Are you are new to car audio? Then you need to read this article. It will help you avoid a lot of mistakes and will learn about component vs coaxial with what are component speakers and coaxial speakers?
This is because most people don’t know which kind of speakers to buy for their car when they want a really great audio sound.
But how do you upgrade from the factory sound system your car came with?
To get started, you have to understand the differences between a component and a coaxial speaker.
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Component vs Coaxial: Differences Between Two Speakers System
By reading this article, we can tell you the best type of speakers to buy for your car.
So first, we’ll talk about component speakers. Then we’ll talk about coaxial speakers. Which is better? You’ll find out soon.
What are Component Speakers?
To begin with, component speakers have separate woofers and tweeters
This is the main difference between component and coaxial speakers.
And component speakers give a richer sound because they have separate woofers and tweeters. This is important if you want the best sound system for your car.
But what are separate woofers and tweeters? And then, why do they matter?
Let’s start with tweeters first. Tweeters are the part of component speakers that get the high notes. They handle the delicacy of any high notes you love in your music.
This is separate from a woofer. The woofer is the part of a component speaker that handles the bass notes.
So it’s important to have tweeters separate from the woofers. This is so that that the high notes can reach your ears. And the bass stays down where it should.
So for an audiophile, the high tones have to be separated from the lower bass tones. This is what makes for a great sound system in your car.
Just to re-explain. The woofers, which are separate on a component stereo sound system, resonate with the low frequencies. The lower tones should be kept at the knee level, while the higher tones should be kept up above.
This is why the woofers are usually mounted in the door of your car on the bottom. Then the tweeters are mounted higher towards the windows of your car.
There is also a third part of the component speaker. These are the crossovers. They are the devices that send the higher frequencies to the tweeters and the lower frequencies to the woofers. You will need to install a crossover when you buy after-factory component speakers.
You can also pick out a car speaker system with a super tweeter and a subwoofer for an even richer sound.
This leads us to your next step. The installation system.
The installation system for a component speaker is a bit tricky.
First, you have to make sure that the installation doesn’t affect the original mechanisms of your car. You can install the woofers on the door, the kick panel, or the dash of your car. So you have several options when it comes to installing your new car speakers.
The tweeters can be installed in a few different places as well. The best place to put them, though, is on the sail panel of your car. This is the bottom corner of your front windows. This is where the windows meet the body of the car.
Install your woofers on the bottom of the car door. Then put your tweeters closer to your ears on the sail panel. This way, you will have the perfect balance of low and high frequencies.
You may have to modify your car a bit. It depends on what sound system you choose.
This can be done by drilling and cutting into your car panels. However, getting back to the original point, you should buy an after-factory component speaker designed for your make of car.
This is called an easy-fit component speaker. In other words, you are simply replacing the factory speaker with a better model. But it’s best to pay a professional to do it.
Modifying your car on your own to have better speakers may not be a good idea. Especially if you are not mechanically inclined.
But either way, you will need to have some patience to get the component speakers installed properly.
The sound quality will blow you away.
Whether you are listening to music or an audiobook, it doesn’t matter. A properly installed component speaker system will take you away to another place. You will be able to hear the high frequencies where they sound the best. You will also feel the low frequencies where you can enjoy them.
Power capacity is something else to consider when it comes to component car speakers.
So let’s clear something up. Power capacity is measured in watts. It can be 25, 50, or 100 watts, but that’s as high as it goes. Ultimately the higher watts you have, the louder your component speakers will be.
But how much volume do you want in your speakers? As loud as you want to go – but be forewarned. The louder your speakers go, the more the sound will distort.
So it’s best to look for a component speaker in the 50-watt range. It’s a little bit in the middle, but perfect for enjoying music and videos at a normal level.
The pros and cons of component speakers vary.
Pros:
- If you buy component speakers, you will have an excellent sound system in your car. It will deliver everything you want as far as audio goes.
- You will also get years of sound quality out of the speakers. The rich sound of component speakers in your car is worth it. Let’s face it, you spend the most time commuting in your car to work. So why not make it worth the trip?
- A component system will upgrade the value of your car.
These speakers are built to last. And if you care enough to customize your car, more people will recognize the value in it.
Cons:
- If you upgrade the audio yourself, you may ruin your car’s interior. Do not start cutting holes and removing the factory stereo equipment until you know what you are doing.
- You may also put the decibels so high that you can’t hear while you are driving.
- The professional installation can be more than the speakers themselves.
Component speakers don’t cost as much as you might think.
Even if you get them installed professionally – component speakers won’t set you back. The cost of installing component speakers is only about $70. They can even do them at Best Buy.
And the cost of the speakers themselves isn’t a deal-breaker. They range from about $200 to $300. If you want to go on the lower end. The most expensive price for component speakers tops out at less than $1,000. So it’s really not that cost-prohibitive.
Component vs Coaxial the Basic Differences
So now, let’s look at coaxial speakers. These kinds of speakers are the easier choice for your car audio system. Especially if you want to upgrade and make it easier on yourself.
What are Coaxial Speakers?
The main purpose of a coaxial speaker is that it functions as one unit.
In other words, a coaxial speaker combines the woofer and the tweeter into one unit. Coaxial speakers are also less expensive. They are also easier to install.
And if you buy the right brand, coaxial speakers may work better for you. If you want a less expensive option for the audio sound in your car speaker system.
The installation system of coaxial speakers is easy to figure out.
It only takes about an hour to install coaxial speakers. Even if you have never done it before. You will need some tools to do it, but they are all inexpensive.
And essentially you won’t do any damage to your car’s interior when you install coaxial speakers. As well, the coaxial speakers will generally mount right into your car’s factory-made speaker openings.
Hint: keep the original factory speakers in case you don’t like the new ones.
The sound quality of coaxial speakers isn’t for someone who wants the best in audio.
This is because they only have a single driver. So they are made to produce only one kind of sound. What this means is that you can only get low tones, mid-range tones, or high tones.
One at a time. Depending on what type of music you are listening to, you will have to keep adjusting.
The power capacity of coaxial speakers is much less than that of component speakers.
Coaxial speakers only require about 35 watts of power to run. This means that if you want to play your stereo when your car isn’t running, it won’t drain your battery.
The continuous power needed to run the amplifiers is also measured in RMS. RMS is the Root Mean Square, or the voltage needed to run a speaker vs. its output.
Pros:
- Coaxial speakers are easy to install.
- These speakers are an upgrade from factory-installed speakers.
- Installing coaxial speakers won’t damage your door panels.
- If you buy the right brand, coaxial speakers will fit right into the factory speaker openings.
Cons:
- You can’t play coaxial speakers at a high volume. Whatever music or audio you are playing will sound distorted.
- If you play your music too loud on coaxial speakers, you could actually blow them out.
- You may have other sound issues. Coaxial speakers can produce crackling, whining, hissing or even static. Especially if you buy the least expensive speakers, they will produce poor sound quality.
The cost of coaxial speakers is inexpensive.
Coaxial speakers start at about $20. This means that you can upgrade your original car speakers for very little money. You can spend more, but the real average price for quality coaxial speakers is about $50. Component speakers cost a little more, but you will probably also have to pay someone to install them.
Coaxial vs Component Speakers – Which is best?
If you are an audiophile – or you just like to listen to music at its best – you will choose the component speakers. Component speakers don’t cost a lot more than coaxial speakers. They just cost more to install.
You can replace the factory-installed speakers yourself with coaxial speakers. But is it worth it? Not if you want a really great sound in your car. Or in your home.
Home and Automotive Use
Car speakers are not only for use in your automobile. You can also use them to set up a really cool home theater. But here’s another term to learn when it comes to car speakers: impedance.
In plain terms, impedance is the resistance level a speaker will give to the current and voltage that runs through it. In this case, you’ll need a receiver that’s capable of handling the right power levels.
Although, installing a home theater system is much easier than pulling off the door panels in your car.
Make your choice for the best audio system for your car, WH questions.
What is the difference between coaxial and component speakers?
The answer is simple. Component speakers consist of separate woofers and tweeters that make for an incredible difference in your car sound system. Coaxial speakers are one assembled unit.
Which is better? Component speakers or coaxial speakers?
Component speakers are considered to be better. This is because component speakers can be customized. Coaxial speakers are an upgrade from a factory stereo, but not if you want the best sound system.
What is the difference between component speakers and regular speakers?
Regular speakers are also known as coaxial speakers. They are also called full-range speakers. This is because they have tweeters, woofers, and drivers in one single unit.
As we mentioned before, these elements are all combined together to save space in compact cars. These speakers were invented as a way to save money for carmakers who felt that sound quality was secondary to the price of the car.
Verdict
Hands down, our choice is component speakers. If you love music, movies, or news, component speakers are the best choice. Component speakers deliver a full and rich sound.
And they are about the same price as coaxial speakers. You will just have to pay a little more to have them installed professionally. Plus, you can turn them up as loud as you want. The audio won’t get distorted.
