No speaker system allows us to flex our sound like car audio. Whether it’s a thumping bass that rattles nearby windows or the pronounced sound from impressive 6x9s driven by powerful amplifiers, loud car audio can easily turn heads and get other drivers looking back. There are even popular competitions to see which cars can reach the highest volume levels. If you’re aiming to achieve maximum car sound, you’ve come to the right place.
Our Top Picks
Loudest 6×9 Car Speaker
The Infinity REF-9623ix is a high-performance 6×9″ car speaker known for its powerful sound. Featuring an edge-driven textile tweeter and oversized Plus One™ woofer, it delivers clear, detailed audio.
Loudest 6.5 Car Speaker
The CT Sounds MESO65-4 is a powerful 6.5″ midrange component speaker system designed for loud, clear sound.
Loudest 5.25″ Car Speaker
With an incredibly high sensitivity and power handling of 150W RMS, the Diamond Audio MP525 can reach extreme volume levels.
Loudest Car Subwoofer
The PIONEER TS-W3003D4 is an incredibly loud 12″ subwoofer. When adequately powered, it’ll have your windows shaking.
Types of Car Speakers
Car speakers come in various designs and sizes. The two main design types are coaxial and component:
- Coaxial Speakers: These combine the woofer and tweeter into a single unit, offering ease of installation and broad availability.
- Component Speakers: These have separate drivers for each type (woofer, tweeter, etc.), providing superior soundstage and imaging for a more immersive experience.
Speaker sizes typically range from 3.5” to 6×9” for full-range drivers and tweeters, and between 8” and 15” for subwoofers:
- 3.5 inches: Often used for dashboard or corner-mounted speakers.
- 4 inches: Common in older cars, found in the dashboard or rear deck.
- 5.25 inches: Usually found in car doors or rear decks.
- 6.5 inches: A popular size, typically installed in doors and rear decks.
- 6×8 inches: More common in Ford vehicles, used in doors and rear decks.
- 6×9 inches: Frequently chosen for rear deck installations.
Today, many car audio systems use a combination of 5.25”, 6.5”, or 6×9” speakers along with a dedicated subwoofer for enhanced bass. These are the speaker sizes we’ll focus on.
Loudest Car Speakers and Subwoofers
Some publications suggest speakers with the most peak power produce the most volume, that’s simply not true. One must consider the RMS power alongside speaker sensitivity to gauge a speaker’s volume potential accurately. Here are our picks for the loudest car speakers:
Loudest 6×9 Speakers
The 6×9 is a classic car speaker design with an oval shape. Usually coaxial, they typically cover a full frequency range but can benefit from a dedicated subwoofer for additional low-end.
Pioneer TS6900PRO
- Flush-mounting coaxial-style design
- High sensitivity of 92dB (1W/1m)
- 100W RMS / 600W peak power
- 29 Hz – 40 kHz frequency response
- Distinct, stylish design
Infinity REF-9623ix
- 3-way driver design
- Oversized woofer cones
- High sensitivity of 94dB (1W/1m)
- 46 Hz – 30 kHz frequency response
- 100W RMS / 300W Peak power
Loudest 6.5” Speakers
The 6.5″ is another common speaker size for cars. They are more common than 6x9s as a dedicated midrange speaker, intended to be used as part of a broader installation with standalone tweeters and subwoofers. They can also be found in coaxial configurations.
CT Sounds MESO65-4
- Midrange component speaker
- High sensitivity of 96 dB (1W/1m)
- 140 Hz – 6 kHz frequency response
- 250W RMS / 500W peak power
- 4-ohm impedance
Rockford Fosgate T2652-S Power
- Component-style design
- VAST™ (Vertical Attach Surround Technique)
- Dedicated external crossover
- Sensitivity of 89 dB (1W/1m)
- 55 Hz – 22 kHz frequency response
- 100W RMS / 200W peak power
- 4-ohm impedance
Loudest 5.25″ Speakers
This size is regularly used for stock speakers and typically covers broad frequency ranges. Some models adopt a coaxial design with a built-in tweeter, while others use a single full-range driver for all its frequencies.
DIAMOND AUDIO MP525
- Full-range coaxial design
- Efficient heat dissipation technology
- Extreme sensitivity of 101 dB (1W/1m)
- 110 Hz – 18 kHz frequency response
- 150W RMS / 300W peak power
- 4-ohm impedance
DS18 PRO-FR5NEO
- Effective heat dissipation technology
- High sensitivity of 94 dB (1W/1m)
- 250 Hz – 16 kHz frequency response
- 200W RMS / 400W peak power
- 4-ohm impedance
Loudest Car Subwoofers
Subwoofers have one job, to bring a lot of bass. Frequency ranges differ between models, with some subwoofers focusing exclusively on reproducing low-bass, while others may also span into the mid-bass or even upper-bass ranges.
Kicker 43CVR152 COMPVR 15″
- Large 15″ polypropylene cone
- Dual 2-ohm voice coils
- Sensitivity of 89.2 dB (1W/1m)
- 25 Hz – 500 Hz frequency response
- 500W RMS / 1000W peak power
- 2-ohm impedance
PIONEER TS-W3003D4
- High-strength, high-rigidity basket
- Advanced cooling systems
- High sensitivity of 96 dB (1W/1m)
- 20 Hz – 80 Hz frequency response
- 4-ohm impedance
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Matching Your Amplifier (Power Handling & Impedance)
Selecting the right amplifier is as crucial as choosing the speakers themselves. A common mistake is mismatching amplifiers with speakers, which can lead to underpowered speakers and missed performance potential.
Think of amplifiers as the engine and speakers as the boat: a small engine might get the boat moving, but proper power capacity is needed to realize its full potential. Similarly, avoid overpowering your speakers, which can cause damage. Look for features like built-in crossovers and high-level inputs for optimal results.
Focus on the RMS rating for power handling, not peak power. Ensure impedance is correctly matched; for instance, if your speakers are rated at 100W RMS and 4 ohms, your amplifier should deliver 100W per channel at 4 ohms.
Speaker Sensitivity and Volume Potential
Sensitivity measures how much volume a speaker produces with 1 watt of power at 1 meter, expressed in decibels (e.g., 88dB at 1W/1m). Sensitivity combined with power handling gives a good gauge of volume potential. The relationship is logarithmic: for every 3dB increase in sensitivity, the speaker produces twice the volume with the same power. Conversely, a speaker with lower sensitivity needs double the power to match the volume of a higher-sensitivity speaker.
For example, a 91dB sensitivity speaker at 100W would be twice as loud as an 88dB sensitivity speaker with the same power. To achieve the same volume as the 91dB speaker, the 88dB speaker would need 200W.
Why Dynamic Range Is Important
High volume levels are easy to achieve, but maintaining sound quality can be challenging. Dynamic range measures the ability to handle extreme volume levels with minimal distortion, preserving nuanced sound across all frequencies. Speakers with a high dynamic range offer clearer and more detailed listening experiences.
Dynamic range isn’t always listed on spec sheets, which is why we recommend speakers known for their impressive dynamic range, along with sensitivity and power handling.
Balancing Your Sound
To achieve high-quality sound at loud volumes, balance your speakers effectively. Excessive bass without sufficient midrange or highs can lead to distortion and poor clarity, while strong highs and mids need adequate bass to prevent harshness. EQ settings are essential for balance. Adjust bass, midrange, and treble levels according to your preferences. A 5-band or 9-band EQ provides more flexibility to fine-tune specific frequency ranges for a well-rounded sound.
Do You Need A Subwoofer?
While your sound system will function without a subwoofer, a dedicated subwoofer offers significant benefits, especially at high volumes. It adds depth, improves balance, and enhances volume by focusing on sub-bass frequencies. Subwoofers are typically installed in the trunk and placed in an enclosure to optimize resonance.
Even if you don’t plan to add a subwoofer immediately, consider an amplifier that supports one to avoid future costs and hassle.
Legal Considerations
While there are no specific rules on the maximum volume your car speakers can produce, noise laws vary by location and can impose restrictions on how loud you can play your music, especially on the road. Check local regulations to avoid potential fines.
Conclusion
The loudest car sound systems combine ideal power handling, appropriate amplification, and subwoofers for deep bass. Understanding how speaker specifications affect loudness will help you achieve the best sound from your car audio setup.
