If you’re looking to upgrade your car’s factory sound system, one of the easiest and most affordable ways to do so is by installing a new set of 4×6 speakers. A new pair of speakers will produce a bit more power and sound over the standard set of speakers that come with your car stereo. There are a variety of brands and products to choose from, and it can be challenging to narrow down the top picks. Read our 4×6 speakers review below to find the best ones for your car, SUV, or truck.
The Best 4×6 Speaker
These JBL speakers are 3 Ohm with a power handling of 70W RMS and 105W peak. They have a 91 dB sensitivity, which means they are not power hungry. They provide excellent treble and mid-range with a high sensitivity. The tweeter is clean and does not fatigue the hearing at higher volumes. The low impedance of these speakers makes them sound really good, and they get loud without distortion even when paired with a stock head unit. The lows are deep and the highs are clear.
One downside is they take a while to break in and for the bass to really start hitting smooth and deep. Don’t expect exploding bass and really deep lows at first. It will take about a month of use before you can really hear the sound you’re expecting. Also, the terminals for the speakers are a bit flimsy, and you need to be careful when putting them on. You also need to use the crossovers provided or they will not sound too good.
- 3 Ohm
- 70W RMS, 105W peak
- Frequency response of 75Hz – 20kHz
- 91 dB sensitivity
- Brand JBL
- Model 6420
- Weight 2.54 pounds
They are not power-hungry
Excellent treble and mid-range
Low impedance
Take a while to break-in
Terminals are flimsy
Crossovers are necessary for good sound
This triaxial speaker system includes a one-inch neodymium film dome midrange and 3/4-inch piezo tweeter. It also features a one-inch ASV voice coil for high temperature and high-wattage situations. They are great for anyone looking for inexpensive but quality speakers to put in their car or truck. They are well-built, are made of similar materials found in higher-end speakers, and look, sound, and feel great.
While they’re a great value, they’re not for audiophiles. Even though the mids sound relatively clean, the highs are not great. Distortion sets in early, and the bass response is not very good. They need to be paired with a small amplifier preferably with a crossover and also a subwoofer for optimal sound. Also, they may start to pop, hiss, or crackle after a few months of use.
- 180 Watts RMS / 360 Watts Max
- 89 dB
- 4 Ohm
- 1.9-inch mounting depth
- Brand Pyle
- Model PL463BL
- Weight 3.35 pounds
Inexpensive but good quality
Good construction
Voice coil aids in high-temperature and high-wattage situations
Highs are not great
Bass is not good
They may pop or hiss after a short period of use
These Pioneer speakers have an impedance of four ohms and handle up to 200 watts of max power to produce a rich and powerful sound. The highs are clean and crisp but not harsh, and the mids are also clean with a decent amount of bass. The overall sound is smooth and well-balanced. They are very responsive, work well with a factory head unit, and are easy to install.
These speakers will satisfy those who simply want to hear above the road noise and aren’t looking for earth-shattering bass. Don’t expect to get lows that will rattle your vehicle (if you want hard-hitting bass, you’ll need a subwoofer). Also, if you really want to hear their true potential, you’ll need an external amplifier because they’re a little power-hungry.
- 200W max power
- 4 Ohm
- 89 dB sensitivity
- 2 ⅞-inch mounting depth
- Brand Pioneer
- Model TS-A4670F
- Weight 1 pound
Rich and powerful sound
Clean and crisp highs
Easy to install
Very responsive
Bass isn’t that great
Subwoofer and amplifier required for better performance
Slightly power-hungry
These two-way, four-ohm Kicker speakers with thin-profile woofers have 240 watts peak/60 watts RMS. They have minimal tweeter protrusion and are well-constructed. The highs are crisp and clear, and they produce a reasonable amount of bass for their size. They are easy to install and fit well in most vehicles. They are powerful enough to compliment a subwoofer instead of being washed out by one, which isn’t uncommon with products in this price range.
You may have to make some minor adjustments to properly fit them into your vehicle. And while they hit pretty good on mid-range, they can distort if you turn up the volume all the way. They sound great driving around town, but when you hit the highway they’re not very loud. Also, they require a subwoofer to perform at optimal levels.
- 120 Watts Peak/30 Watts RMS each speaker
- 4 Ohm
- Thin profile
- 1-11/16-inch mounting depth
- Brand Kicker
- Model DSC46 (41DSC46)
- Weight 3 pounds
Good construction
Highs are crisp and clear
Easy to install
May require some adjustments to fit properly
Can distort at high volume
Not very loud at highway speeds
The Skar Audio speakers have a peak power handling of 150 watts per pair, a four-ohm impedance, and a sensitivity of 91 dB. They feature a 20mm aluminum dome tweeter and a microfiber paper cone. They are well-made and provide a rich, clear, and powerful sound. The bass is pretty good for a 4×6 speaker. They are also easy to install for a factory replacement speaker. Overall, they sound really good for the price.
You may have to make some modifications in order to fit them properly in your vehicle. You need to make sure you have enough clearance since they may be bigger than some stock speakers. Also, the male terminals are hard to access, and they are so close to the magnet you may have to bend them out to use them.
- 150 watts
- 4 Ohm
- 91 dB sensitivity
- 20Mm soft dome silk tweeter
- Brand Skar Audio
- Model RPX46
- Weight 3.4 pounds
Rich, clear sound
Easy to install
Good value for the price
Modifications may be required
Terminals are hard to access
The Kicker two-way speakers include a polypropylene woofer and tough rubber surrounds with a high power handling (150 watts peak power) and extended dynamic range. The silk dome tweeters produce a smooth sound, and overall they produce clean highs and mids. They fit many GM cars and trucks and are easy to install. Even without a subwoofer, they sound good, and they are able to handle power without clipping and distortion.
One drawback is you may have to make some alterations in order to get the speakers to fit properly. They don’t produce very much bass, and they may start to crackle and pop after a short period of use. In addition, there may not be a significant difference in sound between these and your stock speakers. Even though you can run them without an amp or sub, they won’t live up to their full potential without these added components.
- 150 watts
- 4 Ohms
- Polypropylene cone
- ½-inch silk balanced dome tweeter
- Brand Kicker
- Model KSC4604 KSC460
- Weight 2.62 pounds
Clean highs and mids
Easy to install
No clipping or distortion
Modifications may be necessary
Very little bass
May crackle or pop after a short period of use
Best 4×6 Speakers Buying Guide & FAQ
The Advantages of Owning a 4×6 Speakers
Now that you know what the best 4×6 car speakers are on the market, we will highlight the main features you should look for as well as some tips on how to use them. We will also answer some common questions about finding the best sounding 4×6 speakers.
Benefits
- Enhance your current sound system, and make driving more enjoyable as you listen to your favorite music
- Replace worn-out or blown factory speakers
- Install them easily, since 4×6 speakers typically fit in the same spot as your old speakers
- Increase your car’s value by providing a better sounding audio system
Popular Types of 4×6 Speakers
Most 4×6 speakers are pretty standard in their design. They typically have a polypropylene, paper, or carbon fiber woofer cone. However, the shape of the tweeter varies based on the quality of the speakers.
- Cone
Cone tweeters are the most common and are usually found in low-end factory speakers. They are cheap to produce and typically have a paper megaphone built into the woofer to boost treble. They don’t disperse sound nearly as much as some higher-quality designs.
- Dome
Dome tweeters are a step above cone tweeters. They are usually made of polycarbonate, mylar, aluminum, titanium, etc. They have a smooth response and average sensitivity with a typical operating range of 2.5 kHz to 20 kHz. They have a dome shape and an aluminum wire voice coil affixed to the rim.
What to Look for When Buying 4×6 Speakers
Not all 4×6 speakers sound the same or handle the same number of watts. When you’re selecting car speakers, there are a number of features you need to consider when you’re upgrading your audio system.
- Peak Power Rating vs. RMS Power Rating
The peak power rating and RMS (Root Mean Square) power rating refer to how much power the speakers can handle. The former tells you how much power a speaker can handle in short bursts, while the latter indicates how much power a speaker can tolerate for a sustained period of time. If you want to preserve the integrity of your speakers, follow the RMS rating. You don’t want to overheat the voice coil, which can cause a speaker to blow out.
- Frequency Range
Sound quality and frequency range go hand and hand. In order to produce hard-hitting bass and colorful mids and highs, look for a speaker with a wide frequency range. The best 4×6 car audio speakers will have a frequency range between 50 to 100Hz.
- Sensitivity
This measures the speaker’s sound in relation to the supplied power. Factory-installed speakers typically have lower power, usually, 15 W RMS or lower, which means they will sound better with high-sensitivity speakers with 90 dB or more.
- Size and Shape
Refer to the size and shape of your stock speakers when you’re selecting the best 4×6 car speakers. Not all aftermarket speakers will fit perfectly in your vehicle, and you may need to make some modifications for a proper fit. Fortunately, many oval-shaped speakers come with square plates that include various drilling holes.
- Price
If you want the best 4×6 speakers for the money, you first need to consider how much you’re willing to spend. While some speakers are very affordable, they may not provide all the features you require to build a superior-sounding audio system. Sometimes spending a little bit more will make a big difference in sound quality.
Tips for Buying and Using 4×6 Speakers
The good thing about 4×6 speakers is that they are generally easy to install. However, you don’t want to buy the first set you see on the store shelf. Plus, you also need to decide whether you want to completely overhaul your sound system or simply replace the factory speakers in your car, SUV, or truck.
- Even the best 4×6 speakers won’t produce great bass, primarily because they’re very small. If you want a strong, punchy bass, you will also need a high-quality amplifier and subwoofer.
- If you want to avoid vibration and distortion, look for speakers made of lighter materials. Speakers made of polymer material or rubber are a good choice because they sound good and will last longer than other kinds of speakers because they won’t rust.
- Metal tweeters are better than silk if you experience a lot of road noise on the highway or drive often with the windows down. Silk tweeters provide a more natural sound if noise isn’t an issue or the vehicle’s cabin is largely made of plastic.
Best 4×6 Speakers FAQs
As we noted above, some 4×6 speakers can produce adequate bass, but they aren’t built for bass. If you really want hard-hitting bass, you will need to pair the speakers with an amplifier and subwoofer.
An ohm refers to a speaker’s impedance or electrical resistance. The lower the ohm, the more efficient the speaker.
Both have more than one tweeter, which allows the speaker to isolate the different sonic frequencies. A 3-way speaker adds either a midrange driver or supertweeter, while a 4-way speaker adds both.
Our Top Pick
In our opinion, the best car speakers you can buy are the JBL Club Series 2-Way Coaxial Car Speakers. They are not power-hungry, have a high sensitivity, and produce a great sound overall. If you’re looking to upgrade your factory system with an affordable set of 4×6 speakers, you can’t go wrong with this product from a well-known brand that has been in business for over 70 years.