Best car speakers for 2023

They’re dead. They’re blown. They’re buzzin’ and a’cracklin’. Or they’re just plain lousy. That’s why you need new speakers, but what comes next? With so many options for replacements, choosing new speakers can feel dizzying. The big thing you need to know is that each speaker manufacturer takes a unique approach to sound and emphasizes different qualities of music reproduction, depending on the series.

To give you a place to start, we’ve highlighted four time-tested customer favorites. After reading this article, if you want a deeper dive into what to look for when shopping new speakers, check out our car speakers buying guide.

What makes these favorites?

The speaker series we highlight below are not only some of our best selling speakers. They have also earned an average Crutchfield customer rating of 4 (or more) stars*, which means that our customers really like the speakers once they’ve installed them.

[Check out all of our best-selling and top-rated car speakers]

Kicker CS Series — Perfect for a factory speaker upgrade

What you need to know: These are certifiable bang-for-your-buck speakers. If you like it loud, Kicker’s CS Series can handle up to 150 watts RMS, which means you can get impressive detail from these bad boys at a high volume (connected to a sufficient power source, of course).

Something special: Kicker has designed these speakers to fit in more vehicles than ever, which means there’s a good chance they’ll be a match for yours.

Factory radio friendly? Yes. These speakers generally have high sensitivity, so they’ll make the most out of the low power from a factory radio.

Such a big improvement over stock speakers. My only regret is that I didn’t buy these a long time ago.

– David, Crutchfield Customer from Elberfeld, IL reviewing Kicker 43CSC674 6-3/4″ speakers.

JL Audio C1 Series — Step-ups with serious pedigree

What you need to know: If you want something special when you step up from your factory speakers, consider the C1 Series and its vibrant yellow design. An injection-molded, mineral-filled polypropylene woofer provides solid punch in the midrange and natural roll-off to the highs. And JL Audio equips this line with an aluminum edge-driven tweeter, a rarity for “entry-level” speakers. Not only does that tweeter design minimize distortion at high volumes, it gives this series its distinctly crisp sound.

Something special: The C1 Series is designed for excellence by the very same team of engineers responsible for JL Audio’s flagship C7 Series.

Factory radio friendly? Totally. Their high sensitivity optimizes your factory or aftermarket radio’s power for the best sound possibe.

They are designed to work with head unit power levels, and I hear excellent sound quality along with decent volume, running a claimed 17 watts. I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase again.

– Aaron, Crutchfield Customer from Olympia, WA reviewing JL Audio’s C1-650 6-1/2″ component speaker system

Focal Universal Integration Series — Premium favorites

What you need to know: Focal has been a longtime favorite of both Crutchfield customers and our Advisors. If subtleties are what you focus on in your music, their Universal Integration Series uses inverted dome tweeters to deliver a wide, lifelike soundstage in your car.

Something special: You’ll find many signature Focal innovations at play here like polyglass woofers for strong, accurate playback as well as uniquely designed tweeters that provide a more immersive sound.

Factory radio friendly? Their high sensitivity makes them okay for factory radios, but we recommend powering them with an aftermarket amplifier to truly enjoy that legendary Focal sound.

The clarity of the sound is great. I can hear every instrument. I even hear sounds in old favorite songs that I thought were never there.

– Crutchfield Customer from Califon, NJ reviewing Focal ISC165 6-1/2″ speakers

Morel Tempo Ultra Series — For a natural sound

What you need to know: Enjoy a refined, softer sound, thanks to the Tempo Ultra Series silk dome tweeters. High power-handling in this speaker series means you’ll be able to enjoy all that luscious, new detail at low volume just as well as high. Morel also enhances the Tempo Ultra coaxial speakers with recessed tweeter placement in the woofer cone. This helps eliminate phase problems and gives you an improved sound stage if you’re not opting for a component system.

Something special: You’ll get impressive performance right out of the box, but customers tell us that these speakers respond exceptionally well to fine-tuning from a digital signal processor.

Factory radio friendly? Given the investment you’ll be making in the speakers, we don’t recommend running them off a factory radio or even an aftermarket stereo. An aftermarket amp will serve up the sound Morel had in mind for you.

Very natural-sounding, smooth, silky highs that aren’t shrill or harsh. LOTS of midbass, and they can get fairly low without distortion.

– Edward, Crutchfield Customer from New Baltimore, MI reviewing Morel’s Tempo Ultra 602 6-1/2″ component speaker system

Mobile ES Series — Return of a classic

What you need to know: While these aren’t best sellers yet, we think there’s a good chance they’ll earn the title soon. In decades past Sony’s Mobile ES Series has been synonymous with impressive sound quality and customer satisfaction, earning a cult following. Well, Mobile ES is back with a new series of speakers, and they’re off to a great start by the look at their five star-average and reviews like this: “LOVE LOVE LOVE these speakers!!”

Something special: Premium materials and design make these Mobile ES Series speakers worthy of High-Res playback. With high-frequency capability up to 40,000 Hz, they reveal texture and detail in your high-resolution audio files, adding more realism and atmosphere to instruments and vocals.

Factory radio friendly? Like the Morel speakers, we recommend aftermarket power, and if you have audiophile tastes, consider Sony’s compatible High-Res gear like their GS Series amps and their Mobile ES Series stereo.

Knowing Sony over the years, I had no doubt that these were going to perform top notch quality. These are a definite win for car audio. Don’t hesitate to buy.

– William, Crutchfield Customer from Salem, OR reviewing Sony’s XS-690ES 6″x9″ 2-way car speakers

What’s popular vs. what’s for you

If you’re ready to upgrade, there are a few considerations that should always top your list:

• How much do you want to spend? Modestly priced speakers offer significant improvement over the ones that come with your car. But if you boost your budget, you’ll get even better materials and design for an all-around more accurate sound.

• What’s your favorite music? The tone and style of the music you typically listen to will help you choose based on a speaker’s strengths.

• What fits your car? Unless customization is your thing, you’ll need to pick speakers that fit in the factory speaker openings of your car. Use our vehicle selector to refine your choices.

For more detailed information, don’t forget to read our car speakers buying guide. And if you need help, contact our Advisors.

*Note: The star ratings cited are aggregate ratings for the all sizes of speakers in each series. In the case of the Focal and Morel speakers, you’ll find that the linked lists of speakers feature two generations within the series.