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.
Types of speaker systems
Before choosing 10, 13 or 16 cm speakers for your car, let's figure out what types of speaker systems exist and how they differ from each other.
Today there are three main types of acoustic systems:
- broadband;
- coaxial;
- component.
This order was not chosen by chance - it is in accordance with it that acoustics increase in reproduction quality, installation complexity and, of course, cost. In the wideband version, one speaker reproduces the entire frequency range. In fact, this is only enough for listening to news on a radio station or turning on a low background while driving. Currently, most automobile manufacturers equip their vehicles with this type of acoustics during production.
ArtSound speakers for the car
If you value truly good sound, then to obtain it, such acoustics can be replaced with coaxial ones, which literally means coaxial. In this case, several columns of 13, 10, 16 cm or other sizes installed on the same axis can be used. The frequency range reproduced by the audio system is divided into low, medium and high. To ensure better sound quality, different devices are used for individual ranges.
In total, up to five such speakers (13, 10 or 20 cm) can be installed (but not less than two), but in most cases, a three-way system is used in domestic cars. That is, if the speaker size is 13 centimeters and it is the largest among the others, then it will be a low-frequency device. And in front of its diffuser, mid- and high-frequency speakers should be mounted. It is thanks to separation that the range of reproduced frequencies generally increases, and the sound quality improves.
It should be noted that the sound quality in general is facilitated by the correct separation of channels, as well as the absence of distortion. As for channel separation, a special crossover element is responsible for this, which is a filter that can contain from 1 to 4 stages. In simpler speaker systems, crossovers are installed in the car speakers themselves. If the system itself is of a higher quality, it will use an external crossover, which looks like a block, and in some cases it can be used to adjust the signals.
Column mounted on a stand and tweeter
As for the component options, in them the sound range is similarly divided by frequency, only in this case the speakers are scattered throughout the space, they are all installed separately. Of course, this significantly increases the complexity, as well as the cost of installation, but nevertheless, in the end, almost ideal and surround sound can be achieved. Component systems are widely used among connoisseurs of high-quality sound.
To ensure the loudest and, importantly, high-quality playback of low ranges, none of these types of systems are suitable. To ensure high-quality low-frequency sound, only subwoofers can be used. This type of device belongs to rear speakers; subwoofers are usually installed in the trunk.
Rating of 16 cm speakers for cars
The rating of the best 16 cm speakers for a car is based on technical characteristics and reviews from motorists about specific models. Car acoustics are divided into several categories, since the parameters of a coaxial system differ from wideband and component acoustics. To understand which 16cm speakers are best suited for your car, you need to know their basic technical characteristics. These include the following data:
- Resonance frequency
- Peak power
- Rated power
- Moving coil impedance
- Playable frequency band
When purchasing speakers from unknown manufacturers, you need to know that the technical specifications may be significantly inflated or indicated incorrectly, so you should always read reviews from motorists.
Often, when purchasing expensive high-quality drivers, car enthusiasts complain that they cannot get high-quality sound. This usually occurs due to improper installation and installation of acoustics, lack of noise reduction and excessive power supplied to the driver.
What types of speakers are there?
It must be said right away that it doesn’t matter what shape the car speakers are installed in the car - round or oval - the quality is determined only by their dimensions. Device sizes are a standard that determines their dimensions. Basically, on modern cars the sizes of loudspeakers that can be installed are standard - 10 cm, 13 cm or 16 cm. The rear shelves of cars are usually equipped with connectors for installing oval speakers measuring 15x23 cm.
Four columns with different diameters
If the speaker diagonal is higher, it will be able to reproduce low frequencies better. In general, the size of the system largely depends on the size of the woofer, since it, as stated earlier, is the largest in the entire system.
- If the front speakers are 10 cm in size, then they will be able to reproduce sounds with a frequency of 120 hertz;
- with speaker dimensions of 13 cm, there will be good quality sound reproduction from 100 Hz;
- with dimensions of 16 cm, the device will be able to reproduce sounds from 80 Hz.
Best 16cm Component Speakers
Component acoustics consists of several speakers and a passive filter to separate the audio frequency range. Most often, good 16cm speakers in a car without an amplifier consist of a full-range driver with limited treble and a tweeter. The locations for the emitters in the car are chosen so that the sound image is as clear and high-quality as possible. The top 16 cm speakers and car speakers are driven by Japanese Pioneer TS-170Ci speakers. The system perfectly reproduces the entire audio range, but for best sound quality it must be connected to an amplifier.
The system is perfectly installed on standard seats of various cars. Thanks to their reduced thickness, not exceeding 5.9 cm, the speakers can be easily installed in the front doors without installing an additional podium. The evaluation of 16 cm speakers in a car 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 assigns bandwidth to Twitter, which renders them clearly and without distortion. The system can withstand power overloads without creating audible distortion. Typically these speakers are installed in the front doors of the cabin.
They are installed without modification. Inexpensive 16 cm speakers with good sound include the NAKAMICHINCE - CS 1617 system. This high-quality acoustics provides clear sound with good low frequencies and light glassy highs. Please note that connecting the speakers directly to a stereo system without an amplifier does not provide deep bass, but reproduces the center of the sound range well. Acoustics are afraid of overloads, so it is not recommended to use them at critical power levels. The best 16cm component speakers are often used by car enthusiasts to replace their regular speakers.
Budget
SoundMAX SM-CSA603
pros
- Low price
- Sound good
- Cover a wide range of frequencies
- Reliable materials
Minuses
- At higher powers some noise may occur
From 970 ₽
A reliable device with diffusers made of strong and durable materials. With a sensitivity of 91 dB and a rated power of 90 W, it ensures correct music reproduction covering a wide range of frequencies. Within one device there are LF, MF and HF speakers. This design helps to significantly save space and money on organizing a reproducing system.
Ural AS-C1647
pros
- Availability
- Not bad sound
- There's bass
- Large volume reserve
Minuses
- Safety net pops out
From 1,500 ₽
Inexpensive acoustics that can be installed instead of standard ones. The coaxial speaker perfectly reproduces a wide variety of songs and provides the necessary volume. Sometimes the sounds can be jarring, but this is an inevitable result of the low price of the equipment. Suitable for occasional listening.
JBL Stage2 624
pros
- Workmanship
- Low price
- Ease of installation
- Great sound
Minuses
- Not suitable for installation in front doors
From 1,500 ₽
Good speakers at a low price. With a rated power of 40 W, they provide average sound quality and the necessary volume reserve. It is not recommended to install in the front doors, since such a solution will lead to complete mixing of sounds. The delivery set includes 2 coaxial speakers, protective grills, a set of mounting screws and brackets, as well as 2 manufacturer logos.
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.
If your vehicle is equipped with three-component acoustics, then the best option would be to use 20 cm speakers. They are especially suitable for reproducing mid-frequency ranges due to their size. However, it is the dimensions that are the main problem that may cause difficulties in installing loudspeakers, especially in the front of the car. Not so often, but still such speakers are used for two-component acoustic systems; in this case, it must be taken into account that the quality of mid-frequency playback leaves much to be desired. As practice shows, 20-centimeter speakers are most optimally suited for systems that do not have a subwoofer.
If we talk about the size of the speakers 13 cm, then they are perfect for installation in a car with a front-facing system. The best way to use 13 cm speakers is as rear devices. If there is not enough space in the vehicle interior, then 13 cm speakers can be used to equip the front system, but this may lead to too limited bass (video author - LOUD SOUND).
In coaxial acoustics, speakers with dimensions of 15x23 cm can be installed on the rear shelf; these dimensions allow you to provide the deepest low frequencies. But it should be noted that devices of this type have certain disadvantages, in particular, the quality of the coaxial design itself will be low, especially since the driver will not have the opportunity to change the subwoofer. And although such a speaker can produce deep bass, it will not be full and clear, let alone balanced tonal sound. If you like a good visual effect, then, in principle, you can find oval-sized speakers on sale that will provide it. However, in this case, the problem of choice is acute, since there are not many options.
If you don’t want to use standard acoustics because of their low quality, but at the same time you don’t have the opportunity to remodel the place to install good speakers, there is a way out. For example, you can install oval speakers whose size is 13x18 cm. As for 10-cm speakers, we do not recommend that our users fall for advertising.
Manufacturers often advertise this product as a quality product that allows you to achieve better sound, but in fact this is far from the case. Devices of this type, no matter how they are advertised, are characterized by poor playback quality in general and, even more so, poor bass. So if you purchase such speakers, the acoustics in your car must be equipped with additional low-frequency support. For example, you can use so-called midbass devices, which are best mounted in the front part of the cabin.
Of course, in terms of cost, small-sized speakers will always cost less, unlike others. However, if you want to achieve good sound, then when purchasing, you should only look at the quality of the speakers, and not at their cost. Often, car owners, trying to save money, end up with low-quality acoustics that cannot reproduce high-quality sound at high volumes.
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