy to use and easy to install. Generally, you’ll have to sacrifice a bit of sound quality here but you get what you pay for here.

From the outset, we really loved the design and look of the speakers. With a blue poly injection cone and ASV voice coil, it can withstand constant use and high temperatures. You won’t get a lot of distortion but you will be getting plenty of rich sounds.

Overall, the components here are good but not great. You won’t find any advanced technology or top-of-the-line materials that go into these speakers, but the components here are enough to get you through your morning commute and more.

They do have a low impedance and plenty of power despite their inexpensive build. Overall, you’re going to be getting a very serviceable set of speakers that are durable and produce great sound.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Speakers have a great look, lovely design
• Great sound range, good for any types of music
• Components can withstand high temperatures and power

Cons:

• Once again, the sound quality isn’t going to be as great as other speakers

Infinity REF6522IX Co-Axial Speakers

Another brand that’s been around the block more than once, Infinity speakers are fantastic options because they are compatible with just about every car you can find and incredibly easy to install.

Not only that, but they offer fantastic sound quality with the four-ohm impedance technology. Infinity has been and will continue to be a top choice amongst car audio enthusiasts for quite some time.

They have an edge-driven, textile tweeter and Plus One woofer so they’re going to bring out plenty of top sounds and amazing detail to your music choice. The woofer is made of polypropylene and a rubber surround.

The tweeters and magnets go above and beyond to enhance the overall sound quality even if you have it matched up with a non-matching head unit. If you’re looking to upgrade only some of your speakers, then this is an ideal choice.

What this system doesn’t do particularly well is handle bass. They don’t come loaded with power as some of their counterparts are, meaning you may not be able to get the deep bass you desire. Fans of rap and hip-hop may be disappointed with this set of speakers.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Advanced tech makes for a clear listening experience
• Compatible with just about every vehicle
• Easy to install
• Very clear and detailed audio

Cons:

• Lack of power
• Not a very strong bass

Pioneer TSA1676R 3-Way Speakers

If there’s one area where these speakers shine above the rest, it’s their high volume capabilities and handling power. You’ll be able to listen to anything you want, from classical to heavy rap, and you’re instantly going to notice a boost in your audio quality.

These speakers come at a bargain price, quite impressive because of the amazing range and fantastic bass that they have. In addition, these speakers look awfully pretty.

Going to the components, these come made with a rigid, multi-layered Mica Matrix cone that improves overall sound dispersion giving you a much deeper bass. You’ll also be able to crank the volume up without noticing any distortion.

These speakers also have high sensitivity thanks to the elastic polymer surround. You’re going to get top-class responsiveness along with a lower degree of internal loss.

You’ll get plenty of input power thanks to the heat-resistant voice coil wire which allows for the dissipation of heat. It does a great job staying cool and you won’t notice too much heat coming off them.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• A voice coil that’s heat-resistant, keeps up in high temperatures
• Very durable, in for the long haul
• Great range, could sound quality overall
• Very easy installation can be done in under a few hours

Cons:

• Some users said these speakers blew out after frequent use

Mopar Jeep Wrangler JK Kicker Speakers

Even though these speakers are only available for Jeeps, we found that they were some of the best on the market that come at a very generous price. They’re unbelievably easy to install and you don’t need to be an expert to make sure everything works.

Even though it may not be a super popular brand, these speakers come loaded with Kicker audio components that provide all the quality and care you’d expect from a big name brand.

You’ll get great range with these speakers and tends to sound better in the mids and highs than they do with the bass. That’s not to say that the bass is lacking, but you can get stronger bass from other speakers on this list.

They also shine with their ability to handle high volumes, being able to be louder and last longer than others.

Power is also lacking from these speakers, one of the reasons why they don’t produce nearly as much bass as you might be looking for.

The good news is that these speakers come with a 1-year or 12,000-mile warranty if anything happens with them.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Fantastic sound quality
• Almost no audio experience needed in order to successfully install
• Fairly priced, solid bargain deal
• Can get plenty loud

Cons:

• Some users complained they didn’t sound better than factory speakers

Things to Consider

There is no perfect right answer when you decide to purchase a set of 6.5 speakers. Not all speakers are the same and depending on your budget, car, music choice, and more, your ideal speakers could vary greatly from those of a friend or relative.

No matter which one you choose, you can rest assured that these speakers are going to be an immediate upgrade to your car’s stock speakers.

There are some important things you need to consider before making, as many are those technical terms that we’ve thrown about so liberally throughout our reviews.

We’re going to go over the basics in order to give you the best idea and preparation possible.

Coaxial and Component

There are two different types of speakers in the world, coaxial and component. Both have a list of pros and cons. Neither one is inherently better than the other, as the value of each is usually determined by the consumer.

Component speakers involve multiple components and have individual speakers. That means your woofers, tweeters, and crossovers are going to come in separate parts. These will give you better sound quality overall but it comes at a steeper price. They are also more difficult to install and are usually for people who want to make full upgrades or are car audio experts.

Coaxial speakers, on the other hand, put the speakers together in one unit. They are much easier to install and much cheaper. If you’re someone who is not used to car audio or is just wanting a small upgrade to your system, then a coaxial speaker is the way to go for you.

Both of these speaker types are in 2-way and 3-way setups. Just make sure you’re reading the specifications clearly to find out which ones you’re looking at.

Frequency Range

This determines the overall sound quality and how the sound is directed and managed in your vehicle. When you adjust the frequency, you can increase the overall effect of sound.

These come out in your tweeters, and if you point them in the right direction (literally) then you’re going to improve your overall sound experience.

Crossovers help distribute the frequency more evenly between the woofer and the tweeter. This means that the power isn’t wasted between speakers because the frequencies aren’t going to be reproduced by units that cannot handle those sounds.

Sometimes the crossover is internal and other times it’s external. External crossovers may take up a bit more room and can adjust your installation methods.

Power

You need power so that your speakers can function. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that part out.

When you’re looking at speakers, you’re bound to see two figures. One of them is going to be peak power, the least important of the two. Peak power is the maximum amount of power that your speaker can handle in short bursts.

The more important of the two is the RMS rating. RMS is the amount of continuous power the speakers can handle. The better the RMS, the more likely you are to have consistent sound quality. You’ll get better highs and more bass over a period of time.

Sometimes, you may have to purchase an amp in order to power your speakers. Greater quality speakers are more likely to need an amp over cheaper speakers.

Impedance

A funny word to say, impedance is the amount of resistance that a speaker is able to handle with current and voltage being sent its way. The less resistance, the more electrical signal gets sent to the speaker. The more resistance, the less electrical signal sent that way.

Speaker Materials

Materials play a very important role in the overall quality of your system. You noticed that we went on and on about some materials while skipping over some other ones.

The ideal woofer materials are lightweight and made from synthetic materials. Those with woven fabrics or metal-coated synthetics can also be used.

Tweeters tend to be made from silk or textile blends that can make the sound more refined. The surrounding materials are also quite important, as they can help make the speakers more durable and improve quality.

Size

While we’ve been talking about 6.5-inch speakers, does that mean that they can fit in any 6.5-inch space?

The majority of the time, the answer is yes. That’s a standard size that can fit pretty easily in all cars. When it comes to installation, 6.5 speakers tend to be the simplest because they don’t require modifications, if any at all.

Even beginning DIYers will find that these speakers are easy to set up and if you’re wanting to explore a new hobby then this is the most ideal place to start. If you’re lost, there’s nothing wrong with taking it to a pro.

Closing Thoughts

6.5 speakers are immediate upgrades to your car’s audio and provide well-balanced audio for your vehicle. Installation is pretty easy for almost all models, so it’s ideal for any beginners out there.

Ultimately, finding the perfect set is up to you. Just make sure you do as much research as possible and check out plenty of reviews. Good luck!