Ever crank up your favorite song in the car, only to find the vocals sound muddy or the cymbals are just a faint whisper? You have a booming subwoofer, but the music still lacks that essential sparkle and clarity. That’s the common frustration when your car audio system misses the mark on the mid and high frequencies. These components—the mids and highs—are the true heart of musical detail, delivering everything from crisp snare hits to clear vocal textures.
Choosing the right speakers for these crucial ranges can feel like navigating a maze. Should you go for component sets or coaxial speakers? What does sensitivity mean for your sound quality? Too often, people focus only on powerful bass, leaving the rest of the music sounding flat and unexciting. This oversight means you are missing huge parts of your favorite tracks.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what mids and highs do, explain the key differences between speaker types, and give you actionable tips to select components that perfectly match your listening style and budget. Get ready to unlock the hidden clarity in your car stereo system.
Top Car Audio Mids And Highs Recommendations
- ✔ THE PERFECT SOLUTION: Our VOICEBOX Midrange Enclosures were designed to allow high SPL midrange speakers to be installed virtually anywhere, without the high cost of a custom installation. Our designs allow installations in cars, Jeeps, vans, SUV's, etc. Virtually anywhere you can safely and securely mount them.
- ✔ OUR QUALITY: These Enclosures are 100% MDF to ensure the ultimate structural integrity and sound quality - There are no cardboard parts used in our VOICEBOX Midrange Enclosures.
- ✔ WHATS INSTALLED: 4 - VS65SB Midrange Speakers (500 Watts Max/ 150 Watts RMS Each) & 4 - MA-TW25 Super Tweeters (150 Watts Max/ 75 Watts RMS Each)
- ✔ POWER: 2000 Watts Max Power - Recommended RMS Power PER Terminal 200 watts (There are 2 Terminals)
- ✔ DIMENSIONS: (L)30.25in. x (W)8.25in. x (H)4.9in. ; Weight: 30 lbs
- 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.
- Skar Audio FSX65-4 6.5" 4 Ohm mid-range speaker
- 300 Watts Max | 150 Watts RMS
- 1.5" Voice coil - Ferrite magnet
- Sensitivity : 92.5 Db 1w/1m
- Sold Individually (Set of 1)
- 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"
- Power Handling: Delivering 230W (30W nominal) with 4-ohm impedance, these vehicle speakers combine style and high-quality sound for a dynamic audio experience.
- 3-Way Coaxial Speakers: Designed with a woofer, midrange driver, and tweeter, this setup ensures a well-balanced and immersive sound experience, delivering clear audio across low, mid, and high frequencies.
- Sensitivity: With an 87dB sensitivity rating, these speakers produce loud, distortion-free music even at higher volumes while requiring less power for optimal performance.
- 6" x 9" Standard Sizing: Engineered for a seamless fit, these speakers integrate easily into most car audio systems, offering versatility without compromising sound quality.
- Passive Speaker Design: Requiring an external amplifier, these speakers give you the flexibility to pair them with your preferred audio setup (amp or AV Receiver), allowing for a more customized listening experience.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
Choosing the Best Car Audio Mids and Highs: Your Buying Guide
Upgrading your car’s sound system brings music to life. Mids and highs speakers handle the important middle and high notes—vocals, guitars, and cymbals. Getting these right makes a huge difference. This guide helps you pick the perfect set.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for mid-range (mids) and tweeter (highs) speakers, several features matter most for clear sound.
Frequency Response Range
This tells you which sounds the speaker can actually play. A wider range means better detail. Look for speakers that cover from around 50 Hz up to 20,000 Hz (or higher for tweeters). This range captures most of the music you listen to.
Power Handling (RMS vs. Peak)
Power handling shows how much power the speaker can safely handle. RMS (Root Mean Square) power is the continuous, safe power level. Always focus on the RMS rating. If your amplifier puts out 75 watts RMS, choose speakers rated for at least 75 watts RMS. Peak power is just a short burst number and is less important.
Sensitivity Rating
Sensitivity measures how loud a speaker plays with a certain amount of power (usually 1 watt). Higher sensitivity means the speaker plays louder without needing a super powerful amplifier. If you keep your factory radio, look for speakers rated 90 dB or higher.
Speaker Type: Component vs. Coaxial
- Component Sets: These separate the mid-range driver and the tweeter. You install them in different spots (like the door for the mid, and the dash for the tweeter). This separation creates a much better, focused soundstage.
- Coaxial Speakers: These combine the mid and the tweeter into one unit. They are easier to install but offer less precise sound imaging.
Important Materials That Matter
The materials used in speaker cones and tweeters directly affect sound quality and how long the speakers last.
Cone Materials (For Mids)
The cone moves air to create sound. Good materials are strong but light.
- Polypropylene: Very common. It resists moisture and heat well, making it durable for car doors. It offers balanced sound.
- Paper (Treated): Can sound very natural, but needs protection from humidity.
- Woven Materials (Kevlar/Carbon Fiber): These are very stiff and light. They produce very accurate, crisp sound, often found in higher-end sets.
Tweeter Materials (For Highs)
Tweeters create the very high, detailed sounds. Soft dome tweeters sound smooth. Hard dome tweeters (like titanium or aluminum) sound very bright and detailed, but can sometimes sound harsh if the system is too loud.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a speaker sound great, and what ruins the experience?
Improving Quality: Crossovers
Good component sets include external crossovers. These are electrical filters. They make sure the correct sounds go to the correct speaker—lows and mids go to the mid-range driver, and highs go to the tweeter. Proper crossovers dramatically clean up the sound.
Reducing Quality: Poor Installation
Even the best speakers sound bad if installed poorly. If the speaker isn’t sealed tightly against the door panel, you lose bass response and clarity. Vibrations from loose panels also muddy the sound.
Reducing Quality: Mismatching Power
If you use a weak factory radio to power high-end, low-sensitivity speakers, the radio will “clip” (distort) the signal trying to keep up. This weak, distorted power damages tweeters quickly and makes everything sound terrible.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you use your car and listen to music.
The Commuter/Casual Listener
If you mostly listen to talk radio or easy-listening music during your daily drive, focus on reliability and decent sensitivity. A good pair of coaxial speakers with decent RMS handling works perfectly. You want clear voices without needing huge volume.
The Audiophile/Enthusiast
If you listen to complex music (rock, classical, electronic) and demand detail, you must buy component sets. Install the tweeters high up (near eye level) and use good wiring. You will need an external amplifier to power them correctly for the best performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Car Audio Mids and Highs
Q: Do I need an amplifier for new mids and highs?
A: Not always. If you choose high-sensitivity speakers (92 dB+), your factory radio might power them well enough for casual listening. However, an external amplifier always provides cleaner power, leading to much better overall sound quality and volume.
Q: What is the difference between a tweeter and a mid-range driver?
A: The tweeter handles the very high frequencies (like the “s” sounds in voices or cymbal crashes). The mid-range driver handles the important middle frequencies—most vocals and instruments like guitars and pianos.
Q: Can I replace just my tweeters?
A: Yes, you can replace just the tweeters if you have a factory component system. However, mixing new tweeters with old, mismatched mid-ranges usually results in unbalanced sound. Replacing the whole set is often better.
Q: What does “component set” mean in speaker terms?
A: A component set means the speaker drivers are separate. You get separate mid-range drivers, separate tweeters, and separate crossover boxes. This allows you to place the tweeters optimally for the best sound imaging.
Q: What is the most important specification when buying?
A: For clarity and volume potential, the RMS Power Handling is the most important number to match with your amplifier. For ease of use with a factory radio, Sensitivity is key.
Q: Will new speakers fit my existing holes?
A: Speaker sizes are standard (like 6.5 inches or 5.25 inches). However, component tweeters often require drilling new mounting holes, and the external crossovers need a place to be tucked away safely.
Q: How does material affect the sound?
A: Stiff, light materials (like carbon fiber) often produce very crisp, accurate sound. Softer materials (like silk or treated paper) often sound smoother and warmer, which some people prefer for long listening sessions.
Q: Do I need to buy new wiring?
A: If you are installing a powerful amplifier, yes, you must use thicker, better-quality speaker wire. Factory wiring is often too thin to carry the clean power without losing sound quality.
Q: Should I buy silk or metal tweeters?
A: Silk dome tweeters generally sound smoother and are more forgiving if you listen at higher volumes. Metal dome tweeters sound very bright and detailed but might sound harsh if your music source or amplifier quality is low.
Q: Where should I install component tweeters for the best sound?
A: You should aim to install tweeters as close to ear level as possible. This usually means mounting them on the A-pillars (the posts between the windshield and the front doors) or high up on the door panel itself.