Cars and music have went hand in hand since the first vehicles rode off the first assembly lines, since than we have been on a constant quest to get the best sound for the best cost. With so many manufacturers, makes and models it becomes a daunting task for one who is not up to date on all the latest gadgetry, so I am here to provide you some advice on car speakers. Speakers come in various sizes and shapes, wattage, and impedance levels, but really to achieve a good balance of quality and value we have to look at the speaker makers. Each manufacturer is going to be a major factor in determining your spending, since each usually carries a specific price tag range. Higher end names like JBL, Kicker, and Clarion, are much higher in price than several other makes and are commonly chosen by stereo enthusiasts that are less concerned with paying top dollar for their sound systems. They all deliver when it comes to superior sound, but if it is value you are looking for continue reading. Since there are an abundant range of sizes and types to choose from, I will try to just stick to the manufacturers rather than detail every model and type available, however if you want at the end you will find my recommendation for a good speaker system. Another thing to remember when making these decisions is what your system can actually put out, meaning whether you have a straight deck or an amplifier. There is no sense in buying a set of 200watt speakers when your system only can deliver 45watts per channel, so refer to your deck or amplifiers specifications when making your choices. Quality: 1.) Alpine is a name that is known world wide for delivering a solid clarity in almost all their speakers and components, however with a name like Alpine you will most likely be paying a bit more than other brands. Personally if you are more concerned with quality and not with the price tag, than Alpine might be the right choice for you. 2.) JVC is a major contender in the car audio segment delivering both quality and value to their consumers. The JVC brand speaker has an excellent reputation for being able to handle a heavy load, while still giving you the crystal clarity you deserve. I myself have been an advocate of this brand, with over eighty percent of my own system running on JVC equipment. 3.) Pioneer electronics have been a long term player in the car audio industry. They still have a firm hold in the car stereo category, but still have a reasonable price tag. I especially like Pioneer for a system that is chosen for acoustics, due to their excellent high end sound quality. Most bass fans should consider another manufacture if they are looking for optimum punch in their speaker choice. 4.) Sony is another name that has been in the stereo business for several years developing an excellent class of audio equipment for your home or vehicle. The Sony speaker is durable, and has the ability to handle both high and low end bass frequencies, while still delivering a warm soft tone. 5.) Insignia is much smaller electronic manufacturer based out of the USA, but can be considered a very affordable choice when choosing speakers. They have only a few different lines to choose from, but have been given some fair reviews from many of the car audio magazines. Since not everyone chooses sound based solely on quality alone, we have to also examine who offers the best pricing. I have excluded a few bargain brands you might find on the shelves of most department store shelves, due to poor reviews, and my own recommendations. Price: 1.) Insignia is again a good quality sounding speaker but when it comes to price you can say this company has the competition beat hands down. Sure your not going to get a Insignia based system to sound quite as good as you might a system built with Alpine or Pioneer, but with a discount difference almost fifty percent lower than other brand names you will be hard pressed to find a lower costing speaker. 2.) Pioneer is my second choice in overall price since their 6×9 and 6.5 inch speakers are usually considerably cheaper than several other high end names. They still deliver the top quality sound you expect from your system, but they won’t hurt your pocket book as well. 3.) JVC is really the best speaker for overall value without sacrificing quality. They provide a variable sound quality that matches many different preferences, while still not forcing you to have to consider financing your system. With several different lines to choose from JVC can be a very important contender when it comes to the price category. 4.) Sony is still a bit overpriced for the quality they deliver, but if you want a system that lasts Sony is at the top of the list. They have both their higher end more expensive models, and a good assortment of lower end models that still deliver a pretty decent sound. 5.) Alpine once again might be a bit more expensive than other name brands, but with over a couple of hundred awards to back them up, you can’t argue against their impermeable track record. Once again a sound system is a personal thing, whether you thrive on quality sound, or settle for anything that plays, a speaker is pretty much the second most important component in your system. Below you will find an approximate price and specific models of my current sound system of choice. My system consists of six speakers in total so I will begin with my rear and front door speakers. The JVC CS HX6846 can handle up to 260 watts, and have a high efficiency heat-resistant voice coil woofer, and an aluminum high response cone. The sound is crisp, and it handles well when you crank it up nice and loud, and all for under $70 US a pair. My other rear door speakers are 6.5 inch in size and I chose the JVC CS-HX636 to handle my deeper bass end of my system. Again, it is not vital to use the same manufacturer in your entire system but I really like the JVC sound overall. A pair of these speakers will only run you about $30-$45 US. Either way shop around find that deal, checkout clearance items for an extra savings, and don’t sacrifice quality for a cheap set of speakers because in the end it will just sound cheap! 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