Car Speakers FAQ

Sound and performance questions

Q: What kind of a difference do new speakers really make?
A: You'll find that replacing your factory speakers can make a difference that you definitely hear. Music sounds crisper and more dynamic, closer to the way it was recorded and better than it would with a worn-out or low-quality speaker.

Speaker replacement is also the single most cost-effective car stereo upgrade you can perform. And even the newer, factory-installed speaker systems, which may sound OK at first, aren't typically built to give you the years of reliable, ear-pleasing sound you can expect from a good pair of aftermarket speakers.

back to top

JL Audio’s TR650-CXi 6-1/2" speakers have an RMS power range of 10-50 watts. This makes them a solid match with an aftermarket stereo, but even better with an external amplifier.

Q: How much power do I need for my new speakers?
A: While manufacturers give a range of RMS, or continuous, power that will work for the speaker, getting towards the upper end of that power range or even exceeding it yields the best results. That said, a speaker with a lower RMS power range will be more suitable for powering with a factory or aftermarket stereo, while a higher RMS range will work better with an external amplifier.

When using an external amplifier, you should pick an amp whose power rating is in the upper end of your speaker's power range. For example, if a speaker is rated to handle up to 35 watts of RMS power, it will perform closer to optimum as your power source approaches delivery of 35 watts. It's better to overpower a speaker than to underpower it — the distortion caused when you push a low-powered amp or receiver to its limit is much more likely to harm a speaker than too much power.

back to top

Q: Will my factory radio power aftermarket speakers?
A: In most cases, yes. Aftermarket speakers will certainly sound better with a little more juice, but most of our speakers will perform well even with factory power. The exceptions are matched component sets, and any speaker with a minimum RMS power rating of 8 watts or more.

back to top

Q: Do speakers with a higher efficiency rating sound better?
A: Efficiency ratings don't tell you how good a speaker "sounds." They simply indicate how well the speaker uses power. If you're using a low-powered factory system, you'll want to choose a speaker with a higher efficiency rating (90 db and up). Low-efficiency speakers can sound great, though they'll need a high-powered receiver or amplifier for energy.

back to top

Q: Does the type of tweeter make a difference in the sound I hear?
A: Speaker manufacturers employ a variety of materials in their tweeters, such as paper, silk, ceramic, titanium, polyetherimide, and so on. One type of tweeter is not necessarily superior to another. They all have different characteristics and reproduce sound in slightly different manners. As a rule, paper is responsive because it is so light, while composites are more durable. You'll find silk and silk/polymer blends sound very smooth and even.

In general, a dome tweeter provides better dispersion and off-axis imaging than a cone tweeter. A balanced dome tweeter combines the two designs with a dome mounted within a cone. You might want to listen to a variety of tweeter materials and designs to find the one that suits your musical taste.

Read our article about tweeter design for a more in-depth discussion.

back to top

The copolymer cone on this Diamond Audio woofer is lightweight yet rigid so that it can move fast and retain its shape

Q: What difference do cone materials make?
A: As with tweeters, woofer cones come in a variety of materials. They can be made of treated paper, synthetics, or composites. Woofer cones need to be more rigid because their task is to reproduce strong bass notes. Again, paper tends to be less durable, but responds quicker than other materials. All these can sound great; you need to experiment with different sounds and materials.

back to top

Q: What innovations in aftermarket speakers can help improve the sound of my system?
A: If you're looking to "tweak" your system for optimal performance, you should be aware of some of the great features that several speaker manufacturers offer. For improved imaging, many tweeters come in adjustable mounts that let you focus high frequencies more precisely to your listening position.

Some speakers have bi-amp inputs, so you can power the woofer and tweeter from separate amplifiers for more powerful sound.

back to top

Bass Blockers keep your tweeters sounding clear

Q: My front speakers sound distorted when I crank up my system, even though I just bought them. Is there any way to improve their performance?
A: Try a set of Bass Blockers. These act as high-pass crossovers to guard against distortion, especially when you turn up the volume. Remember, the smaller the speaker, the more difficulty it has reproducing low notes at high volume. Eliminating low frequencies from a smaller coaxial speaker means you'll get cleaner, louder performance. And, since the bass coming from your back speakers (or subs) is omnidirectional, you'll never know the bass blockers are there!

back to top

Q: What advantage do I gain by choosing component speakers for my car?
A: With a properly powered set of matched components, you can count on sound that images better and is noticeably more detailed and dynamic than you could expect from conventional speakers.

Mounting the separate tweeter closer to your ears optimizes your speakers' imaging and brings out a level of detail you may have never heard before. The premium-quality woofers deliver forceful, dynamic bass and midrange and the separate crossover networks do a great job of properly routing your highs and lows to protect your tweeters and make your system sound its best. As a rule, component speakers generally require an external amplifier to really come alive.

back to top

Q: My new component speakers aren't living up to my expectations. What's wrong?
A: Here are a few tips to get your component speakers sounding their best:

• Check the crossover setting — many think that a flat setting for the tweeters is the way to go, but you'll often find that you need to attenuate the highs to counteract too much brightness
• Are you feeding them enough power? Running most sets of components off your head unit is just not going to give them enough power to operate properly. Remember, underpowering your speakers is more dangerous than overpowering them.
• Like a good sub, speakers need time to break in.
• Are you getting rattles and vibrations? Check your mounting — you may benefit from baffles and dynamat. Keep in mind, you've created new openings for the tweeters as well.

back to top

Q: What's the most affordable way to get crisper highs and better stereo imaging in my car?
A: If you often find yourself reaching for the tone control to "sharpen" your stereo sound, you're likely to notice a big improvement when you install a pair of add-on tweeters to your system. Most factory speakers are "dual-cone" models — they use paper whizzer cones to reproduce high frequencies. You may be surprised to learn that even many of the premium or "name brand" factory systems we've seen rely on these little paper megaphones to handle the highs. The result is sound that's dull and lifeless.

What makes tweeters so important? It's true that they reproduce the high notes, but there's more to the story. Besides being responsible for recreating the very highest frequencies in your music, tweeters impact the realism of the overall sound as well. This is because the ultra-high frequency information tweeters handle helps render the specific timbre of each instrument in your music.

Timbre is a word used to describe an individual instrument's sonic fingerprint or voice. A good pair of tweeters will help you distinguish an overdriven guitar sound from a saxophone, and a saxophone from a trumpet. High-quality tweeters also add crispness to your music for a more realistic listening experience. They can ensure that the sound of a snare drum comes across as a satisfying crack instead of a muted thud, and they help you hear the rattle and click of strings plucked on an upright bass — you'll feel like you're right there in the studio with your favorite musicians.

Another advantage add-on tweeters offer is placement flexibility. They help you achieve realistic stereo imaging — that sense of the precise physical location of each of the musicians in the recording.

back to top

Installation questions

Mounting height and depth, and tweeter protrusion are major factors for speaker fit (click the image to enlarge)

Q: I have 6"x9" speakers in my car. Why doesn’t your website show that any 6"x9" speakers fit?
A: Even though speakers are classified by cone size, it’s not the only factor in determining if a speaker fits your car. Sometimes speakers are too tall or too deep for the locations they’re meant to go in. We measure every speaker model we carry and thousands of vehicles to ensure we’re recommending the right stuff. Give us a call if a speaker you’re interested in isn’t listed as fitting; sometimes minor modifications can make it work.

back to top

Q: How difficult will my new speakers be to install?
A: You can count on a simple installation with any of our Easy-Fit speakers. And in most cases, a new pair of speakers is about the easiest component to install in your vehicle. As a Crutchfield customer, you'll benefit from free, vehicle-specific instructions, free wiring harnesses that eliminate splicing, and our friendly, toll-free technical support. For a more detailed look at what's involved, check out our car speaker installation page.

back to top

Q: Do I need new wire to replace my factory speakers??
A: Factory speaker wire is fine to use if you're powering your new speakers with a factory or aftermarket stereo. But if you plan to install an external amplifier that's rated at 50 watts RMS or more per channel, then we recommend that you run new speaker wire.

back to top

Q: Can I use my factory grilles for installation?
A: You can certainly use your factory grilles with your new speakers. In many cases, aftermarket speakers come with manufacturer grilles (usually sporting the speaker-maker's logo), which you can use if you prefer. Some manufacturers are shipping speakers with radical-looking grilles that are designed for excellent cosmetics and minimal sound obstruction.

back to top