6.5's vs 6x9's?

[superquest 10+ year member]

If your vehicle takes 6x9's would you stick with them or go with a plate and install 6.5's?

I went with the plate and a 2 way coaxial 6.5 hope I made the right decision.

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[dhall615 10+ year member]

it depends on what you are looking for IMO. If i had to pick between a 6.5 or 6x9 I would have to think about the rest of my speakers... With a coaxial 6.5 in the front i would get a good component set of 6.5 with a plate in the rear. I would then have better mids.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

If I had 6x9 up front, id go component 6x9, unless I could find a better 6.5 component setup

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Unless it's 4x6s* I never advise people to downsize to round speakers. You lose midbass response by dropping down to a smaller cone. If you're spending the money to get a 6.5" that moves a lot of air you're into 6x9 component territory. That myth about 6x9s being crap for sound quality needs to die. There are good 6x9s out there but you have to spend a bit more to get them.

*an exception is if there's no easy way to cut out to fit 5.25s, then there are good 4x6 plate components to choose.

 

[macsdad 10+ year member]

I have 6x9's in all four doors, will stick with them. Sound ordinance 2ways in front and polk 3ways in the rear.

 

[zako 10+ year member]

The problem is that there is a dearth of high end components. However, I would stick with the 6x9s. There are a few interesting possibilities. For example, Image Dynamics XS-69 comps or Hybrid Audio Imagine. I would have preferred the former, specially if not running active.

 

[boltdbz 10+ year member]

If you have subs, 6x9s are pretty much pointless. 6.5s are fine for that, if not, 6x9s are def the way to go

 

[zako 10+ year member]

I'd disagree with that. Midbass is a sort of a grey area where both subwoofers and normal speakers will struggle. A lot of subwoofers will struggle in mid-bass region as some will sound sloppy or not so strong above 80Hz. 6.5 woofers can suffer from this issue too. Now enter a 6x9.. a woofer with a cone area of an 8 inch round speaker. From my perspective on SQ, my bass always sounds better, smoother if you have the ability to crossover the subwoofer a bit lower. I prefer no higher than 60Hz, but this may require cooperation from the front speakers.

 

[boltdbz 10+ year member]

I'd disagree with that. Midbass is a sort of a grey area where both subwoofers and normal speakers will struggle. A lot of subwoofers will struggle in mid-bass region as some will sound sloppy or not so strong above 80Hz. 6.5 woofers can suffer from this issue too. Now enter a 6x9.. a woofer with a cone area of an 8 inch round speaker. From my perspective on SQ, my bass always sounds better, smoother if you have the ability to crossover the subwoofer a bit lower. I prefer no higher than 60Hz, but this may require cooperation from the front speakers.

It's doesn't hold true in all cases but I've found if you get some good 12s they'll handle all the midbass you want. imo

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

If your vehicle takes 6x9's would you stick with them or go with a plate and install 6.5's?
I went with the plate and a 2 way coaxial 6.5 hope I made the right decision.

Kinda too late to ask the question then, isn't it?