This article will compare 8 of the best component speakers on the market. We have reviewed many car speakers in past reviews, but we tend to concentrate on coaxial models because of their ease of use and installation.
Best Budget Component Speakers
While coaxial models tend to be more affordable, putting together a system using component speakers can seem daunting and expensive. We’ll be taking a look at some of the different types of component speakers to help you decide what to hook up to create your custom array.
You have more control over the sound quality by purchasing dedicated speakers separately. We hope you feel more comfortable with component speakers after reading our reviews. Our complimentary buyer guide should also be helpful.
Best Budget Component Speakers
| Picture | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Infinity Reference 6530CX | 4.6 | SEE IT NOW |
  | CT Sounds Strato Pro Audio | 5.0 | SEE IT NOW |
  | Rockford Fosgate T1650-S | 4.3 | SEE IT NOW |
  | infinity 3.5 | 4.3 | SEE IT NOW |
  | JBL GT7-6C | 4.4 | SEE IT NOW |
  | Infinity Kappa 60.11CS | 4.6 | SEE IT NOW |
1. JBL GTO609C Premium 6.5-Inch Component Speaker System
We start with a pair of premium JBL GTO series high-fidelity GTO pairs, which are one of the most innovative lines. These large, carbon-injected cones are made with PlusOne technology and have a larger surface area. They are able to displace more air than any 6.5-inch speakers in this class. They have superior bass handling.
These devices are equipped with JBL’s UniPivot tweeters, which allow users to direct the sound exactly where they want it to be. They are made of high-quality components. They mount easily with a mounting diameter of 5-1/16 inches and a depth of 2 inches. These are very affordable, at a cost well below $100.
Pros:
+ 60 RMS per.
+ Dedicated frequency speakers
+ Premium components.
Why we liked it They are a great replacement set of speakers that can be used in your car to upgrade the audio quality.
2. Infinity Reference 6530CX
The Infinity Reference 6530CX delivers a smooth sound. These speakers have edge-driven tweeters that deliver a smooth, clear sound and great highs. Larger woofers provide a greater surface area which enhances the midrange and improves bass quality. You will get the balanced sound that you have been looking for.
The improved design is optimized to accommodate a variety of speaker positions. These speakers are a perfect replacement for factory-installed tweeters because the included hardware covers nearly every installation.
Pros:
+ Clear highs and deep bass.
+ A new, improved design.
+ Excellent factory replacement.
Why we liked it These speakers are a great replacement for your factory-made model. The Infinity Reference 6530CX is the perfect choice if you are looking for an amplifier with better sound quality and power.
3. JL Audio C2-650, 6.5-Inch 2-Way Speaker System
The JL Audio C2-650 delivers remarkable sound. This 2-way component speaker kit includes everything you need. You can get started immediately – the kit includes two 6.5-inch woofers with grilles and two tweeters as well as all the necessary mounting hardware.
This set was designed to produce clear, crisp highs so that you can listen to your music loud without worrying about distortion. Rated at 100 Watts RMS, the speakers can handle great power.
High-quality crossovers ensure that the tweeter and speaker blend beautifully. You can also choose multiple wiring options. Multiple mounting options allow for easy adjustment of the speaker’s flex-fit design.
This speaker set comes with a 1-year warranty.
Pros:
+ Simple mounting hardware
+ Crystal clear highs
+ 1 year warranty
Why we liked it We love the fact that this speaker kit includes everything you need to get going. This speaker will transform your car’s music into a concert-worthy sound system. You will get clear highs that other cars will envy. This one has more bass than the audio.
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4. CT Sounds Strato Pro Audio 6.5 Inch Component Speaker Set
You can now get a set that is slightly less expensive at just over $100. It comes with everything you need to make installation easy.
The package includes two 6.5-inch midrange drivers with woofer grilles to improve audio dispersion. It also comes with a pair of high-output aluminum silk dome tweeters measuring 25mm. This is a good size for coping with higher frequencies.
Mid-range drivers are paper coned and nestled within a cloth surround to dampen unwanted resonance. They use a 1″ voice coil with a high-quality Ferrite magnet Y30.
A pair of ABS 2-way Class Crossover Boxes are also included. These boxes act as passive frequency filters and allow you to adjust the amount of bass you want. These are very easy to mount in your car and feature spring terminals. They’re a great upgrade to stock speakers that won’t cost too much.
Pros:
+ High-performance drivers
+ Great crossover.
+ All required wires.
Why It Was Liked – They’re easy to install and offer great value for money. We also love the brushed aluminum tweeters. They look amazing aesthetically.
5. Rockford Fosgate T1650-S Power 6.50″ Series Component Speaker System
Rockford Fosgate is not something we are unfamiliar with. We have reviewed many coaxial sets from their acclaimed Power series in the past. These superb component speakers have a higher output capability than other speakers of the same dimensions.
Fosgate developed the Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST surround), which improves efficiency and allows for better audio dispersion. The surround gives the woofer 25% more area to radiate, making it 6.75 inches in size (including surround) as a 6.5 inch. They also have a new flexible fit basket that mounts into OEM openings easier and more securely.
The external crossover gives them more audio detail and a natural sounding balance between high- and low-end frequencies. The high-tech mounting system for the treated cloth dome tweeters makes it easy to mount. They are designed to withstand high temperatures with cooling technology.
They can handle 240 watts each (RMS 160 between them).
Pros:
+ Design of technologically advanced drivers.
+ Great crossover.
+ High output and high-temperature handling
Why we liked it They are a great example of innovative product design. They are optimized to handle high production levels and can cope with extreme stress. Although they are more expensive than some of the others we highlighted, their manufacturing and design aspects speak volumes.
6. Infinity Reference 6500CX 6-1/2 inches (165mm), two-way car audio component speaker system
This next set from Infinity Reference series might be the best choice for you if you’re looking for a powerful set of car component speakers. These speakers are superior to the Primus set, which we previously reviewed. They can handle 540 watts per pair and 270 each.
These woofers are quite affordable at just over 100 dollars, but you get a lot of value for your money. To start, there are 2 6.5-inch rigid subwoofers with high-quality rubber surrounds to prevent unwanted resonances from canceling out the audio waves and causing distortion. There are also 2 removable grilles.
2x 3/4-inch patented Uni-Pivot tweeters that come with pivoting mounts and 2 alternative tweeter flush mounts. These mounts can be customized. They pivot, which means that high-frequency audio is more clearly distributed and the sound is dispersed better.
The package includes 2 component crossover boxes, universal brackets, and all hardware. The speakers’ backs are padded with single-sided sticky foam.
Pros:
+ 540 watts peak power handling (pair).
+ Pivoting tweeters for direct sound.
+ Good crossover.
+ Excellent bass.
Why we liked it They are extremely powerful and produce great sound. This is balanced by their excellent crossover circuitry. These are a great investment because they come with everything needed to mount them. They still cost less than 100 dollars.
7. JBL GT7-6C 6.5″ 2-Way GT7-Series Component Speaker System
For a better look at the higher output series, go to JBL‘s most popular series. They are made with the same high-quality polypropylene cones as the rest of the line and benefit from the PlusOne cone technology, which mathematically engineers them to handle bass better.
Although the grilles on the premium line are slightly more expensive than the regular, they have very few differences from the original set in terms of their amazing crossover and well-thought-out design. Because of their higher power handling, the drivers perform better with this set.
They have a peak power handling rate of 300 watts per pair, which is approximately 100 RMS each. This compares to the 60 RMS pair of Premium series pairs which cost about 40% more. They are easy to mount and provide a wide frequency range, rich in sound with clear highs and powerful lows.
Pros:
+ Plus One cone tech.
+ Low-cost high output option.
+ Great quality drivers.
Why we liked it They have a higher output setting but won’t break the bank. They mount easily and are very effective.
8. Infinity Kappa 60.11CS 3-3/4″ component speaker system
Another Infinity set is last on our radar, which produces the same high output peak per pair of 540 Watts as the Reference set.
This set is slightly more expensive than the others, but this is normal considering the high quality of the parts and the overhauled crossover circuitry. It is basically an upgraded model.
Although they are similar in cone composition and driver design, the crossover box is superior and made from premium components.
These tweeters are edge-driven, soft-domed, and made of high-end woven fabric. For optimal performance with the bass registers, the 5.6-inch woofers are made with carbon-injected glass fiber cones. They also benefit from Plus One surface-incrementing cone technology.
Pros:
+ Plus One cone tech.
+ A great car speaker upgrade.
+ Exceptional Crossover Circuitry
+ The Reference set has better mids
Why we liked it These are a high-output set of component speakers with great audio quality. These speakers are extremely robust and well-built. They also come with an easy-to-install price that won’t break the bank.
Speakers Buyers Guide
This week’s buyers’ guide will address two important questions regarding the purchase of a great set. But first, let us compare the facts to identify the differences between component and coaxial speakers. Then we can determine the advantages of the former.
What is the Coaxial component V?
This topic is often a hot topic in car audio social groups. It is also a difficult argument to settle since it is subjectively dependent on your personal taste. Let’s get to the point.
The main difference is that one has speaker drivers stacked together, while the other has drivers divided into separate pieces.
Sometimes, coaxial speakers are called full-range speakers. These are the speakers that you already have in your car. They come in a 2-way class and include a woofer/tweeter combination. They are self-contained and easy to install.
You can configure your equalizer to make component speakers sound better. Each driver of a component speaker has its own driver. You can separate the tweeter and woofer to give you greater control over their placement, optimizing their sound. The best placement of your subwoofers can mean that you need to modify the interior of your vehicle. This can make a big difference and can lead to a loss in sound quality.
Splitting them can make them take longer to install and wiring them up to the right channels may require more thought and care.
Although there are many benefits to using component speakers, it is difficult to say if they are better. Component speakers are generally considered superior and sound better. Component speakers tend to produce better sound quality than a coaxial set of the same price. You can also customize your audio with component speakers. Their crossovers allow you to adjust the volume to your liking.
The amplifier you need and the car you drive (if it isn’t modified) will determine which you require. Your lifestyle, skills, and end goals are all important.
Coaxial is a good choice if you want a quick and easy installation. However, if you’re aiming to increase the volume or are an audiophile, components are your best option. As long as you don’t mind the challenges of installing the component,
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What to Look For in a Speaker Set?
They must be at least 2-way, usually a mid-range or low-cost bass woofer complemented by a high-frequency tweeter. A different electro-dynamic driver can deal with a specific set of frequencies, allowing for more precise and reproducible electrical signal responses.
It is important that the woofers are made of a flexible, yet rigid material. They must also have some kind of surround to absorb resonances. Without this, they will become muddy and distort at higher volumes.
Tweeters will be in dome-style, maximizing their small stature. Tweeters are subject to high-frequency motion and therefore can overheat. This can be countered by ferrofluid cooling or using heat-resistant materials. Sometimes tweeters are suspended mounted or pivoted. This is ideal because it allows the sound to be directed at the listener and allows them the freedom of movement they need when working at high outputs.
Your amplifier restrictions will be the most important thing to consider when choosing component speakers for your car. Modern speakers will make your car sound better than the factory model. However, the amplifier is what will determine the quality of the speakers.
Power consumption and power handling will be limited by the power it can produce in combination with the set-up that you choose. We have reviewed several sets. It is also important to understand the impedance and ohms of amplifier channels. We go into more detail in our Top 10 Best Car Amplifiers article, where we address channel requirements.
You can find a great deal online on speakers, as they are a very competitive market. However, it is important to remember that you get what you pay, and models priced well over and below the hundred-dollar threshold are vastly different.
How to Install a Set Of Component Speakers in Your Vehicle?
It is easy to install component speakers in your car. The internet is a treasure trove of information and a great resource for step-by-step DIY instructions. You can install most sets with just a few tools and basic circuitry knowledge.
We recommend that you search YouTube for the model you want to install.
Conclusion
There are many component speakers available on the market. Modern manufacturing has greatly reduced the cost of production in the past decade, which means that you can get more for your money.
A set of component speakers can significantly improve your listening experience. They also allow for better crossover adjustment. These benefits are obvious and many companies have developed models that fit easily with easy mounting methods, so installation is very simple.
Your amplifier and budget will limit your options. The rest of it is up to you. The final decision rests with the buyer. However, we hope today’s top component speakers review and helpful buyers guide have helped you in your search for the right set.
Expert Tip
Mounting speaker speakers can be tricky. It is best to get professional advice. However, if that is not possible, you can find a lot of videos online. Many are specific to your model, such as the one in our how-to-install section.
Hey there mobile audio lovers! My name is Darlene R, founder and chief editor at headphonesfans.com. Ask any mobile audio fanatic, installer, or company rep what makes a good car speaker, sub or amp, or, better yet, why he or she prefers a certain brand over another, and be prepared to endure a litany of opinions, viewpoints, and passion-fueled perspectives. To be honest, mobile audio shopping can be a daunting task without a guide, so I’ve assembled what I feel are the best products to consider to make things easier for you. Welcome headphonesfans.com!
