Car Tweeters Compared: JL Audio, Kicker, Alpine and JBL (Silk, Aluminum, Titanium and Cloth Domes)
A tweeter plays the highs: cymbals, voices and detail. Adding a pair, or replacing worn factory dash or pillar tweeters, is one of the simplest ways to make a system sound clearer. On our listings the domes are silk, aluminum, titanium, cloth or ceramic-coated aluminum, and sizes are 3/4 inch or 1 inch. Most are sold in pairs. The JL Audio C6-100ct and C7-100ct are sold one at a time for DSP-driven builds. Some come with in-line crossovers, which keep bass out of the tweeter, and some do not list one. The mounting depth decides whether a tweeter fits a shallow factory spot.
Side by side
From our own listings. "Not listed" means the listing does not give that spec. Prices are the listed prices.
Car tweeters on our listings, with the specs each listing gives.
| Tweeter | Size | Dome | Power | Response | Flush mount | Crossover | Sold as | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JL Audio C1-075CT | 0.75" | Aluminum | 50 W RMS | 4-24 kHz | 1.46" hole, 0.40" deep | Not listed | Pair | $74.99 |
| JL Audio C1-100CT | 1" | Aluminum | 60 W RMS | 3.6-22 kHz | 1.75" hole, 0.40" deep | Not listed | Pair | $84.99 |
| JL Audio C2-075CT | 0.75" | Silk | 60 W RMS | 4-22 kHz | 1.625" hole, 0.76" deep | Not listed | Pair | $159.99 |
| JL Audio C3-100CT | 1" | Silk | Not listed | 4-25 kHz | 1.875" hole, 0.71" deep | Inline | Pair | $189.99 |
| JL Audio C6-100ct | 1" | Silk | 75 W RMS | 3-21 kHz | 1.85" hole | For DSP / active, or with C6 woofers | Single | $159.99 |
| JL Audio C7-100ct | 1" | Ceramic-coated aluminum | 100 W RMS | 3-30 kHz | 1.88" hole, about 0.73" deep | Designed for DSP / active | Single | $299.99 |
| Kicker CS 46CST204 | 0.75" | Titanium | 50 W RMS | 4.5-21 kHz | 1-9/16" hole, 9/16" deep | In-line 6 dB at 4.5 kHz | Pair | $69.99 |
| Kicker KS 51KST2004 | 0.75" | Silk | 10-65 W RMS recommended | 4.5-21 kHz | 9/16" deep | In-line 12 dB at 4.5 kHz | Pair | $99.99 |
| Kicker KS 51KST2504 | 1" | Silk | 10-75 W RMS recommended | 3.5-21 kHz | 1-3/4" hole, about 1/2" deep | In-line 12 dB | Pair | $119.99 |
| JBL Club 194T | 0.75" | Silk (edge-driven) | 50 W RMS | 3-20 kHz | Flush or surface hardware | In-line, included | Pair | $79.95 |
| Alpine S2-S10TW | 1" | Cloth | 80 W RMS | 1-40 kHz | 2" cutout, 3/4" deep | Not listed | Pair | $109.95 |
Crossovers and power
A tweeter needs a crossover so low notes don't reach it. Per their listings, the Kicker CS 46CST204 comes with a 6 dB in-line crossover at 4,500 Hz, the KS 51KST2004 and 51KST2504 with 12 dB in-line crossovers, and the JBL Club 194T and JL Audio C3-100CT with in-line crossovers too. The JL Audio C6-100ct and C7-100ct are meant for active systems where a DSP sets the crossover.
Each listing gives its own power range. The JL Audio C6 and C7 are meant for an amplifier: JL recommends 25 to 100 watts for the C6 and 50 to 150 watts for the C7. See our 4-channel amp comparison if you are adding one.
Fitting a factory spot
Factory dash and pillar spots are often shallow. The JL Audio C1 tweeters list a 0.40-inch flush mount depth, and the Alpine S2-S10TW's swivel housing needs a 2-inch cutout and 3/4 inch of depth and can be removed for tight factory locations. Most of these also include surface-mount hardware, and the Kicker KS models add angled and surface-pod options, per their listings.
Shop by vehicle shows what we have verified for your car's dash and pillars. Spots marked Confirm fit at the shop get checked by Tony first.
How to pick
Text (213) 674-9042 with your year, make and model and whether you want to replace the factory tweeters or add new ones, and Tony will tell you which fit and whether you need an amp.
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
Alpine S2-S10TW S-Series 1-inch Component Tweeters
- 1-inch cloth dome
- 80W RMS / 240W peak
- 1kHz-40kHz
$109.95
JL Audio C7-100ct 1-inch Component Tweeter (Single)
- 100 W RMS
- Ceramic-coated aluminum dome
- 3-30 kHz
$299.99
Shop by vehicle
Find parts that fit your car
Pick your year, make and model to see the stereos, speakers and boxes that fit it, with prices. Pickup and install in South Gate.
Fastest way to a price
Text us what you drive or what you are building
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 Car Speakers Compared: Coaxial vs Component from JL Audio, Alpine, Kicker, Focal, Hertz and Pioneer
Pick a coaxial pair like the Pioneer TS-G1620F, Kicker DS 43DSC6504 or JL Audio C1-650X for a simple drop-in upgrade on a factory radio. Pick a high-sensitivity pair like the Focal ICU 165 or ISU 165 if you are keeping the factory radio and want more volume from it. Pick a component set like the JL Audio C2-650, Kicker KS 51KSS6504 or Alpine R2-S65C when you can mount the tweeters up high and plan to add an amplifier.
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 itVehicle-Specific Speakers and Sub Boxes for Trucks and Jeeps: Kicker L7T Boxes, Alpine PSS Systems and JL Audio Custom-Fit
Trucks and Jeeps have little room for a regular sub box, and their factory speaker spots are odd shapes. Vehicle-specific parts are built for those spots. On our listings, Kicker L7T boxes fit behind or under the seat in select Silverado, Sierra, F-150, Super Duty, Ram and Tacoma trucks, with one for the Wrangler tailgate. Alpine PSS systems replace every speaker in a 2015-and-newer F-150 Crew Cab, with a version for each factory audio package, and Alpine's Jeep kits are weather resistant for top-off driving. JL Audio Custom-Fit 6x9s and midtweeters fit factory spots in many Ram, Toyota and GM trucks. Cab, year and factory audio decide the fit, so Tony confirms your vehicle first.
Read itQuestions on Car Tweeters Compared: JL Audio, Kicker, Alpine and JBL (Silk, Aluminum, Titanium and Cloth Domes)
Do I need a crossover with a tweeter?
Yes, something has to keep the bass out. Several tweeters on our listings include in-line crossovers (the Kicker CS and KS models, the JBL Club 194T and the JL Audio C3-100CT). The JL Audio C6-100ct and C7-100ct are designed for systems where a DSP handles the crossover.
Can I replace my factory dash tweeters?
Often, yes. Several listings say they are made for adding highs or replacing dash and pillar tweeters. Mounting depth decides the fit: the JL Audio C1 tweeters list 0.40 inch, and the Alpine S2-S10TW needs a 2-inch cutout and 3/4 inch of depth.
Why are some tweeters sold one at a time?
The JL Audio C6-100ct and C7-100ct are sold singly for custom and active builds. Order two for a stereo pair.
Do you install tweeters?
Yes. Tony installs them in our bay at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate. Call or text first to set up a time.