For many drivers, the quality of the car’s audio system is of paramount importance. As a rule, most lovers of pure sound after buying a car are set to replace full-time speakers with better devices.

In our article selected the best models of 16 cm speakers, commercially available in the domestic market. They can be installed both in the front doors and on the rear shelf of the car. Connected without an amplifier directly to the radio, many of the speakers presented here are capable of providing high-quality sound. In compiling the rating, not only technical parameters were taken into account, but also the opinions of car audio experts with extensive experience working with different speaker systems.

Top 16 cm wideband speakers

The best choice for a car whose driver is clearly not a music lover. Broadband speakers do not share sound by frequency and are excellent for the role of a regular audio system.

3 JVC CS-J610

A clear advantage of these speakers with a diameter of 16 cm is the shallow depth - only 43 mm. In this regard, when installing in the front doors of any car absolutely no problems. However, due to the small size of the magnet, outstanding bass can not be expected, moreover, they are often put without an amplifier. When working from the radio, locking starts somewhere at 2/3 of the power, so loud and clear sound cannot be obtained in such conditions.

However, for their value, they play very well, because have a good sensitivity - 92 dB. This allows you to achieve a rich sound in the entire operating range, which starts from 35 Hz, which is an excellent indicator for the budget model. When properly installed (with a wooden substrate) with an amplifier, they will surprise with the saturation and clarity of sound of many lovers of high-quality sound. The small nominal power of the speakers will require limiting the output signal so that the excess load does not break the speaker cone.

2 PRIDE Emerald 6.5 FB

Increased powerful magnet speaker provides high sensitivity (98 dB). The sound is quite bright, rich, and at high volume, everything also keeps the sound pure. The bass, even without an amplifier, is quite expressive and powerful - with a good radio tape recorder you can set up a great sound. In addition, the quality of performance and quality of materials for the manufacture of speakers provides an adequate margin of safety, thanks to which at high loads, the device remains operational

When installing into the front doors instead of regular 16 cm speakers, difficulties may arise - the landing diameter of the PRIDE Emerald 6.5 FB is somewhat larger and an adapter may be required. On the rear shelf, of course, they do not look as impressive as component speakers, but they may well surprise the most demanding owners. A special advantage of this model can be considered the fact that the usual replacement of speakers can drastically change the sound in the car.

1 Pioneer TS-M650PRO

This broadband speaker perfectly reproduces mid and high frequencies, generating a powerful sound that is in no way inferior to more expensive acoustics. True, the bass is calm and even, so it’s not quite correct to put them on the rear shelves, but the front doors for the Pioneer TS-M650PRO are the most suitable place in the car. Because of the massive magnet, the dynamics need almost 8 cm of depth, so installation may require special podiums.

Saturated low sound does not go because of the hard suspension, but the midbass speaker plays much better than its closest competitors. In addition, this is the rare case when the declared power corresponds to the real characteristics. Because of their high sensitivity, they play well in the car and without an amplifier, but the quality of the head unit must be appropriate. Despite the higher price than similar products from other brands, Pioneer TS-M650PRO is worth the money.

Top 16 cm coaxial speakers

This equipment is characterized by the presence of several speakers, separately reproducing the sounds of a certain frequency. They are most often installed on the rear shelf of a car, because the front door sound will not be heard at all. It has high sound quality and can work without an amplifier.

3 Hertz DCX 165.3

Decent sound quality midbass and mids - the Hertz DCX 165.3 speaker plays an order of magnitude better than the closest ones. Round-shaped speakers with a diameter of 16 cm easily become a regular place on the back shelf and require a minimum of installation costs. When used without an amplifier, the sound from the speakers is clear, but it clearly lacks power, and low frequencies (bass) in this case are completely inexpressive.

For this reason, speakers are more often used in the front doors - they successfully replace component speakers. When working with an amplifier, the volume of sound manifests itself, low frequencies open up deeper, however, the RF generator can be heated beyond measure (solved by installing a radiator on a magnet). Nevertheless, the price offer looks attractive, and the performance characteristics in their level correspond to the sound of equipment with a class higher, with the exception, perhaps, of low frequencies. A deeper bass would have made the Hertz DCX 165.3 better speakers for the car.

2 JBL GT7-6

JBL GT7-6 loudspeakers are made of good-quality material and have a high level of build quality. The design feature of the decorative lining prevents the loss of the protective mesh. Good sound separation was achieved thanks to the built-in tweeter, with the result that the speakers can be used both for installation in the front doors and on the rear shelf. In the latter case, the interest is quite pronounced bass, which sound great without an amplifier.

Considering the budget cost and sensitivity at the level of professional acoustics (93 dB), the choice in favor of these speakers is quite obvious - even among the more expensive and famous competitors, the JBL GT7-6 does not look like a “lame duck” and is definitely worth its money. Moreover, they are made of high-quality materials, and the polypropylene diffuser has a high operational stability, which allows the speaker to be subjected to heavy loads without fear of tearing it.

1 Alphard AL-165T

Because of the high sensitivity, the Alphard AL-165T coaxial speakers deliver clear sound over the entire working range (from 35 to 25,000 Hz). Without an amplifier, their volume seems insufficient. In this case, sound distortion does not occur even at full load, which allows comparing these speakers with more expensive professional models.In this case, the product indicated peak power (140 W), which is misleading for many.

A completely different picture is observed if an amplifier is installed in the car. In this case, the speaker system reproduces the excellent bass, which can compete with the subwoofer. In this case, the speakers give out quite clean RF and middle. The tweeter “sits” not on the central part of the magnet, but is mounted on the edges of the case, which is a huge advantage and affects the high reliability of the Alphard AL-165T.

Top 16 cm component speakers

The subwoofer and the tweeter are made separately, connected via a crossover and can be installed in different places. As a rule, they are used in the front doors, and high-frequency tweeters are placed at the level of the head or body of passengers.

4 Nakamichi NSE-CS1617

Despite the interesting budget cost and low nominal power, the sound of the Nakamichi NSE-CS1617 is popular with many car enthusiasts, who in the car need a simple and high-quality audio system without an amplifier. The speakers work surprisingly clean. The basses are soft but legible, despite the fact that they lack depth. Tweeters with crossovers emit high frequencies well, and when listening to them at medium volume, they look quite decent. But these acoustic devices do not withstand peak loads - it’s impossible to pile on them.

A diameter of 16 cm and a landing depth of 55 mm allow for installation of speakers in the front doors without modification. Nakamichi NSE-CS1617 is perfect for replacing the factory speakers in budget cars - they even get much louder and cleaner sound from regular receivers. In addition, the quality of the components and the level of assembly, even after careful study, does not cause any complaints, and the polypropylene diffuser, like the rubber suspension, will serve reliably and for a long time.

3 Pioneer TS-170Ci

Pioneer TS-170Ci are ideal for installation in regular places of cars of different brands. The planting depth does not exceed 5.9 cm, which makes it possible to place them in the front doors of many modern cars instead of regular speakers without installing a podium. Sound quality is greatly influenced by the level of noise and vibration isolation of the car.

The sound that the TS-170Ci reproduces is noticeably different from the standard speakers. The bass is well defined, and the sound at mid and high frequencies is devoid of any interference. Despite this, without an amplifier, the speakers will not reveal even half of their potential. With pre-processing and proper adjustment of the acoustic signal, the effect of installing the Pioneer TS-170Ci will fully meet the expectations of the most demanding owners.

2 JBL CS760C

Inside, the JBL CS760C auto creates a comfortable sound quality. At the same time, they work perfectly from the head unit, confidently broadcasting in the whole range of available frequencies without an amplifier. Clearly expressed bass, which are in soft harmony with the middle of the audible spectrum, and thanks to the crossovers, tweeters perfectly cope with their tasks, despite the fact that they have the most common polypropylene diffuser.

A decent level of sensitivity allows the speaker to work without interference at high volume without distorting the sound. These characteristics plus a completely affordable price and high-quality assembly (the quality of the column is visible to the naked eye) made this model one of the most popular on the market. As a rule, install JBL CS760C in the front door. A diameter of 16 cm and a depth of 59 mm make it possible to arrange them in regular places of most cars without additional alterations, which makes it possible to carry out installation work independently.

1 Alpine SXE-1750S

Component speakers from a popular brand are designed to work with an amplifier. When connected to the radio, the absence of crossovers directly affects - tweeters literally cut off the ear, and the sound of the main speaker becomes too “biting”. It is for this reason that such incorrect use gives rise to unfounded dissatisfaction among the owners, especially if they applied to the “specialists” about installing the Alpine SXE-1750S.

Landing depth allows you to put the speakers in the regular places (16 cm) of the front doors without podiums, which greatly simplifies the conversion of the machine. If, when tuning the amplifier, cut off the low-frequency output, the speakers will generate a very clear and pleasant sound, as for the bass - the speakers are not designed for deep drawing them, because responsible for sound in the middle and high spectrum of acoustic frequencies. For this reason, the Alpine SXE-1750S is rarely placed on the rear shelf.

Popular vote - which brand produces the best 16 cm speakers for cars?
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Pioneer

PRIDE

Jvc

Alphard

Hertz

Jbl

Alpine

Nakamichi

Total votes: 59

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