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Best 6.5 Car Speakers

James Benchman
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by James Benchman

There’s nothing better than superior sounding music from a car audio system to make you wish you had a longer commute to work.

There are several factors to consider when purchasing audio equipment for your car such as sound quality, ease of installation and setup, and features that they offer. The car speakers brands on our list below are some of the most popular available and have years if not decades of car audio manufacturing experience.

Everyone has unique priorities and preferences when it comes to car speakers, so some people can spend hours researching numerous speakers before finding one to buy while others simply can’t be bothered to do all of that work. Whoever you are, the good news is that we’ve researched everything for you and compiled a list of the best 6.5 car speakers on the market for your convenience.

Read further for more information on the speakers that made our shortlist.

6.5 Car Speakers
  • Easy Installation
  • contains a polypropylene woofer
  • Built to withstand multiple environments in a car
  • 4-way speaker
  • Upgraded cosmetic design
  • Easy installation
  • 600-watt peak power
  • 4-ohm low impedance
  • Easy installation
  • Built for a 90 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
  • 360-watt peak power
  • 4-ohm low impedance
  • Durable and resistant to wear and tear
  • 3-year warranty
  • Does not need a crossover

Best 6.5 Speakers Reviews Of 2020

1. Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime Car Speakers

We love these coaxial car speakers because they’re a great full range speaker that won’t break the bank. Yet, they still give you the superior sound associated with Rockford Fosgate car audio systems.

There is no need for an external crossover. These speakers are well made with impressive sound quality and are an excellent replacement for factory speakers.

These Rockford speakers make our list for several reasons. First of all, Rockford Fosgate has been a well-known manufacturer of car speakers and car audio systems since 1974. Their Prime series R165X3 offers powerful performance and clean audio quality. You get great sound quality for an economical price.

Sensitivity for these speakers is 91 dB, and the frequency response is 20 to 20,000 Hz. Each speaker contains a polypropylene woofer with a rubber surround and a ½ inch silk dome tweeter that’s pole mounted. There is also a Piezo supertweeter. These speakers have an Integrated Tweeter Crossover to direct the varying frequencies to the correct speaker, too.

Power handling for the Rockford Fosgate R165X3 speakers is interesting because they are easy to drive and don’t need and also can’t handle a lot of power, so be careful. Peak power is rated at 90 watts and 45w for RMS power. That’s not very high and as stated before, the sensitivity is also high at 91 dB. So, just make sure you’re feeding some some nice clean power and you just simply don’t need much.

Most people found it easy to install these speakers. They came with everything needed to complete the job. An adapter makes the installation process even easier.

Pros
  • Easy Installation
  • Economical price
  • Powerful performance
  • Built to withstand multiple environments in a car
Cons
  • Some users complained that these speakers blew easily

2. Pioneer TS-A1686R A-Series 6.5″ Car Speakers

We chose this system because it plays your music loud and clear, without distortion. The enhanced design of this new generation of speakers doesn’t just sound awesome; it looks good too.

The design disperses mid and high frequencies better. The heat-resistant coil wire allows the system to withstand a higher power input.

Another favorite car audio brand, Pioneer brings years of experience to manufacturing car speakers. The TS-A-Series provides a budget-friendly price for a powerful system that can handle up to 350 watts peak of power handling. This means you can crank your music up high for a great sound experience.

Each 4-way speaker consists of a multi-layer Mica Matrix woofer with an elastic polymer surround, a 3/8-inch polyethylene terephthalate dome tweeter, and a 1-1/8-inch balanced dome range. This is a powerful car audio solution at a reasonable price. These speakers sound great even on weak OEM stereos.

These speakers are an upgrade from the previous generation with a brand new cosmetic design, and higher handling power. The dynamic range and bass were also improved.

This system performs better enhancing the sound quality of a greater variety of music such as alternative rock, heavy bass, dubstep, and hip-hop. No matter what you listen to, it will sound incredible on these speakers.

Again, power handling is noteworthy at a peak of 350W and it normally enjoys running at 60W RMS power.

Pros
  • Upgraded cosmetic design so they look great
  • Upgraded handling power to enhance sound quality
  • Easy installation
  • 350 watts peak handling power
Cons
  • A few people advised that some of the speakers they installed had minimal distortion.

3. Kicker 40CS654 2-Way 6.5″ Car Speakers

These speakers made our shortlist because they’re designed for the installer making setup and installation easy. The clarity of sound and clean bass are other reasons that they’re a favorite.

The music sounds so amazing that many buyers fell back in love with their music after hearing it on these speakers.

Kicker is another well-known manufacturer of vehicle car speakers and these are priced excellent with remarkable and reliable sound. This set brings 600 watts of total peak power or 300 watts of peak power per speaker. They also have a 4-ohm low impedance.

The Kicker 40CS654 has baskets with reduced-depth so that they are easy to install anywhere in your vehicle. These speakers were designed with easy fitting components for easy installation.

Your bass sounds super-clean on these speakers, and the performance is incredible because of the durable motor/magnet structure with Extended Voice Coil. The polypropylene cones are ribbed with tough UV-treated surrounds. The PEI tweeter combined with the woofer brings clarity to your music.

The power handling is good at 300 watts peak power and 100W RMS power.

Pros
  • Rugged construction
  • Excellent, clear bass and music clarity that make some think this is the best 6 inch speaker for their needs
  • Very simple installation
  • 600 watts of peak handling power
Cons
  • A few customers reported some distortion or crackling

4. Pyle PL63BL 3-Way 6.5″ Coaxial Car Speakers

These coaxial car speakers make our list because of their efficient use of power and the warm, smooth sounds these speakers emit. With a speaker that looks and sounds so good, you can’t go wrong.

Installation is straightforward, and the sound quality has a full range.

Thousands of people have purchased this Pyle speaker system and couldn’t be happier. They may not be the best 6.5 car speaker, but worth a good look.

It’s a triaxial speaker system that looks great with a blue poly injection cone. There is a 1-inch ASV coil to handle high wattage and temperatures. This helps reduce distortion and provides a rich sound.

The mid-range is a 1-inch neodymium film dome, and the dome tweeter is a ¾-inch Piezo. Combined with the woofer these components produce a loud, but smooth sound quality. There is a 20 oz magnet and along with the dome tweeter, woofer, and mid-range this structure allows for a 90 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response.

These speakers have a low impedance of 4-ohms. This helps compensate for the small wiring in today’s vehicles. It ensures you get the most power out of your 360-watt system.

Pros
  • These speakers look as good as they sound
  • Fabulous sound range
  • Built for a 90 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
  • ASV coil for high temperatures and wattage
Cons
  • Some users complained that these speakers were poorly constructed

5. Boss Audio CH6530 3-Way 6.5″ Car Speakers Set

What’s not to love with this speaker system? Its one of our favorites because of the extremely low price and high-quality audio.

They’re easy to install and durable, withstanding high temperatures while staying strong.

The Boss Audio CH6530 speakers made our shortlist because they’re constructed from a rugged material that produces excellent sound and a durable product. There should be no worry of wear and tear with these speakers. Boss Audio is so confident in the quality construction of their products that all systems come with a 3-year online dealer warranty as well.

Boss Audio car speakers are also very economically priced, so they make an excellent choice to replace your stock speakers. They also have coils that can withstand high temperatures while maintaining their strength. This allows for longer play times.

The Piezoelectric dome tweeter allows the use of these 6.5 speakers without a crossover because of its resistance to overloads and electrical properties. That’s because the active element is essentially a particle of polarized material.

Power handling is good at 300W peak power and high sensitivity at 90 dB.

Pros
  • Durable and resistant to wear and tear
  • No crossover is needed
  • Very economical price
  • 3-year warranty
Cons
  • One of the feedback we got was that the speakers couldn’t handle large volume

6. Infinity REF6522IX Co-Axial 6.5 inch Car Speakers

We love these 6.5 Infinities because they are compatible with just about every aftermarket or factory car stereo and offer easy installation.

The incredibly clear sound quality illustrates exactly why Infinity is such a popular brand. The True Four Ohm Impedance technology is another reason these speakers are a favorite.

Another well-known car audio brand, Infinity is known for its high-quality audio components. These speakers are reasonably priced and manufactured in America.

With an edge-driven, textile tweeter and Plus One+ woofer, these speakers really bring clarity and details to your music and carefully handle 180 watts. The woofer is made of polypropylene with a rubber surround.

The separate dome tweeters (not silk dome, rather a textile material) and large magnets enhance music quality even when used with non-matching head units. These speakers are great for those that want to only upgrade some of their speakers to improve audio quality.

These 6.5 Infinities have True Four Ohm Impedance technology meaning that the 3-ohm impedence of the speaker combines with the speaker wire for a total 4-ohm load. The system power handling is 180 watts of peak power and has a frequency response of 53-21,000 Hz. It has high sensitivity at 93 dB.

The Infinity REF6522IX 6.5 Co-Axial Speakers come with a 1-year warranty. They are simple to install and really a great value for the money.

Pros
  • True Four Ohm Impedance Technology
  • Compatible with virtually any aftermarket or factory car stereos
  • Clear and detailed audio handling 180 watts of power
  • Easy installation and setup
Cons
  • Some users said these weren’t the right speakers for listening to good bass.

7. Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime Series 6.5 3-Way Car Speakers Set

Users who purchased these speakers loved the Integrated Concealed Crossover, material quality, and durability.

They loved how these speakers sounded great on a stock system and are fabulous if you’re not looking to replace your whole system. Many people said that they were straightforward to install in most vehicles.

We know a good speaker brand when we see it, and Rockford Fosgate just doesn’t disappoint. Thousands of users have purchased these speakers online and were impressed with the excellent sound quality for such an economical price. These speakers are well-designed for a variety of automobile environments.

These 3-way full range 6.5 speakers are a new generation of speakers used to replace factory ones. They feature a silk Piezo mid-range and tweeter and polypropylene woofer cones with integrated tweeter crossover. The integrated crossover is concealed, hidden away in a basket for easier installation and a neater look.

These Rockford Fosgate speakers have a low 4-ohm impedance with a 52 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response. They have a 45-watt RMS or 90 watts maximum power handling. The tweeter High-Pass is 6 dB, and the sensitivity is 91 dB.

Pros
  • Excellent sound quality for the price
  • Integrated Concealed Crossover
  • 52 Hz-20 kHz frequency response
  • Simple to install
Cons
  • Some users felt that these speakers did not perform well for all ranges (careful of the 90 watts max power handling rating as 90 watts isn’t that high)

8. Pioneer TSA1676R 3-Way 6.5 inch Coaxial Car Speakers

We really like these 6.5-inch speakers because you can listen to all of your music at a higher volume because of the sound quality and maximum handling power.

Any type of music sounds good on these speakers because of their full range. With 320 watts peak of maximum handling power, this system is powerful and responsive.

There’s a reason Pioneer speakers make our list twice. They’re reasonably priced especially since this new generation has so much to offer. Dynamic range and bass are improved as well as the power handling capabilities. They even have a new look.

The rigid, multi-layered Mica Matrix cone improves sound dispersion allowing for deeper bass. The newly designed dome tweeter delivers a full range of mid to high frequencies with optimized sound so that you can listen to your music at high volumes with less distortion.

A light elastic polymer surround allows for higher sensitivity. The materials used to make these speakers were carefully chosen for extra rigidity and lightness that allow for a superior responsiveness sensitivity and lower degree of internal loss. These Pioneers’ are responsive for optimal sound reproduction.

High input power is possible because of the heat-resistant voice coil wire that allows for the dissipation of heat and provides durability. The system has increased cooling to handle more power because of the cooling basket with air vent. Power handling comes in at 320W max and 50W nominal.

Pros
  • Heat-resistant coil
  • Manufactured for durability and maximum power handling
  • Dynamic range
  • Easy installation
Cons
  • A low percentage of users said the speakers sounded distorted or blew easily.

9. Kenwood KFC-1695PS 3-Way 6.5″ Coaxial Car Speakers

What’s not to love with these speakers? The advanced technology that makes the listening experience better is one of the primary reasons that these speakers made our shortlist.

All of this included at a reasonable price provides you with durability to make you speakers last much longer than most. You shouldn’t need to replace these speakers anytime soon.

These Kenwood 6.5 speakers are part of the Performance series with a multi-driver design for clean vocals, deep lows, and incredible highs. With the latest technology, you can’t go wrong purchasing these speakers because of their economical price point.

The water-resistant paper cones have an improved radial rib pattern that delivers better bass and increases the speaker’s strength. The rubber surround increases durability so that these speakers will last you years and always sound new.

The details of your music come alive because of the 1-3/16-inch paper tweeter and ½ inch ceramic dome supertweeter that feature clear sound across the spectrum. An Acoustic Sound Harmonizer makes your listening experience smoother and more enjoyable using slots on the mount to house the tweeters and supertweeters for better frequency progression.

Power handling of these 6.5 inch speakers is peak power at 320 watts and RMS power of about 75W. Typically, anything over 300 watts peak is a good place to be if you like to listen loud and have a lot of amplifier power in your system.

Pros
  • Acoustic Sound Harmonizer
  • 320-watts of peak power
  • Phenomenal value for the price
  • Install in under an hour
Cons
  • Some people advised that they just sounded average.

10. Mopar Jeep Wrangler JK Kicker 6.5 inch Car Speakers Upgrade

They may only be for Jeeps, but they are some of the best on the market at a moderate price. They are so easy to install that you don’t need a lot of car audio installation experience to do so.

One of the main reasons they make our list is because of how good they sound when you are driving at high speeds with the top off.

Mopar offers exclusive Kicker audio components for the most popular Jeep vehicles, and these speakers don’t disappoint. Kicker is a well-known car audio brand that provides high performing speakers with full range capabilities.

Mid-range and high notes are more precise and the bass sounds better than most factory systems which make them a favorite. These speakers are also louder than other speakers.

These 6.5 Kickers have a 75-watt RMS or 150-watt maximum power handling and fit in the dash, sound bar, or rear Jeep doors, depending on the vehicle. They include a 12 month or 12,000-mile limited warranty.

The plug and play sizing and wiring to fit without adapters makes installing and setting up these 6.5-inch speakers a breeze. These Kickers sound much better than your stock car speakers.

Pros
  • Great sound quality
  • Extremely easy to install
  • Moderately priced
  • Sound great with the top off
Cons
  • Some users claimed that they sounded no better than the factory speakers they replaced.

There are So Many Choices!

Hopefully, this review helps you choose the best 6.5″ speaker for your car. It’s difficult to navigate the various brands and technologies available and limit our choices to the ones we presented above, especially when there are so many great manufacturers out there like Polk Audio. We tried to provide the best overall speakers that would appeal to most people though everyone has their own specific features that he or she needs.

With many of us spending more time in our cars today than previous generations, it’s critical to have a sound experience that makes long commutes much more tolerable. We’re sure that you’ll find a speaker on this list to fit your car audio needs.

Many of the brands on this list have decades of experience manufacturing car audio systems making them some of the most popular on the market.

What Makes the Best 6.5 Car Speaker?

There are a variety of factors of what makes car speakers compelling to music lovers. As we reviewed above in each of our reviews for the short-list of the best 6.5 car speaker, there are factors around design, materials used, power handling, installation ease, aesthetics and how nice the speakers look, and of course how do they sound ultimately.

Many of these factors are intertwined and it’s what manufacturers labor over the years to constantly improve their products. The reason is that it’s a balancing game to get the right combination of all of the above factors carefully figured out to make a great product. For example, if you put too much into your speaker to make it perform and sound great, that might make it too big and make installation a headache.

Similarly, if you use space-saving techniques and materials to make installation easy while not sacrificing sound quality, that may mean you’re using less common materials and techniques that drives up cost. You get the idea now, right? It’s a delicate balancing act to get all of these factors right to make a great speaker for music lovers.

Making the Best Speaker for Your Needs

You see above that many manufacturers approach the solution in similar ways and sometimes you have some of them take some interest design and material approaches that are highly innovative. This innovation often comes at a higher price. So, no conversation about the best 6.5 car speaker goes without also discussing budget ranges. There’s a compromise to be made based on how much you’re willing to spend and how good of performance you want to achieve in your system. You must admit that’s fair.

Conclusion and Final Words

Finally, the best also should be one that is reliable, provides consistent performance, and is a good value for the long haul. We identified top speakers from some of the best car audio brands in the industry to give you confidence that your choice from the above speakers will be a high quality and long term successful choice for you.

We hope you enjoyed this review and you’re able to add one of these products to your car and get some great sound quality boosts in your vehicle and have a great time. Let us know how you do!

About James Benchman
James Benchman
James is an Automotive Mechanic with over 20 years experience and 300+ car repairs. He is an expert with cars and has worked with different models from the biggest brands. James is a Mechanic , Husband , Father of 3 , and head of content at Caraudiologic. Learn more about us
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