Excellent Sound on the Go - Best 6x9 Speakers
There are very few things that feel more chill and gratifying as hitting the road while your favorite tunes are rocking in the background. We are living in a busy world and spend way too much time behind the wheel going from point A to point B doing errands. Why wouldn't we make this time as enjoyable as possible?
Unfortunately, most of the cars on the market come with pretty basic factory speakers that don't really pump out the quality sound you would like to hear. That's ok. Cars are built for performance, not to cater to our music taste.
But, on the other hand, nothing prevents you from installing some high-end equipment and turning your ride into your personal mobile jukebox.
This time we are going to take a look at some of the best 6x9 speakers on the market and see which one of these units deserves to find a way into your car.
In a hurry? After 67 Hours of Research, We Recommend:
JBL GTO939 GTO Series
Why it is better?
91/100
our score
RESEARCHED SOURCES
REVIEWS CONSIDERED
hours researching
products compared
Last Updated: February 2023
By Barry Allen: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding best 6x9 speakers available for those who are interested in having the best sound in their vehicle. The best 5 available have changed, and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best 6x9 speakers currently available on the market. The FAQ has also been updated.
Best 6x9 Speakers – Comparison Table
Product | Size | Power (RMS/Peak) | Frequency Range | Sensitivity | Our Rating | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 x 9 inches | 600 watts / 200 watts | 45 Hz - 21 kHz | 94 dB | 91/100 | |
| 15.50 x 11.90 x 10.20 inches | 450 watts / 150 watts | 30 Hz - 22 kHz | 93 dB | 90/100 | |
| 6 x 9 icnhes | 75 watts/150 watts | 60 Hz - 22 kHz | 91 dB | 89/100 | |
| 15.5 x 10 x 5 inches | 700 watts | 55 Hz – 20 kHz | 129db | 89/100 | |
| 9 x 6 x 2.9 inches | 65 watts/ 130 watts | 47 Hz - 20 kHz | 90 dB | 88/100 | |
| 11 x 5 x 15 inches | 100 watts/300 watts | 46 Hz - 30 kHz | 94 dB | 87/100 | |
| 9.3 x 6.5 x 4 inches | 200 watts/400 watts | 50 Hz - 20 kHz | 94 dB | 84/100 | |
| 9.35 x 9.35 x 4.06 inches | 120 watts/360 watts | 35 Hz - 24 kHz | 94 dB | 83/100 | |
| 8.66 x 3.94 x 7.09 inches | 150 watts/600 watts | 65 Hz - 18 kHz | 91 dB | 83/100 | |
| 6 x 9 inches | 150 watts/450 watts | 50 Hz - 20 KHz | 90 dB | 80/100 |
Best 6x9 Speakers: Detailed Reviews
And now, let's go to the more detailed breakdown of some of the best DJ speakers you can currently find in the stores. Narrowing down the list of competitors to only ten entries was surprisingly hard. This market corner has become very competitive over the last couple of years, and new offers are rolling out with each passing month.
But, after a lot of thought and spirited arguing, I compiled this roundup of what I see as the best speakers for DJing in 2023. So, let's break them down together.
1. JBL GTO939 GTO Series
- Best Overall 6x9 Speaker Set -
JBL is a brand with a lot of clout n the 6x9 speakers market range. Or any audio equipment segment if we are to be entirely honest. The manufacturer spoiled me, and whenever I have an opportunity to review some of its products, I set my expectations high.
I'm happy to report that, this time, I wasn't disappointed.
The Design
When it comes to the design, I would like to point out that, this time, we are talking about the 3-way 6x9 speakers package - your central unit consists of one woofer and one speaker, and you get plus one woofer as an addition. This promises one sweet lower end performance but more on that in a minute.
The speakers themselves look good, energetic, and are built with commitment and precision. The tweeter is made from titanium, which is durable and lends its properties quite nicely to the frequency range these speakers need to tackle.
The crossover network between this drive and the woofer is pretty seamless as well. The additional woofer features a rubber surround which, effectively adds 30% more bass to your setup, which is great.
The Performance
The main issue I have with this unit is surprisingly, the mid-range frequency response. The tones simply felt slightly distorted. Nothing too horrible, but the experienced ear will notice the difference. The sound quality on the ends of the spectrum, on the other hand, is surprisingly accurate.
Power handling can be best described as high quality. With the RMS power rating of 100 watts and peak power that climbs all the way up to 300 watts, ou will be able to rock your car inside and out. The sensitivity of 94db is not grat put produces the output you want. So, I'll go with it.
Once again, JBL has managed to roll ou one great set of 3 way, 6x9 speakers. If you can live with slightly compromised midrange accuracy, this one's for you.
Pros
Cons
Unlike some other brands we have covered on this list, Polk Audio is probably one of the best-known names in the high-end 6x9 car speaker market. You can imagine how pleased I was when I saw these speakers sell at a pretty affordable price. So, the strong foundations are there.
Let's see where we go from here.
The Design
It doesn't take more than a passing look to see these 6x9 car speakers feature all that recognizable Polk Audio design language we all love and cherish. They are modern, energetic, well-built, and feature a simple drop-in mounting system.
I especially appreciate the effort people from Polk Audio put into protecting the woofer cone and tweeter cone from water and dirt. Featuring a marine-certified IP55 rating, these bad boys will be able to survive hell or high water.
The very cones are made from high quality polypropylene, so you should expect decent, balanced sound quality.
The bottom line, I'm delighted with how these car speakers look and feel.
The Performance
When it comes to performance, Polk Audio DB692 is a solid but not overly spectacular 3 way system that offers solid quality but definitely has some drawbacks.
With the nominal power of 150 watts, max power of 450 watts, and sensitivity of 93 dB, the speakers are a le to produce a pretty loud, booming sound.
You see, the lows and mids I put through the speakers were very clear and loud. Highs, on the other hand, were not nearly as bright as I would like. Some tones sound cracked, and I noticed frequent distortions.
But, I noticed these issues on the highest end of the spectrum, so you shouldn't have too many problems if your tunes are based in deep bass tones.
Pros
Cons
3. Rockford Fosgate P1692 Punch - Best Affordable Speakers
I am always pleased to see the underdogs reaching success. And, although Rockford Fosgate can be called an underdog in any sensible manner, 2 way speakers are not precisely considered the 6x9 speakers elite. Well, this neat package is poised to change this perception for good.
The Design
This package easily contains some of the best looking full range speakers I have ever seen. They feature slim, easy to install design, all the materials used for production are excellent, and the car speakers simply look beautiful. If you like sleek and subdued, these units will fit your car like a well-tailored glove.
The sensitivity is also excellent - it scores rock-solid 91 dB so you will be able to produce some very loud, if not roof-shattering sound.
But, let's get back to the materials. Both speakers you get in the package feature a PEI dome tweeter coupled with injection molded polypropylene cone with butyl rubber surround. All these components make a great foundation for reliable reproduction devoid of any distortion.
So, it's evident that Rockford Fosgate really stepped up the game in this often overlooked car speaker segment.
The Performance
In terms of performance, P1692 Punch goes as far as 2 way speakers are allowed to go. In other words, you will need to accept some limiting specs and probably install a couple of additional components in your car. But, what it's able to do the pair of speakers does excellently.
So, if you can live with 75 watts RMS/150 watts peak as well as the frequency response range of 60 Hz -22 kHz, you will be rewarded with a crisp and precise sound than literally can't be found anywhere else on the market.
Keeping all this in mind, I can't help but recommend this set.
I can't stress this enough, but this is probably the best 6x9 two way speaker package you can find in the market. If you are looking for something to replace the factory speakers, it doesn't get any better than this.
Pros
Cons
4. Kicker 40CS6934 6x9 inch - Best 3-Way Speakers for Beginners
Kicker may not be the most well-known brand in the car speakers market. But the manufacturer did manage to carve itself an interesting small niche and loyal fan following. Namely, Kicker has become quite known for a series of affordable speakers that produce deep bass performance.
Kicker 40CS6934 is definitely one of these speakers.
The Design
The first thing I would like to point out is that these speakers simply look excellent. This is the perfect marriage of style and exciting sports lines I want to see in my car. If you don't swing too heavily in any of the directions, you will hardly find a better-looking package in the 3 way 6 x 9 speakers market.
I also dig the low profile reduced-depth that allows speakers to easily fit any car on the market. On the other hand, the manufacturer has botched the mount holes. In most cases, you will need to drill new holes to fit the units properly. So, the form factor is a kinda mixed bag.
In defense of the speakers, the build quality is spot on, so I don't expect to see the units wearing off even in the case of the excessive rattling on road bumps.
The Performance
When it comes to the actual performance, the car speakers also have their set of pros and cons. Let's move the bad things off the table first.
The bass sounds excellent, and it's incredibly deep but not too loud. So, in order to get the best results possible, you will need to hook up an amp.
The good news is that the speakers pack excellent power handling capabilities (150 watts RMS, 450 watt max power), as well as 93 dB, so that shouldn't be a problem.
The sound quality is also great. When I hooked up the speakers, I got a clear, precise, and crisp sound all around the spectrum.
Kicker 40CS6934 are the 3 way speakers that have a couple of flaws, but the goods more than outweigh the bads. I am especially pleased with deep, gratifying bass.
Pros
Cons
5. Rockford Fosgate R169X3 Prime - The Best Affordable Speakers
Rockford Fosgate is a name that is not hs a pretty good rep within the circles of the car speakers and for a good reason too. The company is known for its range of quality and yet reasonable products, which is a proposition very few car owners can say no to.
Let's see where these full range speakers stand in regard to the high expectations we all have.
The Design
Let me start with the overall design. To say the least, R169X3 Prime speakers are visually pleasing. Matte black color simply looks excellent, cheap gimmicks are brought to the bare minimum, and the slim profile makes the unit as easy to install as it gets. So, props to the design team for this one.
When it comes to the materials and overall build quality, the polypropylene cones do an admirable job at marrying the best of both worlds, and silk dome is simply a joy to look at and listen to. The tweeter and the woofer stand right next to each other and make a very pleasing visual impression.
So, all the basics for good 2 way performance are there. Let's see how car speakers behave in a real-life scenario.
The Performance
Here the good impression I got so far takes a slight dip. The frequency range is of 47Hz - 20kHz is not stellar, but as far as 6x9 car speakers go, I can live with it. Sure, you may not be able to pull off the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Even so, the accuracy is spot on, so the things you do hear will be reproduced with quality.
The far bigger concern I had with these speakers was the limiting power handling. At its peak, the unit is able to receive only 130 watts. In the RMS mode, you can only keep the power at 65 watts.
Rockford Fosgate R169X3 Prime is a beautiful product with a lot of good things going for it. However, RMS and peak power should raise some red flags.
Pros
Cons
6. Infinity REF-9623ix 300W - Best Looking Affordable 3-Way Units
Infinity is a relative newcomer that is taking the car speakers market by storm. When I take a look at this 6x9 3 way speaker set up, I can definitely see where this overnight popularity comes from. Infinity looks more than capable of rattling the cages of some high end competitors.
The Design
Judging by the looks alone, these are certainly one of the best 6x9 car speakers I have recently seen. The grill looks perfect, the tweeter and the cone feature pleasant copper-like visual element, and the whole blend feels as classy as it gets. I really dig choices like this.
The compact dimensions make everything easy to install, so I have no complaints in this regard, either.
As fort he components, the tweeters feature textile soft dome, while the plus one cone is all hi-roll rubber. Both these material choices promise solid performance.
So, let's see how these 3 way speakers hold up.
The Performance
Well, these are definitely not the best 6 9 speakers I have ever had a chance of trying, but they are definitely up there. The high quality sensitivity of 94 dB means that 100 watts RMS/300 watts peak power will be put to good use, so you may not even have to use the additional subs.
This results in a pretty accurate and awesome sound that features great frequency response across the spectrum. I would like to see these numbers expended, though. You will be able to get a real kick out of the 46 Hz - 30 kHz range, but the bass response in lower ends may sometimes be lackluster.
But, as I said, these are some of the best 6 9 car speakers I had an opportunity to use recently.
This one beautiful and well-made 3 way set of speakers that features excellent accuracy but needs some refinement in the bass response segment. Still, I can do nothing but recommend this one.
Pros
Cons
7. BOSS Audio Systems CH6930 - Speakers With the Most Energetic Design
Whenever you get a set of speakers that offers an extremely good set of specs and sells at a bargain bin price point, you know there is something to be concerned about. This product is one of these examples. But, are there enough good things on display here to appeal to the customers that are operating on a budget.
If you ask me - yes.
The Design
Let me start that the design of these speakers is mean and energetic as hell. So much so that I'm a bit turned off with the whole idea. Blame it on the personal taste, but I simply like something more streamlined and subdued.
Still, if you are in for sporty lines and screaming red, this is one of the best units you will find on the market. Since we are talking about a 3 way setup, you will be glad to know that both components preserve the same design pattern.
This story is largely helped by the fact that the cones if the speakers are made from high quality polyurethane that offers the best marriage between durability and sound precision. The rest of the speakers is neatly wrapped into durable rubber, which means the units will be able to survive even the serious road bumps.
The Performance
Unfortunately, these speakers take a slight dip when it comes to effective sound quality. Sure, with the ability to use 200 watts peak power per speaker (full range speaker and plus one woofer work on 100 watts in RMS) and unusually high sensitivity for this price range, you will be able the get all the loudness you can wish for.
The main issue here is the overall sound quality or lack thereof to put it more accurately. The frequency range of 50Hz – 20kHz feels pretty limiting, to begin with. The accuracy across this narrow spectrum is also very sloppy.
If you are not overly picky, you will get a kick out of it. Just be aware of what you are buying.
BOSS Audio Systems CH6930 is a nice, affordable set of speakers that offers loud it somewhat compromised sound. If you can live with this, I'd say go for it.
Pros
Cons
8. Hertz CPX 690 PRO- Best Entry-Level 3-Way Speakers
Hertz is yet another manufacturer that hasn't reached the 6 x 9 speakers stardom but has a lot of good things working for it so far. If I am to judge the brand with this product, I have to say that the company has a lot of good days ahead. Still, I would like to see some improvements in the future iterations of these speakers.
The Design
But, first a shout to the design team. Hertz CPX 690 Pro is one of the best offerings I have seen in the 3 way 6 x 9 speakers range so far. The units look stylish as hell, and I like to keep it in my main raid just for the sake of the visual appearance. The mounting holes fit perfectly to any car I have tested.
When it comes to the materials and the build quality, I am more than pleased. Well, taking into consideration that the speakers use the paper cones, which are not the most durable pick in the market, but hey - if you value precision over durability, this 3 way treat will knock you out of the park.
And then, there are the small additions like high-density ferrite magnet combined with low carbon polar plates that keep the distortion at the minimal level.
The Performance
In terms of performance, the speakers do not disappoint either. The sound is clear, crisp, and precise, no matter where you are on the frequency response 35 Hz - 24kHz spectrum. On the other hand, that spectrum is not that extensive to be quite honest. Neither are the 360W Max / 120W RMS of power.
Overall, I got the feeling that the manufacturer found the sweet spot and stuck to it. Still, the 94 dB sensitivity is solid, and you will get good output out of the speakers.
Hertz CPX 690 PRO are the 3 way speakers that produce exceptionally well within the self-imposed boundaries. Some may find them too limiting, though.
Alpine SPE-6090 is a pair of speakers that set their bar very low and have no problem reaching it. A welcome step up from factory speakers but not that drastic.
Pros
Cons
9. Alpine SPE-6090 6x9" - Solid Pick for Less Demanding Users
Some car speakers try to break various boundaries and lure in the buyers with killer specs or expensive gimmicks. Others just try to be good enough and reach out to the people that are not willing to spend too much money on the audio equipment.
Alpine SPE-6090 definitely belongs to the latter group, and it performs its modest duty with ease and grace.
The Design
As you would expect in this affordable car speakers range, Alpine SPE-6090 is your standard accessible affair - a pair of full range coaxial speakers that offer little to no surprises.
The cutout dimensions fit virtually any car on the market, while the design is functional but very uninspired. It's definitely a step up from your average factory speakers, though. Also, the mounting holes are spacious enough to forgive minor inaccuracies while still keeping the speakers together, so there's that.
The craftsmanship is solid but, don't expect overly high quality in this price segment.
The Performance
I am very pleased to say that, in terms of real-life performance, these simple coaxial speakers rose above my expectations.
First and foremost, the power rating is more than competent - with the sensitivity of 91 dB and peak power of 600 watts (300 watts peak and 150 watts RMS per unit), the speakers are able to throw quite a decent punch. The sound quality is not that shabby either.
I tested the speakers with all sorts of genres that crossed my mind, and the results were very accurate. The bass was ok but somewhat muted, so you should upgrade your system with an additional subwoofer.
The main issue I have here is that the frequency response range is pretty narrow. With only 65 Hz - 18 kHz on disposal, you will lose way too many tones to ignore. That's the price of buying cheap car speakers.
Pros
Cons
10. Blaupunkt 6 x 9-Inch 450W - The Best Affordable 4-Way Package
And for the very end, we are gonna touch upon one more full range 4-way 6x9 speakers package. Now, this entry may be situated at the very bottom of the list and I have my reasons for doing so. Standing amongst the top ten best car speakers at the market means something. And the speakers do more than enough things right to warrant your attention.
So, let's take a look.
The Design
Even though they are standing firmly in the entry-level segment, these units feature a surprisingly stock design that is far removed from your regular factory speakers. With its sporty design it probably represents the best visual upgrade in this segment, so I'll give it a pass.
The main gripe here is the build quality. Polypropylene woofer cone, a butyl rubber surround with mylar dome tweeter, and ceramic magnet all sound great on paper, but the way they are put together is far from perfect.
Everything on display here feels brittle, flimsy and I was honestly afraid to pass the units through harder endurance tests. So, if you are going to purchase this pair, keep these things in mind.
The Performance
Now, let's move to the performance. Here, I first have to point out that these 6x9 speakers do a pretty formidable job in trying to improve the bad impression left by poor craftsmanship.
The speakers are able to handle 150 watts in RMS mode and climb up to 450 at their peak which is pretty nice. That, in combination wih admirable 90 dB sensitivity produces more than satisfying output. The frequency range response of 50 Hz - 20 kHz feels very limiting but that's not something that shouldn't be expected in this price range.
What's most important is that, in spite of these limitations, the overall sound quality is crispy, punchy, and precise.
So, I'm truly sad for the bad build quality - these full range speakers deserved to rank higher. These speakers have a lot of good things working for them but they are extremely sensitive and easy to break. Whether you can work with it is really up to you.
Pros
Cons
Things to Take Into Account When Looking for 6x9 Speakers
And now that we had an opportunity to take a good look at some of the best 6 9 speakers you can currently find in the stores, let's see what criteria I used to rank them.
I strongly recommend that you go through this short buying guide. Even if you don't agree with the choices, I made you will pick up a thing or two about the 6x9 speaker range and be able to find the ideal match of your own.
So, without further ado, let's check a couple of things you should consider when buying your feature upgrade.
Power handling
Essentially, this spec tells you how much power the speaker can take before bursting. This is important because the more power translates to louder music.
Now, there are a couple of terms we need to clear up here. All speakers have their RMS and peak power. The first rating describes how much power the speaker handles on a continuous basis. As the name suggests, peak power indicates how much watts the speakers can take in short bursts.
So, for instance, if the speakers have the 300-watt maximum (peak) power rating, you cannot attach them to an amplifier with an output above this rating.
Sensitivity
However, power handling tells only half the story. The second thing you need to take into account to get the best sound possible is the sensitivity - the number that tells you the sound rating per given power.
The job of the speakers is to convert power to decibels. The sensitivity tells you how much decibels you are getting for the watts you invest.
For example, the speakers that pump out 88db per 50 watts - good purchase. Speakers with a sensitivity of 85db per 100 watts - not so much.
The type of speaker
Most of the currently available speakers can be divided into two major groups (based on the way they are designed):
- (Full range) Coaxial speakers - They consist of the woofer for the lows and tweeters for the highs. They offer solid sound quality, are super easy to install, and provide a direct fit to inexperienced owners.
- Component speakers - In this case, tweeters, woofers, and external crossovers come separately. The speakers are, generally speaking, made from better materials, and they offer the best sound quality. But, they are also harder to install.
2 way vs. 3 way speakers
The numbers above refer to the number of drives (components) you get in the package. Two way speakers are comprised of one tweeter and one woofer. Three way speakers usually come with one additional speaker wrapped in the package.
Some units may even pack more drives than that (4 way or 5 way speakers), but they are not so common as the previous two types.
Frequency range
Every sound human beings can hear belongs somewhere on the scale we like to call frequency range. As the name suggests, this spec describes the array of the sounds the speakers are able to put through.
And as you can probably guess, the wider this range gets, the better. The car speakers who are lacking in the higher frequencies are not able to accurately reproduce the higher notes. Limited lower range, on the other hand, results in muted bass.
Materials
All the materials the speakers are made from have their inherent pros and cons. For example, the paper is lightweight and produces excellent sound, but it's also prone to damage. Metal features excellent durability, but it also dampens the sound. Plastic stands somewhere in the middle between these two extremes. Prioritize what you value the most.
Best 6x9 Speakers - FAQ
What are the best 6x9 speakers to buy?
In my opinion, that would be JBL GTO939 GTO Series checks all the right boxes. The speakers score some killer specs, excellent design, and precise, crystal clear performance. Sure, some mid range may go out messed up, but the level of distortion is nowhere near deal braking. Also, you get the brand reliability and all the support that comes with the companies of this size.
What is the loudest 6x9 speaker?
To get the loudest sound out of a 6x9 speaker, it is essential to consider whether you are using an amp or staying with the basic setup.
If going without an amplifier, look for units that have high sensitivity and can therefore generate more decibels per watt of power invested.
On the other hand, if opting in for amping up your system, make sure to choose speakers with reliable power handling capabilities so they won't burn off under pressure from extra watts supplied by the amp. For further guidance on how to pick the best-fitting options within both categories efficiently and confidently – consult our dedicated buyers' guide!
What are the best 6x9 speakers without an amp?
In my opinion, these are JBL GTO939 GTO Series. This setup is more than capable of producing loud output and deep bass even without the additional amplifier. When it comes to the 2-way units, Rockford Fosgate P1692 Punch is an obvious pick. These speakers simply shine/
Are 6.5 or 6x9 speakers better?
In all honesty, it depends on the setup, the unit we are talking about, and what do you prefer. Generally speaking, manufacturers prefer 6.5 speakers since they are cheaper to made and feature easy-to-fit shallow mounting depth. Some people also believe the 6.5 speakers produce te higher sound quality since they are round-shaped, but this is a common misconception.
Still, the 6 9 speakers do have more surface area, push a bit more air and excel in the midbass section. That's why I like to keep them back. I usually save 6.5 speakers for the front row.
After it's all said and done, we recommend:
JBL GTO939 GTO Series
Why it is better?
91/100
our score
Conclusion
Well, it depends. Suppose you ask me, the best overall product just hast to be JBL GTO939 GTO Series - excellent performance.
If you are looking for something with equally as strong specs, similar sound quality, and off-the-charts durability, go with Polk Audio DB692. The IP55 certification makes all the difference in the world.
Last but not least, Rockford Fosgate R169X3 Prime makes, by far, the strongest offer you can find in the lower market segments and makes a perfect upgrade for your car.