Best 6×8 Speakers Reviewed

Benefits of Upgrading Your Car Speakers

The speakers that come standard in most cars are not designed to be able to really highlight the various levels of bass or treble and are more general use.

By upgrading your car speakers, you open up the possibility of deeper bass and clearer audio quality.

Aftermarket speakers are designed specifically for audio and do not have to fit the constraints of the auto manufacturer, who is also working on every other part of the vehicle. Choosing a specialized product will take your car audio to the next level.

6x8 Speakers Compared

Choosing Quality 6x8 Car Door Speakers

Sound Quality & Audio Performance

When selecting new speakers, it is essential to consider the elements of what makes for high-quality audio. A speaker’s sensitivity will tell you how well the conversion from the amplifier to the speaker occurs and how loud the speaker is at a given power. Speaker efficiency ranges from 85db to 105db, with the higher end of the range being more efficient.  When looking at the frequency response, the lower the beginning of the range, the lower or deeper bass can be produced while the end of the range tells you how high a frequency can be produced.

Compatibility & Amplification Requirements

When looking at upgrading your car speakers, it is important to note what your current set up is like and research what kind of power can be sent to the speakers. If you are uncomfortable with working with your existing system, there are many mechanics and online resources to help guide your understanding of what is possible.

Ease of Installation

Build Quality & Design Aesthetics

While the sound quality is the most crucial factor in car audio upgrades, there are also variations in how the speakers are constructed. Some speakers will have a grille or mesh covering, whereas others are open. An important factor in the quality of the speaker will be in the depth of the cone as well as the surround on the mount. Both of these will change how the speaker is mounted and impact the depth of sound provided by the speaker.

Power Rating/Handling (higher RMS Power Rating)

A relevant spec on speakers is power handling, which is often described as RMS, or root mean square, power handling. RMS is the amount of power that the speaker handles continuously and should not exceed that wattage due to the risk of damage. Peak power is the limit to which the speaker handles bursts, and like the RMS can lead to damage if exceeded. When installing speakers, it is essential to note what wattage is being sent to the speaker and the RMS/peak range.

Price & Warranty

Car speakers are generally sold by the pair and can range in price from below $100 to close to $400 per pair. The range in price is due to many factors like sensitivity rating, frequency range, impedance, and power handling. There are additional features with some speakers that can enhance your audio experience like smartphone apps or remote controls. Many speakers come with a warranty for component failures, but some are more specific to the part of the speaker the component belongs to.

1. Infinity REF8622CFX

Topping the list as the best 6x8 car audio speakers overall are the Infinity REF8622CFX, which provides high-quality audio while still being compatible with almost all factory car stereos. They may not offer the deepest bass of those on our list, but they do pack a punch with their Plus One+ polypropylene woofer cone combined with a hi-roll rubber surround. If you are looking for a bit more volume, you can also hook these up to an external amplifier for when your vehicle's factory power is not enough.

Although they do not come with a grille, they do have a sleek black design that could fit in, or the grilles from your previous factory speakers may also work. A textile dome tweeter helps hit the high notes with these speakers, and you will have an easier time finding the sweet spot thanks to its 1" size.

The textile material is used to help with higher power handling as well as helping to dampen sounds and keep a smooth and accurate flow. Combine that with the larger cone on these speakers, and the depth from the woofer will pair perfectly with the highs from the tweeter. Although this model, in particular, is discontinued, you can find an updated version (8632cfx) with all of the same quality and a few more improvements.

2. Alpine R-S68

For the most customization when it comes to your audio experience, component speakers are the golden rule. The best 6x8 component speakers we found were the Alpine R-Series R-S68, which comes back by Alpine's long history of audio excellence. As these are component speakers, there is no attached amplifier, and the equalizer is external and able to be adjusted, so when installing, be sure to find an easy place for the slider.

These speakers will definitely pack a punch, so if you are looking for volume, these speakers can undoubtedly handle the power needed. Since they can handle up to 100 watts continuously and 300 watts at their peak, they will easily be able to handle the power coming out of a factory radio. In order to really get the full effect, you will want to invest in an outboard amp to take full advantage of the big sounds that these speakers are capable of.

Alpine did not slouch on the build quality either, packing these speakers with a hybrid fiber woofer, Santoprene rubber surround, and 1-inch silk dome tweeter. Installation is relatively simple and has eight points of contact to keep the speakers securely in place. They do have an external slider for the equalizer, so when installing, find a place where it is easily reached but will not get in the way.

3. Pioneer TS-A6880F

4. Rockford Fosgate P1683

Even though you should not make any judgments off just the name, when you are looking at car audio, Rockford Fosgate is an institution producing some of the best speakers for over 30 years. The P1683 Punch continues their tradition of excellence. It shows their customer-first attitude out of the gate with a budget-friendly $80 price tag and unique Flex Fit basket to help make installation as easy as possible in any vehicle.

The Flex Fit basket uses slots instead of holes in case the original factory installation was not set up traditionally. With an integrated concealed crossover, you do not have to worry about mounting anything outside of the speaker, either.

The P1683 may not be the loudest speakers on the market, but they strike a delicate balance between volume, clarity, and range with this entry. The speakers hit the full range packed into an injection-molded mineral-filled polypropylene cone in which is nested the polyetherimide dome tweeter allowing for some dampening to keep the music level clear.

A butyl midrange rubber surround finishes off the build to keep the enclosure secure and airtight to avoid any sound loss. Rockford Fosgate earns our best rated 6x8 speaker spot with the P1683, and it is no surprise that they made another spot on our list.

5. Rockford R168X2 Prime

If it seems like you were just reading about how budget-friendly Rockford Fosgate speakers can be, then it is no surprise that our best budget 6x8 car speaker goes to another of their models, the R168X2 Prime. Packing in a little less power than the Punch line of speakers, they do hold their own at just under $50.

For those looking to start looking at enhancing their car audio experience but are not sure about how big an investment to make, these are a perfect starting off point. These will certainly be a step up from any factory speakers and, given that they are a quick and easy install, could be the start of a life-long audio journey.

As these have a bit lower power handling than other speakers, they are easily powered by the factory radio in most vehicles. They can be used to their fullest without an outboard amplifier. They have a narrower range but can still pump out some deep bass and hit the high notes better than any stock system. These are 2-way coaxial speakers, so the bass cone and silk dome flush mounted tweeter are used to hit the full range without any additional parts.

6. Infinity KAPPA 682.11cf

For those who really want a system that will pump out crystal clear audio at high volumes, the Infinity Kappa 682.11cf packs a whole lot into their 2-way coaxial entry. Without sacrificing sensitivity, the Kappa 682.11cfs can support not just the factory radio power but also can take full advantage of an outboard amplifier for those looking to really let loose. With the ability to handle higher levels of power, there is a much lower risk of damage to the speakers from use.

The Kappa 682.11cf uses a unique carbon glass matrix frame to achieve a balance between strength and weight while keeping rigid enough to withstand whatever the road throws at you. Similar to the Infinity REF8622CFX reviewed earlier, the Kappa 682.11cf takes advantage of the Plus One woofer-cone technology to offer more speaker-cone and allow for more air to flow.

The tweeter Is a soft-dome fabric material that helps to balance out any distortion at higher volumes, and the tweeter can even be pointed to a more effective direction thanks to Infinity's UniPivot feature. By allowing the tweeter to be adjusted, it makes installation a bit easier in cases where the mounting area may not be the most ideal for sound quality.

7. CERWIN VEGA V468

If you are looking for a great all in one audio solution, the Cerwin Vega V468 is our choice for the best coaxial 6x8 speakers for a good reason. Boasting an impressive sensitivity rating, the V648 speakers are all about delivering clear audio with a punch.

While the 75 watts RMS rating is not going to need an outboard amplifier, you could get the most of these speakers at their peak power with one. These speakers are really going to shine in the midbass to deep bass sections, but they can still pump out clear audio in the highs but not quite as high as some of the other speakers reviewed.

Made of a mica fiber composite cone, these speakers stand out with their Vega Red rubber surround and will definitely pop visually. The tweeter is a 1-inch titanium dome style tweeter that stays rigid to avoid any distortion.

Since it is not a textile material, there is some loss in transitions between highs and lows, but this should not really be noticeable. The cones are designed with a curvilinear shape to support off-axis performance, which is an important factor when upgrading a car audio system due to the available positions for speakers.

8. Kicker 40CSS684

9. Alpine SPR-68

The predecessor to the Alpine R-Series R-S68 that won our best component 6x8 speaker spot, Alpine's SPR-68, cranks it up to 11 as well. Able to work with a factory car stereo, they also benefit from an outboard amplifier to take full advantage of their 100 watts RMS and 300 watts peak power handling rating. These speakers are also designed to fit with nearly any factory speaker placement.

The exceptional ridged surround that is known for its performance on Alpine subwoofers has been adapted for these speakers to give extra cone movement, pushing out more air than competitors and producing a louder, deeper sound.

On the higher end, the tweeters are a silk dome-style to smooth out any shrillness and can be adjusted to point to the optimum location for listening thanks to their swivel feature. These speakers do boast the ability to hit the higher end of the listening spectrum, so these tweeters put in work, and it shows.

Alpine has discontinued this particular model, but you can still find some on the market. If you are unable to find them, the Alpine R-Series R-S68 is the next in the model line and provides comparable sound quality and volume at a higher price.

10. JBL Stadium GTO860C

Rounding out our top ten list are the GBL Stadium GTO860C speakers, which do come with a hefty price tag, but they back it up with deep, clear bass. JBL is known for its products in recording studios, concerts, and theaters, and that same passion for loud, clear, dynamic audio is present in their auto speakers.

These speakers are an audiophile’s dream with high sensitivity, low impedance, and power handling that works with factory stereos or outboard amplifiers. The speakers themselves are made from a glass-fiber woofer cone with hi-roll rubber surrounds that provide the rigid support needed when listening at high volumes. That rigidity also helps keep the bass distinct, and you will feel every hit from these speakers.

The tweeters are made with a dome design as well to help keep the high notes sharp and prevent distortion when you inevitably need to crank the volume. The tweeters also have a level control button to adjust levels according to your preference.

Where these speakers really shine is the sheer surface area of the cone, allowing the bass as much airflow as possible to do their work. These may not be for the faint of heart, but when you have a set of these in your car, you will not mind being stuck in traffic a little longer with your favorite songs.

How Car Speakers Work

Car speakers at their core work just like any other speaker by moving back and forth according to electrical signals sent to it by the amplifier.

6x8 speakers are designed to sit in the door of a car and use the door enclosure as the box that often accompanies traditional speakers. It is important to have a tight seal for car speakers to ensure the best audio quality and not allow air to escape and cause sound loss.

Coaxial Car (Full-Range) Speakers vs. Component Speakers

When looking at upgrading your car audio, you may find speakers listed as coaxial and others as component. Simply put, a coaxial speaker will have all of the components within one structure. In contrast, a component speaker will not have everything attached and allows for a little more customization in placement.

Installing 6x8 Car Door Speakers

Tips to Better Car Audio Quality

The first step many people take in improving their car audio is either replacing the factory speakers with new 6x8s or adding a subwoofer mounted in either the trunk or the door of the car.

These are great first steps, and since most 6x8s on the market come in pairs, you can have the front driver and passenger doors upgraded pretty quickly.

If you want to take it to the next level, additional 6x8s in the rear driver and passenger sides are an easy upgrade. You may also want to look at upgrading the stereo system itself with something aftermarket and may include an external amplifier to really get those speakers bumping.

Accessories for 6x8 Car Speakers

People also Ask (FAQs)

What determines the sound quality of car speakers?

There are a few factors in sound quality, but the most important are frequency range, sensitivity, and impedance.

Where is the best location to place these car speakers?

It is generally best to place car speakers in the same spot as the ones you are replacing, typically in the doors near the bottom.

What are the best rated 6x8 speaker brands?

The best rated brands are Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, and JBL currently. We think you'll be satisfied with any of the brands and models listed here.

Will a 6x8 speaker fit in a 6x9 slot?

Depending on the speaker, you may be able to with some adjustments on the mounting, or with spacers or brackets. It will likely come down to trial and error.

What are the differences between a 2-way and 3-way speaker?

A 2-way speaker has two drivers with one going into the tweeter and one into the low/mid-range frequency speakers while a 3-way speaker will have three drivers for the tweeter, low range speakers, and the mid-range speakers.

What can you expect from the different 6x8 car speaker price ranges?

Conclusion

For music lovers, you cannot go wrong with upgrading your car audio system. An easy first step is replacing the factory speakers with a new set of 6x8 speakers, and we recommend the Infinity REF8622CFX as our best 6x8 car speaker choice. The quality and price are an excellent balance for those looking to upgrade, and they are built to last with high-quality materials.