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How many articles have you read about factory-installed speakers? None, right? And do you know why?

It’s because these kinds of speakers don’t give you that high-sound quality.

But do you know what does? The best 5.25 speakers and the best 5×7 speakers.

When it comes to replacing car speakers, what you’re doing is upgrading your car’s audio system. Factory-installed speakers are not only cheap but also easily replaceable. So there’s your silver lining!

All the options discussed in this section consist of high-quality features and design. There’s nothing that can go wrong with any of them. But the ultimate decision is in your hands.

Best 5.25 Speakers 2021

Now let’s get to the point right away. Below I’ve listed the six best and most reliable 5.25 speakers and the eight best 5×7 speakers of all time.

So take your pick depending on your personal taste, budget, and specific interests.

Polk Audio DB522 – Best for All Types of Conditions

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Outdoor environments consist of high temperature, heat, moisture, water, sun exposure, etc. And these are factors that you don’t need to worry about with the Polk Audio DB522 5.25-Inch 300-Watt 2-Way Speakers. That’s because the unique speakers are created to withstand all such challenges. (Component vs. coaxial car sound systems)

The woofers have a woven glass composite design. Such a durable quality absorbs maximum cone resonance to provide less distortion. It also contributes to delivering a more natural sound reproduction when it comes to mid-range.

The most appealing part of the speakers is the powerful nature of the neodymium magnets. They deliver accurate reproduction of high frequencies. The rotating tweeters offer better aiming to give you more enhanced audio imaging.

The last noteworthy feature worth discussing is the two-way inbuilt crossovers. They keep the low and high frequency ranges paired with their proper drivers. And this gives you a well-balanced audio output.

So it comes as a disappointment when you find out the Polk Audio DB522 5.25-Inch 300-Watt 2-Way Speakers rattle. But this only happens at higher bass notes.

The audio quality is sharp and clear with additional range.
They are marine grade speakers.

The Polk Audio speakers are prone to rattling during high bass sounds.

2. Kicker 41DSC54 – Best for Accurate Sound

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Don’t doubt the quality of sound with the Kicker 41DSC54 5.25” 2-Way Speaker. This is what I’ve gathered after examining the kind of speakers created by Kicker. This particular model sets the bar pretty high. And why shouldn’t it when the sound quality is unbeatable!

Now, let’s talk about the features. The high RMS and sensitivity rating of the speakers produce loud sounds even when installed in a low-powered head unit. So there’s no need to worry about blasting your tunes.

The best speakers are those that can recreate pronounced sounds. This means sending the high frequencies to tweeters and the lows and mids to woofers. And that’s what you get with the Kicker 41DSC54 5.25” 2-Way Speaker.

So what’s the problem with the thing? It’s the soggy bass and high treble that the speakers produce. But such a problem arises only if you’ve got an incorrect size.

The sound reproduction of the speakers is excellent.
They offer a perfect fit.

The bass and treble are not up to the mark.

3. Alpine Spr-50c – The Best 5.25 Component Car Speakers

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Let’s begin by stating that the Alpine Spr-50c 5.25-Inch 2 Way Component Car Speakers have a low mounting capacity. This means they can fit into all kinds of doors. While testing the unit, I realized that the mids and highs are as exceptional as the deep bass.

The sound quality of the speaker is crisp with loud tones. You will instantly fall in love with the overpowering tweeters of this thing. They have the ability to manage bass without giving rise to distortion.

For those who want to invest in a high-quality sound system, this might be an ideal choice. But you should also know that the speakers tend to buzz due to their mid-range.

The sound clarity is exceptional.
They offer ample bass.

Speakers are susceptible to buzzing on the mid-range.

4. Infinity Kappa 52.11i – The Best 5.25 Coaxial Speakers

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Since the Infinity Kappa 52.11I 5-1/4” 2-Way Car Speakers are adaptable, they offer a good fit for any kind of space. The coaxial design with the directional tweeters is perfect for sound imaging. This means that you can customize the audio well enough to create a wide soundscape.

The best part about the speakers is that when you pair them with great amps, they provide unbeatable depth and clarity. Also, they produce HD sound with a smooth, punchy feel.

You will be ecstatic to know that the Infinity Kappa 52.11i 5-1/4” 2-Way Car Speakers deliver excellent mid-range. This does a great job at enhancing the natural highs. So you get clear and deep bass along with well-rounded and dynamic audio experience.

The only gripe with the speakers is the poor quality of the woofer’s rubber surround component.

The sounds are clear and crisp.
The power handling capacity of the speakers is excellent.

Rubber surrounds are prone to splitting.

5. Rockford Fosgate R1525X2 Prime – The Best Affordable Speakers

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Just because these speakers are budget-friendly doesn’t mean they have a cheap quality. Especially not with a brand as reliable as Rockford Fosgate.

The Rockford Fosgate R1525X2 Prime 5.25-Inch Full Range Coaxial Speaker can handle 40 watts power with an 88 dB sensitivity rating. On top of that, it comes with stiff polypropylene cones, and solid rubber surrounds. These features take care of stability and deep bass. The silk dome tweeters do an excellent job at delivering crystal clear, smooth response for high frequencies.

Another one of its exceptional features includes high-pass integrated crossovers. These push the low frequencies towards the woofer while the tweeters receive the highs. Talk about hearing well-balanced sounds!

Every product has its flaws, right? So the drawback with the Rockford Fosgate R1525X2 Prime 5.25-Inch Full Range Coaxial Speaker is the installation. This process can be slightly complicated. And that’s because the molded, extended flanges don’t offer a good fit.

The Rockford Fosgate speakers are loud enough and deliver a full range.
The mid bass quality is through the roof.

Installing the speakers is not as easy task.

6. JBL CLUB5020 – The Bonus Pick

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JBL products boast top technology. And the JBL CLUB5020 5.25″ 240W Club Series 2-Way Coaxial Car Speaker is no different. The titanium and mylar material combination for the tweeters provide maximum power handling. It also goes a long way in reducing distortion and increasing efficiency.

You will also be glad to know that the UniPivot Pod of the tweeter is responsible for producing smooth highs. This pod enables a 350-degree tweeter rotation to offer optimal imaging.

The woofer cones of the speaker do an excellent job at producing high output. And the great part about the unit is that it is easy and quick to install. The only part that seems slightly odd is the sound distortion when the music is loud.

Rotating tweeters for better sound direction.
They produce crisp highs and clear bass.

Loud music is not distortion-free.
Bass sound is not good.

Best 5×7 Speakers 2021

Get the best 5×7 speakers for your car right off the bat with the help of this expert review. For most of you, finding the perfect 5×7 speakers is the ultimate test.

You are on a chase, hunting down the best of the competition so you can come out looking professional and a “know it all.”

But experts will tell you it’s not the correct way to look for products you’ll use for years. So why do you need 5×7 speakers? That’s an easy one. It’s because your car needs outstanding and unparalleled music.

If that’s not enough, let’s get a bit technical. 5×7 speakers last longer than factory speakers. They close the gap between style and power ratings, plus they’re a cheap replacement.

Are your car speakers the last thing you’d consider upgrading? If so, then you should read what I got in store for you. And if not, then we’ll get along fine! So without further ado, let’s look at some cutthroat options out there for you.

1. Rockford Fosgate Punch P1572 – Best All-round 5×7 Speakers

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The most powerful one on the market, the Rockford Fosgate Punch P1572 is a catch. It offers dedicated performance-driven features that don’t miss a beat. If you know audio quality like I do, you would know that Rockford Fosgate is a favorite audio brand.

It boasts long-lasting durability and efficiency. And that’s what these 5×7 speakers have to offer to you. It features a custom fit basket design.

The PEI dome tweeter and OEM adapter plates are very durable. Having said that, this would make an excellent high-end replacement for traditional speakers.

I also loved the responsive cone design with butyl rubber surround sound. These features, when combined, offer great sound and bass quality.

Tuning into high volumes with this speaker around is simple. But the problem with it lies in assembly. It lacks proper grilles required for installation. But if you’re lucky enough, you might find factory-grade grilles suitable.

It offers fuller sound quality and excellent bass.
The dome tweeters and polypropylene cone can withstand consistent use.

They lack mounting grilles.

2. Infinity REF8622CFX – Most Power-efficient Speakers

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Are you tired of listening to old tunes in your brand new car? Is it because of the factory-grade speakers you’ve got installed? I recommend the Infinity REF8622CFX to anyone looking for an effective upgrade. It’s because you want to listen to tunes at a louder and crisper volume

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t pick these 5×7 speakers. So let’s go with the reasons why you should.

Let’s start from the smart woofer design. It offers greater sound space, such as deep lows, smooth highs, and clear vocals. If you’re worried about its power handling ratings, it features adjustable, textile dome tweeters to work. These dome tweeters offer clean mids and a punchy bass.

These speakers have the same kind of specifications as other higher-grade ones. But the only difference is that these are less expensive to own.

The only minor inconvenience is in the low-frequency sound range. The low frequencies are often difficult to hear compared to other models I’ve tested.

They pull minimum power from the car stereo to play higher tunes.
Installation doesn’t require special mounting hardware.

The very low frequencies have no sound at all.

3. Polk Audio DB571 – Great Sounding Speaker

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The Polk Audio DB571 does what it’s supposed to. And that is to provide excellent sound quality and durability. It’s one of the best 5×7 speakers I’ve tested, providing dynamic balance cone design. It even offers rubber surround sound and composite-mineral-filled cone quality for long-lasting performance.

When old factory speakers seem to be sucking all the enthused energy from your music, it’s time to upgrade. The Polk Audio boasts of excellent sound reproduction and response. Thanks to the polymer mica composite and great tweeters.

Speaking of tweeters, it makes complete use of strong neodymium magnets. These magnets generate more potent sounds without the vibration.

Yes, it does offer glass-rattling sounds, but that’s a good thing! Other important features include two-way crossovers and Multi-hole mounting patterns. (Speaker specifications)

Be that as it may, these speakers demand a few days break-in period. They sound much better after a few days of consistent use.

Easy assembly and maintenance.
The speakers are marine certified for safety and durability.

They require a break-in period.

4. Alpine SPS-517 – The Most Reliable Upgrade

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The Alpine SPS-517 offers great value when you need it the most. If you’re looking for the best affordable speakers to use for a long time, you’re in the right place. It offers a decent volume level.

With excellent sound reproduction and audio range, there’s nothing more you’d want. It enhances performance, providing you plenty of space to adjust tunes to your liking.

That said, the durable cones are made of lightweight polypropylene material. If you don’t already know, polypropylene material is super resilient and efficient.

The way these 5×7 speakers work is impressive. They combine silk dome tweeters and rubber surround for excellent frequencies. Without any vibration or distortion, you get superior cone movement. Not to mention, clear vocals and smooth highs, mids, and lows.

One minor error is the lack of grilles for installation. This may be an inconvenience for those without old factory grilles.

These speakers offer incredible bass quality.
They reduce distortion and vibration due to the lightweight cone construction.

They lack grilles.
These speakers produce minor distortion at higher volume levels.

5. JBL GTO8629 Premium – Great for Detailed Sound Quality

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James B. Lansing is the founding father of JBL. This company was established in 1946 and specialized in manufacturing loudspeakers and audio related electronics. Later in 1969, Jervis Corporation, presently known as Harman International, acquired the company and further pushed the company’s success to new heights.

Today, aside from manufacturing loudspeakers, they also manufacture small audio electronics and automobile speakers.

Product Features

JBL’s GTO8629 is an easy to install the full-range speaker. The oval-shaped cone enhances the bass response and is able to produce a lower frequency that round speakers would not be able to reach. This speaker measures 5 by 7 inches. The round tweeters are mounted at the center of the speakers that sings the higher frequency spectrum of your audio tracks.

You would be surprised by this speaker’s loud output compared to its power rating. This speaker uses JBL’s patented Plus One woofer-cone tech that increases the overall speaker output without extra power consumption. To make sure that the cones would evenly flex and lasts a lifetime, JBL infused the cones with composite carbon material.

This speaker has a peak power rating of 360watts per set and can safely operate for hours at 120watts. The sound quality is superb, and the bass response can go as low as 49Hz.

This oblong speaker has more cone surface area that translates to a larger vibrating area that projects low frequency
It has a peak power rating of 360watts
The speaker cone is made with the extra durable composite carbon material
Superb sound quality that covers 49-21,000Hz
This speaker uses JBL’s patented Plus One woofer-cone

For older model vehicles, you may need to carve more space on your door to accommodate this speaker
It doesn’t come with a harness, and you would need to buy them separately

6. New Kenwood KFC-C5795PS – Most Primary and Efficient Speakers

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Another excellent performer is the Kenwood KFC-C5795PS. It offers distortion-free, crisp, and loud sound quality. If you’re looking for a simple, but durable fit for your sound system, this is a real contender. For the price you pay, it’s of great value to buy and last for a long time.

It features a multi-driver profile that offers excellent sensitivity and frequency ranges. This means crystal clear highs and smooth lows.

If clear vocals are what you’re after, nothing beats down the features of these 5×7 speakers. Having said that, they also handle the cone tweeter quality well. In addition to this, the rubber surround and super tweeter keep everything in balance.

The Kenwood offers plenty of basses, as and when needed. It has a nice pick-up with articulate sound ranges. Something most audio enthusiasts need in cars.

Be that as it may, one thing this speaker lacks is strong tweeter quality. It may sound a bit too harsh during high-pitched tunes. But it’s not a deal-breaker.

It offers a terrific sound range with clear vocals.
Straightforward and efficient to assemble.

Tweeter quality is poor.

7. JL Audio C2-570X – Best for Unparalleled Audio Performance

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The JL Audio C2-570X is for you is you demand smooth highs. The kind of precision and control these speakers have you won’t find anywhere else. They feature durable polypropylene cones with silk dome tweeters.

Plus, a built-in crossover that works in the most efficient manner possible. It serves detailed vocals with better control over the lows, mids, and highs. But it’s the highs that these 5×7 speakers are an expert at.

Sound reproduction is also on-point. You wouldn’t have to pay a professional to get these installed either. The speakers offer simple yet accurate features to look forward to. So you’re in the mood of some musical drives? These speakers will suit your aesthetic the best.

Be that as it may, these speakers do lack a full range of control. So it might take some while before you adjust the settings to your preference.

They offer excellent sound reproduction and response.
Incredible bass and high-frequency quality.

They lack proper sound control features.

8. Pioneer TS-A1375R – The Best High-quality Speakers

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Pioneer is regarded as the most respectable and prestigious brand when it comes to car audio systems. The company manufactures all kinds of speakers to fit any style or budget. And the Pioneer TS-A1375R 3-Way 5.75-Inch Speaker is one of them.

These speakers have multilayered cone woofers with a mica matrix construction. Do you know what this means? It means maximum sensitivity and rigidity even when the volume is high. Such a quality keeps the distortion low to make the bass sound clean and punchy.

Another great benefit of the speakers’ cone design is that it enables the much-needed sound reproduction along with responsiveness. You will love how each woofer pairs up with a tweeter and mid-range speaker to provide audio clarity.

With a power handling of 50 watts and an 89 dB sensitivity rating, these speakers sound much better than factory-installed versions. The only problem that you might come across is the lack of pronounced bass quality.

The Pioneer speakers are easy and quick to install.
The highs are incredibly clear and clean.

Bass quality is low.

Best 5.25 Speakers Buyer’s Guide

Nobody likes factory-installed car speakers, right? Everyone wants to build their own sound system. So to achieve that, you need to have basic knowledge about car speakers and their various sizes. These include 6×8, 6×9, 5×7, 6.5, and 5.25 speakers. They are considered to be the most popular models in the industry.

And I don’t need to go about explaining how one is different from the other. Because that’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? But you know what; I’ll explain it either way.

What You Should Know about the Size of Car Speakers

The size of a speaker depends on its woofer. And in this case, the bigger the woofer, the better the sound quality and experience. That’s because large-sized speakers have bigger woofers that perform exceptionally well under low-frequency reproduction. And this, in turn, delivers an amazing sound quality.

​But don’t think that small-sized speakers don’t offer good sound quality and high performance.

The only way you’ll understand the point I’m trying to make here is by reading the next section. It discusses the many factors that you need to take into consideration during the buying process.

These factors are nothing but features that contribute to the better sound quality, despite the size of the speaker.

Important factors to take into account when buying 5.25 speakers

Buying the best 5.25 speakers is not an easy task. And that’s because there are many brands manufacturing the same thing but with a different set of features.

What does all this mean? It means confusion, right? And nobody likes to be confused during the selection process. You want to make sure that you buy the best pick on the market, one that is both highly functional and durable.

That’s where I come into the picture. Below I’ve listed the most important factors of the 5.25 car speakers. So read through them to understand how speakers work and what you need them to do the most.

1. Types of speakers

There are two types of speakers; 3-way and 2-way speakers. The latter includes a tweeter and woofer. And the former also comes with a mid-range speaker.

All these separate pieces provide different levels of frequencies. 2-way speakers offer high and low frequencies while the 3-way versions also deliver mid-range frequency.

What you should also know about 3-way speakers is that they have a small driver. This particular component is responsible for producing sounds of various instruments that fall under its frequency range.

2. Frequency of speakers

Should you opt for the 2-way or 3-way speakers? To be able to decide this, you need to know all about the frequency range. A larger frequency range produces better highs and lows. This gives you a fuller and more accurate sound quality.

On the other hand, smaller frequency ranges focus on higher and lower frequencies. Thus producing flat sounds. And that is the reason why many people select a larger frequency range.

3. Sensitivity of speakers

Sensitivity refers to the speakers’ capacity to translate amplifier power into sound. This means that you should buy a model that comes with a low level of sensitivity if your vehicle supports high-powered stereos. And high sensitivity is more suitable for low-powered audio systems.

4. Power handling of speakers

The 5.25 speakers are those that withstand the power that the amplifier produces. This particular capacity of the speakers is measured in watts. And there are two types of power handling ratings; RMS (root mean square value) and Peak.

5. Material of speakers

The material of the speaker cone is an important factor when buying any kind or size of speakers. It’s because this particular feature contributes to improving sound quality along with reducing distortion.

The best cone materials are polypropylene, fiber polymer, mica, clay, and synthetic, metal-coated fabrics. Other secondary options include glass, paper, foam, and textile. These may not be as high-performing as the ones listed before them, but they are considered to be average and satisfactory in all aspects.

Best 5×7 Speakers Buyer’s Guide

Since people began opting for 5×7 speakers often, brands have improved many features. This is to close the gap between what was missing in such compact speakers and what they can do. That’s why you have to understand better what goes behind the genius of 5×7 speakers.

Go through the most significant details and find your “have-it-all” kind of deal.

The absolute component speakers

The good news is that you have two types of speaker systems to choose from. And the great news is that you’ve picked the right kind to buy! 5×7 speakers are the best component speakers to buy, and I’m sure that by now you know it already.

But what makes them so different than full-range systems? Let’s find out.

Full-Range Sound System

This system contains everything you need for sound. But the drawback to a system such as this is that they’re not as flexible as component speakers. This means you won’t be able to change certain features such as amp, sound output, etc.

But the positives of this system are that they’re more affordable and easier to install.

Component Speaker System

This system features genuine and superlative sound quality. Since speakers consist of features such as tweeters and woofers, they are customizable. Unlike full-range sound systems which offer only a fixed range of tunes. With component speakers, you configure better sounds and sound waves.

Only drawback or minor inconvenience is that they’re higher priced than its competitor.

Basics of 5×7 speakers

Build quality

You need not revamp your entire car sound system, but you can always take the first step. Now consider the build quality of your 5×7 speakers as crucial as that first step. You don’t need poor quality speakers that’ll only reduce in performance as the days go by. Such speakers not only test your patience, but they worsen the car’s complete sound system.

That said, heavy-duty components influence sound quality. The money you pay for a high-quality build will last much longer while maintaining sound quality.

Speaker sensitivity

Do you know how much power your speakers demand to produce louder volumes?

That’s your sensitivity ratings. 5×7 speakers put out incredible amounts of bass and sound to put up with higher volume levels. Speakers with high sensitivity need less power to crank up high volumes. And speakers that demand more power for the same volume level have a little sensitivity.

Power handling

A lot of features come into play when you’re working with 5×7 speakers. The speaker’s sensitivity determines how much power it has to make the most of the system. Power handling decides how to use the power the speaker is able to churn out. To put into simple words, it spells out the features to handle that amount of power produced.

Each new speaker as a unique power handling feature you can consider. But if you’re stuck with factory-grade, then the power handling is almost always fixed. That said, the powerful the speakers measured in watts, the better the peak handling. This eliminates distortion and delivers hard-hitting and even tones.

Speaker configuration

Are you replacing car factory speakers? Or are you installing your first car audio system from scratch? Determining the correct speaker size and configuration beforehand makes all the difference.

If you do that, then all you have to do is unscrew the existing speakers and install these in an hour so. That is after you measure them. Most times, replacing factory speakers with new ones is as simple as replacing a TV on a wall.

Wrapping It Up

My Choice:

#1 The best 5.25 speakers: Polk Audio DB521

We all know that factory stereos are not reliable in terms of performance, longevity, and quality. So it’s important to find the best 5.25 speakers that rank the highest in all these aspects. And one such model is the Polk Audio DB521 5.25-Inch Coaxial Speakers.

These 5.25 speakers have a mica/polymer composite construction. The cone of the woofer is light in weight to provide you with loud sound as well as little distortion. The tweeter of the thing comes with solid neodymium magnets to offer clear, detailed highs.

As far as installation is concerned, the manufacturer has added a multi-hole pattern for mounting. The shallow depth also contributes to easy installation. You will be glad to know that these are considered to be the best 5.25 marine speakers as well.

Now it’s time to end it here by presenting the most impressive aspect about the Polk Audio DB521 5.25-Inch Coaxial Speakers. They have well-balanced, dynamic cones and strong rubber surrounds. The latter offers resistance against sunlight, extreme temperature, or any other damage.

#1 The best 5×7 speakers: Rockford Fosgate Punch P1572

No matter what you buy, these speakers offer incredible sound quality and control. Their fundamental features help upgrade factors such as sensitivity rating, peak ratings, etc.

This helps set a good mood for sound enthusiasts to get a better sound range. The more capable your 5×7 speakers are, the better it for reproducing crisp and clear tunes.

So if you want to know what to get, here’s the Rockford Fosgate Punch P1572. It’s high-powered, offers incredible sound and design quality, and is a great investment.

What you don’t need is distorting sounds and lags while driving. And 5×7 speakers can save you from all such problems, without costing too much!

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