Car Speakers Buyer’s Guide
As the centrepiece of any car stereo system, your car’s speakers have the potential to make longer journeys more fun and traffic jams enjoyable.
The benefits of upgrading your car speakers include: Creating a higher fidelity and clarity of sound.
- Your favourite songs or radio stations sound clearer, crisper and closer to reality.
But little did you know that the speaker systems fitted by your car’s manufacturer don’t always offer the best sound and overall experience. And this is why many car owners choose to upgrade their car’s speakers to a more specialised package.
So where do you start? Well, we’ve put together this helpful buying guide to give you a head start when it comes to choosing your next car speakers.
Make sure your speakers and your system match
There are two main specifications to consider when choosing your next car speakers that will have a positive impact on the overall sound quality.
The main specifications for choosing new car speakers:
1. Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a speaker is measured to identify how it converts power (watts) into volume (decibels). The rating is measured in decibels and the higher the rating, the louder the speakers play.
Low-powered car stereos
Most factory-installed car stereos are fitted with low-powered speakers (15 watts RMS per channel) or less. If your car is fitted with a low-powered stereo, speakers with high sensitivity ratings of over 90dB will be most suited to your stereo.
High-powered car stereos
Alternatively, high-powered stereo systems with 16 watts RMS or more will benefit from speakers with a low sensitivity rating.
Anemic factory stereos
Replacement speakers with a high sensitivity level will also work best if your car is fitted with an anemic factory stereo.
And if you’re working with a high-powered external amp, speakers with a low sensitivity level are the ones to go for.
2. Power-handling
How much power a speaker can handle is measured in watts and known as power-handling.
Why buy a new car stereo before new speakers?
Buying your new stereo first helps to ensure your speakers can handle the power your stereo or external amplifier produces.
What are speaker ratings?
When you look at a car speaker’s specs, the ratings tells you how much continuous power the speaker can safely handle. When looking for new car speakers, you should match your power source level to the speaker’s recommended range (RMS).
What type of car speakers do you need?
When upgrading the sound system in your car, there are three types of speaker systems to choose from:
- Micro amplifiers.
- Full-range (coaxial) speakers.
- Component speakers.
Micro amplifier
Micro amplifiers and micro subs such as the Vibe Optisound offer the simplest solution for boosting your car’s sound. This simple plug-and-play system allows you to keep your factory stereo and speakers, while having enough juice to power your system and boost sound. Micro amplifiers can also be used as the foundation for a whole new system.
Full-range speakers (Coaxial)
Full-range are the most popular type of car speakers and can be found in almost all car stereo systems. Coaxial car speakers:
- Contain all the speaker elements.
- Are capable of producing a wide range of audio frequencies.
- Consist of a tweeter for the highs and a woofer for the lows.
Coaxial speakers are the best option if you are looking to upgrade factory speakers with minimal fuss.
These speakers mount effortlessly into the location of your current speakers and can be fitted yourself relatively easily. If you don’t fancy doing the groundwork, we’ll always fit your new car speakers for you, just head down to your local Halfords store. Our complete range of coaxial speakers covers a great selection of price points, sizes and brands, including leading car audio manufacturers Pioneer & Kenwood.
Component speakers
Component speakers use the most superior design and offer the best possible sound. A typical component system includes a woofer, tweeter and external crossovers - all of which are specially designed to sing in tune.
Because each element is separate, you can mount the tweeter (a small speaker that produces high frequencies) in the most effective place on the woofer (a large speaker that creates low frequencies) - producing better sound with greater depth. The crossover network is also external, which means that certain frequencies are sent to specific speakers - reducing distortion and improving the overall sound clarity.
Car speaker size and configuration
To ensure you purchase the correct speakers, it’s important to gather information around the size and configuration of your existing unit. With coaxial speakers, it’s as simple as:
- Measuring the speakers in your car
- Finding a replacement that drops into the existing space.
With component speakers, having the correct sizes and configurations of your existing unit is vitally important. You’ll be able to find this information in your car’s manual.
Build quality and speaker material
Great sound and durability come from good speaker material. Build quality is another reason why people upgrade the speaker system in their car, and with most modern-day cars equipped with low-quality speakers, it’s an investment worth making.
Tweeter materials
A tweeter is often made of textile blends or silk which produce a clear and mellow sound. But if you want those high notes to be crisp and bright, choose speakers made of hard materials like metals, ceramics or graphite.
Woofer materials
A woofer made of stiff, lightweight material will produce bass notes that resonate throughout your car. Polypropylene is the go-to material when it comes to woofer cones, and while it serves well, polypropylene mixed with metal-coated synthetic fabrics or mica will produce a better bass sound and sustain heat, cold and moisture too.
Surround materials
Surrounds are the name given to the soft rings on the woofer. It allows the woofer cone to move freely and produce lower frequencies. Because of the heavy vibration caused by bass frequencies, for the best results, the surround should be made of a durable material such as rubber. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative - choose foam or cloth.
How much does it cost to replace car speakers?
The cost to replace your car speakers depends entirely on the system you choose. With our complete range of brands, sizes and configurations - the sky’s the limit.
- For coaxial speakers, a speaker upgrade can cost as little as £27.99.
- Installing a Vibe Optisound micro amplifier or sub is relatively inexpensive too, with each unit costing around £110.
- As for component speakers, the price depends on the size, configuration and brand of speaker. Because they feature individual components which delivery optimal sound quality, component speaker systems tend to be the most expensive option.
What are the best speakers for a car?
We stock a wide range of car speakers, so choosing the ‘best’ car speakers often comes down to your personal preference. Sure, there are high-end component speakers that offer the best live sound, but these often come with a higher price tag. When choosing your new car speakers, think about the type of system you want to install along with build quality and speaker material.
Pros and cons of car speaker types:
- Full range speakers OR micro amplifiers: They offer easy functionality and a simple setup for a boost in your music on the road.
- Component speakers: Provide a ‘live’ and dynamic sound, but come at a higher price tag and a more complex fitting process.
But don’t worry, because we also offer to fit your car speakers for you at selected Halfords stores. You can find out if your local store provides this service by contacting them directly. Alternatively, you can check online by selecting 'book a free fitting assessment' on the speaker product page and you’ll see a list of nearby stores that offer audio fitting.
The best car speaker brands
Pioneer
Pioneer is a leading car audio brand, and their speakers are among our best sellers. Pioneer car speakers are:
- Easy to install and provide excellent sound quality when paired with a matching head unit.
- A great option if you’re looking to upgrade your standard car speakers to improve the sound. We offer a great range of Pioneer coaxial speakers with a choice of RMS power and sizes.
Vibe
Vibe allows customers to completely transform their car speaker system. Vibe Optisound speakers are:
- Car-specific, fitting seamlessly into door panels.
- They have bespoke details to ensure the best sound clarity regardless of the shape and size of your car.
- Quick and simple to install, and invisible once in place – ideal for lease hire or company cars.
- Easy to remove without damage, for when the time comes to sell your car.
With a choice of coaxial speakers, component speakers and complete speaker kits, Vibe offers the ultimate upgrade package to experience a ‘real-life’ sound.
In Phase
InPhase offers a range of products from speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers and add-ons to help you seamlessly upgrade your in-car speaker systems. InPhase products:
- Are high-performance kits engineered to deliver enhanced sound quality.
- Deliver clear highs and a rich, responsive bass.
Upgrading with InPhase is ideal for audio enthusiasts looking for a significant upgrade to their factory system.
EDGE
EDGE offer a range of products from speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers designed to deliver enhanced clarity, dynamic range and bass response, giving you the means for an engaging in-car audio experience. EDGE products are:
- Compact, robust and focused on performance
- Easy fitting, with impressive results
Upgrading with EDGE requires minimum effort and maximum results.
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