Do you hate when the car audio quality is bland? We understand how it feels to go on a long drive but cannot listen to your favorite songs as the audio quality is worse than bad trumpet sound.
Not many vehicles come with excellent car speakers. Most factory speakers do not produce top-notch quality sound as their quality is compromised. You may want to replace the existing car speakers with a decent one that produces great-quality sound and fine-tune music. There are various car speaker sizes available in the market. How do you know which car speaker size fits your car speaker space the best?
It is utterly confusing for a newbie to determine which car speaker size best fits their car. Measuring a car speaker size is not as simple as taking an inch of tape and calculating the size. There is no specific speaker size calculator to calculate the dimensions. One of the confusing things is that the car speaker size mentioned is not the accurate size; a 2 x 4 inches speaker is not true to the size. The size varies depending upon the manufacturing company and the procedure. If you are a layman for car components like once we were, you must continue reading this article.
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How to Measure Your Car Speaker Size?
If you wish to replace your car’s factory speakers with new ones, you have to make sure you are taking the proper measurements. Unfortunately, there are no set guidelines that determine how to measure your speaker size. You have to thoroughly measure the speaker’s width and height to ensure you are buying the correct speaker size. If you have only mounting holes as the rough measurement idea, make sure you measure it correctly. We have a few simple steps through which you can measure the correct speaker size for your car:
Method 1: Traditional Measuring Method
1. Unmount the speakers
The oval speaker sizes are different from other shape speakers. Hence, to take the correct measurements, you need to remove speakers from their housing. You need to pop out the speaker cover first by unscrewing it. You need to be super cautious when removing speakers as you do not want to damage them. After removing the cover, you will see mounting screws. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the mounting screws and take the speakers out of their housing. Make sure you disconnect the power supply before executing this process.
2. Measure the widest side
If your car has round speakers, then it can be a challenge to determine the widest point. However, if you step back a little and analyze the speaker, you would tell the widest side. You can also use tape to make a box-like structure surrounding the speakers. It makes it easier to measure the width. Measure the widest side first and write down the measurements, so you don’t forget. You can move on to measuring height next.
3. Measure the cutout diameter
To measure the cutout diameter, you need to flip the speaker upside down. You will see a conical shape behind the speaker. If your speaker is not round, it will be easier to determine the wider part. Measure the wider cone mounted to the frame. You can either use a ruler or a measuring tape to measure the cutout. In case your speakers are not round, you need to measure from each side. The cutout must be the same size or smaller than the installation port.
4. Measure the height
People think that measuring the width is enough to buy a speaker of a suitable size. However, there are a few things that you must consider when measuring the speaker. Never forget to measure the speaker height. To calculate the height, place the speaker’s cutout side on a flat surface.
The mounting frame should be facing upwards. Take a measuring tape and measure from the surface or bottom until the mounting bracket. You must record the measurements on paper on your phone to avoid mishaps. If the speaker is taller than the installation cabinet, it can damage during the fitting process or not sit flush.
5. Measure the mounting frame
If you think measuring the cutout, width and height is enough, then you are wrong. It is crucial to measure the mounting frame extending outward. Start measuring where the speaker ends and mount frame begins. Measure to the end of the mounting bracket. Many people think it is useless to measure the mounting frame. However, it is essential to measure each aspect if you want to avoid inconveniences. If the mounting bracket is too long, you can damage it when closing your car’s door.
Method 2: Measure the Mounting Hole
Step 1: Measure the width
To measure the mounting hole, the first step is to remove the speaker from the mounting hole. To measure the width, you need to use a ruler or an inch-tape. Locate the widest part and measure from one end to the opposite end. The mounting width should be wider than the mounting frame.
Step 2: Measure inner diameter
You cannot buy a speaker based on the outer measurements; hence, you need to measure the inner part. If your mounting hole has a recessed lip, it is essential to take these measurements. Place the inch tape on one end and measure it straight across the opposite end. If the mounting hole is not round, try to locate the wider part before taking measurements.
Step 3: Measure the depth
To measure the depth, you need to stick the ruler inside the mounting hole. Push the ruler further back within the mounting hole until you cannot go any further. Record the measurements, always buy a speaker shorter than the actual depth. If the speaker depth is shorter, it sits flush in the mounting hole.
Step 4: Analyze screw pattern
You need to mount the speakers with screws. You can draw a rough screw sketch before going speaker shopping. If you cannot find speakers with exact screw placement, then you can drill your holes.
The car speaker sizes
There are different car speaker sizes, and each speaker size has its attributes. You may want to pay attention to these attributes before buying. So, let’s have a look at these speakers:
1. 5-inch speakers
You will see 5-inch speakers in a lot of Japanese cars. They work exceptionally well for both mid-range and high-range frequencies. We love how fantastic sound responses they generate, and they have a high range. They are an ideal size for any standalone car with solid bass and crisp treble. Unfortunately, they would not work for people who love loud and banging music due to high distortion levels.
2. 5×7-inch speakers
5 x 7 speakers are a little bit bigger than 5.75-inch speakers. They do not fit many car models, but they are known to provide high-quality sound, suitable music lovers. These speakers are designed to target mid-range sound frequencies. On the other hand, they are straightforward to install and have no sound distortion.
3. 6-inch speakers
6-inch speakers are a decent size that fits in most average-sized cars. These speakers are the best for music enthusiasts who love loud and banging music. You can play music at the highest volume, and it still would not distort or disperse. The 6-inch speakers can withstand shock and high vibration even when the car is moving. They are big speakers, but they are still lightweight and easy to install. They are designed for mid-range frequency along with a little bit of bass.
4. 6.5-inch speakers
The 6.5 speaker size measurement is quite big for average-sized cars. They work with a wide range of sound frequencies, and they are found in versatile car ranges. The 6.5 inch car speakers can cause sound distortion; hence, many people replace them with aftermarket speakers. These speakers are mostly installed inside the front doors. You will undoubtedly enjoy different sound frequency ranges. However, they do not sound appealing in amalgamation with the bass.
5. 6×9-inch speakers
6×9 inch speakers are for people who love to hear mad loud music. These speakers do not need additional subwoofers to perform to their maximum potential. People with a love for music alter their door design to fit such large speakers. They work with love frequency sounds and still produce a high-quality outcome which is why they are expensive.
6. 8-inch speakers
The 8-inch speaker is undoubtedly significant, and they fit in a car’s trunk. They are expensive, and primarily people with bigger automobiles like to own them. You need an amp to power these speakers; otherwise, they do not perform to their fullest potential. They produce rich sound and work across diverse frequency ranges.
Conclusion
The market is full of diverse car speaker sizes with varying features to produce booming sound. However, not all speakers may fit your car or produce high-quality sound. Hence, it is essential to measure your speaker mounting hole correctly and choose speakers according to your music taste. Hopefully, you will be able to measure and find the right speakers after reading this article.
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