Why Trust Our Opinion on Car Speakers?
CarAudioNow is an award winning automotive blog, founded and built from the ground up by car enthusiasts over a decade ago. Between our editor, Kameron, and a few selected qualified writers, we’ve installed and tested a wide variety of speakers in cars, boats, golf carts – you name it. We know our speakers, how they should sound and perform and what’s a good value for your dollar. We get our hands on every product that we test in person – many of which are purchased and some provided by a manufacturer. It’s a combination of these tests and extensive research that lead us to our recommendations. And we’re frequently testing new speakers for our lists.
CarAudioNow and its writers don’t use AI to throw regurgitated information about a few car speakers on a list and say they’re “the best” either. We’re focused on providing meaningful lists, with accurate and useful information that will help you make an informed decision on a product. And we do this because we genuinely enjoy or highly regard the stuff we add to our lists. Our readers and our reputation are both more important to us than a quick buck or the top rank on Google – although both of those would be nice! Read more about how we choose our top lists here.
1. Morel Supremo 602
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Morel Supremo 602 Quick Review
There is no reason to beat around the bush here; with an astronomical price tag that hasn’t changed in years, the Morel Supremo 602 is as legendary as it comes when looking for the best high-end 6.5-inch component. The Supremos are the holy grail of component speakers because they represent the finest audio reproduction quality, performance and longevity.
Woofer & Surround Features
The uncompromising quality of the Morel Supremo 602s begins with the woofer cone. The cone uses two layers of pure carbon fiber to sandwich a unique featherweight foam called Rohacell. The combination creates a high-strength, lightweight structure that provides a warm and natural sound unlike anything else out there. The technology is drawn from Morel’s “Fat Lady” professional home audio speakers.
Each Supremo speaker is hand-built and features a hand-applied damping material to the woofer dome, eliminating distortion and providing the cone with additional strength and unrivaled frequency smoothness.
Motor Structure
Key to the outstanding performance of these speakers is the unique motor structure. Morel uses External Voice Coil (ECM) motors that allow for triple-oversize voice coils and relocates the motor to eliminate stray magnetic voltage. The design results in a compact 6.5-inch speaker that is 90% more efficient than conventional motor structures.
The 602s use a special double magnet design Morel calls DMM to produce more magnetic energy. The second magnet is located on top of the top plate, further eliminating stray magnetic fields and contributing to the speaker’s shielded properties.
A unique Controlled Acoustic Resistance (C.A.R.) Filter creates the same sonic conditions as though the speaker is mounted in a cabinet. The filter allows the 6.5-inch woofer to generate clear and accurate bass while keeping the cone stable at high volumes.
Tweeters & Crossovers
The Morel Supremo Piccolo tweeters are regarded as some of the finest in the world for the warm and natural sound they produce. The tweeters feature hand-coated AccuFlex damping and a double magnet for outstanding frequency response.
Included with the component package are the Morel MXR crossovers that create stereo imaging between the woofer and the tweeter. The crossovers also allow three tweeter control levels to fine-tune your system and the ability to bi-amplify the separates.
Key Features
| Make | Morel |
| Model | Supremo 602 |
| Size | 6.5″ Component |
| Power (RMS) | 140 watts |
| Power (Peak) | 600 watts |
| Frequency Response | 30 – 15,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB |
Reasons to Buy
- Unbelievably accurate sound response
- Great power handling ability
Reasons Not to Buy
- Price?
2. FOCAL Utopia 165W-XP
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FOCAL 165W-XP Quick Review
Focal builds some of the finest home and car audio speakers on the market, and the M-Series are the pinnacle of performance. This 6.5-inch two-way component system produces studio-quality audio accuracy and phenomenal performance for the most demanding audiophile. Drivers who expect a high-end experience will love the Focal Utopia M-Series.
Woofer & Surround Features
Focal employs their legendary W profile woofer cone material made from two layers of glass tissue sandwiching a foam core. Focal varies the thickness of the foam sandwich throughout the cone to maximize rigidity and strength while virtually eliminating distortion. The ultra-thin glass tissue provides unparalleled lightness and Superior performance over aramid fiber woofer cone designs too.
This high-performance W-woofer cone joins a tuned mass damper surround to provide exceptional audio quality and a natural frequency range while maximizing durability and longevity. Focal developed the tuned mass damper surround specifically to address the colorization of mid-range woofers after identifying issues in the transition between the high-frequency audio output and the mid-range levels. The tuned mass damper surround uses similar technology that prevents skyscrapers from collapsing during earthquakes and similar technology used in race car suspensions.
Motor Structure
There is not much information about the design of the Focal motor used in the 165W-XP component speakers. Focal uses a push-pull motor structure throughout the 165 product line that minimizes magnetic scatter and provides optimum excursion for the woofer cone. The more excursion, typically the more volume and mid-bass so this is a good thing!
The Focal Utopia M-Series speakers use a unique progressive spider design that further enhances the accuracy and reliability of each speaker. An oversized neodymium magnet completes the motor package and ensures exceptional realism in their sound.
Tweeters & Crossovers
In addition to a W-woofer, Focal uses their proprietary M tweeters as well, leveraging beryllium dome to provide incredibly smooth and warm high-frequency sound. Short of home audio equipment, it is difficult to find a better-sounding tweeter than the components of this kit. Beryllium is lighter and stronger than either titanium or aluminum and produces a more natural sound than textile dome tweeters. This kit includes 1-inch tweeters that can be surface mounted for flexibility.
The crossovers in this kit are available in either a passive or active design. Crossovers are intended for bi-amplification installations and offer several features to fine-tune the audio output to suit any driver's particular needs. Focal designed and selected this crossover network to work specifically with the 165 series of component speakers, and it is not designed to work without bi-amplification.
Key Features
| Make | Focal |
| Model | 165W-XP |
| Size | 6.5″ Component |
| Power (RMS) | 100 watts |
| Power (Peak) | 200 watts |
| Frequency Response | 60 – 40,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB |
Reasons to Buy
- This is an ideal component system for virtually any car audio enthusiast who is looking for the most natural sound possible
- Audio file grade components throughout this system make the Focal Utopia M series components among the best in the world
Reasons Not to Buy
- The crossover network requires bi-amplification and is not designed for single amplifier or non-amplified signals
3. JL Audio C7-650cw
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JL Audio C7-650cw Quick Review
Even though this is a list about the best high-end component speakers available we're going to offer a slightly different option with this one. The JL Audio C7 series speakers are some of the best in the world for high-fidelity audiophile-grade audio. The major difference of this product over everything else on our list is that the components are sold separately rather than in a packaged kit. We will walk through how you can make the right decisions to get the proper components for the most performance from the C7 series six-and-a-half-inch woofers.
Woofer & Surround Features
The woofer cone is a modern polypropylene and mineral-filled design with superior rigidity, limited flex, and outstanding durability to ensure a long speaker life even when driven hard. Each speaker uses a high-end butyl rubber surround that controls cone movement. Butyl rubber is a commonly used, well-tested material throughout many high-performance speaker lineups.
The woofer cone and surround design are intended to produce a speaker with very neutral characteristics. JL Audio engineers chose to make this speaker as neutral as possible to take advantage of the company's proprietary software known as TüN. This system allows individual listeners to custom tailor the audio output of their speakers in ways that no other system has ever accomplished before and gives JL Audio the ability to produce extremely high-quality sound from these components. Installers should be aware that the cutout for this speaker is larger than a traditional six-and-a-half-inch component and is commonly referred to as a 6 and 3/4 component speaker.
Motor Structure
The engineers at JL Audio spent considerable time and resources investigating how to build a better component speaker before releasing the C7 series. They used Finite Element Analysis and the company's proprietary Dynamic Motor Analysis to maximize each speaker's performance. In designing this motor structure system, JL Audio identified that speakers do not operate the same when in a moving vehicle versus when statically mounted on a test bench. The motor structure and design are engineered specifically to compensate for the demanding environment of producing high-fidelity sound in an automobile.
Tweeters & Crossovers
JL Audio does not provide tweeters or crossovers with the C7 component speaker. This allows the buyer to custom-tune the system to their particular needs. It is possible to create either a two-way or three-way system using three-and-a-half-inch component C7 speakers and JL Audio’s specially engineered C7 tweeters. The C7 series is designed for active crossovers only.
The easiest way to get the proper components to make this system work perfectly is to select the tweeters, other component speakers, and crossovers recommended by JL Audio. Alternatively, installers may use active crossovers with bi-amp technology from other manufacturers, high-end tweeters, or even three-and-a-half-inch components and tweeters to create a three-way system using custom components. A digital signal processor can be used with the C7 series to provide line-level adjustments. Installers may also choose to use amplifiers with DSP technology and crossover capabilities.
Key Features
| Make | JL Audio |
| Model | C7-650cw |
| Size | 6.5″ Component |
| Power (RMS) | 175 watts |
| Power (Peak) | 200 watts |
| Frequency Response | 50 – 5,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB |
Reasons to Buy
- Incredible level of depth and realism
- Impressive power handling capabilities backed by solid construction for long-term durability
Reasons Not to Buy
- Piece meal kit – components sold individually
Purchase the Full C7 Collection
4. Hertz ML 1650.3 LEGEND
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Hertz ML 1650.3 LEGEND Quick Review
The Hertz Mille ML 1650.3 Legend is another component design that allows installers options. The woofers are sold as a pair but do not include tweeters or crossovers which are required for a proper installation. Hertz is among the industry leaders for high-end, High Fidelity Car Audio speaker systems. The Mille ML 1650.3 Legend speakers are a top pick because of their unique characteristics and construction, which provide recording-studio quality sound output.
Woofer & Surround Features
The Hertz 1650.3 component speaker uses a pressed paper and cotton pulp woofer construction that creates a lightweight, durable surface. Hertz utilizes proprietary technology they call V-Cone to enhance the physical area of the woofer to produce a bigger sound than speakers of comparable size. The unique shape creates a woofer without a dust cap and an exponential shape that generates a broad frequency range for a six-and-a-half-inch speaker.
The butyl rubber surround provides enhanced cone movement and stability, using what Hertz calls “Boundary Free” technology. The surround is engineered to enhance mid-range bass response to give the six-and-a-half-inch speaker more volume.
Motor Structure
Finite Element Analysis contributes to a super-efficient neodymium magnet and a motor structure optimized for high-fidelity audio playback. The CNC machined plates provide optimal magnetic distribution and function to lower distortion at high power levels. The motor structure rides on a three-spoke cast aluminum, diamond-cut basket that extends to the mounting flange. The pair of speakers also includes laser-cut aluminum grills.
Tweeters & Crossovers
Hertz Mille ML 1650.3 Legend speakers are sold as a pair of six-and-a-half-inch woofers. Installers looking to build a component system are left free to explore options, including a matched component set available through Hertz. Hertz sells a component set, the MLK 165.3 Legend, which includes a component speaker similar to The 1650.3 Legend, but using a different magnet. It uses Hertz ML 28.3 tweeters designed using FEA and engineered to work perfectly with Hertz's line of six-and-a-half-inch woofers.
Crossover selection is also left up to the installer. In the Hertz component package, a two-way passive crossover is supplied. Buyers looking to build a custom bi-amplified car stereo system can use any number of two-way or three-way crossover networks with these speakers, either active or passive.
Key Features
| Make | Hertz |
| Model | ML 1650.3 LEGEND |
| Size | 6.5″ Component |
| Power (RMS) | 125 watts |
| Power (Peak) | 250 watts |
| Frequency Response | 40 – 6,500 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB |
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent choice for mid-bass response, particularly as a door speaker
- Fantastic sound reproduction, even at high volumes
Reasons Not to Buy
- Included grills look a little like stove burner covers
- Piece meal kit – components sold individually
Purchase the Full ML LEGEND Collection
ML 1650.3 LEGEND
Speaker Size: 6.5″
Price Comparison
ML 280.3 LEGEND
Tweeter Size: 1 3/8″
Price Comparison
5. Rockford Fosgate T4652-S
Latest Prices
Rockford Fosgate T4652-S Quick Review
Drivers looking for an affordable way to add high-end components speakers to their car or truck should check out the power t4652-s from Rockford Fosgate. This component system includes all the key components necessary to upgrade immediately and does not carry the astronomical price tag of some other products on this list
Woofer & Surround
Rockford’s woofer cone uses a unique Liquid Crystal Polymer fiber Construction that performs as well as many more expensive carbon fiber woofer cones on the market. The woven fiber creates an optimal surface for accurate sound reproduction with low distortion. The included tweeters also use the same lightweight cone material to provide clean, clear, and precise reproduction.
The special woofer cone attaches to a butyl rubber surround using proprietary VAST technology, allowing the six-and-a-half-inch T4652-S woofer to sound like a 25% larger speaker – great for mid-bass and bass. The unique design of the surround ensures accurate sound response even at high volume levels by stabilizing the woofer cone throughout the range of motion.
Motor Structure
Rockford Fosgate puts the motor structure through intensive Klippel verification steps that use lasers to simultaneously measure sound waves with many different parameters. Klippel certification gives this motor excellent efficiency and range of motion to produce high-quality audio. An IDHS T3/T4 heatsink provides ventilation and stability. A multiple neodymium motor structure combines with a durable Nomex spider to further enhance audio accuracy and reduce distortion across the frequency band.
The power series woofer also uses a special Flexfit basket that takes advantage of slots where appropriate rather than individual screw holes. The Flexfit basket design allows the speaker to rotate to best mount in the proper location easily.
Tweeter & Crossover
Rockford Fosgate includes Ring Radiator Tweeters and switchable crossovers. The tweeter design provides a pivot for the LCP fiber diaphragm with the voice coil between the pivots. The design helps prevent resonance for clear frequencies by providing a small area of the unsupported cone. An aluminum phase plug prevents unwanted resonance.
The tweeters offer flexible mounting options too. They can be surface-mounted, flush, or mounted at an angle using the included spacers.
The included crossovers include switching for a bi-amp system, tweeter level, and tweeter axis. The asymmetrical 12dB Butterworth crossovers are easy to set up and provide excellent frequency separation from their passive design.
Key Features
| Make | Rockford Fosgate |
| Model | Power T4652-S |
| Size | 6.5″ Component |
| Power (RMS) | 150 watts |
| Power (Peak) | 300 watts |
| Frequency Response | 40 – 30,500 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB |
Reasons to Buy
- Designed specifically to maintain accuracy at extremely high volume
- Affordable way to add high-quality components to any vehicle
Reasons Not to Buy
- Sound quality isn’t as detailed as some of the competitors on this list
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