The Best Alpine Speakers (Review) in 2023 | Autance

In 1965, the in-car tape player, the first version of a car audio system, was introduced to the world. It was the brainchild of Ford and Motorola and was installed in 1966 Ford car models. Without a doubt, car audio systems have come a long way since then. 

If you’re not happy with what your car’s audio system has to offer, consider installing Alpine car speakers. Alpine Electronics, a Japanese company that specializes in car audio systems, has been producing sound systems since 1967. In this definitive guide to the best Alpine speakers, we  list the best products the company has to offer.

The Best Alpine Speakers

Best Alpine Speakers Buying Guide & FAQ

If you really love music, factory-installed car speakers just won’t do. They do not provide the excellent sound that audiophiles love. Premium aftermarket speakers have better engineering and are made using better components than factory speakers.

Stock speakers usually have foam or paper surrounds that quickly wear out. The quality of the sound they produce also deteriorates over time. Alpine speakers usually have rubber surrounds, deliver better sound, and also last long. Their woofer cones are made from dense materials and allow them to produce better bass. The speakers work well with factory stereos and you can also connect them to amplifiers for more powerful sound.

Why Do You Need the Best Alpine Speakers?

Alpine is without a doubt one of the finest car audio brands. Its speakers and amplifiers commonly feature in premium brand vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Back in 1991, Will Smith released the track “Summertime” and sang about “letting his Alpine blast,” forever immortalizing the products. 

Founded in 1967, Alpine Electronics has stood the test of time. Its speakers offer a combination of quality, affordability, and great sound. The company makes both component and coaxial speakers to fit different budgets and preferences. The speakers also come in different sizes to fit different factory speaker locations.

If you want car speakers that won’t break the bank, Alpine has a lot of options to choose from. Replace your car’s factory speakers and start enjoying concert-quality sound. Here are some reasons why you should get Alpine speakers.

Benefits

• Alpine speakers are available in different designs, sizes, and prices. You can easily choose the right ones and upgrade your car’s sound system.
• When you buy the best Alpine speakers, you’ll start enjoying music details like clear vocals, powerful drums, and bass lines.
• Alpine has a wide range of high-quality speakers. Even the lower priced speakers offer quality and reliability.

Types of Alpine Speakers

Before we mention the different types of speakers, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the different types of speaker systems. Speaker systems are divided into two categories: component and coaxial (full range). A component speaker system has separate woofers, tweeters, and external crossovers, while a coaxial speaker system has all the components in one unit. 

• Tweeters

These are small in size and measure approximately 1.5 inches. The sound they produce is dependent on the materials used. For example, silk tweeters produce refined, mellow sound, while metallic tweeters produce bright and snappy highs. Tweeters typically produce high audio frequencies (from 2,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz).

Tweeters are usually smaller in size than other speakers they work with because higher sound frequencies have smaller sound waves. They perfectly complement woofers and any speakers that can’t produce high pitched sounds.

• Woofers

Woofers are found in all car audio systems as they handle the low frequencies (from 20 Hz to 500 Hz). Their measurements range between 3.5 inches and 7.5 inches. In order for them to efficiently produce the low notes in music, they must be made using materials that are stiff and lightweight.

Most car speaker manufacturers make woofer cones out of polypropylene. When polypropylene is combined with a material like Mica, it becomes stiffer and yields a more accurate bass response. Manufacturers also use synthetics or woven fabrics coated with titanium or aluminum as they are lightweight and provide excellent response.

• Subwoofers

These are specifically designed to reproduce the lowest audible frequencies (from 20 Hz to 200 Hz). Their size ranges from 8 to 15 inches. Subwoofers produce great bass and add a lot of depth to your music. How you place them in your car plays a huge role in the sound they produce.

A subwoofer’s sound quality and bass volume not only depends on its construction; they also depend on the size and design of the enclosure it mounts in. You can start with a subwoofer with a high sensitivity rating that is housed in a bandpass or a ported box.

What to Look for When Buying the Best Alpine Speakers

No question about it—the best way to know if a speaker is good is by listening to the sound it produces. But in this day and age, that isn’t always possible, especially if you’re buying the speaker online. And even if you are buying one from a brick and mortar store, most don’t have demo units. This is where speaker specifications come in handy. When you understand the specifications, you can easily choose the right speakers for your car. Let’s look at three important ones.

• Impedance

Impedance refers to resistance and is measured in ohms. If a speaker has low impedance (low resistance), more current is able to pass through it from an amplifier. The lower the resistance, the more current is able to flow through the speaker. Should you buy Alpine speakers with low impedance or high impedance? 

The speakers you buy shouldn’t have low or high impedance. If they have low impedance, they will put more pressure on the amplifier by asking it to send more current, something it may not be capable of. High impedance isn’t good either because speakers need an adequate amount of current to play loud music. Speakers with an impedance rating of 6-8 ohms are considered good.

• Sensitivity

This is one of the most important, yet often ignored, speaker specifications. A speaker’s sensitivity refers to its loudness in a room environment or a non-echoing environment. Most car audio manufacturers usually give the sensitivity measured in a room environment. Some take into consideration a non-echoing environment while measuring the sensitivity. 

It is worth noting that sensitivity measured in a room environment is usually two to three decibels higher than that measured in a non-echoing environment. The sensitivity rating determines how loud your speakers are. Average speakers have a sensitivity rating of 87dB to 88dB. A rating of more than 90 dB is considered excellent. 

• Frequency Response 

Also known as the frequency range, this is usually measured in Hertz (Hz). The frequency response usually specifies how high and low a speaker can play. For example, a speaker may have a frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz. The first figure (50Hz) represents how low it can play (the bass output). Lower numbers indicate deep bass. 

The second figure (20kHz) represents how high the speaker can play (the treble output). Speakers that reach 50 Hz or lower produce good bass and you don’t have to pair them with a subwoofer. Ensure there is always a “+/-” preceding the frequency response rating. If it is missing, the rating may not be accurate.

Tips for Buying and Using Alpine Speakers

Replacing your car speakers will give you better sound, but if you want to get the best sound possible, you will have to redesign your car’s entire sound system. It can be quite challenging to create a new car sound system, especially if you’re not mechanically inclined. Consult a professional or get your knowledgeable friends to help out. Here are some important things to keep in mind when buying and using Alpine speakers. 

• Look at the components as they greatly impact the quality of the sound. 
• While aftermarket car speakers will improve the sound of your audio system, consider buying an external amplifier, a head unit, and a subwoofer as well for better performance.
• You can use a sound-deadening material like Dynamat to reduce road noise and vibration. It will also create an acoustically pleasant environment for the speakers.

Best Alpine Speakers FAQ:

A: Are Alpine speakers the best car speakers overall? We can’t give you a yes or no answer, because it depends on the kind of sound you’re looking for. But what we can say is that they are some of the best car speakers on the planet. We also answer a few other questions you may have in the following FAQ. 

Our Top Pick

While all Alpine speakers are designed to be outstanding, the Alpine SPS-610C 6-1/2″ Component 2-Way Speaker System are masterpieces. We love their sound reproduction, their ability to handle power, and their frequency response. Their great sound is hard to beat.