For many of us, a car is not just a means of transportation but also a place where we spend a considerable amount of time. And the sound quality of our favorite music can make any trip more enjoyable. So, if you've decided to upgrade your car's audio system, the first step is to choose good speakers. Let's take a closer look at what to consider to get the most enjoyment from music on the road.
Determine the type of speakers you want to install. There are two main types of car speakers:
- Coaxial speakers (also known as 2-way or 3-way) include all the necessary elements in one housing: a woofer (low-frequency speaker), a tweeter (high-frequency speaker), and a midrange speaker (in 3-way speakers) for mid frequencies. They are easy to install in place of factory speakers and provide decent sound at a moderate cost.
- Component speakers consist of separate woofers, tweeters, and crossovers. They are more challenging to install but offer cleaner and more detailed sound. However, they are more expensive.
Consider the size of the speakers. It should match the mounting holes in your car. Standard sizes are:
- 10, 13, 16, and 17 cm in diameter
- 6x9 inches
- Larger speakers generally reproduce low frequencies better. Tweeter size is less critical as they are compact.
Pay attention to the power handling of the speakers. It should match the power of the car stereo.
- Ideally, the RMS (nominal) power of the speakers should be approximately equal to or slightly exceed the RMS power of the car stereo or amplifier.
- Peak power can be 2-4 times higher.
Check the sensitivity of the speakers, which indicates how loud they will play at a given power. It is measured in dB/W.
- For most cars, the optimal speaker sensitivity is from 87 dB/W.
- Speakers with high sensitivity (from 90 dB/W) can produce serious volume even with low-powered car stereos.
- However, don't chase high sensitivity alone - it doesn't always mean better sound quality.
For quality sound, a wide and uniform frequency range is important. It shows which frequencies the speakers reproduce - from the lowest bass to the highest treble.
- For woofers, a good range is from 20-50 Hz to 2-5 kHz.
- For midrange speakers - 200 Hz - 5 kHz.
- For tweeters - 2-20 kHz.
- To achieve smooth sound without "gaps," the frequency ranges of the speakers should overlap.
The materials used in the speakers determine the character of their sound.
- Cellulose or paper cones provide a soft, rich sound.
- Polypropylene speakers are quite versatile.
- Tweeters are often made of silk or metallized film for clean high-frequency sound.
- The surround can be rubber (better for bass) or fabric (for transparent high-frequency sound).
For rich, full-bodied music in your car, it's best to use a combination of low, mid, and high-frequency speakers, as well as a subwoofer.
- Approach the choice of speakers thoughtfully, find the optimal balance of characteristics and price.
- Pay attention to products from proven brands such as Focal, Morel, Hertz, Alpine, Kicker, JBL, and Infinity.
- Before purchasing, it's advisable to listen to the speakers "live" in a showroom.
- Don't forget about quality installation - it's just as important as the speakers themselves.
I hope these tips, along with helpful resources like AllSpeakerSize.com, will guide you in making the right choice. May your favorite music always sound bright and powerful, fill you with energy, and bring pleasure to any journey!