Any audiophile who has looked into improving the sound quality of their car audio system will have encountered these two types of car audio speakers: coaxial car speakers and component car speakers. Both types of car stereo systems have their uses. In this article, we’ll answer the question “what are component speakers.”
The original factory speakers in a car are usually coaxial speakers, which are sort of all-in-one loudspeakers that encompass everything from the subwoofer to the tweeters. Basically, full-range speakers. They are good for saving space in your vehicle, but if you want to elevate your listening experience to exceptional heights with rich tonal clarity and a deeper sound stage, to get the best sound possible, then we recommend aftermarket component speakers. But what are component speakers?
Here is a list of 6 picks to choose from for your vehicle’s audio system.
What Are Component Speakers?
Manufacturers make both component speakers and coaxial speakers from a variety of parts that have been engineered to interpret and output sound at low and high frequencies on the spectrum of human hearing.
Component speakers allow for a unique, spread-out placement in your vehicle, which can be customized to provide a complete audio spectrum that produces high-quality sound and music.
Combining multiple components into one single unit limits the overall capability of each part, and that’s why we recommend avoiding coaxial speakers if you want to elevate the sound quality of your car’s speaker system.
If you’re still asking yourself the question, ‘what are component speakers?’ then below, you’ll find a list of the different parts that make up this excellent speaker system.
What Are the Different Parts of Component Speakers?
The audio frequency of any song or sound ever heard by a human is measured on a spectrum between 20 to 20,000 Hz, and each part of a component speaker system is designed to operate at different frequencies, handling a specific portion of the entire range.
Something to note when considering an aftermarket component set is that you will likely need an aftermarket head unit and a separate amplifier for your subwoofer.
Tweeter Speakers
Named after the high-pitched tweeting of birds, tweeters are speakers in a component speaker system that handle the high end of the audio spectrum, between 2000 to 20,000 Hz. Tweeters are just as important as a subwoofer, and they play a vital role in filling out an audio sound-scape.
Mid-Range Speakers
As the name suggests, these speakers cover the middle range of the audio spectrum, which comprises sounds that fall between 300 to 5000 Hz. There is some overlap between mid-range speakers and tweeters, but they are essential for producing sound associated with most genres of music and vocals.
Woofers
Woofer speakers are responsible for the mid-bass of any music that falls between 40 to 1000 Hz. While there is some overlap with mid-range speakers, woofers are the only part capable of producing the dog-like bass woof that gives them their name. Besides the above components, there are also specialty parts that provide extra fidelity on the extreme ends of the audio spectrum.
Super Tweeters
Designed to produce much higher frequencies than regular tweeters, super tweeters can emit ultrasonic sounds beyond 20,000 Hz. These speakers are uncommon among users who only require a sound system for music, but they can help to fill in audio frequencies for unique genres of music or sounds.
Subwoofers
Arguably the most popular part of any component sound system, subwoofers, operate in the lowest frequency range between 20 to 200 Hz, and we recommend investing in a pair if you’re looking to improve and intensify the deep bass of your car’s sound system.
All these parts work together in a component speaker system to produce a variety of benefits for sound quality and listening experience that we’ll cover in greater detail below.
What Are the Benefits of Component Speakers?
We’ve briefly mentioned that component speakers are the best choice for an overall improvement of sound quality in your vehicle, but they also provide specific benefits that will elevate your entire audio experience.
Exceptional Tonal Clarity
The crossover network (wires) of component speakers runs throughout your vehicle connecting everything together, and this space prevents the electronics of different parts from interfering with one another’s frequencies. This produces a boost in tonal clarity and distinguishes individual instruments from each other, giving your music a deeper timbre and warmth.
Deep Sound Stage
Standard coaxial speakers in vehicles will often emit sound or music as if it’s coming from below or behind you, and this subsequently makes music sound flat or distant. Component speakers give you the freedom of placement so that tweeters and subwoofers can be positioned in such a manner to produce a surround sound that creates a more authentic audio experience.
Better Imaging
Imaging refers to the perceived spatial locations of sound sources, and the tonal clarity, frequency separation, and the elevated sound stage of component speakers will increase the imaging of your music, adding greater dimension to every element. With the perfect placement, component speakers will make the instruments of your music more thrilling, standing out as if they were right in front of you.
Now that you know what component speakers are, take a look at our list below to help you on your search to find the best speaker system for your vehicle.
6 Component Speaker Systems
You are now ready to browse. Here is our list of 6 component speaker systems that offer a great starting point for looking into different designs, sizes, capabilities, and brands. Hopefully, this information will help you narrow down the best car speakers for your needs.
1. Polk Audio DB6501 6.5” 2-Way Component System
The Polk Audio DB6501 comes highly rated as an excellent choice for improving the in-car audio experience and features a two-way Butterworth outboard crossover that helps protect and amplify its tweeters.
They coat its woofers in a polymer composite that strengthens reverberation for deeper bass tones, and the included adapter rings make for easy installation.
The DB6501 weighs only 5 pounds and measures 8in x 14.5in x 4.8in (HxWxL), with a frequency response spectrum of 35Hz to 23kHz and a nominal impedance of 4 Ohms.
2. Alpine SPR-60C 6.5” Audio Component System
The Alpine SPR-60C is another highly rated component system that features a powerful set of speakers, guaranteed to improve sound quality and depth.
The speakers have a peak wattage of 300, which is extremely high for 6.5” and is enough to produce a broad spectrum of frequencies with tonal clarity.
Weighing only 2 pounds with 4 Ohms impedance, the speakers measure 7.1in x 17.7in x 8.6in (HxWxL) and are equipped with hybrid layered-pulp cones for durability and tonal stability.
3. Infinity Reference 6530CX 6.5” Speaker System
The Infinity 6530CX is an excellent all-in-one package for anyone who wants quick improvements to sound quality, with a kit that includes two woofers, tweeters, and network crossovers (wires).
The Infinity also comes with mounting hardware for further freedom of placement, and the two-way component design and rubber woofer cones enhance sound clarity and deep bass performance.
4. JBL GTO609C Premium 6.5-Inch Component Speaker System
JBL is an audio brand known for affordability and sound quality, and their GTO609C Speaker System is a testament to that with features that offer great value-for-money. This kit comes with everything necessary for installation, including tweeters, woofers, a mounting system, and a network crossover set.
The speakers provide 270 watts of peak power for tonal clarity, and JBL’s Plus One Technology provides a larger cone surface to the woofers for higher efficiency and better bass response.
5. JL Audio C2-650 6.5” 2-Way Component Speaker System
The JL Audio C2-650 speaker set is an excellent option for anyone interested in upgrading to their first set of component speakers. With a total peak power of 200 watts and an RMS power of 120 watts, this component speaker set handles large fluctuations in volume without losing tonal clarity or sound quality over constant use.
The included tweeters can also adjust to three different positions for maximum customization and placement around your vehicle for a deep sound stage experience.
6. BOSS Audio CH6CK 6.5” Car Speakers
The BOSS Audio CH6CK is a high-quality audio system that offers a great sound with the advantage of long-lasting speakers made from polyurethane for resilience and durability.
They make the included woofers with a rubber lining that has the ability to withstand a wide range of frequencies levels without compromising bass tonal clarity and depth. Measuring 6.9in x 6.9in x 3.2 (HxWxL), this speaker system has a peak power wattage of 350 with a frequency response of 60Hz to 20 kHz.
The Right Speakers for You
Some other great brands to consider are Kenwood, Kicker, Pioneer, and Rockford Fosgate. The speaker systems reviewed in this article are just 6 great options of thousands. No matter what you choose, you’re likely to notice a notable difference from your stock speakers.
