7 Best 6.5 Inch Component Speaker 2024 – Top Rated

best 6.5 component speaker

Best Choice
HERTZ Cento Pro Series CPK-165 6.5" Two-Way Component System
Good Choice
Infinity REF-6530CX Reference 6.5 Inch Two-Way Component System with Crossovers
Premium Pick
Evolution JL Audio ZR 650-CSi - Car Speaker - 85 Watt - 2-Way - Component
Don't Miss
XS-65 - Image Dynamics 6.5" 2-Way Component Speaker System
Also Consider
MB Quart XC1-216 X-Line 2-Way Component Speaker System (Black, Pair) – 6.5 Inch Component Speaker...
HERTZ Cento Pro Series CPK-165 6.5" Two-Way Component System
Infinity REF-6530CX Reference 6.5 Inch Two-Way Component System with Crossovers
Evolution JL Audio ZR 650-CSi - Car Speaker - 85 Watt - 2-Way - Component
XS-65 - Image Dynamics 6.5" 2-Way Component Speaker System
MB Quart XC1-216 X-Line 2-Way Component Speaker System (Black, Pair) – 6.5 Inch Component Speaker...
Best Choice
HERTZ Cento Pro Series CPK-165 6.5" Two-Way Component System
HERTZ Cento Pro Series CPK-165 6.5" Two-Way Component System
Good Choice
Infinity REF-6530CX Reference 6.5 Inch Two-Way Component System with Crossovers
Infinity REF-6530CX Reference 6.5 Inch Two-Way Component System with Crossovers
Premium Pick
Evolution JL Audio ZR 650-CSi - Car Speaker - 85 Watt - 2-Way - Component
Evolution JL Audio ZR 650-CSi - Car Speaker - 85 Watt - 2-Way - Component
Don't Miss
XS-65 - Image Dynamics 6.5" 2-Way Component Speaker System
XS-65 - Image Dynamics 6.5" 2-Way Component Speaker System
Also Consider
MB Quart XC1-216 X-Line 2-Way Component Speaker System (Black, Pair) – 6.5 Inch Component Speaker...
MB Quart XC1-216 X-Line 2-Way Component Speaker System (Black, Pair) – 6.5 Inch Component Speaker...

Many of us out there believe that the right car doesn’t come without a good stereo, and the speakers are a vital part of it. But, as it’s easy to presume this fact, it’s not that easy to choose the right ones. We all probably came to this conclusion at some point in our lives of car ownership. There are various things that influence everyone’s decision starting from price up to size and power.

The market is well saturated, and many manufacturers all over the world are in the business of making speakers. This is what makes picking up those that will suit you the best a challenging task. It’s not going to be easy, and forget that this is something that you can or should handle on your own. You can, and you should seek help. This is where we come into play. Just be patient and continue reading; it will be a decision you are not going to regret.

Top Picks for 2024

Regardless of its difficulty, it is something you need to do if you want your stereo system to be top-notch. The quality of music in your vehicle is best upgraded with 6.5 component speakers. They will bring increased volume, more clarity, and less distortion to the table. It’s all you can wish for in regard to the sound you want in your vehicle. Enough with the introduction, let’s see what the best component speakers in 2024 you can get your hands on are.

1. Hertz MPK 165.3 PRO

If you are looking for speakers that are equipped with all of the latest features a speaker can have, this should be your choice. Hertz has done a fantastic job with both design and performance. This audio system is the first on our list for these reasons. This company never fails to amaze, and this is why they’ll always find a place on our lists and in the cars of thousands of people all over the world. The materials used and the design are both top-notch, and we have nothing to say in this department.

These speakers can handle 110 watts with ease. When you see its V-cone design and Boundary Free rubber, you’ll fell in love with them visually. But the real delight still waits inside. It releases beautiful sounds and covers the lowest of frequencies. The best part is the price, which is sub $500, which is unbelievable considering their looks and performance.

Pros
  • Modern design
  • Quality materials used on the build
  • The low-frequency range is quite good

Cons
  • It can be pricey for some, despite all the positives

2. Infinity Reference 6530CX 6-1/2″ Component Speaker System

Infinity Reference 6530CX 6-1/2″ Component Speaker System

If you are not against textile tweeters, you might like these speakers. It has its benefits as these speakers from Infinity are good at covering clear and smooth highs. The surface area which they cover can be great, as it’s easy for them to spread sound thanks to plus-one woofers that are a part of this system. For those enjoying a bit of playing with basses, the mid-range and higher bass frequencies are going to thrill you. This component speaker was built for people enjoying bass sounds. Good people from Infinity had all car models in mind when designing this system like it; thanks to its new basket, it fits almost all models on the market. The price is also very affordable, which puts it above competitors considering the sound clarity it produces. It’s not easy to find component speakers with good performances going below $200.

Pros
  • The price is tailored for everyone
  • Textile tweeters create clear highs
  • Exceptional bass output

Cons
  • Despite reasonable design solutions, plus-one woofers might not fit all vehicles

3. JL Audio ZR650-CSI

JL Audio ZR650-CSI

If you want a testimony of quality, let us give you the one – these speakers were engineered and built in Germany. The design is impeccable, which is something we are used to seeing from German manufacturers. The die-cast alloy baskets that hold the tweeters and woofers are a clear sign of what we are talking about. If we take a look at cones and suspensions, we’ll see that they’re from Kurt Muller, which also has 1-inch aluminum tweeters. The details on this product are out of this world, which can be seen on rubber-roll surrounds, which is a combination with 1-inch aluminum domes that really give an artistic impression. JL Audio ZR650-CSI speakers are capable of bi-amp, and all the parts used on it can be considered premium. We mean it when we say it, which you can tell yourself when you see the extruded aluminum heat sink, polypropylene capacitors, and segmented air-core inductors.

Pros
  • Top-range tech used in developing this product
  • Sound and build quality on extraordinary levels
  • German quality in all departments
  • The sound is customizable in more ways than one

Cons
  • Price can be too much, despite the high-end quality

 

Don’t miss our review of the best 12-inch subwoofer for your car.

4. Rockford Fosgate T1650-S Power

Rockford Fosgate T1650-S Power

If the power is what you want, these are your speakers. Rockford Fosgate T1650-S Power is, as their name suggests, built for powerful performances. The sound coming from these speakers is relatively accurate, thanks to the cones molded from carbon fiber and polypropylene. All around these cones, you’ll find butyl rubber. The end product is mounted in an aluminum casing, which adds to its looks. Aluminum is the predominant material used on this product, which is something you can see on the eye test by merely looking at the 1-inch tweeters, which are also made out of aluminum. They come with three different possibilities for adjustments, which makes them suitable for various car models. They’re also bi-amp adjustable, which is something that is going to give these speakers all the power you could wish for. Among all models on this list, this one is one of the most potent car speakers.

Pros
  • Amazing power followed by sound clarity
  • Quality build
  • Excellent for the eye
  • Price is acceptable for most buyers

Cons
  • The magnet inside is really strong, so it needs to be positioned far away from other metal objects
  • Tweeters sound too bright for some
  • No mountable screws

5. Image Dynamics XS-65

Image Dynamics XS-65

Image Dynamics have many speakers to their name, but these ones are considered to be their premium offering. This is not an exaggeration when we say it. These speakers have it all; they’re detailed, come with high-performance levels, and are of the highest quality. The XS-65 is engineered almost to perfection in their domain. Image Dynamics XS-65 is made out of multi-layer ceramic fiber and Rohacell composite cones. The surround of these components is the parabolic rubber. The sound these speakers produce can be considered distortionless. It’s all thanks to the fiberglass composite non-resonate frame in which it is settled. While all of this sounds impressive, the best part is yet to come – the tweeters. It is they that set these speakers above the competitors with similar performances.

Furthermore, the convertible mounting system that also features on these speakers is a fantastic trait. It allows you various installment positions. Regardless of your choice on how to position them into your car, you are going to have a great set of speakers with Image Dynamics XS-65.

Pros
  • Amazing music dynamics
  • The focus of the sound is clear and accurate
  • The mounting system is convenient

Cons
  • Price is too much for regular users, despite everything on the table

 

We recommend you to also check our list of top-rated 8-inch subwoofers that you can buy in 2024.

6. Kicker 46CSS654

Kicker 46CSS654

If you are not satisfied with your factory stereo system but are not in the condition to spend too much on an upgrade, the Kicker 46CSS654 is what you’re looking for. The new version is even better than the last one coming in with an independent voice coil and tweeters made out of titanium. Their bass has one of the best booms you’ll ever hear in-car speakers. Furthermore, the crossover was redesigned, so it is now easier to mount, which wasn’t the case with the previous model. The size was the principal issue, and now it’s another issue resolved. It was slimmed down, and now it fits almost all car models regardless of the size. This is excellent news to hear when you consider that with this package, you receive two 6.5 inch speakers, two tweeters, and the redesigned crossover.

Furthermore, you get really detailed instructions on how to handle the installation in the best way. Even if you can’t do it on your own, Kicker has fantastic customer support prepared to give you a hand at all times. This is what makes it an all-around right product that looks and feels like it is one of the priciest on the market while at the same time being relatively affordable.

Pros
  • Offer fantastic value for money
  • Easy to install
  • This package offers impressive power for its price range

Cons
  • Speaker grills don’t follow the rest of the package
  • Resistance is limited at 4 ohms

7. MB Quart XC1-216 X-Line 2-Way Component Speaker System

MB Quart XC1-216 X-Line 2-Way Component Speaker System

The clean sound these speakers can produce is on the level with the best in the group, such as Polk, JBL, or even Infinity. The pure sound is even a better feature considering that the price is lower compared to its counterparts. It gets even better when you see that with this option, you’ll receive four speakers. Two of them are mid-range, and two are tweeters. Furthermore, they come together with equipment for mounting them in every part of the car you want. They’re amazing on their own, but you won’t make a mistake if you opt for the additional deck to mount them on and an amplifier. You can go without these parts, but if you buy them too, the sound you’ll receive is going to be top-notch.

One thing that you need to pay attention to is the fact that with the MB Quart XC1-216 X-Line 2-Way Component Speaker System, you are not receiving coaxial speakers. This means that tweeters need to be mounted separately. It is not the end of the world, but some car owners won’t accept this arrangement.

Pros
  • Durability
  • Known as speakers that work for years without malfunction
  • Well-balanced sound
  •  Titanium domes for tweeters

Cons
  • Can be damaged if not installed correctly
  • Can’t take on too much power
  • Can’t compare to some other firms such as Pioneer
  • Light-build

Buyer’s Guide

Before buying, you need to ask yourself one question and know the answer. The problem is, what are the advantages of component speakers? This is not easy to learn, but we’re here to help you. First of all, you need to understand what are the component speakers. All packages containing the mids, tweeters, and crossovers as separate parts are component speakers. This is good to know, but why? The component set can be dispersed inside of your car wherever you want them in order to get the best sound possible.

You only buy component speakers if you want to experience the ultimate sound inside of your car. If this is not your goal, you can settle with any pair you want. The best, so to say, stage sound comes from inside your car if you know how and where to position the tweeters. If you hit the spots, you are in for a lot of fun listening to music inside of your own vehicle. These speakers only should be considered if you want a drastic improvement compared to the original ones you receive when you buy a car.

The Way a Component Audio System Works

First of all, you need to know where does your music goes through, and the answer is through the head unit. You need to see the number of options the head unit has as it can be much more than bass or treble. Form the central piece, which the head unit is, the sounds spread to other parts of the composition. The most critical component in this transition is the amplifier. This part enhances the signal, which then moves through the crossover network, all to the tweeters and other frequency devices.

These two things together combine in order to give you the best sound possible. With component speakers, all components need to be in balance in order to produce the best sound possible. If your goal is to be able to tune your speakers to the max, you are right to go with component ones. The sound with them can be much better, and the full enjoyment of being in your car moved to another level entirely. In any case, whatever our choice might be from our list, you’re sure to upgrade on your factory ones.

Watch the following video for more tips for choosing the right speaker for your car:

FAQ

What are 6.5-inch component speakers best for bass?

This is what most enthusiasts want to know before setting their eyes on component speakers. In our experience, if the bass is what you want, it’s best to go with Rockford or Focal speakers. They are vital in this department, and their reputation precedes them.

How much power do I need?

Another interesting one and the worst part is that it has less to do with speakers and more with the vehicle and the owner. If you know how loud you want it, it’s better to pay attention to the RMS rating, which is a term that refers to continuous power-handling capacity. While you can make your speakers as powerful as you like, it’s better to go easy on both the speakers and your ears.

What is a sensitivity rating?

The sounds are measured in decibels, and the sensitivity rating tells you how loud your speakers are. This measurement is based on the amount of power your amplifier sends through your speakers. It all has to do with the amount of force needed to create as much decibel possible, which is all measured as sensitivity.

What’s in the future of component speakers for vehicles?

The future looks minimalistic from today’s point of view. The goal for most companies is to make the best speakers, with more power, by using the little as possible parts. There are many goals set by manufacturers in this domain, but the main issue everyone is tackling is the need for woofers and tweeters. Technology is advancing all over the place, and you can’t expect that speaker manufacturers are going to sit idle.

Conclusion

The easiest way to enhance your vehicle is by gifting it a new set of speakers. It won’t make the car go faster, but it will make your driving more enjoyable. If this is your idea, but you are unsure which, component speakers are right for you, worry not. The article above was dedicated to giving you the direction you need to take to choose the best speakers for yourself and what your ride needs. Once you have the speakers on your hands, half of the job is done. Everything that is left is to install them, make the arrangement perfect, and start enjoying the music as you always wanted it.

Check out other in-depth reviews, such as our guide for the best shallow mount subwoofer or our article about the top 10 inch subwoofers.