Many cars come with factory speakers that fail to deliver a heart-pumping audio experience. If you’re an audiophile, you need a set of quality speakers that ignite your auditory senses. Great music can enhance your life—and your drives.
A good set of aftermarket speakers can make a huge difference in the quality of sound. They can produce detailed, clear, and dynamic audio. But finding speakers of good quality means separating the best from the rest. This guide takes a look at some of the best 6 3/4 speakers on the market. We’ve carefully examined each one for sound quality, aesthetics, and build.
The Best 6 3/4 Speakers
An audiophile’s dream, these speakers have a simplistic approach to aesthetics. However, what they lack in looks they make up for with high-quality, clear sound output—even at high volumes. Their circular frameworks in their favor as they can fit in most car speaker compartments. Instead of screw holes, they feature slots you can adjust during installation for a better fit.
The piezoelectric (PEI) dome tweeters deliver sharp, clear sound. You’ll be hard-pressed to find bass as defined as that of the Rocksford Fosgate P1675. The injection-molded, mineral-filled polypropylene cones and butyl rubber surrounds work together with the tweeters to provide accurate frequency reproduction. Integrated Concealed Crossovers (ICCs) do away with the need to mount black boxes to hold the speakers.
- Rated at 55 watts RMS (110 watts max power)
- PEI dome tweeters
- One-year warranty
- Brand Rockford Fosgate
- Model P1675
- Weight 7 pounds
Speaker slots make for easy installation
Injection-molded polypropylene cones deliver sound with no distortion
Includes grill covers
They don’t fit in some vehicle speaker compartments
Poor bass response
Some amplifiers may affect sound quality
With a peak power of 150 watts, these speakers are designed to produce crisp highs, detailed mids, and deep lows. The double-layer paper cone features a Dynamic Damping Coating (DDC) for smooth, rich bass. A 10-ounce magnet makes for better sound reproduction. The speakers have a drop-in design for easy installation.
The S6752 speakers fit well in most cars; their screw holes and slots are well-spaced to make it easier to replace factory speakers. They can handle 50 to 150 watts and are ideal for a wide range of genres. The silk dome tweeters are designed for high power handling.
- 150 watts maximum power
- 88dB sensitivity
- 65hz – 20kHz frequency response
- 10 oz magnet
- Brand Powerbass
- Model S6752
- Weight 3.6 pounds
Silk dome tweeter
Double-layer paper cone with DDC
Screw holes and slots for easy installation
Do not fit in some vehicles
Occasional distortion and rattling at high volume
No grill covers
Kicker continues its tradition of fusing high-definition sound with rugged design in these speakers. The speakers come in a set of four to give you an enhanced audio experience. They are designed to grab attention and fit in most cars easily thanks to their slim profiles. Their highly sensitive design allows them to deliver good sound, even from low-powered factory radios.
The outstanding feature of these speakers is their clarity. Their two-way design makes for dynamic sound. The PEI dome tweeters handle the highs while the 6 ¾-inch polypropylene woofers handle the mids and lows. The four speakers can handle 60 watts of RMS power and 240 watts of peak power (480 watts for the four).
- Power range: 2-60 watts RMS (peak power: 240 watts)
- Frequency range: 40-20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Impedance: 4 ohms
- Brand Kicker
- Model 41DSC674
- Weight 9.1 pounds
Polypropylene cone and acoustic foam make for clear sound
Compact design allows speakers to fit in most cars
The highly sensitive motors can handle a lot of power
The bass could be better
Sound output depends on the source of sound
There are no mounting brackets
If you are looking for powerful speakers that deliver a lot of sound, consider the Kicker 2-Way 4-Ohm Coaxial Speakers. They don’t just provide great sound—they also feature zero-protrusion tweeters to give you the clarity you need without getting in the way of factory grilles. They make perfect replacements for the factory speakers in your car.
Their tough polyester foam surrounds will endure many years of heavy use. Their two-way design makes for dynamic sound. The PEI balanced dome tweeters take care of the highs, while the polypropylene woofers deliver the lower frequencies.
- Power handling: 60 watts RMS (max power: 240 watts)
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Frequency: 40-20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 4 ohms
- Brand Kicker
- Model 43DSC6704
- Weight 4.23 pounds
Polypropylene woofers with ribbed polyester foam surrounds
PEI balanced dome tweeters
One-year warranty
Grilles are included
You may need to modify your vehicle for the speakers to fit
The bass fails to impress
Focal designed its Integration line of speakers for multiple applications and a great audio experience. The woofers are made of polyglass, a material almost 10 times superior to polypropylene. They play music perfectly with no added resonances. Unlike many component speakers, these have built-in crossovers, so you can quickly install them as there’s no need to install crossovers separately.
The processed aluminum inverted dome tweeters feature waveguides and built-in phase plugs. The design of the tweeters enhances their efficiency and sound radiation pattern. You can angle the tweeters to increase the power of high-frequency notes.
- 93.2dB sensitivity
- Two-inch mounting depth
- 5W – 70W RMS power range (max power: 140W)
- Frequency response: 60Hz – 20kHz
- Brand Focal
- Model ISC 165
- Weight 1.76 pounds
Polyglass woofers and butyl rubber surrounds provide great sound and durability
Inverted dome tweeters ensure excellent sound radiation
Built-in crossovers make installation easy
Unsatisfactory mid-bass
They don’t fit all cars
Grilles are not included
The Rockford Fosgate Prime series caters to audiophiles looking for clean, powerful sound that’ll keep you rocking as you drive. The R1675 speakers feature the classic Rockford design that has made them the go-to option for replacing factory speakers. They come with mounting brackets for quick installation in most cars.
The awesome bass delivery is courtesy of Rockford’s reliance on polypropylene woofer cones. The speakers also reproduce midrange frequencies quite well. But lows and mids feel empty without clear high frequencies, which is why Rockford has incorporated silk dome tweeters into the speakers. Built-in crossovers distribute sound frequency evenly; you’ll clearly hear the highs, mids, and lows.
- High sensitivity: 91dB
- Power range: 2-45 watts RMS (max power: 90 Watts)
- 52Hz – 20kHz frequency response
- Warranty: 1 year
- Brand Rockford Fosgate
- Model R1672X2 Prime
- Weight 4.6 pounds
Vacuum polypropylene woofer cones and rubber surrounds for great sound and enhanced durability
Silk dome flush-mounted tweeters
Includes grille covers
Low power handling
Subpar bass response
Best 6 3/4 Speakers Buying Guide & FAQ
Car manufacturers include basic speakers in their cars as part of their audio systems. However, most times, these car speakers don’t perform as well as aftermarket systems. That’s why you may want to replace them with new speakers at some point.
Your car’s sound system and speakers don’t have to be from your car manufacturer. However, compatibility is important when you are upgrading your car’s audio system. Aftermarket speakers offer great performance when paired with components such as amplifiers.
When you know what to look for, you can get speakers that will boost your car’s sound quality. Choosing the wrong speakers can cost you both money and time.
Do You Need a 6 3/4 Speaker?
Car speakers come in a range of sizes. The sizes may determine the sound you experience and the modifications you have to make to your car. The size of 6 3/4 speakers makes them a great replacement option for many factory speakers.
6 3/4 speakers may require minimal modifications during installation. Some cars come with 6.5 speakers, so you may have an easy time installing your new speakers. 6 3/4 speakers have a depth starting from two inches, so they don’t interfere with car parts such as windows and door locks.
The main reason you need to invest in 6 3/4 speakers is the sound output. Most speakers in this range have high-quality components and produce a well-balanced sound. The cones deliver powerful highs and mids, while the tweeters do an excellent job of supplying crisp highs.
- They have polypropylene cones, butyl rubber surrounds, and silk dome tweeters for awesome sound.
- They are affordable and are mostly sold in pairs, saving you money.
- You can pair 6 3/4 speakers with most amplifiers since they can handle varying degrees of power.
The Most Common Types of 6 3/4 Speakers
Speakers are differentiated by their construction and components. 6 3/4 speakers are divided into two categories: coaxial and component. Car manufacturers like to install coaxial speakers to keep costs low because sound isn’t one of their priorities when they are making cars. Your needs and budget should determine the speakers you get.
- Coaxial Speakers
Coaxial speakers offer a full range of sound as they feature various sound components. A two-way coaxial speaker has a woofer and a tweeter. A three-way speaker includes a midrange driver or a super-tweeter.
Coaxial speakers have frequencies starting from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This wide range allows them to deliver good bass, mids, and treble. Their ability to produce quality sound even with low power makes them suitable for use with many factory stereos.
Coaxial speakers have sensitivity ratings as high as 91 dB and are very good at converting power into decibels. When paired with an amplifier, they produce awesome sound. Even speakers with low sensitivity ratings—like 88 dB—give an impressive performance.
- Component Speakers
Audiophiles usually install component speakers when they want to enhance a particular sound. Component speakers have two tweeters, two woofers, and two external crossovers. All of these are designed to work together to produce superb sound. When installing the speakers, you can install the tweeters separately for optimal imaging.
Tweeters typically deliver frequencies starting from 2 kHz. Their frequencies can reach 20 kHz, and they are responsible for a rich audio experience. Woofers have a frequency range of 20 to 200 Hz and are specifically designed to reproduce low and mid-range frequencies well. Crossovers are responsible for creating different sound frequencies: highs, lows, and mids.
What to Consider When Buying 6 3/4 Speakers
There are many things that can guide you when you’re shopping for speakers. For example, you can choose car speakers based on brand, price, sensitivity, or power handling. It is also important to remember that each speaker feature has a different impact on sound fidelity. The following are some of the most important features you need to check before getting a 6 3/4 speaker system.
- Components and Material
No question about it: the components used to make the speaker play a big role in audio quality. The best 6.75” speakers are made using vacuum or injection-molded polypropylene. Polypropylene is a stiff yet flexible material that maintains its rigidity even when rendering bass. Butyl rubber is also a common feature in many 6 3/4 speakers. This material enhances the surround and improves a speaker’s lifespan.
Tweeters can be made from soft materials such as silk or tough ones such as aluminum. Silk dome tweeters deliver smooth mids and highs. However, if you want livelier highs, go for tweeters made from solid materials such as aluminum or metal.
- Power Handling
All car speakers need a power source to work. The lower power handling rating indicates the minimum wattage the speaker needs to produce acceptable sound. The higher rating indicates the maximum wattage the speaker can handle for a prolonged period. For the best results, you should match the RMS of your power source to the higher end of the speaker’s RMS.
Some speakers can handle up to 200 W from an amplifier. However, be careful not to overpower your speakers. If the speaker cannot handle the power input, it will start to distort the sound—which is the last thing you want.
- Sensitivity
Sensitivity refers to the sound output you get from your speakers when you power them. Some coaxial speakers have low sensitivity. These are okay if you’re not one to push audio boundaries and prefer to play music at a low or neutral volume. However, if you are looking to play music at its loudest, get a speaker with a high sensitivity rating, such as 90 dB.
It is worth noting that a speaker’s sensitivity can be affected by factors such as the audio system. This is because the output usually matches the source of the audio. If the car audio system has weak output, high sensitivity won’t count for much. You can install a high-performance car audio system to steer clear of that problem.
Tips for Buying and Using 6 3/4 Speakers
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Car speakers are a big investment, so you shouldn’t buy them blindly. There are a few things you can do to ensure you get the best speakers for your car. Afterward, you can optimize the speakers for the best audio experience.
When shopping for 6 3/4 speakers, consider your budget, the speakers’ features, the warranty, and how easy they are to install. Coaxial speakers are easier to install as they don’t have many separate components.
After you install the speakers, be sure to play high-quality music files for the best sound reproduction. Also, ensure you don’t play the music at very high volumes as it may damage your hearing. Here are some additional tips for using your speakers:
- Install noise deadeners, especially in the doors where the sound is likely to rattle.
- If you want to enhance the effect of highs, try angling the tweeter towards you.
- Invest in a good amplifier and subwoofer box if you want to boost the bass without distorting the sound.
Best 6 3/4 Speakers FAQ:
As we researched the best speakers, the same questions kept popping up. Some are related to the features of the speakers, while others are about installation. We know that finding the right answers is never easy, so below we address some of the most common questions people have.
Coaxial and component speakers both have their upsides and downsides. Coaxial speakers are affordable and easier to install, while component speakers are superior in terms of sound quality.
Most 6 3/4 car speakers are designed to be mounted directly on the door panels, replacing factory car speakers. Use the speaker’s manual and gather all the necessary tools to ensure installation doesn’t take a lot of time.
Yes. A 2-way car speaker is a coaxial speaker that only has a tweeter and a woofer. A 3-way speaker offers a more vivid sound as it has a tweeter, woofer, and a midrange speaker.
Our Top Pick
The Rockford Fosgate Punch 3-Way Full-Range Speakers impress us with their simple design and audio ability. Their injection-molded polypropylene cones deliver smooth bass and midrange tones, while the dome tweeters provide bright highs. We like the fact that you can use the slots for precise fitting. These speakers are perfect for anyone who enjoys great sound but wants to cut down costs.