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8 Best 6×9 Speakers for Bass – Reviews and Buying Guide (Add Audio Impact and Excitement)
Updated on July 27, 2022 Robert Muñoz
Most people spend hours a day in their vehicles, so it’s a place that deserves a decent investment in every way.
Further, driving can be a bore when in traffic, and even on soul-cleansing road trips time behind the wheel can get stale. From comfort to entertainment, your vehicle should be as pleasant as possible.
There’s nothing better than blasting out your favorite tunes on an excellent set of 6×9 speakers for a better driving experience. But, what’s the best 6×9 speaker for bass?
Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer because it depends on your taste in music and preferred sounds.
But we need to clear up something right away. There’s a myth that 6×9 speakers don’t offer quality sound and lack bass. While it’s true for some, there are many good quality 6-by-9 speaker models to suit every taste possible.
Choosing the best system for your vehicle isn’t easy, especially when you account for the multitude of 6 by 9 speakers on the market—all offering varying pros and cons.
So, with a laundry list of numbers to decipher, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide a list of the eight best 6×9 car speakers for excellent bass and sound quality.
After the reviews, we’ve also put together an enlightening buyer’s guide. So you make an informed decision in your quest for the perfect in-car listening experience.
The Best 6×9 Speakers for Bass in 2022
1. JBL GTO939 – Most Powerful Bass
2. Polk Audio DB691 – Best Efficiency Component Speaker
3. Infinity Reference 9632ix 2-Way – Best Mid-Bass (Without Amp)
4. New Kicker 43DSC69304 D-Series 3-Way Coaxial – Best On A Mid-range Budget
5. Rockford Fosgate P1694 4-Way (Pair) – Best Full-Range Speaker
6. Boss Audio Systems CH6530 – Best Value
7. Polk Audio DB692 DB+ Series – Guaranteed Durability
8. Kenwood KFC-6966S – Best On A Shoestring Budget
The Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best 6×9 Speaker for Bass
The Best 6×9 Speakers for Bass in 2022
We’ve come across many interesting 6×9 speakers, but these eight are by far the best in bass production.
Delivers rich quality heavy bass sound
300 watt RMS peak power handling
Great combination of performance, quality and power
Provides quality sound at every volume
Sound production exceeds your expectations
Best On A Mid-range Budget
Easy to install in most settings
A high profile unit with compact footprint
6 to 9 inches speakers fit easily
View on Amazon →
Best Value For Money
Boss Audio Systems CH6530
Brings 300 watt of power
View on Amazon →
Mighty upgrade of low-quality factory unit
View on Amazon →
Best On A Shoestring Budget
Provides solid bass output
Guarantees super highs without distortion and overtones
3-way system offers full-range sound
View on Amazon →
Let’s get into the details of these top options one by one:
1. JBL GTO939 – Most Powerful Bass
JBL is a brand name that stands near the top when we list 6×9 car speakers on the market. This GTO939 model is the best power handling pair on the market, with JBL’s unique Plus One woofer.
Plus One woofer cone delivers a heavy bass sound
A 300-watt RMS peak power handling
Works well with any quality head unit
The pair doesn’t fit all vehicle models
Speaker can snap when the bass hits high levels
The JBL GTO speakers have Plus One cone technology that uses specialist materials to make a cone bigger than average. A GTO speaker produces sound by vibrating air, so a large cone vibrates more air for a better bass quality.
Each speaker handles 300 watts or 600 watts for a pair. Both speakers have RMS power handling of 100 watts and 200 watts.
Speaker wattage means you can use the units with a stock car audio system to improve sound quality. The speakers come into their own and produce an incredible sound quality if you upgrade the audio system with a single or double din head unit and install an amplifier.
A speaker’s sensitivity rating shows how it responds to power, so a higher rating means a better response. These JBL speakers have a 94dB (decibel) sensitivity rating, so you use around 50 watts of power after setting the volume. You need about 100 watts for the exact volume level when using 91dB speakers.
Tweeters in the JBL GTO939 allow the unit to compete with others in the higher price bracket. Each one-inch tweeter is a titanium and Mylar composite (My/Ti), which helps reduce distortion, increase power handling, and increase efficiency.
These speakers also have a UniPivot JBL system for adjusting the tweeter position. An included control switch offers installation customization to improve dB output to your preferences.
Bottom Line These JBL GTO939 3-way speakers are capable of performance, quality, and power. View Latest Price on Amazon →
2. Polk Audio DB691 – Best Efficiency Component Speaker
Boost your vehicle’s audio performance with the versatile and efficient Polk Audio DB691 speakers. The speakers feature the best materials for perfect music reproduction.
Marine certified and waterproof
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) grilles introduce aesthetic design
Multiple hole speaker mounting for easy installation
A clear and quality music sound production
Durable butyl rubber surround and stainless steel mounting
Highs aren’t as high as others
Polk DB691 is a pair of 6- by 9-inch 3-way component speakers that offer excellent sound performance. Three-way speakers are a must for anyone who prefers loud music.
These speakers come with stainless steel mounting hardware and muscular ABS grilles that put even Arnold Schwarzenegger to shame. The 6-inch by 9-inch woofers are made from a polymer or mica composite and have long-lasting butyl rubber surrounds for reliable and consistent performance.
Further, the speakers use liquid-cooled 1-inch polymer and silk dome tweeters with Neodymium magnets that offer sharp and precise detail. Additional 3/4-inch liquid-cooled polymer composite dome super tweeters introduce more sparkle to high frequencies.
A built-in two-way crossover network keeps low and high frequencies flowing to the right drivers for efficient and seamless audio. This pair has a 93dB sensitivity rating and can handle up to 100 watts RMS.
The speaker is marine-certified with an IP55 rating (dirt- and water-resistant) and tested for humidity, UV, and salt fog. These units are the perfect 6×9 options for any biker or anyone hitting the waves – but they’ll be super durable in your car as well.
Bottom Line The Polk Audio DB691 presents clear and enthusiastic sonic harmony without distortion and they’re extraordinarily durable for hard use. View Latest Price on Amazon →
3. Infinity Reference 9632ix 2-Way – Best Mid-Bass (Without Amp)
The Infinity line of products is a regular best-seller with utmost quality satisfaction. This 9632ix is a worthy option if you are looking for the ideal 6×9 speaker for bass.
Oversized for extra bass
You’ll require an amplifier to get the full benefits
Overall sound production of this REF 9632ix speaker pair is above what we expected. The bass makes it a top entrant, while built-in tweeters produce high fidelity frequencies efficiently.
Adjustable tweeter output levels let you achieve a desirable high-frequency sound depending on preference. The speaker can achieve a decent 46 hertz to the 21,000-hertz frequency range.
A 93db sensitivity makes this model one of the most sensitive speakers on the market. Such power provides you with quality sound in every volume.
Plus One woofer cone architecture means the speakers have a large speaker-cone area. The result is higher sensitivity and improved low-frequency output for accurate audio reproduction.
Bottom Line The Infinity REF9632ix is a powerful component speaker pair that’s reasonably priced and offers impressive mix bass. View Latest Price on Amazon →
4. New Kicker 43DSC69304 D-Series 3-Way Coaxial – Best On A Mid-range Budget
This pair of Kicker D-Series speakers boasts a three-way system for dynamic audio balanced across the sound spectrum. The speakers are simple but offer excellent performance across multiple music genres.
Excellent low-range sound quality
The Kicker brand is famous for producing a good quality bass, and this model is among the best-selling 6×9 speakers on the market.
A pair offers 90 watt RMS power handling and 4-Ohm speakers. Extended Voice Coil (EVC) technology helps eliminate magnetic flux for clear sound reproduction.
These triaxial (3-way) vehicle speakers also have a half-inch PEI (polyetherimide) dome tweeter that hits high notes. Stiff polypropylene cone mid-range woofers achieve bass notes as low as 30 hertz, making this an impressively bassy budget speaker.
A 30 through 20kHz frequency response and 92dB sensitivity mean the New Kicker 43DSC69304 D-Series speakers offer a distortion-free soundscape.
D-series speakers are universal fits and are easy to install into the same speaker slot. Just remove the factory speakers and replace them with these Kicker speakers without drilling new holes.
A thin profile and compact design allow you to mount these speakers in tight spaces. They’re perfect for any setup: the D-series speakers will work with factory head units, aftermarket replacements, and high-powered amplifiers.
Bottom Line Sound quality from this New Kicker 43DSC69304 D-Series pair is flawless with crisp highs. View Latest Price on Amazon →
5. Rockford Fosgate P1694 4-Way (Pair) – Best Full-Range Speaker
Sound quality is an excellent reason for checking out this Rockford Fosgate Punch speaker pair. Other reasons include an affordable price, small size, and a sleek design.
Fast and easy installation
Requires an amp for the best results
These speakers boast a Flex Fit basket design for easy adjustment after mounting them. A concealed crossover allows the effortless transfer of frequency to the right speaker components while maintaining the compact look of each speaker.
Butyl rubber surround helps deliver high sound quality and ensures speaker durability. The Punch P1694 speakers promise many years of service.
A tweet mounting feature means mounting the speakers in your vehicle is problem-free. The power (including 75 watts RMS) and sensitivity handling systems of these Rockford Fosgate Punch speakers set them above other cheap units.
Rockford Punch P1694 speakers have a 1-inch titanium composite dome midrange driver and two half-inch tweeters for crisp details and bright highs. A polypropylene woofer bonds to butyl rubber sound for accurate and reliable bass notes. The built-in 3-way crossover assures a smooth response across the entire audio spectrum with no distortion or shrill.
The system can support up to 150 watts, making it a leading option for both average and high-income earners. These 6 inches by 9 inches speakers will fit into your vehicle with ease. You don’t have to worry about finding a place for them.
Rockford speakers come with a one-year warranty, so you’re assured they will serve you for years to come.
Bottom Line Rockford Fosgate Punch P1694 offers durability, quality, a beautiful design, and is worth your money. View Latest Price on Amazon →
6. Boss Audio Systems CH6530 – Best Value
The Boss CH6530 set of speakers boasts an intuitive design and power handling capabilities in an affordable package. Friendly to most budgets, the speaker unit curves itself in a unique niche with impressive features.
Struggles at high frequencies
The speakers bring 300 watts of power and 150 watts each to your vehicle. Boss Audio includes a template for easy mounting with each set, especially when you need to cut a new hole for the speakers. Included is also a 5.5-inch diameter mounting.
Listening to an old and tired stereo system can get boring after years of usage. This Boss Audio speaker model not only sounds great but has an aesthetically pleasing black and red color pattern.
Voice coils in the speakers can withstand high temperatures and still maintain their fatigue and strength properties. The speakers get long play times with low weights.
The Piezoelectric tweeter is resistant to overloads and usable without a crossover because of its unique electrical properties. Further, this Boss system features rubber surrounds that connect the cone to the basket.
The polyurethane cone is flexible, durable, and resilient. These properties give each speaker maximum flexibility for dominant sound and ensure long-lasting speaker units.
This pair of Boss speakers comes with solid sensitivity and adequate power handling. You get a beautiful and powerful sound, right from the mid to high-range frequencies.
Bottom Line We like the design, want the power, and love the price of this Boss Audio Systems CH6530. View Latest Price on Amazon →
7. Polk Audio DB692 DB+ Series – Guaranteed Durability
Polk Audio uses laser imaging technology to design the DB692 DB+ speaker. The technology ensures each speaker component offers the utmost accuracy.
They include mounting hardware
A high price point
May require an amp for full performance
This Polk pair of speakers have what it takes to be your best replacement speaker unit when upgrading from a low-quality factory set.
The DB692 woofer cone features UV-treated polypropylene material. Therefore, you can use the speaker on the dash without worrying about sunlight because it tolerates harmful UV rays. Polypropylene material also helps minimize distortion for a guaranteed smooth low-frequency response.
The exterior and interior surfaces of the surround in this speaker are waterproof, so the set is ideal for the marine environment. Use the Polk Audio DB Plus speaker on your boat, ATV, or car in wet road conditions.
Silk dome tweeters provide smooth highs. Further, the dome design helps spread audio highs widely while improving precision.
A built-in crossover in this Polk Audio DB692 guarantees a balanced sound. The crossover ensures each speaker driver receives the frequency range it can handle.
Bottom Line This Polk Audio DB692 DB+ Series speaker brings guaranteed quality and power to your car audio system. View Latest Price on Amazon →
8. Kenwood KFC-6966S – Best On A Shoestring Budget
The last and best 6×9 speaker for bass without an amp is this KFC-6966S. This Kenwood model delivers premium sound quality on an exceptionally tight budget.
A major upgrade from stock car speakers
Mounting hardware and speaker wire provided
Treated cloth woofer surround
Height may interfere with stock grille
Height may interfere with stock grille
The polypropylene cone woofer is excellent for a solid bass output, something that will enrich your audio listening experience. Further, the material also supports the dynamic midrange well.
This Kenwood speaker has a half-inch ceramic super tweeter and a 2-inch PEI dome tweeter. Ceramic super tweeter guarantees realistic super highs while reducing overtones and distortion. The PEI dome tweeter allows wider high dispersion, and a balanced design offers clear highs.
The 3-way driver system offers a full-range sound. You get mid and lows from the woofer cone, highs from the tweeter, and super highs from the super tweeter.
An enlarged magnet circuit in the speaker delivers coherent sound, so you can identify different details in the music. A built-in sound field enhances sound quality, giving you more sound quality despite the speaker’s size.
You get 400 watts of peak power with these top-rated 6×9 Kenwood speakers, so interference from other electronic components shouldn’t be an issue. And an impressive 92dB sensitivity means you don’t need an external amp, saving you more money.
Bottom Line Keep your wallet fat with these budget Kenwood KFC-6966S speakers that deliver excellent sound. View Latest Price on Amazon →
The Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best 6×9 Speaker for Bass
We’ve seen the best of the best—these are the top 6×9 speakers on the market for taking your soundscape from ordinary to the next level.
However, the selection process is more challenging than you might imagine.
When it comes to the best speakers for your car, you want a harmonious music experience, you also don’t want to invest in a pair that burns a hole in your wallet. What you want is an economical buy offering well-balanced and clear audio.
But the sea of options on the market makes choosing the best units for your ride harder. And you can’t go testing the sound quality of all the models. But we did!
The result is this guide to the best 6×9 speakers.
What Are 6×9 Speakers?
These speakers feature an oval shape measuring 9 inches wide and 6 inches high. The 6×9 is the woofer cone’s measurement. They offer a small upgrade in size, power, and volume compared to our favorite 6×8 car audio speakers.
The shape makes it possible for the speaker to pack a real punch – they’ll move much more air and be considerably louder than even elite 5.25 speakers. Additions in a speaker improve the overall audio quality compared to traditional circular sound systems.
These 6×9 speaker models are the most reliable replacements for factory-installed vehicle speakers. You require little space and receive excellent sound quality with a few tweaks and amplification.
Some drivers prefer pairing their 6×9 speakers with an additional subwoofer to get the minimum bass frequency.
Benefits of Installing 6×9 Speakers
Choosing and installing car speakers is difficult. You need to account for various factors, including amplification, subwoofers, tweeters, crossovers, and capacitors.
Make the process easier by investing in a pair of the best 6×9 speakers. They will provide high-quality sound with all features combined.
The 6×9 speakers also offer excellent performance across all sound spectrum frequencies. So you’ll experience a punchy, deep bass all thanks to the size and shape of the speaker woofer.
An impressive benefit of 6×9 speakers is that they generate the perfect mid-range sounds. They can also achieve high frequencies because of integrated tweeters.
Great vehicle speakers should come with a few features you need to learn about. We now embark on finding out the factors to consider when buying.
Type of 6×9 Speakers
These are the basic types of speakers on the market:
They offer decent bass and good mid-range frequencies but may not fulfill the higher frequency range. A single 6×9 speaker is a good option for pairing with a factory speaker system and filling it out. It’s also a good choice if you want to replace the larger speakers on the back deck of a car for a fuller, premium sound.
Consider these speakers as two-in-ones. The 6×9 speaker cone comprises a smaller one or two-inch tweeter.
Two-way models are suitable for filling out in the higher mid-range and for producing piercing high-quality frequency capabilities. The speakers are also suitable for coherent sound without overtaxing the 6×9 cone capabilities of producing high notes.
The two-way is an excellent option if you’re looking for a stand-alone speaker with good sound quality.
Three-way 6×9 speakers are the most versatile and best-sounding units. Each unit comes with two different tweeters and the 6×9 to handle ultra-high and high-mid frequency sounds.
These speakers fill out quality music a lot more and offer strong capabilities. The three-way models are an excellent option for the stand-alone unit. The sound stays at its best whether you’re playing a symphony or a rock tune since the three different speakers share the load.
Also known as full-range speakers, coaxial 6×9 speakers help you save money and space. These models combine multiple drivers into a single speaker and are easy to install.
These speakers break down the sound system into multiple sets, including mid-range speakers, subwoofers, and tweeters. Separating the items allows easy customization of your sound. Even smaller 6.5 component speakers offer excellent sound quality thanks to the split components.
Always consider the crossover when buying component speakers. You’ll need an external crossover, so the right frequency goes to the correct audio component. Coaxial speakers have built-in crossover functionality.
Frequency is the measure of pitch and range of highs and lows coming from tweeters, woofers, and more. The frequency response is how wide the frequencies a 6×9 speaker reproduces.
Avoid speaker systems with a poor frequency balance. Systems with too much emphasis on low frequencies may distort the higher frequency sounds. Choose a 6×9 speaker system that offers a balanced frequency response.
Many sets of speakers offer a power delivery in watts. The numbers range from 100 watts to 1,000 watts, or more.
The more power output a speaker has, the louder it will be. Power output refers to the electricity amount the speaker can handle and transform into sound – you receive two measurements, RMS (root mean squared) and peak power.
RMS is the relevant rating to understand, as it’s the amount of power your speaker can handle on a continuous basis. Peak power, usually two to four times the RMS, is what your speaker can handle in a short burst.
While high numbers are good, we wouldn’t recommend anything over 600 watts. A measure above the number will distort the sound from the 6×9 speakers or leave the frequency range or bass behind.
Sensitivity is how much loudness a speaker delivers. The rating works directly with the power output, making it the perfect way to know the speaker’s sound.
Sensitivity also tells how well the speaker pair handles music volume. A sensitivity rating of over 87dB or decibels is enough to increase audio loudness well.
Frequency and output help you get more sound at the right volume but strive for clarity.
However, clarity is hard to pick because you must listen to what a speaker offers. But you can get an idea by carrying out a comparison of the sensitivity and power output to the frequency range.
For example, a 6×9 speaker with a wide frequency range, 400 watts of power, and 94dB is a decent model. But you’ll get a lot of distortion if the power output is too high and the frequency range is too tight. The factors will affect the bass, treble, and midrange sound quality.
Focus on crispness and clarity to reduce unwanted sounds and distortion.
Impedance is a quality that’s a determining factor whether you require an external amplifier. The higher the impedance level (in ohms), the more power a speaker requires to produce the same volume level. Understanding impedance helps you find the perfect speakers for your average usage.
High impedance speakers are easier on amplifiers and require less baseline power to function. A lower impedance speaker will be more demanding on your amplifier over an extended duration.
However, make sure the speaker ohms and amplifier ohms match.
While technical sound factors are critical, you won’t enjoy them if the construction is poor. The shape and material of the tweeter have a direct impact on how your music sounds.
Tweeters reproduce the upper frequencies in music, including guitars, vocals, and other high notes that add life and sparkle to sound. The tweeter also plays vital sound staging and stereo separation roles, so music sounds like it’s coming from all around you.
The shape of the tweeter determines how it distributes the high frequencies in your vehicle. Different tweeter shapes provide the best possible performance out of materials at a price point.
Common tweeter designs include:
Cone tweeter: Usually found in factory speakers and have a paper megaphone to increase treble response.
Semi-dome tweeter: Found in low-cost speakers where the cone and dome are almost the same size.
Dome tweeter: A shape that helps radiate sound.
Tweeters also come in different materials, including beryllium, silk, polyamide, titanium, PET, and Mylar. Metal tweeters cut through the noise of highway driving with the windows down, while hard plastic and silk tweeters offer a natural sound to your music.
We recommend 6×9 speakers that use lighter materials such as fabrics, mica, polypropylene, or ceramic in the woofer. The materials ensure sound travels through the speaker while increasing the product’s durability.
While surround quality is not as important as the tweeter or subwoofer, it offers an advantage when you have the right model. A surround made of rubber provides proper durability without affecting sound quality. Cheap models may have latex, foam, or cloth surrounds which are not as sound effective or durable.
The following additional features can also help improve your listening experience:
Pivoting tweeters: These are installable in multiple locations to drive sound directly to the listener’s ear. These tweeters ensure a more dynamic and lively sound performance.
Detachable tweeters: These are tweeters you install as a coaxial or component system. You don’t purchase additional tweeters when upgrading your car’s stereo system.
External crossovers: The crossovers help separate the audio channel into suitable ranges and corresponding components. High frequencies go to tweeters and low frequency to the woofers for clear sound.
There you have it, the best 6×9 speakers for bass. All the models provide excellent performance but an exceptional deep bass rendition. If you’re not convinced you can fit these beefy speakers in your vehicle, consider one of our favorite 6.5 inch speakers instead.
Each unit comes with the strength and rigidity to last for years with enough power to create a real difference in your car’s audio system and experience.
If the time to replace your old stock tired speakers is near, get a high-quality 6×9 speaker for bass today!
I’m Robert, a US-based auto electrician, auto mechanic, trained engineer and fanatic about all things motor vehicle. After studying engineering in college I returned to my original passion - car mechanics - and I ran a garage for a number of years serving my local community. Through my garage, I got involved in numerous road safety campaigns in my local area until eventually, I decided to share what I've learned with the world. Know more about me... You can follow me on LinkedIn.