Best Inexpensive 6.5 & 6×9 Car Audio Speakers (Reviewed 2020)

What are the best budget car speakers in 2021?

Just because you are on a budget and are looking for cheaply priced car speakers, doesn’t mean that you can’t get great audio quality. There are several makes and models of car speakers that are priced for tight budgets and relatively inexpensive. Most are always an improvement over your factory-installed speakers.

However, with all the choices out there, finding a pair of car speakers that can give you the sound you want is not always easy.

Here is a brief review of the top-rated inexpensive car speakers with great audio capabilities.

For those of you don't want to read our full guide below is a table with our speakers rated:

Our list of the most affordable car speakers in 2020

Good Cheap Car Speakers

Each of these car speaker sets is priced for small budgets. Some are known for their accurate reproduction of higher frequencies, while others concentrate on pumping bass. Think about the type of music you listen to most often. This will help you decide if you need more treble or bass from your new car speakers.

Inexpensive Car Sound Systems in 2021

1. JBL Stage 9603 (Editors Choice Budget Car Speaker)

Why is this the best budget speaker?

Stage 9603 speakers have a peak power of 420 watts and a sensitivity of 92dB. This ensures that they can draw the power they need and are compatible with your factory car stereo. The speakers have a low 4 ohm impedance which allows them to pull power from lower voltage amps. This can also improve sound quality from lower frequencies.

Pros

• The speakers can handle up to 420 watts of power.
• Since these are component speakers the woofer and tweeter are separate.
• Polypropylene woofer cones improve bass response.

Cons

• You might notice distortion at higher volume levels.

 2. Rockford R169x2 (Most Inexpensive Car Speaker)

If you're looking for a speaker that is both affordable and loud you can't go wrong with this one. An external amplifier is simply not needed to get this one's volume high. 

Not only are these speakers designed to fit in most vehicles, but they also have a sleek, professional appearance that you’ll love to show off. To ensure durability, there are grilles over the speakers. They also have a steel basket housing that is weather-resistant and helps to protect the speakers.

Pros

• An external amplifier isn’t needed for loud, balanced sound.
• The speakers are easy to install.
• The durable construction is backed by a stainless steel protective basket.

Cons

• These car speakers are not waterproof.

3. Infinity REF-6522EX

You can find the REF-6522EX speakers in a variety of sizes, making it easy to find a set that fits perfectly in your vehicle. They are also shallow-mounted for even easier installation.

Pros

• Well-balanced sound across most frequencies.
• Universal mounting brackets are included for easy installation.
• Priced for most budgets.

Cons

• Lower bass might not be as clear as you’d like.

4. JBL Club 6500C

Installation might take a little longer than with other car speakers. However, the sound quality does make it worth it in the end. The tweeters can be mounted flush or on the surface. It just depends on how much treble you need from your music.

All of the components are built to last. There is also a surround that protects the speakers from damage, while also minimizing distortion. Crank the volume up without any problems, these car speakers have the power and stability to handle it.

Pros

• The woofers are designed to produce deep, rich bass.
• You have two options when it comes to the tweeter placement.
• Built-in crossovers help prevent speaker fatigue for a well-balanced sound.

Cons

• Installation may take longer than what you’d like.

5. Polk Audio DB522

Impedance is low at 4 ohms, and they can handle up to 100 watts RMS. Power from the stereo won’t be wasted. The low impedance also helps ensure that the speakers are compatible with your existing car stereo. With a frequency range of 22,000 HZ, you won’t have trouble listening to mid and high audio.

Pros

• Minimal distortion, even at high volume.
• Speakers are dust and waterproof.
• Audio is crisp and clear across most frequencies.

Cons

Not only are the R165 car speakers affordably priced, but they are also easy to install. Everything you need to mount and connect the speakers is included with your purchase. The speakers are also waterproof, for added durability.

Pros

• Installation is a breeze with these 6.5-inch car speakers.
• Priced to fit most budgets.
• Mid and high frequencies are sharp and clear.

Cons

• Some lower frequencies may sound “muddy”.

7. Kicker 43DSC69304 D-Series

Installation isn’t difficult. These speakers are designed to fit in most vehicles. Everything you need from mounts to connecting wires is included. All you need to do is remove your old speakers and drop the Kicker D-series in.

Pros

• Mid-range frequencies have minimal distortion at higher volumes.
• Distortion across all frequencies is minimized.
• High ranges are crystal clear.

Cons

• You might need to make some modifications for the speakers to fit in some smaller vehicles.

8. Pioneer TS-A1670F

The TS-A1670F car speakers are designed to limit distortion. You can crank the volume up, and still enjoy great audio. Highs and mid frequencies are sharp, and bass will almost rattle your windows when the volume is turned up.

Pros

• High and mid-range frequencies are crisp and clear.
• Priced for most budgets.
• Durable construction that helps ensure the speakers last for years.

Cons

9. Boss Audio Systems CH6530

The CH6530 car speakers also come with Bluetooth technology. You can sync the speakers with your Bluetooth device and listen to your favorite tunes and podcasts. Installing the speakers in your car is easy. Everything you need is included with your purchase.

Pros

• High-quality audio across most frequencies.
• Bluetooth capabilities are built into the speakers.
• Priced to fit most budgets.

Cons

• Connecting wires are short and might need extensions.

10. Kicker 46CSC654

Durability isn’t an issue. The polypropylene woofer cone is stiff and designed to flex with vibrations. A rubber surround adds extra protection while minimizing distortion at high volume levels. There is also a steel frame to keep the speakers in place, even when you are driving over rough terrain.

Pros

• Bass is clean and deep.
• Produces a consistent high-quality sound.
• The speakers come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Cons

• Lower frequencies might not be as clear as you’d like.

A Few Things to Consider

Obviously, price is the main consideration since you are looking for quality cheap speakers. There are a few other factors you’ll want to look at before choosing a set of budget-friendly car speakers.

Type of Car Speaker

There are two main types of car speakers, component and coaxial (full-range). Component speakers have separate woofers and tweeters so you can decide where you want to place them in your vehicle. Coaxial (full-range) speakers have components that are connected together. You cannot separate the woofers and tweeters.

Materials

Just because you don’t want to spend a lot of money, doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice on quality. There are durable, cheap car speakers. Some of the materials you should look for include,

• Woofers constructed from polypropylene or another synthetic fiber tend to last longer than paper cones. You should also look for the addition of mica to improve sound quality.
• Rubber surrounds add protection and decrease the distortion that often occurs when the volume is cranked up.
• Tweeters constructed from silk textiles or ceramic produce a higher quality sound, while also ensuring durability.

Two or Three-way Speakers?

The main difference between two and three-way speakers are the components. Both have woofers and tweeters, but three-way speakers also have a component for mid-range frequencies. If you want a broader range of sound, go with three-way car speakers.

Sensitivity

The sensitivity rating of the speakers is important if you want to be sure that they are compatible with your vehicle’s stereo. If your stereo has an RMS rating of 15 or lower, you want to look for budget speakers with a high sensitivity rating. The opposite is true for stereos with higher RMS ratings, in this case, you want speakers with a lower sensitivity.

Range

The speaker’s range determines how well it produces sound from the various high and low frequencies. It is measured in hertz (Hz). The broader the number, the better different ranges will sound. The lowest frequency for most car speakers is 10 hertz. This ensures that the bass is crisp and clean. If you want sharp high frequencies, look for speakers with a peak of at least 20,000 Hz.

Components

Speakers always come with woofers and tweeters. Woofers are designed for bass and tweeters for treble. There are other components that can come with your car speakers. Mid-range tweeters are ideal if you listen to music with a lot of treble. With a mid-range tweeter, you can cover most of the higher frequencies.

However, if your music has a lot of bass, you might want to look for a set of speakers with a sub-woofer. Bass will be crisp and with the right amount of power, you might be able to rattle the car windows.

Mid-range tweeters and sub-woofers can add to the overall cost of the speakers. Before you make a final decision, take a minute to think about the type of music you usually listen too.

Installation

You want speakers that are easy to install in your vehicle. Replacing your factory-installed speakers should not take all day. Look for speaker sets that come with mounts, and plenty of wire.

The mounts should be sturdy and not easily broken. This is a common problem with thin plastic ones. The connecting wires should be long enough, you don’t want to spend time splicing wires together if the ones attached to the speakers are too short to reach the stereo.

It is also important to check vehicle specifications. Most car speakers are designed to fit almost any vehicle, but it is better to check first. Speakers that won’t fit in your car are just a waste of your time and money.

Conclusion