Car Speaker Size Guide

If you are planning to replace the factory speakers of your car to improve overall sound quality, it is essential to first know the size of the speakers before you can go out and choose possible replacements.

The good news though, is that most car manufacturers adhere, to some extent, to certain car speaker size standards. In the aftermarket world, the same sizes are also offered which makes them quite literally, "drop-in" replacements.

However, you first need to look at the basic speaker setup of you car. The most common factory setups have speakers located on either doors plus two more at the back. This means that all speakers deliver the full range of sound from each single speaker. Another common setup is one where a speaker on the door delivers mid to low end sound frequencies, with the higher frequencies separated on a smaller speaker, or tweeter, usually located at either side of the windshield, or pillars. These setups are commonly referred as two-way setups.

Car Speaker Size Guide

Now, on to speaker sizes. Full range or two way, the bigger speaker usually adheres to sizing standards. The most common size (for round speakers), and a personal favorite of mine, is one that has a diameter of 6.5 inches. Speakers of this size are available as full range or in a two way set. The next size goes a step smaller at 5 and ¼ of an inch. Being smaller in diameter, such speakers may produce weaker bass frequencies. There is also a smaller, standard size at 4 inches in diameter.

There are also non-round speakers that are becoming less popular nowadays that are oval in shape. These speakers were famous for a time because they deliver more punch and bass with a relatively small installation footprint. The most common sizes for these are 6 inches by 9 inches, 6 inches by 8 inches, and 5 inches by 7 inches.

As for the tweeter, basic factory units are in the vicinity of an inch in diameter. Aftermarket options usually adhere to this size or smaller, but larger units can be installed with minor modifications.

Also take note that it is easier to fit a smaller aftermarket replacement to a bigger hole just by using a wooden spacer. However, fitting a larger speaker in a small hole can also be done, but this requires more modifications and sometimes cutting metal trims from your doors or dashboard.

Remember, a better quality speaker will almost certainly improve the overall sound of your system. If you want to move a step further, you need to look at how the sound literally travels from your source (CD or media player) to the speaker. Improving sound in a car audio system is basically a weakest link type of system-you can only go as far (in sound quality) as what your weakest link can provide.

See Also : HP Photosmart C7280 TAG Heuer WAF1110.BA0800 CASIO G300-3AV Great TAG Heuer Mens WAF1113.BA0801