I’d hazard to say that car speakers are the factor you should look at most in your quest to build the best sound system for your vehicle. There are basically various car speakers sizes – 6X9, 6X8, 6.5, 5×7, 5.25. These are the most common speaker sizes, and the difference between them is pretty self-explanatory, but I’ll go ahead and give it to you since I like making things clear, and I’ve got the time.
Basically, a car speaker size is measured depending on the size of its woofer. And the bigger, the better. And Because large speakers have bigger woofers, they tend to perform very well in low frequencies reproduction, which results in better sound quality.
Don’t get me wrong here; we’ve come across several smaller speakers that do very well in sound quality and performance. So, we’ve decided to dig deeper, look beneath the surface and review some of the best 5.25 speakers on the market. Of course, we won’t simply pinpoint those speakers without actually telling you why they’re worth the money; keep reading, and we’ll tell you.
Top 7 Best 5.25 Speakers Reviews
Any of the following speakers would be great buys. Much of it comes down to personal taste, specific interests, and budget. Like with any product, you can get a solid set of speakers if you’re willing to shell out a bit more, but there really are great products in every price range.
1. Polk Audio DB521 5.25-Inch Coaxial Speakers
We have reviewed many Polk Audio speakers on this site before, and the story hasn’t changed. Polk Audio produces a quality product at a fair price. In addition, almost all their speakers are marine certified, which means they can withstand harsh environments.
You can mount them in your car, in your boat, as well as in an offroad vehicle. They also pass the industry’s toughest standards and ultimate stress tests, including drop testing, sun and salt exposure, as well as shock and vibration tests to simulate the most demanding road conditions.
If you’re looking for a small set of speakers and want to keep the costs to a minimum while getting the best value for your buck, we can’t think of a better option for a set of speakers than DB521.
As for the downsides, it’s challenging to think of any. If anything, I’d say the narrow frequency range doesn’t reach as low as some 5.25 we’ve reviewed.
Product Specification
- Power Handling
- Peak : 135 watts
- RMS : 45 watts
- Sensitivity: 93 dB
- Frequency response: 60-22,000 Hz
- Top-mount depth: 2-5/16″
- Built-in 2-way crossover network
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Marine certified
- Minimal distortion
- Clear mids and highs
- Easy to install
Cons
- The bass could have been better
- New - Bare Drive
- 1-Year Warranty
- Polk Audio DB521
- Polk Audio DB521 - 5.25 Component System Pair
2. Rockford Fosgate R1525X2 Prime 5.25-Inch Full Range Coaxial Speaker – Set of 2
You and I both agree that factory-installed speakers are nothing close to perfect. In most cases, their sound quality is nothing to brag about. If you are looking to upgrade the sound quality of your stereo, consider getting new speakers.
You can begin with installing topnotch 5.25-inch speakers like the Rockford Fosgate R1525X2. They will not disappoint. The Rockford Fosgate R1525X2 is a 2-way 5.25-inch speaker with a power rating of 40 watts RMS, which is not bad for a 5.25-inch speaker. In addition, their sensitivity rating is 88dB. On top of that, they have integrated high-pass tweeter crossovers for a well-balanced sound.
The frequency range of these speakers is 62 to 20,000Hz. This means that mids and highs are pretty good. The speaker comes with Vacuum Propylene cones with a rubber surround to give you a decent bass. As a result, you’ll get a crisp and clean sound regardless of the frequency.
But, as expected with all other small speakers, the bass is not loud enough to shake your car seats.
Product Specification
- Power Handling
- Peak : 80 watts
- RMS : 40 watts
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Frequency response: 62-20,000 Hz
- Top-mount depth: 1-7/8″
- Built-in high-pass tweeter crossovers
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Well made and durable
- Comes with grilles and mounting hardware
- Sleek design
Cons
- Not weatherproof
- May not fit in some car models
- Perfect for replacing factory speakers, the R1525X2 5.25" Prime full-range speakers offer Rockford Fosgate sound quality and includes grilles, so they look as good as they sound
- These 2-Way Coaxial Speakers come in a pair, with power handling of 40 Watts RMS / 80 Watts Max
- The R1525X2 requires a Mounting Diameter of 4.69 inches and a Mounting Depth of 1.93 Inches
- The Integrated Concealed Crossover hides the crossover inside the basket, creating a cleaner look and easier installation
- Famous Rockford Fosgate build quality with a full 1-year warranty
3. BOSS Audio Systems BE524 5.25 Inch Car Speakers
When upgrading your factory speakers, choose a replacement that not only produces excellent sound quality but will also last you for years. The BE524 is one such speaker.
Its cone is made from polyurethane which is a strong material that will withstand rough roads. It also has a rubber surround to ensure that regardless of the volumes and music you subject it to, the speakers are strong enough to maintain excellent performance. That’s not all.
These speakers have a voice coil that is made to withstand extremely high temperatures. And their stamped basket ensures that the dissipation of the energy produced and emitted by the speaker. As a result, you’ll get clean and crisp music all day long. With a frequency range of 100Hz to 18,000Hz, the mids and highs are excellent. But as expected, the lows are not as great.
Not to say they are bad, the sound is better than that of most factory speakers. However, if you need to add an extra punch to your music, consider adding a sub.
Product Specification
- Power Handling
- Peak : 80 watts
- RMS : 40 watts
- RMS: 40 watts
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Frequency response: 100-18,000 Hz
- Top-mount depth: 1.9″
- Piezoelectric tweeter
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Great design with LED lights
- Sounds better than factory speakers
- Easy to install
- Durable
Cons
- LEDs need to be wired differently
- Dimensions: 5.3 x 5.3 x 2.3 inches
- Impedance: 4 ohms
- Mounting Depth: 1.9 inches, Mounting Hole: 4.5 inches
- Item Weight: 2.7 Lbs. (pair)
- Frequency Response: 100 Hz to 18 KHz, Sensitivity: 90 dB @ 1 watt/1 meter
4. 2 Kicker 43DSC504 D-Series
You’ll agree with me that no list of the best car speakers can be complete without including a product from Kicker. They are renowned for manufacturing top-quality car audio components at an affordable price.
And this Kicker 43DSC504 is no less. To begin with, the speaker comes with a firm cone that is made with polypropylene material. Therefore, you’ll get fine and crisp sound coupled with a polyester foam surround provides an excellent audio experience.
A notable feature of these 5.25-inch speakers is that they are designed to have zero tweeter protrusion when installed. This allows them to blend in with any car’s stereo easily. Plus, the sound reproduced for high-frequency tunes is impressive. The mids and allows are also decent.
And although this is not the best speaker out there, its specs and performance at its price point are unmatched.
Product Specification
- Power Handling
- Peak : 200 watts
- RMS : 50 watts
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Frequency response: 45-20,000 Hz
- Top-mount depth: 1-7/8″
- PEI doomed tweeter
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Easy installation
- Grilles included
- Clear and powerful sound quality
- Zero protrusion tweeter
Cons
- Bass could be better
- 200 Watts Max Each, 50 Watts RMS Each
- Rigid polypropylene cone material
- Polyester foam speaker surround
- 4 Ohms Impedance
- Sensitivity: 90dB
5. JBL Club 5000C 330W Peak 5-1/4″ Club Series 2-Way Component Car Speakers
Are you looking for durable, weather-resistant door speakers to replace your underperforming factory speakers? Consider the JBL Club 5000C 5.25 inch club series component speakers. They come with UV-resistant subs that give impressive performance regardless of the weather.
You’ll also be impressed by the impressive power handling ability of these speakers. It has a rating of 55 watts RMS and a peak power rating of 165 watts. And with the Plus One woofer tech, the JBL Club 5000C speakers have a larger surface area than other speakers of the same size.
This means you’ll get better bass than other 5.25 inch speakers. Also, the wide frequency range gives you clearer and more detailed tunes. What’s more, these component speakers are compassionate, with a sensitivity rating of 91dB. Their sensitivity is one of the highest we have reviewed in this list of top 5.25-inch car speakers.
Also, the speaker has a compact design that fits perfectly in most vehicles.
Product Specification
- Power Handling
- Peak : 165 watts
- RMS : 55 watts
- Sensitivity: 91 dB
- Impedance: 3 Ohms
- Frequency response: 70-20,000 Hz
- Top-mount depth: 1-13/16″
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Bass is better than most other 5.25 speakers
- Outstanding sound quality for its price
- Well built
Cons
- Grilles not included
- Bass could have been better
- Power Handling: Peak: 330 watts per set / 165 watts each side
- Power Handling: RMS: 110 watts per set / 55 watts each side
- Frequency Response: 70-20,000 Hz
- 3 ohm impedance
- Top-mount Depth: 1-13/16"
6. Alpine Sps-510 5.25
Another great-sounding top-performance 5.25-inch car speaker ideal for upgrading your stock speakers is the Alpine Sps. Again, you’ll be impressed by the great performance of this affordable speaker.
On top of that, because of its wide frequency range, the speaker reproduces great sound regardless of the power level. Another feature that makes this speaker great is the mineral fortified polypropylene cone. Its design is compact to fit perfectly as a door speaker.
What’s more, the materials used are top grade for better performance and lifelong performance. On the flip side, some users had complained that they experienced a little distortion when they turned up to maximum volume. However, since the speakers are quite loud, this is easily solved by reducing the volume.
Also, note that grilles are not included with the purchase. However, this doesn’t dismiss the Alpine speaker from the list of great 5.25 inch options. As you can see, its specs and performance are impressive for its price.
Product Specification
- Power Handling
- Peak : 170 watts
- RMS : 55 watts
- Sensitivity: 87 dB
- Silk dome tweeter
- Rubber surround cone
- Frequency response: 80-22,000 Hz
- Top-mount depth: 2″
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Clear sound output
- Decent bass for a 5.25-inch speaker
- Easy install
Cons
- May experience distortion at loud volume
- Grilles not included
- Peak Power: 170W
- RMS Power: 55W
- Poly-micacone woofer
- Rubber surround
- 3/4" Silk dome tweeter
7. Pioneer TS-A1370F A Series 5.25
Pioneer has been in the business of giving audiophiles flawless audio experience without breaking the bank for years now.
They have hence honed their art of manufacturing car audio components regardless of their size. Similarly, the TS-A1370F A-Series speaker gives you a flawless listening experience even at low volumes, thanks to its wide frequency range.
It has a frequency rating of 40 Hz to 36, 000Hz. Paired with the 87dB sensitivity and great power handling ability, this speaker produces a crisp and clear sound. This speaker can handle up to 50 watts RMS with a peak power rating of 300 watts. Not forgetting its durable woofer design.
It is mica-reinforced and has an elastic polymer surround that will serve you for years. In addition, the Pioneer TS-A1370F has a top-mount depth of 2 – 1/16 inches. And, it also comes with grilles for easier installation.
Product Specification
- Power Handling
- Peak : 300 watts
- RMS : 50 watts
- Sensitivity: 87 dB
- Polyethylene Terephthalate dome tweeter
- Elastic polymer surround
- Frequency response: 40-36,000 Hz
- Top-mount depth: 2-1/16″
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Grilles included
- Impressive frequency rating
- Easy to install
- Solid speakers with clear crisp sound
Cons
- Could have been louder
- Power handling: peak: 300 watts/ RMS: 50 watts
- Carbon Mica reinforced IMPP woofer cone
- Frequency response: 40-36, 000 Hz/ sensitivity: 87dB
- Top-mount depth: 2"/ 4 ohms impedance
What Are the Pros Of 5.25 Car Speakers?
The pros of 5.25 speakers include the following:
- The 5.25 car speaker is an easy fix, and it’s one you can handle yourself.
- The 5.25 speaker is made to last and provides clarity, loudness, full-range sound, and other desired features.
- In addition, it performs at a high level even when working at high temperatures.
What Are the Cons Of 5.25 Car Speakers?
The cons of 5.25 speakers include the following:
- Sound quality, bass, and midrange output are about average.
- In addition, compared to more expensive alternatives, they are less durable.
- Costlier than comparable options
- Amplification is required for optimal performance.
- The speakers are not compatible with the high-powered ones.
- Upper frequencies tend to distort.
Best 5.25 Car Speakers: FAQ
How Much Does A 5.25 Car Speaker Cost?
A new set of 5.25-inch speakers can cost approximately $500. The price range is between $300 and $800. A 5.25 speaker of decent quality can be purchased for an average price of $500, while a 5.25 speaker with outstanding performance can cost an additional $1,000.
Are 5.25 Car Speakers Better Than Factory Speakers?
The 5.25 car speakers are better than factory speakers. It’s common for 5.25 speakers to sound better than the car’s factory speakers while decreasing distortion at high levels. So to improve the audio quality of your vehicle, you can replace the factory speakers with better 5.25-inch speakers.
What Is the Difference Between 5.25 And 6.5 Speakers?
The difference between the 5.25 and 6.5 speakers shows that the frequency output of 5.25 speakers is higher than that of 6.5-inch speakers, but its bass is not as strong. The 5.25-inch speakers’ cone is significantly smaller than the 6.5-inch speakers.
What Should I Consider Before Buying A 5.25 Car Speaker?
Before buying a 5.25 car speaker, you should consider power handling (peak and RMS), sensitivity (which determines loudness), impedance, frequency response, top-mount depth, warranty, ease of installation, weather resistance, build quality (cone, surround, woofer, voice coil), price range, and brand.
Do 5.25 Car Speakers Have Decent Bass Sound?
Yes, 5.25-inch car speakers sometimes have decent bass sound, although this depends on the speaker’s quality and model. We suggest you investigate the frequency range of the speakers you want to buy because doing so can provide valuable information about how the specific model handles low frequencies.
Are 5.25 Car Speakers Weather-Resistant?
Not all 5.25 car speakers are weather-resistant. However, the PYLE **PLMR51W** 5.25″ 100W 2 Way Waterproof Speakers are built to withstand the weather on a boat, dock, or poolside. The polypropylene cone provides precise sound reproduction, and the ABS plastic basket prevents distortion.
How Do I Clean My 5.25 Speaker?
Wet a soft towel with a pH-neutral detergent to wipe the panel, cabinet, and controls.
In Conclusion
You deserve to have an absolutely great time while on the road. And, good music from a great stereo is a crucial part of a great driving experience. However, your stock speakers will never be good enough. So, why not upgrade your stereo with one of these 5.25-inch speakers? All the speakers reviewed above are great speakers that will work well as door speakers. It’s just a matter of finding the best one for your vehicle and one that fits your style and price point!