6.5-Inch Coaxial Car Speakers Compared: On Receiver Power or With an Amp (Alpine, JL Audio, Kicker, Focal, Pioneer, Infinity, Hertz)
A 6.5-inch coaxial is the simplest door upgrade: the tweeter rides on the woofer, so it drops into the factory spot. Our listings run from budget pairs to Alpine's Status line. Several listings say they work on factory or aftermarket head unit power, such as the Pioneer TS-G1620F, Alpine DM-65-G and SXE-1726S, Hertz DCX 165.3 and Focal ICU 165. Others, like the Alpine R2-S65 and X-S65 and AudioControl PNW-65, are made for an amplifier. Mounting depth matters in thin doors, so the table shows it where the listing gives it.
Side by side
From our own listings. "Not listed" means the listing does not give that spec. Power is as each listing states it (rec. = recommended). Prices are the listed prices, or Call for price.
6.5-inch coaxial car speakers on our listings, plus a 6.75 and a 6-inch.
| Speaker | Size | Power | Sensitivity | Mounting depth | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer TS-G1620F | 6.5" | 40 W nominal | 89 dB | 1-5/8" | Listing: works on head unit power | $60 |
| Alpine EL-E65-G | 6.5" | 40 W RMS | 90 dB | Not listed | - | $69.95 |
| Kicker DS 43DSC6504 | 6.5" | 60 W RMS rec. | 90 dB | 1-11/16" | Zero-protrusion tweeter | $84.99 |
| Alpine DM-65-G | 6.5" | 50 W RMS | 92 dB | Not listed | Listing: works on head unit power | $89.95 |
| Pioneer TS-A653FH | 6.5" | 75 W nominal | 91 dB | Not listed | Listing: head unit or a small amp | $99.99 |
| Kicker CS 46CSC654 | 6.5" | 100 W RMS | 90 dB | Not listed | Zero-protrusion tweeter | $99.99 |
| Kicker CS 46CSC674 | 6.75" | 100 W RMS rec. | 90 dB | 1-13/16" | Zero-protrusion tweeter | $99.99 |
| JL Audio C1-650x | 6.5" | 50 W RMS | 90.5 dB | 2.07" | - | $129.99 |
| Hertz Dieci DCX 165.3 | 6.5" | 60 W continuous | 93 dB | 2.5" | Listing: works on head unit power | $129.99 |
| Kicker KS 51KSC6504 | 6.5" | 15-100 W RMS rec. | 90 dB | 1-13/16" | - | $129.99 |
| Alpine S2-S65 | 6.5" | 80 W RMS | 88 dB | Not listed | - | $149.95 |
| Focal ICU 165 | 6.5" | 70 W RMS | 93 dB | 1-29/32" | Head unit power; tweeter level switch; no grilles | $159.99 |
| Infinity Kappa 63XF | 6.5" | 85 W RMS | 93 dB | 2-1/8" | Head unit or 4-channel amp; 6.5 and 6.75 brackets | $249.95 |
| Focal Performance 165AC | 6.5" | 60 W RMS | Not listed | About 2.74" | Tilting, swiveling tweeter | $263.99 |
| AudioControl PNW-65 | 6.5" | 75 W RMS | Not listed | 2.36" | Listing: for amplified systems | $269 |
| JL Audio C2-650X | 6.5" | 60 W RMS | 91 dB | 2.44" | - | $279.99 |
| JL Audio C2-600x | 6" | 60 W RMS | 90.5 dB | 2.38" | 6" in-between size | $279.99 |
| Alpine BRV-S65 | 6.5" | 50 W RMS | 84 dB | 2-3/8" | For the Alpine OPTIM8 processor | $299.95 |
| Alpine R2-S65 | 6.5" | 100 W RMS | Not listed | Not listed | Listing: for amplified systems | $329.95 |
| Alpine Status HDZ-65 | 6.5" | 100 W RMS | 88 dB | Not listed | Status line; Hi-Res in a full Status system | $494.95 |
| Alpine SXE-1726S | 6.5" | 40 W RMS | 92 dB | Not listed | Listing: works on head unit power | Call for price |
| Focal Auditor RCX-165 | 6.5" | 60 W RMS | 91.5 dB | Not listed | Listing: works on head unit power | Call for price |
| Kicker KS 47KSC6504 | 6.5" | 100 W RMS | Not listed | 1-13/16" | Earlier KS generation; shop confirms | Call for price |
| Infinity Reference REF-6532ix | 6.5" | 60 W RMS | Not listed | About 2-1/16" | 3-ohm load | Call for price |
| Alpine X-S65 | 6.5" | 110 W RMS | 89 dB | 2-3/8" | Listing: for amplified systems | Call for price |
On receiver power or with an amp
Per their listings, the Pioneer TS-G1620F, Alpine DM-65-G and SXE-1726S, Hertz DCX 165.3, Focal Auditor RCX-165 and Focal ICU 165 are made to sound good on factory or aftermarket head unit power, the Pioneer TS-A653FH runs off a head unit or a small amp, and the Infinity Kappa 63XF on head unit power or a 4-channel amp. Higher sensitivity numbers in the table mean more volume from the same power.
The Alpine R2-S65 and X-S65 and the AudioControl PNW-65 are made for amplified systems, and the Alpine BRV-S65 is designed to pair with the Alpine OPTIM8 processor, per their listings. See our 4-channel amp comparison if you are adding power.
Shallow doors and odd sizes
Among the listings that give a mounting depth, the Pioneer TS-G1620F (1-5/8 inches), Kicker DS 43DSC6504 (1-11/16 inches), Kicker CS 46CSC674 and KS 51KSC6504 and 47KSC6504 (1-13/16 inches) and Focal ICU 165 (1-29/32 inches) are the shallowest. Several Kicker models list zero-protrusion tweeters to clear factory grilles.
Not every door is exactly 6.5: the Kicker CS 46CSC674 is a 6.75, the JL Audio C2-600x is for the 6-inch in-between size, and the Infinity Kappa 63XF includes brackets for 6.75 and 6.5-inch openings, per their listings. Shop by vehicle shows the door sizes we have verified for your car.
How to pick
Text (213) 674-9042 with your year, make and model and whether you have an amp, and Tony will tell you which of these fit your doors.
Everything is bought and installed at the shop at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate, and you can ask about our Payment Plan. Call (323) 944-7844 to confirm stock before you drive over.
In the shop
Gear from this post
JL Audio C1-650x 6.5-inch Coaxial Speakers
- 6.5 in coaxial
- 50 W RMS, 4 ohm
- 2.07 in mounting depth
$129.99
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Car audio: send the year, make, and model, and Tony gets back to you with what fits and a price. DJ gear: tell Joe the room or the party, like "backyard party, 150 people" or "starter DJ setup," and he will put a setup together.
More from the blog
6.5-Inch Component Speaker Sets Compared: 2-Way, 3-Way, Slim and Active from JL Audio, Alpine, Focal, Kicker, Hertz and Infinity
A component set splits the tweeter from the woofer so the highs can sit higher in the dash or pillar, which is why it usually sounds clearer than a coaxial. Our listings cover the whole range: entry sets like the Alpine EL-E65C-G and DM-65C-G that the listings say work on head unit power; 2-way sets for an amplified front stage from JL Audio, Kicker, Focal, Hertz, Infinity, Alpine and AudioControl; 3-way sets with a separate midrange; slim sets for shallow doors; and single woofers for active, DSP-run builds. The table gives the specs each listing states, and the sections below explain the differences.
Read it6x9 Car Speakers Compared: Coaxial, 3-Way and Component from JL Audio, Kicker, Alpine, Focal, Pioneer and JBL
On factory radio power, pick an efficient coaxial like the Infinity Kappa 693M (94 dB), Hertz CX 690 (93.5 dB), JBL Club 964M or Stage3 9637F (93 dB) or JL Audio C2-690TX (93 dB). With an amp, step up to a component set like the JL Audio C1-690, Alpine R2-S69C or Kicker CS 46CSS694, which put the tweeter up front. For select Ram, Toyota and GM trucks, the JL Audio CF-690-RTG is a custom-fit component system. Check your year in Shop by vehicle first: in our table, 6x9 front doors are verified for trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500.
Read it6x8, 5x7 and 4x6 Car Speakers Compared: For Fords, GM Trucks, Jeeps and More
Many Fords use oval 6x8 speakers, and many GM trucks and older Jeeps use 4x6. On our listings, 6x8 and 5x7 speakers often share an opening: the JL Audio C2-570X and Focal 570AC are listed for both sizes, the Alpine S2-S68 and Infinity Kappa 683XF are listed for 6x8 and many 5x7 spots, and the Pioneer TS-G6820S often fits 5x7 with the right adapter. Mounting depth matters in thin doors, so it is in the table. Our fit table has verified 6x8 in Ford F-150, Ranger, Mustang, Explorer, Escape, Focus and more, and 4x6 in GM truck rears and older Wrangler dashes.
Read itQuestions on 6.5-Inch Coaxial Car Speakers Compared: On Receiver Power or With an Amp (Alpine, JL Audio, Kicker, Focal, Pioneer, Infinity, Hertz)
Which 6.5-inch speakers work without an amp?
Per their listings, the Pioneer TS-G1620F, Alpine DM-65-G and SXE-1726S, Hertz DCX 165.3 and Focal RCX-165 and ICU 165 are made to sound good on head unit power. Higher sensitivity means more volume from the same power.
My doors are shallow. Which ones fit?
Among those that list a depth, the Pioneer TS-G1620F is 1-5/8 inches and the Kicker DS 43DSC6504 is 1-11/16 inches. Tony checks the depth for your doors before you buy.
Do you install these?
Yes. Tony installs them in our bay at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate. Call or text first to set up a time.