If you are looking to purchase a set of 6X9 speakers for your car, there are some things you need to know to make an informed assessment. I aim to educate you on some of the jargon you will encounter while shopping and how to use this understanding when selecting the 6X9 car speakers that best suits your desires. A lot of times, reading and reviewing some of the technical lingo related with car speakers can be overwhelming and confusing, but I will break some of the most focal terms down for you and equip you with the expertise and confidence when looking for a set of 6X9’s.

One of the most familiar questions asked with regards to 6X9 car speakers and jargon you’ll certainly encounter when shopping, is “What does 2-way, 3-way and 4-way 6×9 car speakers mean?” Looking at a 3-way car speaker as a case in point, it merely refers to the quantity of drivers a loudspeaker uses to produce sound. The 3-way configuration incorporates a tweeter for high frequencies, a woofer for low frequencies, and a mid-range driver. Each speaker has at least 3 separate drivers to produce the array of frequencies. A 3-way configuration is extremely common among speakers and is used by a diversity of manufacturers.

A 2-way 6×9 car speaker merely uses a woofer and tweeter, while a 4-way has more specific configurations such as tweeter, high mid-range, low mid-range and woofer. It’s frequently considered quintessential to have more dedicated drivers; however, the quality of the speaker’s make and design will also be a significant factor in the speaker’s performance. Ultimately you have the final say in determining what suits your requirements the best. In actuality, a 4-way 6×9 car speaker is not necessarily better than a 3-way and a 3-way is not automatically superior than a 2-way.

A widespread misconception is that while 3-way speakers operate drivers for high, mid and low frequencies, the term does not inevitably entail that the speakers use no more than 3 devoted drivers. Many 6×9 car speakers incorporate numerous drivers for each frequency. A 3-way speaker could have a significantly larger number of drivers than 3. Additional drivers are used to enhance performance of the speaker and consequently these types of speakers typically will cost more.

Here are three additional aspects that need to be considered while shopping for 6X9 car speakers. While there are more, these are what I deem to be vital when making an evaluation on what to purchase.

Frequency Response: This is the measure of the audible spectrum a loudspeaker can mimic. It is typically characterized by the level of the system’s response, measured in decibels (dB), with a rating of +/-. The greater the frequency range, the better, up to 20kHz and down to 20Hz.

Power Handling: This is the amount of power a loudspeaker can handle before weakening after a specified timeframe. The most notable number is the speaker’s continuous or RMS (root mean square) power handling. Continuous power ratings are a staple of performance specifications. Peak power handling is the greatest level of power measured during a given amount of time and is often much greater than the RMS. RMS power handling is a more valuable measurement to look for.

Sensitivity: A speaker’s sensitivity rating, occasionally called efficiency, tells you how effectively the speaker converts power into sound. The higher the number, the more proficient the speaker, and the louder the sound it creates. An effective speaker helps you take advantage of your available wattage. An appealing aspect to note – a 3 decibel increase in speaker sensitivity manufactures the same audible boost in volume as doubling your amplifier power. It’s always an excellent idea to check the sensitivity specification when shopping for speakers, especially if you have a lower-powered receiver or amp.

Using this knowledge hopefully will assist you in making the correct choice in your new set of 6X9 car speakers. It’s always a good thing to equip yourself with the appropriate information before buying anything, and when it comes to speakers for your car, this very much holds true.

Visit 6×9 Car Speakers to browse close to 300 6X9 car speakers, get comprehensive specifications and descriptions on all of them. — Josh V (fellow sound aficionado)