Does your car’s music sound flat, like it’s missing something important? You crank up the volume, but the crisp cymbals and clear vocals just don’t punch through. That’s often the sign of a weak link in your sound system: the mids and highs.
Choosing the right mid-range speakers and tweeters can feel like navigating a maze. You see technical terms like “frequency response” and “sensitivity,” and suddenly, that fun trip to upgrade your sound turns into a headache. Picking speakers that don’t match your amplifier or head unit leads to disappointing, muddy, or harsh sound—a total waste of time and money.
Inside this guide, we break down exactly what makes great mid and high speakers. We will show you how to pick components that deliver crystal-clear sound and truly bring your favorite songs to life. Get ready to transform your daily commute into a private concert experience. Let’s dive into the world of superior clarity and detail!
Top Mids And Highs Car Audio Recommendations
- Echo Series 6.5” Component Speaker System. Peak Power - 200 Watts (Pair) | RMS Power - 100 Watts (Pair)
- Lightweight thermal-formed Polypropylene cones enable faster midrange response. Surround/Cone Coupling utilizes a high temp adhesive which assure the cone and surround do not separate in high power uses. Butyl rubber surrounds provide durability and deeper mid-bass impact
- Silk soft-dome tweeters feature oversized voice coils for greater heat dissipation and higher power handling resulting in smooth, fatigue free highs. The mount allows unparalleled flexibility whether you flush or surface-mount your tweeters
- A triple-level tweeter volume adjustment helps compensate for less-than-perfect speaker placement, and can even be set to suit your personal listening preference and musical taste
- Ferrite magnet motor creates a strong magnetic field while remaining small enough to fit nearly every application
- Midrange that handles it all - a mid-range driver that can answer the call to handle the most significant part of the audible sound Spectrum. A speaker that sounds great with just instrumentals and, even better with vocals.
- Power you can count on - The PRO-X6. 4BM delivers an impressive 500W Max power with 250W RMS at 4 ohms, enough to tackle a full range of audio.
- Top of the line tweeters - professional grade super tweeters that can handle high frequencies with ease. DS18 meticulously designed these tweeters to sound as good as they look.
- Power you can count on - PRO-TW220 ferrite tweeter delivers out-of-this-world power, at 225 watts RMS and 350 watts Max at 4 ohms with build in capacitor filter.
- Take your system to the next level - get the most out of your system by upgrading to a super tweeter that gives you everything you're missing from your stock stereo. Discover what a high-end tweeter can do for you.
- Gold Plated Screw Terminals
- 150 Watts RMS/300 Watts Peak
- Crossover Tweeter Frequency: 3.39~20kHz
- Crossover Woofer Frequency: 20~4.3kHz
- High Grade Polymer Capacitors
- PRO AUDIO MIDRANGE SPEAKERS - Enhance your vehicle audio with the Cobalt CM654. Featuring balanced sound and a wide frequency range, this speaker is designed with advanced technology to provide superior sound quality and exceptional performance.
- SUPERIOR POWER - With 1000W Max Power and 250W RMS the CM654 is an ideal choice for those seeking superior sound quality in their vehicle. Experience powerful and dynamic sound without distortion.
- ADVANCED STRUCTURE - The CM654 Midrange Speaker has a 1.5" High-temperature voice coil, an efficiency of 96.67 dB, and a mounting depth of just 2.75".
- MID-RANGE WITH BULLET: The bullet allows the CM654 speaker to reach those high-range frequencies without sacrificing those low to mid-range frequencies. This allows the speaker to play a dynamic range of frequencies.
- MEASUREMENT: Overall Diameter: 6.54" | Overall Depth: 2.84" | Mounting Diameter: 5.67" | Mounting Depth: 2.63"
- 6 Channel 7-Band High Performance Car Audio 1/2 DIN Pre-Amp Electronic Equalizer
- Featuring 2 (Balanced & Selectable) RCA Inputs - Main and Auxiliary (Aux w/ Variable Gain Control) | THD: 0. 005%
- High Voltage (Max Output Voltage - 7V) Gold Plated Pre-Amp RCA Outputs - Front, Rear, and Subwoofer (with Variable Subwoofer Level Control on Front of EQ)
- 7 Fully Adjustable -12 dB to +12 dB EQ Bands (50 Hz, 125 Hz, 320 Hz, 750 Hz, 2. 2 kHz, 6 kHz, 16 kHz) with Built-in Fader Control
- Take Full Control Over Your Car Audio System with this EQ | Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 100 dB, Low Pass Frequency Switch: 60 Hz / 120 Hz
- Premium Audio Performance: The highly efficient Pioneer A Series speakers deliver seamless, smooth sound, enhancing audio details and improving acoustic performance for a rich and immersive listening experience.
- 4-Way Design: Featuring separate drivers for different frequency ranges, this 4-way design provides more accurate and balanced sound reproduction for enhanced audio clarity.
- Power Handling: With a peak power handling of 300 watts and continuous handling of 50 watts, these speakers produce dynamic sound, ensuring clear and precise audio reproduction at any volume.
- Frequency Response: Offering a broad frequency range of 44 Hz to 52 kHz, these Pioneer car speakers deliver rich, immersive sound reproduction suitable for various music genres.
- Enhanced Sound Clarity: Coaxial car speakers feature an 11mm tweeter and super tweeter for crisp, clear highs, along with a 1-5/8" cellulose fiber cone midrange for rich, natural mid-tones.
- PRO AUDIO MIDRANGE SPEAKERS - Enhance your vehicle audio with the Cobalt CM54. Featuring balanced sound and a wide frequency range, this speaker is designed with advanced technology to provide superior sound quality and exceptional performance.
- SUPERIOR POWER - With 500W Max Power and 125W RMS the CM54 is an ideal choice for those seeking superior sound quality in their vehicle. Experience powerful and dynamic sound without distortion.
- ADVANCED STRUCTURE - The CM54 Midrange Speaker has a 1.2" High-temperature voice coil, an efficiency of 92 dB, and a mounting depth of just 2.32".
- MID-RANGE WITH BULLET: The bullet allows the CM54 speaker to reach those high-range frequencies without sacrificing those low to mid-range frequencies. This allows the speaker to play a dynamic range of frequencies.
- MEASUREMENT: Overall Diameter: 5.2" | Overall Depth: 2.55" | Mounting Diameter: 4.64" | Mounting Depth: 2.32"
- Gold Plated Screw Terminals
- 150 Watts RMS/300 Watts Peak
- High Grade Polymer Capacitors
- Crossover Woofer Frequency: 20~4.3kHz
- Crossover Tweeter Frequency: 3.39~20kHz
Your Road Map to Amazing Car Audio: Buying Guide for Mids and Highs
Upgrading your car’s speakers can totally change your driving experience. When we talk about “mids and highs,” we mean the speakers that handle the middle and top parts of the music—things like vocals, guitars, and cymbals. Getting these right makes your music sound clear and exciting. This guide helps you pick the best ones for your ride.
Key Features to Look For
Good mids and highs have several important parts. You need to check these before you buy.
Power Handling (RMS vs. Peak)
- RMS Power: This is how much steady power the speaker can handle safely. Always look for the RMS rating. Higher RMS usually means the speaker can play louder without hurting itself.
- Peak Power: This is the maximum power the speaker can handle for a short burst. It’s less important than RMS but still good to know.
Frequency Response
This tells you the range of sounds the speaker can play, measured in Hertz (Hz). For mids and highs, you want a wide range, often starting around 50 Hz and going up to 20,000 Hz (or 20 kHz) or more. A wider range means more accurate sound.
Sensitivity (Efficiency)
Sensitivity is measured in decibels (dB). It shows how loud a speaker plays with a certain amount of power. If your car stereo has low power (low RMS output), choose speakers with high sensitivity (90 dB or higher). This helps them play loud without needing a big, separate amplifier.
Important Materials Matter
What speakers are made of affects how they sound and how long they last.
Cone Materials (For Mid-Range Drivers)
The cone moves air to create sound. Good materials include:
- Polypropylene: This material is tough and handles moisture well. It’s a great, budget-friendly choice.
- Paper/Treated Pulp: Often used in higher-end speakers, it sounds very natural but needs protection from humidity.
- Kevlar or Carbon Fiber: These are very stiff and light. They create fast, accurate sound, which is great for detailed music.
Tweeter Materials (For Highs)
Tweeters create the very high sounds. Their material changes the “sparkle” of the sound:
- Silk: Produces a smooth, warm, and less harsh high end. Great for long listening sessions.
- Metal (Aluminum or Titanium): These can sound very detailed and “crisp,” but sometimes they can sound too bright if the quality is low.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all speakers are built the same. Quality differences show up quickly when you listen.
Voice Coil and Magnet Size
A bigger, better voice coil helps the speaker handle more power without overheating. Stronger magnets (like Neodymium) help the speaker move faster, which makes the sound cleaner and more responsive. Cheap speakers use small, weak magnets.
Crossover Quality
If you buy a component set (separate mid-range drivers and tweeters), it comes with a crossover. This is a small box that directs the right sounds to the right speaker. High-quality crossovers use better electronic parts, which keeps the sound clean when the signals split.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you actually use your car stereo.
Factory Replacement vs. Full Upgrade
- Direct Fit/Coaxial: These speakers fit right into your factory spots and have the tweeter built into the mid-range driver. They are easy to install and work well with low factory power.
- Component Sets: These have separate woofers (mids) and tweeters, often with an external crossover. They offer the best sound imaging (making it sound like the music is coming from in front of you) but require more complex installation.
Amplification Needs
If you plan to add an external amplifier, you can choose speakers with lower sensitivity (87-89 dB) and higher RMS handling. If you are running them straight off the factory radio, choose high-sensitivity (92 dB+) speakers to maximize volume.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Mids and Highs
Q: Do I need an amplifier for new mid and high speakers?
A: Not always. If you pick speakers with high sensitivity (92dB+), your factory radio might power them well enough. If you want very loud, clear music, an amplifier is a great addition.
Q: What is the difference between a coaxial and a component speaker?
A: Coaxial speakers put the tweeter right in the middle of the woofer cone. Component speakers keep them separate, allowing you to mount the tweeter higher up for better sound direction.
Q: Can I mix and match brands for my mids and highs?
A: Yes, you can. However, it is usually easier to match brands, especially if you use their recommended crossovers, to ensure a balanced sound profile.
Q: How does speaker size affect the sound quality?
A: Size matters most for bass (lows). For mids and highs, a larger mid-range cone (like a 6.5-inch) can often play slightly lower into the bass range than a small 4-inch speaker.
Q: What does “crossover slope” mean?
A: The crossover slope is how quickly the speaker stops playing certain frequencies. A steeper slope (like 12dB/octave) cleans up the sound transition between the mid and the tweeter better than a shallow slope.
Q: Are silk dome tweeters always better than metal ones?
A: No. Silk is smoother and warmer. Metal is often brighter and more detailed. It depends on your personal taste and the rest of your car’s interior materials.
Q: What is “sound staging”?
A: Sound staging is how well the speakers make the music sound like it is coming from a stage in front of you, rather than from the speakers themselves. Component sets usually offer the best staging.
Q: My new speakers sound muffled. What did I do wrong?
A: This often means the tweeter is installed poorly. The tweeter must be aimed toward your ears, not at your feet or the ceiling, to get clear highs.
Q: How long should good car speakers last?
A: If you do not blast them constantly at extreme volumes, quality speakers should easily last 5 to 10 years, sometimes longer.
Q: Should I buy speakers rated for 2 ohms or 4 ohms?
A: Most factory radios are designed for 4-ohm speakers. If you use an amplifier, you have more flexibility, but 4 ohms is the standard safe bet for most aftermarket setups.