The 6×9 car speaker size is an industry standard for use in rear parcel shelves. Offering larger cone areas than smaller speakers, 6x9s provide upgraded sound quality to rear passengers.
Low-pass crossovers can make an excellent upgrade for most factory vehicles, yet may limit bass response. A high-pass crossover may help remedy this.
6×9 speakers are not inherently “bad,” but they may not be the best choice for certain audio applications. Here are a few reasons why some people may consider 6×9 speakers less favorable compared to other speaker sizes:
They are too small
6×9 speakers feature a larger cone area than their 6.5-inch counterparts, enabling them to produce a deeper bass sound. However, it should be noted that they should not replace subwoofers; rather they should complement them.
Mounting 6×9 speakers in sealed enclosures reduces their cone excursion, decreasing low-frequency response and making them sound shallow and nasally. Furthermore, sealed speakers cannot coexist with subwoofers since they occupy similar airspace.
As small speakers go, 6x9s typically deliver high-quality treble and midrange frequencies and impressively accurate highs, yet can become unruly at higher volumes. You will require an amplifier in order to maximize these speakers; but for best results it is wiser to opt for mid-range or higher end amplifiers that will help achieve quality sound reproduction.
They don’t have a good bass response
Though 6×9 speakers don’t produce as much bass as subwoofers, they still produce good low-frequency sounds that provide low frequencies as well as providing higher frequency sounds for car audio applications. Plus they come in various sizes with two-way and 3-way designs!
The top 6×9 speakers feature large cone areas and boast impressive sensitivity ratings; these allow them to produce louder output with minimal power input while also reproducing lower frequencies without distortion.
The Infinity Kappa 6×9 speakers are an excellent example, featuring Plus One technology and carbon injected glass fiber cones for improved audio. Capable of handling 220 watts per pair and producing premium-quality sound, they are suitable for hard rock to classical symphonies as well as being easy to install and durable enough to replace factory installed speakers in cars with upgraded quality of sound.
They are incompatible with subwoofers
The amount of bass produced by your 6×9 speakers depends on a number of factors, including their box size and quality, power rating and frequency response. Also make sure your head unit and speakers have matching impedance (the resistance to current flow) otherwise distortion could occur.
The best 6×9 speakers feature a high-pass crossover that filters out lower frequencies that the woofer cannot handle, enabling full range playback without sacrificing low end bass.
Component 6×9 speakers offer more advanced crossover circuitry than coaxial models, providing superior dome tweeter and woofer materials, power handling capabilities and audio clarity compared to coaxial models. Furthermore, these components are easy to install and maintain; many come with adapter plugs which connect directly with factory wiring systems so you don’t have to cut or modify any components yourself.
They are expensive
Installing factory-installed 6×9 speakers is an economical and straightforward way to enhance the quality of car audio systems, as they require minimal wiring changes for installation in cars with shallow rear parcel shelves.
However, high-end speakers with carbon-injected Plus One cones and silk dome tweeters can become costly – but offer improved power handling and greater bass and low end frequencies than lesser speakers. These speakers offer better power handling and larger cone areas for better bass production.
Selecting quality 6×9 speakers is essential as they require more power than their smaller counterparts and may start distorting at very high volumes, so an amplifier may help get the best from them.
An amp’s high-pass crossover feature can provide the solution. By blocking low-frequency bass that 6×9 speakers cannot handle, this allows them to sound more clean and crisp when played back at higher volumes. Some amps even offer an option that lets you reduce tweeter volume if it sounds harsh to you.