Front Door Speakers 6.5vs6x9

I recently upgraded my JBL system to a DSR1 and Infinity Kappa 5 amp... and can now truly hear the limits of the factory speakers. In looking at different upgrade packages (@tech12volts, Crutchfield, etc) I see that 5.25 and 6.5 midranges are offered most often. So here is my question:

What is the advantage of the 6.5 over the 6x9?

Thanks

 

From what I've read, there's not a major advantage one way or the other when it comes to just the speaker size. But there seems to be a lot more options in the 6.5 range, specifically with component speakers.

 

Assuming like quality you should get better mid bass out of a 6x9 plus if you go with the focal integration 690TOY 6x9 components then it’s a direct fit for the front doors and dash tweets so there wouldn’t be a need for making brackets. The 690’s have really good bass when being amp driven.

 

Many on line go with the 6.5. I went with Kicker 6.5 front, rears 5.25, with adapters, was easy, with powered Bazooka Sub.. Sure if you went with more $$ than I did the sound will be much better, and may be sub woofer. The stock speakers are anemic...

 

I saw those (the 6.5) in a video and it seemed like a smooth upgrade.

 

Of all speakers out there in the World in general there are a lot more round ones than oval ones for sure.
The oval speaker is mainly only seen on Auto applications and so there are a lot fewer great choices there than in the much more widely produced round models.

Having said this there is nothing really inherent in the oval speaker that sucks vs the round ones and if there are oval speakers made for your use that you want to try I have to think they can be great too,there are just a lot less choices to look at.

 

I have the 6x9 components in the front and 165 integration 6.5’s in the rear doors....they sound amazing.

 

I really wish i had put 6x9s in the front of my truck. The 6.5 just dont have the punchy mid bass i want.

 

I asked James at tech12volts basically that same question. He indicated to me the 6.5 Jl audio c1's would sound better than 6x9's.

The FoCal direct fit was a set I was considering, but based on James response im going with the JL Audio 6.5's.

 

Just order some 6.5"ers from james, and have him make you some adapter brackets.

 

All else equal, greater surface to distribute sound thru...again, all else equal....

 

The biggest issue you will face is depth. I just mulled this over for weeks before deciding 6.75”. Most aftermarket 6x9 in an audiophile class are about 3.5-4” deep. You simply won’t get enough clearance between the door card and the speaker if you build the bracket out that far. You have 2.6” of depth with adapter plates from everything I’ve read. Outside that the window will hit it.

You could possibly dremel the back side of the grill to make it fit. I definitely agree that you would get more mid bass out of a 6x9. But you will need to take your panel off, put the window down, measure and figure out how much space you actually have. I should have done that during my install but was too focused on installing my new components.

 

that’s great feedback. I am curious in the 6x9 Focals have this issue since that specially made to be plug n play for the Tundra.

 

I would imagine not as they are a plug and play model. I didn’t even consider them as the tweeters have been described as “bright.” From the looks of them clearance is not an issue.

 

no they will not. The bracket on the 690’s is exactly like the factory speaker except for much higher quality speaker and bigger magnet but it does not interfere the the window or the speaker grill/door panel

 

the tweeters themselves are not bright but the brackets that come with them are....you could paint them black it it creates an issue but I have them installed and have never noticed a reflection from them at all.

 

LOL. I meant the sound. Bright, harsh, etc. I prefer warmer sounding tweeters. Focal does not fit into that category.

 

I think i may go with the Polk MM692s . They appear to be about 3" deep for a top / surface mount.

 

I had to shim my Window rail with 2 washers(one 10mm bolt directly under the 6x9 on the door) . I used the OEM 6x9 adapters with a set of Kenwood 6x9 components. It was just enough room to fit what I think are full depth 6x9's. Im very happy with the sound now. You will Also need a longer 10mm bolt if you do this. I happened to have longer bolts in my bucket O screws. Just an FYI.


Its the Black bolt in this picture. The OEM bolt is silver. But I think this is the whole reason Crutchfield lists many speakers "Does not fit".I hope this helps some people out here with fitment issues.

 

ahhhh....lol


I have never heard that terminology referring to sound before. But they sound pretty damn good none the less

 

those have a top mount depth of 2.75”. With that said, motel tempo ultra 6x9 components are just shy of 3.5”. Audiofrog are in the same realm of depth. By audiophile grade, I meant high end component sets. There are other options that are lower on the scale of sound/price that would be easier to fit as they have a shorter depth.

 

I just bought a set.of these and plan to install them tomorrow. Did you need some sort of wire harness adapter? The instructions indicate 4 wires and 2 need to be jumped or something. I didn't like what I read.

 

idk why i didnt think of shimming the window rail. I used spacer rings with a ton of trimming to the backside of the door panel. Im running full depth kicker component 6x9s. Theyre 3 3/16” deep and were not supposed to fit but its in there nicely. They handle 150rms a piece and they get plenty loud. They have the midbass i was looking for even though i cant totally hear it above my 2 12s.

 

I'm going to install a set of already purchased Infinity kappa 6x9s 693.5i with a mounting depth shown as 3 3/16" (like your kickers). Any advice?
I'm thinking of these spacers-

$16 RDEXP Black 46" x 9" Solid Universal Speaker Adapter Mount 1" Depth Ring Adapter for Car Sound Tool Set of 2

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...&pf_rd_p=9d9090dd-8b99-4ac3-b4a9-90a1db2ef53b

 

Found this that are 1”.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear...lates-Mount-Install-Fits-Toyota-/362644046216

plus 1/2” if needed
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Metra-Univ...s-for-6-x-9-Car-Stereo-Speakers-/333597286683

 

Those 1" say up to 2012 Tundra I think it was.

 

What is the advantage of the 6.5 over the 6x9?

Thanks[/QUOTE]
Round will give you better sound quality than an oval, physics

 

The mid bass coming out of a 6x9 is superior. Power handling is better. Overall comparing similar models within the same brand, 6x9 wins in most categories.
One thing is that you will find more variety in round speakers. In most cases 6 1/2 is enough. I personally like the 6x9.

 

Which sound quality are your referring to?

Ultimately the difference between a 6x9 and a 6.5 is going to fall upon the same factors that would make a Focal sound better than a Kicker speaker. While the shape does have some factors in sound, the sound itself is really a product of the speakers materials and engineering.

I believe the main reason 6x9s tend to get a bad rap is that there arent many out there compared to 6.5s and the ones that are out there tend to be cheaper materials and cheaper production cost and value. If anyone wants to take that and turn it into a belief that it sounds worse simply because of its shape rather than its makings, then ok, but it will close a lot of doors that aught to be left open.

The main issue with a 6x9 vs a 6.5 is that 6x9s do reach a beaming frequency earlier or lower than a round 6.5" cone. Proper tuning and speaker application will prevent this though. Hence the reason for using a 3-way setp up, or perhaps a tweeter that reaches lower. A properly crossed 6x9 will avoid this. I ran Morel 692s and never experienced an beaming.

The benefit on a 6x9 though is quite nice and useful. There is more cone area, so yes you will get more spl, also typically a more "sensitive" speaker as it is able to produce more displacement with lower power or the same power as a 6.5. Simply put, better bass and louder with less power.

Again though, the actual sonic characteristics of the speaker is not simply a factor of its shape, theres so much more than that going on. A speakers excursion can determine both the force and dynamic of the sound. It materials, paper although typically hated upon produces a warmer more bass oriented sound that usually never fatigues the ear. Whereas PEI is used in cheap speakers and can give off an inaccurate sound that is harsh and can sound like its inside a tin can. None of those factors are specific to the speaker based off its shape, rather theyre based off the designers choice.

 

Good. Now you find the ones that suit your needs.