10 Best Car Speakers for Bass in 2023

For those of you who read our best subwoofer for cars article and felt worried about their consumption and decibel levels, we have compiled the top 10 best car speakers for bass in 2023 to give you some more level-headed options.

Over the last year or so, we have looked at an armada of car speakers - from component speakers to power-guzzling, bass-booming, low-frequency subwoofers that take over your trunk.

There are many of us who like our bass loud, but not all of us are rallying to break the next sound pressure level world record. If you value the low-end of your car audio highly and find yourself disappointed with the capabilities of your car stock speakers, finding they distort when you try to crank them up, then you're going to want to look for a model manufactured with a number of bass enhancement and distortion countering methods in place.

For your convenience, we have selected ten that we think go the extra mile to deliver distortion-free bass without breaking the bank. We have also included a handy buyer's guide, giving you the lowdown on low-frequency speakers for your car.

At a glance: Our top 3 picks

Our team's top 3 recommendations
Best Overall

JBL GTO629

  • Premium 2-way class.
  • Reasonable price.
  • Uni-Pivot tweeter which directs audio to the listeners ear.
  • Great low end free of distortion.

Click here for price

Premium Quality

Pioneer TS-M800PRO

  • Premium 2-way class.
  • Reasonable price.
  • Uni-Pivot tweeter which directs audio to the listeners ear.
  • Great low end free of distortion.

Click here for price

Great value

Rockford Fosgate R165X3

  • Premium 2-way class.
  • Reasonable price.
  • Uni-Pivot tweeter which directs audio to the listeners ear.
  • Great low end free of distortion.

Click here for price


View the Best Car Speakers for Bass Below

1. JBL GTO629

JBL GTO629

First up in todays reviews is a rather remarkable pair of JBL 629’s from their very commendable GTO series which has been received plenty of praise.

They are a coaxial array which measures 6.5 inches and employ a bass woofer twinned with a uni-pivot tweeter to provide premium 2-way classified audio, with a great crossover.

The drivers are high performing and the woofer cones benefit from Plus One technology which helps to increase the overall surface area of the cone. As we have explained in previous articles this gives them a larger area to radiate and provides a better bass response than you would typically get from other cones which measure the same dimensions.

They feature a dual level tweeter volume control, which can be easily adjusted and indeed customized to suit your individual listening preferences.

They are low impedance and run at 3 ohms and have dedicated 12-decibel crossover circuitry to delegate frequencies accordingly.

Pros:
+ Premium 2-way class.
+ Reasonable price.
+ Uni-Pivot tweeter which directs audio to the listeners ear.
+ Great low end free of distortion.

Why We Liked It - The whole of the GTO series provides reasonably priced products which incorporate premium components from their higher end models throughout as well employ advanced technological methods to optimize the audio clarity.

What is Bass?! - We hear a lot about bass, but what is it?! We all know that bass are low frequencies, but how low? Actually, bass is divided into two parts; bass and sub-bass. Bass covers frequencies below around 300Hz - most full-range speakers cover that just fine. But sub-bass is optimized for frequencies below the 60Hz mark- you'll need a subwoofer for that.

Sam Jeans

Sam Jeans FOR MUSIC CRITIC

2. Pioneer TS-M800PRO

Pioneer TS-M800PRO

Hot off of pioneers PRO series is theTS-M800 with its impressive output handling. They are durably built and feature a mid/bass driver which provides accurately balanced sound in conjunction with the bullet tweeters incorporated within the array.

The drivers measure 8 inches and are made using high-grade material, optimally blended pulp which has more longevity than typical paper cones provide. The woofer features a lightweight corrugated, vibration-absorbing surround and the tweeter is expertly designed to function at its best under the pressure of high-frequency waves.

They are stimulated by over-sized magnets and together they serve up audio which is powerfully loud and has presence above the engine and the outdoor ambiance of driving. They are anchored by high strength steel frames to allow them the freedom to perform freely. They can handle staggering peak power of around 1400 watts between the two of them, with a peak RMS power of 180 each.

Pros:
+ High output.
+ Optimized bass.
+ Powerfully loud.
+ Well-balanced full range stereo audio.

Why We Liked It - We have peeked at a few Pioneer models in our time, if your amplifier can handle it these babies allow for louder volumes and boosted bass without breaking up, and they are priced very competitively. We also love their bright red ‘bullet’ tweeter centers, they look very cool with the grilles removed.

3. Rockford Fosgate R165X3

Rockford Fosgate R165X3

We really couldn’t write ourselves a car speaker review without rounding up a respectable Rockford Fosgate offering for a quick ogle.

They are 6.5 inches which is the same size as the JBL GTO set we opened our reviews with but in comparison, they offer up a cheap manner in which to get your hands on some well-mixed audio with an extended frequency range and better middles than most, because they are a low budget 3-way class set.

The 3-way array consists of dual mid-range drivers (one at 6.5 inches in diameter and the other 2.5 inches) and a tiny half-inch tweeter which powers through the higher responses. They have a much lower power handling (90 watts max), but many of us don’t have the amplifier requirements to deal with higher outputs anyway, and with bass sometimes less is more, to ensure optimal quality.

The woofers are Polypropylene which is a popular material chosen for its idyllic characteristics. The tweeter is silk-domed and pole mounted. The array is enveloped in a stamped steel basket.

Pros:
+ Good value for money.
+ 3-way class option.
+ 6.5 inches standard size which requires no modifications.
+ Lower power consumption.

Why We Liked It - These coaxial bad boys serve up great quality audio, are built to last and have a very appealingly low price-tag as well.

Wiring Car Speakers - Your existing car speakers can be swapped out for aftermarket speakers relatively easily, so long as they're the same size. But bear in mind, you may need to upgrade your head unit if you want to upgrade to larger speakers. Always check your head units' channel output rating and compare it to your speakers before you buy.

Sam Jeans

Sam Jeans FOR MUSIC CRITIC

4. NVX 6 1/2 inch Professional Grade

NVX 6 1/2 inch Professional Grade

Next we have a set from NVX, advertised as a professional upgrade for your stock speakers that certainly won’t disappoint. They are also a fairly low watt option so they will work with the majority of factory car speaker amplifiers. They are very affordably priced making them an ideal quick replacement option.

They appear to be very well made and feature some great components especially considering other models in the price region.

They are a 2-way class set which has a sturdy 6.5-inch vacuum molded polypropylene woofer cone with high quality, acoustic dampening surround. The woofer driver delivers punchy bass and the treble is taken care of by the high energy 1-inch silk-dome tweeter. They have a built-in high-temperature KSV voice coil which helps prevent over-heating.

The crossover is well designed and calculated, the mix seems fairly natural nothing sounds out of place or unfairly equalized. They serve up great clarity the bass doesn’t break up and together they have a peak power handling of 160 watts per pair (RMS of around 80).

Pros:
+ Affordably priced.
+ 80 RMS per pair.
+ Premium parts.
+ 6.5 inches size

Why We Liked It - They are an awesome 2–way class solution for audio lovers with a low budget. They feature some great refinements we typically don't see on a cheaper model.

5. Rockville RM84PRO

 Rockville RM84PRO

Now for a top-quality quad option from Rockvilles RM Pro series which employs some very high end tech advancements.

They set consists of 4 separate 8-inch mid-range speakers with woofer grilles and open baskets to mount. The cones are made using pressure-treated Kevlar-reinforced pulp providing perfect properties for excellent response and of course durability.

They perform exceptionally well and are ideal for those who prefer a bass-heavy equalization. Their large surface areas help excel their performance and having a foursome hooked up means the depth is unbelievable and break up at high volumes a thing of the past.

The cones are centered in a treated cloth accordion suspension that incorporates a Progressive Cones Spider (PCS). The surround help with dampening and they feature over-sized coils which can withstand high temperatures. They have a power rating of 300 watts and are reasonably priced.

Pros:
+ 4 x mid-range woofers.
+ Impactive, deep audio.
+ Kevlar reinforced pulp cones.
+ Superb response.
+ Great bass.
+ Large 8 inch option.

Why We Liked It - They are an awesome foursome which work capably well and provide car-filling bass.

6. Pioneer TS-G6945R 400 Watts

Pioneer TS-G6945R 400 Watts

Back to Pioneer for a peek at another great alternative which has a more comfortable power rating than the TS-M800PRO at 1400 watts.

This set is a 400 watts set of 3-way class speakers for your car. They are incredibly low priced and make for an impressive upgrade from your vehicles stock set.

They feature a combination of one 6 and one 9 inch injection-molded polypropylene large cone woofers which are solidly driven to deliver punchy bass. They are suspended in a rubber-coated cloth surround which helps to prevent sound wave cancellation keeping audio clear of distortion and muddiness, for better-defined bass.

These guys will need to be part of a larger system because they have an extensive low-frequency response with fantastic range, but higher frequencies will need a dedicated tweeter.

Pros:
+ 400 watts max peak power.
+ Cheap option.
+ Punchy bass.
+ Large cone surface for better response

Why We Liked It - They are a slightly more realistic set which will work with lower power car amplifiers, they have an accessible price tag and provide dual bass woofers for your set-up for those who like it loud.

7. Pyle 6.5 Inch Mid Bass

Pyle 6.5 Inch Mid Bass

Another company producing some of the most popular audio electronic products for your car is Pyle. A few of their models have graced our presence in previous reviews and these 6.5 inch coaxial speakers struck our attention for their unbelievable price. They will barely set you back given they are priced at just over ten bucks. So what do you get for your nominal outlay? An easy to mount standard sized 2-way class model with eye catching bright industrial yellow polypropylene injected cones.

The cones once again feature your typical entry-level rubber treated surround to help keep unwanted reverberations at bay. The 6.5-inch woofer is assisted by a 1-inch high-temperature voice coil to capably cope with up to 300 watts of peak power.

Pros:
+ 2-way class.
+ Impressive quality for low-end product.
+ Shoe-string budget friendly.

Why We Liked It - They are a surprising example of good quality low-end speaker replacements for your car that provide pretty impressive outputs and bass with a fair amount of gain before break up for budget-minded shoppers.

8. BOSS Audio CH6530 Car Speakers

BOSS Audio CH6530 Car Speakers

Here we have an oval option which is 6 x 9 inch it is a low priced 3-way class Chaos Exxtreme model from BOSS audio.

They feature genuine piezoelectric tweeters have premium voice coils, which are more heat resistant. The cones are metal and polyurethane injected composite which provides a smooth response. They have suitable rubberized surrounds in place for dampening the distortion on the low frequencies and are situated in a stamped basket structure which is very durable.

They are very well designed and fabricated, especially for a bargain set. They flawlessly handle high outputs of up to 400 watts max per pair at an impedance of 4 oms.

Pros:
+ 3-way class.
+ Honest to input audio.
+ Amazing value.

Why We Liked It - The piezoelectric tweeters are high-performance and fatigue free and you can purchase a pair for around the twenty dollar mark which really does make them amazing value, for all the fab assets they have to offer.

9. Rockville RM64SP CEA

Rockville RM64SP CEA

We are going to throw another Rockville into the mix before we round up todays reviews. First we have the RM64, this time from their from their popular SP factory line which also feature Kevlar-treated pulp cones to provide a rigid surface flexible enough to react to field disturbance rapidly and accurately. The cones are held within a high compression super SPL flat foam suspension which dampens and allows for uninhibited piston motion.

They are a mid-bass, mid-range combo which measures 6.5 inches in diameter and have an open basket design. They are super slim and easily mount into car-doors. They feature top-class magnets and respond incredibly well delivering full-range sound.

They have the same Linear Progressive Conex Spider boasted about in the PRO series line and provide a competent, high-output set-of-four bass ready car speakers. They have a peak power handling of 480 watts.

The capacitors within the crossover prevent harmful frequencies from being signaled to the drivers, giving them a longer than average shelf life.

Pros:
+ Mid-bass mid range frequency response.
+ Deep audio.
+ Quality parts.
+ Safe circuitry which prevents speaker damage

Why We Liked It -They are very well made, they feature a great design which employs many assets from their higher end models and they are competitively priced in a comfortable region.

10. KICKER 43CSC674

KICKER 43CSC674

Wrapping up this articles top-ten section is our ultimate choice from the speaker kings at Kicker. They are another set of four but this time, two are circular, and two are oval to tailor to many car brands with stock speakers this shape.

They feature a heavy-duty motor-magnet structure implementing extended voice coils which are typically found in more sophisticated high-end models. The magnets are high-quality neodymium which has worked incredibly well.

The cones are once again treated polypropylene and they are seated in ribbed foam and polyester surround supported by a stamped steel framework. All components are UV treated to keep them looking brand new, regardless of their time on the road.

The tweeters are high-output, measure about half an inch and keep audio crisp. Together they have a peak power of 300 watts per speaker totaling 600 watts per pair (RMS 200).

Pros:
+ Great driver performance.
+ Good quality components.
+ Neodymium magnets.

Why We Liked It - They are one of the pricier sets we have compared today, but are by no means inaccessible. They feature superior quality drivers to most in their class and provide an excellent upgrade for your car speaker, the bass is clear and has a lot of headroom.

RMS and Wattage Ratings - RMS is the figure to concentrate on when it comes to speakers, not peak. When matching speakers to an amp or head unit, you want to match your head unit's channel output to your speaker RMS. So, a 100w 2-channel head unit can power one 100w RMS speaker per side. But, this can get complicated when adding more than one speaker per channel.

Sam Jeans

Sam Jeans FOR MUSIC CRITIC

Car Speakers for Bass Buying Guide

We have broken our review into two separate sections with bite-size info so it hopefully isn't too much to take in. One runs through desirable car speaker characteristic in general and the other hones in on bass performance in a bit more detail.

What to look for in Car Speakers

When buying a new set of speakers the biggest decision is whether or not to upgrade your amplifier with it. Your amplifier specifications, namely the power rating and channels available, really set the limit as to what set-up you can actually have. So considering your amplifier needs is definitely item number one of the checklist.

You need to know how many channels you have and what each is capable of providing and at what impedance. Some amplifiers can switch outputs and impedance easily providing a versatile solution for adding to a simple set-up along the way.

Next, we will address the fairly obvious elephant in the room, speaker shape and size. Typically most factories built car speakers are 6 or 6.5 inches and circular or 6X9 inches and oval. These will replace and install easily in most cases, though you will have to think about the mounting depth available within the door etc. Some speaker sets, therefore, require car modifications which is a much bigger job and ought to be professionally installed.

We have reviewed a couple of larger 8-inch option in today's top ten best car speakers article because we are focusing on bass and a bigger cone surface area means optimal bass-handling.

A decent set of car audio speakers will need to be at least 2-way classified to provide a 'full-range sound' although a 3-way class set-up can provide a much more rounded overall sound and the mids tend to be better attended to, in comparison to a typical 2-way woofer/tweeter combination.

You should be looking for a product within your budget which offers the best quality components available in the price region. Above all else, you want something well-manufactured with a good solid build so that it is durable. All high output tweeter models should have the relevant cooling methods in place to keep the working at maximum efficiency and eliminate the risk of overheating.

What to look for in Car Speakers for Bass?

What to look for in a set of car speakers for bass is subjective, because it really does depend on exactly how you like your bass. If you are a real bass-head who wants it pumping as you roll up in your hood, then you are likely looking for something loud.

Ideally, you don’t want that to distort but there are those among us who like to feel their bass and are so used to overtaxing inadequate systems that they have come to know and love the buzz of a beta bass speaker.

Audio enthusiasts who want to hear more definition between the different respective frequency regions will find they want to set their sights on something that better handles the low ends without the risk of distortion and a decent amount of volume available for days when you want to let loose.

There are literally thousands of options on the market for car installation and they are all highly competitive, squabbling for the crowning position. This is beneficial to buyers as it means we can quite often find a good deal even in the lower budget regions.

If you want particularly heavy bass you may want to think about having at least a 2.1 system with a dedicated woofer to help bear the brunt of the bass load. All of those we have reviewed today would make excellent left/right channels in addition to a larger set-up.

Conclusion

When shopping for a set of speakers for your car you need to know your requirements inside-out beforehand. You have to settle on a set that matches your available channels, power, and impedance.

The market for car audio electronics is awash with affordable models and many of them are relatively easy to mount yourself, although seeking a professional is generally recommended.

The best speakers in the world will only be as good as the amplifier they are hooked up to. If you are considering a new amplifier for your car you can check out our 10 best car amplifiers article for inspiration.

When it comes to the best speakers for bass, the idea of bass quality is as we have explained, very subjective but we hope our detailed buyer's guide will have shed some light and aimed you in the right direction as to what you need.

Expert Tip

If you play a lot of music with sub-bass frequencies you are likely going to want to head on over to our 10 Best Subwoofers For Your Car article, for a nose at what’s available to you.

Did you Know

The Focal Ultima Kit was recently deemed the worlds most expensive car audiophile system, after it sold for $20,000. It employs a beryllium dome tweeter and has a woofer and dedicated subwoofer set up, it was first installed in a modified GT-R.

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