Upgrading doesn’t have to happen only when there’s a significant problem, however. And if part of the frequency range - the lows or the highs - doesn’t sound quite as well-articulated as it used to, you likely need an upgrade. If for example, you feel like you can’t push your speakers as hard as you used to without the sound quality degrading, you probably need a new set. But there are more subtle forms of damage that can befall your sound system, and that can be fixed by upgrading your speakers to something new. Now, there’s the obvious situation in which your speakers have simply stopped working, or they’ve been damaged so badly that all you can hear coming out of them is an alarming crackle. Even with the right playlist pumping, however, if the speakers in your car aren’t up to the job, you’re in for a lot of rough days. If you commute to work or take the kids to school, those speakers become even more important, as some good music or the right podcast can be the difference between starting your day off on the right foot and letting frustration start to sink in.
There’s also a good chance that you still enjoy every opportunity to roll down the windows on a nice day and blast your favorite tunes. There’s a good chance that the music you were listening to when you and your friends came of driving age remains some of your favorite. And that freedom is bolstered significantly by the soundtrack. Out on the road, out from under their roof and rules, there’s a real sense of freedom. Learning to drive is a serious right of passage in many cultures, and it marks one of the first steps toward independence that we take away from our parents. The latter will better serve somebody who already has an aftermarket amp and wants to push it to its upper limits, whereas the former can deliver exquisite, high-fidelity audio even when connected to a factory setup amp/radio. Our #1 and #2 picks, the JL Audio C2-650X Evolution and Morel Tempo Ultra 602, respectively, do just this. For a minimal investment, you can have a pair of coaxial speakers that approaches studio-monitor level sound reproduction. Once you look to the other end of the price spectrum, you'll enter audiophile territory.
If your budget is tight, you can get away with a pair like the Infinity Reference X, which are well-made and relatively easy to install on your own. It doesn't take much money to do so, either.
Though a good amp goes a long way in improving your car's sound system, you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't match them with a pair of capable speakers. Some speakers, particularly the Alpine S-S69, are designed to fit well in even the slimmest spaces. Of course, sizing is of prime importance in choosing car speakers, so it's imperative that you keep in mind not just the height and width your car requires, but also the door depth. We also really like the Image Dynamics iDQ for their high-end sound and articulate component design. The Infinity Reference X is another that's well known for accurate mid-range and high-end output, although it's substandard at bass levels, so it really works best alongside a solid sub. Meanwhile, both the Alpine S-S69 and Rockford Fosgate Punch offer better-than-average output at reasonable prices. The Morel Tempo Ultra 602 would make a fine choice for anyone who's also upgrading their amplifier and subwoofer, as would the Focal Access. Don't worry, though, there are still a lot of worthwhile options out there. Removed from this iteration were a pair from Morel and Pioneer that have been discontinued, as well as the JL Audio C2-650X, which no longer perform as well as newer, less expensive options.