Organizing high-quality sound in a car requires a careful approach to the selection of each element of the reproducing system. It is especially important to consider the acoustics used, which include speakers with different frequency ranges. The top below lists the best 16 cm speakers for cars that will provide excellent music playback.
How to choose 16 cm speakers for your car
All car acoustics come in three types:
- Broadband
- Coaxial
- Component
The first type of speakers is a single emitter that reproduces the frequency band specified in the characteristics relatively linearly. Such speakers cannot provide deep bass and very high frequencies. This is due to the design of the diffuser, which is designed to reproduce the mid-range sound range. The best 16 cm speakers for a car operate in the band from 40-50 Hz to 14-16 kHz, with slight blockages at the edges of the range.
Coaxial acoustics consists of several dynamic heads, which are placed in the center of the main loudspeaker. The most common models are made on the basis of a broadband loudspeaker, in the center of which a high-frequency tweeter is installed. The best 16 cm coaxial speakers can include more acoustic drivers, and the acoustics become multi-band. Component speaker systems for cars are considered to be of the highest quality, as they consist of several individual emitters that are optimally positioned to obtain high quality sound. Passive LC filters are used to divide the audio range into separate frequency bands.
How to choose the best car speakers
The choice of speakers directly depends on the musical preferences of the car owner. However, there are a number of criteria to consider before purchasing these devices.
The main parameter is the type of acoustics:
- component.
- coaxial;
- broadband connection;
Wideband acoustics consists of a loudspeaker. Plays music at all frequencies (low, mid, high). This option is suitable for listening to the radio or soft music. These types of speakers are the most affordable, which is why car manufacturers build them into their cars. It is recommended to buy such a speaker only if the car does not have speakers. Changing it in the frame, as a rule, does not make sense.
The next type is coaxial acoustics. This column type is considered extended. Instead of one speaker, several are placed simultaneously inside the case. A separate speaker reproduces a separate frequency range. This makes the reproduced sound more spacious and improves its clarity.
Component speakers, like coaxial speakers, have the same set of drivers. But they are located in separate buildings. For this reason, the sound is rich and detailed. Today, component speakers are the most advanced, but they have a corresponding price.
Having decided on the type of acoustics, they move on to the remaining criteria:
- Rated and peak power. Nominal: The power at which the speaker operates for a long time without distorting the sound. Peak power refers to the peak level of sound emitted by a speaker. However, such a column does not work for long.
- Number of stripes. “Full width” refers to the bandwidth and number of speakers used in acoustics to separate sounds into frequencies. If we ignore the theory, the principle of choice is simple: the more bands, the clearer and more detailed the sound of the speakers.
- Frequency range. This setting determines what frequencies the speakers reproduce. In simple models, the frequency range is from 50 to 20,000 Hz. If sound quality comes first for a car owner, then the range should be at least 30-35,000 Hz. The wider the range, the better the acoustics at its edges.
Rating of 16 cm speakers for cars
The rating of the best 16 cm speakers for cars is compiled based on technical characteristics and reviews from car enthusiasts about specific models. Car acoustics are evaluated in different categories, since the parameters of a coaxial system differ from wideband and component acoustics. To figure out which 16 cm speakers are best for a car, you need to know their main technical characteristics. These include the following data:
- Playable frequency band
- Rated power
- Peak power
- Resonance frequency
- Voice coil resistance
When purchasing loudspeakers from unknown manufacturers, you need to know that the technical characteristics may be greatly inflated or indicated incorrectly, so you should always read the reviews of car enthusiasts.
Often car enthusiasts, buying expensive and high-quality emitters, then complain that they cannot obtain high-quality sound. This is usually due to improper installation and fastening of the acoustics, lack of noise suppression, and too much power supplied to the emitter.
The best coaxial 16 cm speakers for cars
Coaxial speaker systems have become widespread among car enthusiasts. They take up little space and can be placed anywhere in the car interior. The best 16 cm speakers for cars are connected through a simple crossover filter. If desired, you can choose not two-way coaxial acoustics, but a system with a division into 3-4 bands.
- HERTZ DCX 165.3
- JBL GT7-6
- ALPHARD AL-165T
The best 16 cm coaxial speakers for cars are considered to be American products.
These speakers provide high sound quality in both low and high frequencies. They can be connected without an amplifier, directly to a music center, but in this case the bass reproduction will be weak. These speakers are often used as front speakers and installed in the front doors of a car.
The JBL GT7-6 acoustics are reliable and have good build quality. The speakers have high sensitivity (93 dB), which allows them to be used without ULF. The diffuser, made of polypropylene, can withstand heavy loads, which ensures high operational reliability.
The Alphard AL-165T speakers have a frequency response that is linear from 35 Hz to 25 kHz. The 16 speakers with good bass can be used without an amplifier, but the volume will seem insufficient. The system provides powerful bass that rivals a subwoofer, and the tweeter produces clear and sonorous high frequencies.
Coaxial
SWAT SP M-1620
pros
- Low price
- Good power
- Clear sound
- Volume
- Ease of installation
Minuses
- Sometimes there are crackling sounds
From 1,900 ₽
Coaxial car speakers with two strips. Rated power of about 75 W works best when connected through an amplifier. Speaker sensitivity – 89 dB. Suitable for reproducing sounds in the range of 50-20000 Hz. It perfectly replaces standard acoustics and copes even with difficult operating conditions.
JBL Stage3 637F
pros
- High quality build
- Reproduce a wide range of frequencies
- Easy to install in doors
- Reliability
- Sound clarity
- Low price
Minuses
- Require careful approach when placing
From 1,700 ₽
Budget acoustics that are best installed in the rear doors of a car. Standard sizes and convenient fastenings included make it easy to install using ordinary tools. The rated power is 45 W, and the maximum is 225 W.
Digma DCA-K602
pros
- Availability
- Workmanship
- Design
- Wide frequency range
- Quick connection to the system
Minuses
- Lacks power and high frequencies
From 1,000 ₽
6.5 inch speaker for installation anywhere in the car. With a rated power of 70 W, it copes well with complex music tracks and provides an impressive volume reserve. Reproduces sounds in the frequency range of 100-20000 Hz, which is quite enough for the correct sound of the entire system.
Best 16cm Component Speakers
Component acoustics consists of several loudspeakers and a passive filter to separate the audio frequency range. Most often, good 16 cm speakers for a car without an amplifier consist of a full-range speaker with high-frequency limitation and a tweeter. The places for the emitters in the car interior are chosen in such a way that the sound picture is as clear and better as possible. The top speakers and 16 cm speakers for cars are headed by the Japanese acoustics Pioneer TS-170Ci. The system perfectly transmits the entire sound range, but to obtain the best sound quality it must be connected to an amplifier.
The system is perfectly installed in standard seats of different cars. Thanks to their small thickness, which does not exceed 5.9 cm, the speakers can be easily mounted in the front doors of the cabin without installing an additional podium. The rating of 16 cm speakers in cars continues with the JBLCS760C acoustics. The main driver produces pronounced low frequencies that harmonize well with the central band of the audio range. The crossover allocates a frequency band for the tweeter, which reproduces them clearly and without distortion. The system can withstand power overloads without creating audible distortion. Typically these speakers are mounted in the front doors of the passenger compartment.
They are installed without any modifications. Budget 16 cm speakers with good sound include the NAKAMICHINCE - CS 1617 system. These high-quality acoustics provide clear sound with good low frequencies and light glass “tops”. It is noted that directly connecting the speakers to a music center without an amplifier does not produce deep bass, but reproduces the middle of the sound range well. Acoustics are afraid of overloads, so its operation at critical power levels is not recommended. The best 16 cm component speakers are often used by car enthusiasts to replace standard speakers.
What size is optimal?
If your car has front-facing speakers, then it is optimal to use a 16-centimeter speaker. This diameter will allow you to achieve good sound with low bass. As a rule, speakers with this diameter can be installed in a car without problems, but in some cases the installation space may be smaller. In practice, this problem can be solved on your own or by turning to specialists at the installation center for help. It is only necessary to slightly increase the size of the standard space for mounting the loudspeaker (the author of the video is URAL Sound Russia - Official Channel).
It is worth considering one main feature that many of our compatriots neglect, in particular, we are talking about the differences between models of the same line. We are talking about speaker models characterized by advanced technical features. It should be noted that the cost of different models may not vary much.
Which 16 cm speakers are better for the front?
Front speakers are considered the most important part of a car's complex sound system. 16cm speakers without an amplifier will provide the full audio range, but the bass will be slightly weaker, so a low-frequency amplifier will be required for deep and rich bass. However, there are speaker models that are characterized by increased bass response. If we compare acoustic heads by the diameter of the emitter, then there is a direct relationship: the larger the diameter of the emitter, the lower frequencies it can reproduce. Therefore, you need to choose 16 cm models as front speakers. It is difficult to name the best 16 cm speaker, but many positive reviews apply to the CHALENGERPWR 16.2 acoustics.
This is a two-way component acoustic system consisting of two heads and a crossover. The system has a sensitivity of 92 dB and a rated output power of 100 watts. The linear frequency response starts from 40 Hz. These are good speakers 16 in the car and are suitable as a front system.
What are the best 16 cm midrange speakers?
Wideband or midrange speakers are used as budget acoustics. They are easy to install and connect, but the playback quality will be slightly worse than that of coaxial and component systems. Good 16.5 SMS speakers with good bass will ensure normal reproduction of low frequencies even when directly connected to a music center without an amplifier. Among mid-frequency drivers, the top 2022 16 cm speakers in a car are as follows:
- Hertz
- Swat SP
- Morel
- Kicx
Hertz loudspeakers are the undisputed leader in playback quality and assembly, but many car enthusiasts prefer Morel speakers. They are distinguished by an extended reproduction range in the direction of high frequencies. Which speakers 16 for a car are best to buy depends on your financial capabilities. The midrange speakers from the list are of approximately the same quality and differ only in price.
Choosing a very rare 20cm front speaker or going with 16cm?
Given: I have a Toyota Curren car for the Japanese domestic market (the body is similar to a Selick with round headlights - the doors are the same).
The standard space in the front doors is 20 cm. Native Fujitsu coaxial acoustics - paper. But they play very well for the standard acoustics of an average civilian car. C grade highs, good clear midrange, good bass as far as possible for a speaker, I never even thought about subwoofers.
Plus the volume of the door is very large. It is one and a half times longer than a coupe, and wider than that of ordinary civilian cars.
When I listen to 16cm speakers in other cars, they seem somehow castrated to me in terms of drums, beats, voice volume, etc. Well, I’m used to 20cm apparently. Maybe I haven't heard enough good 16 cm acoustics.
I wanted to change the front to something more serious and component-based + add a good 4-channel amplifier.
Questions: 1) There is practically no choice among 2-component acoustics! This is my cross. I've been looking for a long time, maybe you can add something else. Focal Integration IS200 6000 rubles https://caraudio.in.ua/product/focal-integration-is200/ Alpine SPE-20SF 7000 rubles https://www.playauto.ru/product/alpine-spe-20sf/ DLS up8i 14000 rubles - expensive Don't want. There is also Hertz, but the prices are 20 thousand rubles. Previously produced by Blaupunkt, but now they are no longer in the line.
Can anyone tell us about Focal? I understand that hardly anyone has heard of the Focal Integration IS200 - but I’m not familiar with this company at all. And zero reviews due to rarity. Can they do acoustics? And in this price range, can we hope for something normal?
2) Can I hammer it in at 20cm and install it with wooden spacers at 16cm? What do you advise? For a person who listens to English-language rap, industrial, dance music. I'm afraid of one thing - if I put it at 16 cm, I will definitely lose something compared to 20 cm - I will only be disappointed.
Best Budget 16cm Speakers
High-quality car audio requires a lot of expense, but even on a modest budget you can build a good quality sound system. One of the best models is JBLGT-652. At a low cost, the acoustics produce clear and well-balanced sound. The lows are well defined and the midrange doesn't blur together, with every tone sounding very distinct. Coaxial speakers with a nominal power of 45 watts and an impedance of 4 ohms have a sensitivity of 93 dB. This group includes Morel Maximo 6 speakers. Unlike JBL, this is a component system consisting of two high-frequency tweeters, two mid-bass speakers, crossovers and mounting hardware.
Acoustics Morel Maximo 6 is considered the best 16.5 cm speakers.
Morel Tempo 6
Characteristics
General characteristics
- Type : component speaker
- Standard size : 16 cm (6 in.)
- Number of lanes: 2
- Power : 120 W (nominal), 280 W (maximum)
- Sensitivity : 90 dB
- Frequency range : 40 - 22000 Hz
- Impedance : 4 ohms
Crossover
- External crossover : yes
Tweeter
- Dimensions : 28 mm
woofer
- Dimensions : 165 mm
- Magnet : ferrite
- Installation depth : 62 mm
Price from 6,130 to 8,280 (Average price: 6,590 RUR)
Reviews
pros
Minuses
A comment
I'm tired of these rave reviews from amateurs who haven't heard anything else! I bought it when I was just starting to get interested in car audio. There is no lower bass at all, microdynamics are mediocre, the highs are blurry. A more or less Morel sound appears in Virtus and Hybrid, although for the money you can get more musical acoustics! I didn't care for a month then, I changed it to Polk 6501. The difference was noticeable, although they also didn't last long. It’s better to add and take something from Focal, Eton, Helix, Steg, Audison…. Although at the moment this is all in the past.
pros
The sound is decent. They play the bass very cool.
Minuses
Squeakers are so-so. The voice is somehow dry and generally average, something is missing.
pros
Detailed HF, many rave reviews.
Minuses
The sound is very average. They play a little better than standard acoustics. Workmanship, after 3 years one of the midbass speakers began to wheeze.
pros
The quality is 5 points, the tweeters are nice, they fit into their normal place. the bass is deep, warmed up for a month. worth the money.
Minuses
There are two of them, they play very poorly from the radio, there is no point in installing them without an amplifier, and the second point is that you need good noise vibration isolation.
A comment
The head is a pioneer DEH-X8700BT and the amplifier is a tycoon of kilowatts; a lower power amplifier will not swing them. I've been using it for two months and I'm incredibly happy.
pros
good sound mid-treble. very good with the sub
Minuses
After 5 years of use it suddenly began to wheeze. first one then the second. I thought it was dirty. sorted it out. (glued on conscientiously) it turned out that the paint inside the magnet had peeled off. half a year later the third one wheezed at the door. All in all sad.
A comment
worth the money. but so far new and not for long)))) subwoofer is a must.
pros
Excellent extraction of all high and mid frequencies.
Minuses
If you want to pile on, but there is no money for a sub and a sub, then the option is not for you, speakers for an amplifier, without it there is no point in taking it, and without a sub, too, because there is no bass.
pros
didn't find it at all
Minuses
There is no bass, the highs are terrible, instead of a crossover there is a pathetic semblance of a filter, - one conder is an un-glued coil and resistance, the build quality is poor, the heat-shrink of the coil is cracked, the coils are not glued, the sound is ugh, all the reviews praising this “acoustics” are either paid for or from For people who installed component acoustics for the first time, they replaced the alq 6.2 with Kix - the result was that I sealed the suspension on the Kix and put it back, and moreli on Avito
What is the best power rating for 16 speakers?
This issue has always been controversial among car enthusiasts. Some choose acoustics for maximum power when the sound level in the cabin reaches the pain threshold. Others prefer high and clear reproduction quality. For 16 cm emitters, the normal power is considered to be 45-70 watts. Such power will allow you to provide high-quality sound for the interior of any car. The main thing when choosing acoustics is that its power exceeds the output power of the music center or amplifier. It is desirable that this parameter differ by a factor of two. So, with an amplifier output power of 100 watts per channel, the optimal power of the speaker system should be at least 150-200 watts.
