Picking the perfect speaker for your ride can completely transform your jamming sessions. A nice speaker system will bump up your tunes to another level, but a poor one will make your music sound boring. There are two main types of speakers to check out: coaxial and component speakers.
In this blog post, we’ll give you the lowdown on these two types and figure out which set of speakers is right for you in the battle between coaxial vs component speakers!.
What Is a Coaxial Speaker?
A coaxial speaker is a fancy speaker that puts together lots of little speakers (usually a big woofer and a tiny tweeter) in one unit. The big woofer makes the low sounds and the tiny tweeter makes the high sounds.
People call these speakers “full-range” because they can make all kinds of sounds.
Construction and Design Features of Coaxial Speakers
Coaxial speakers usually look like a cone that is the woofer and on top of it, there is a teensy dome that is the tweeter. The cone woofer can be made of plastic, paper, or really strong material like kevlar, and it makes the low sounds.
The tiny dome tweeter, on the other hand, is usually made of fancy silky fabric, polyester, or even metal, and it makes the high sounds.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Coaxial Speakers
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of Coaxial speakers
Advantages:
- Pocket-friendly pick for car owners
- A breeze to install since they’re a single-unit setup
Disadvantages:
- The sound quality of coaxial speakers may be subpar compared to component speakers
- Lack of clarity and detail in sound
What Is a Component Speaker?
A component speaker is a type of speaker that splits up the drivers into different units. This means that there are separate tweeters and subwoofers.
So the bass and the high notes have their own parts, creating even better tunes and more ways to personalize the sound.
Construction and Design Features of Component Speakers
With component speakers, you get three main pieces in the kit. There’s the woofer, which makes those sick low-frequency sounds. Then there’s the tweeter, which handles the high-pitched action.
Lastly, there’s the crossover, which sorts out the frequencies and sends them to the right driver. This way, each driver only has to focus on what it does best.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Component Speakers
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of component speakers:
Advantages:
- Sound fantastic
- They can pump out crystal-clear audio that’s super rich in detail
Disadvantages:
- Pricey
- Hard to set-up
What Is the Difference Between a Coaxial and a Component Speaker?
The big difference between coaxial and component speakers is how they set up the drivers. Coaxial speakers have all their drivers (usually a woofer and tweeter) lined up on the same axis. The tweeter, positioned in the center of the woofer, produces a wide range of sounds since it is a “full-range” speaker.
However, component speakers consist of a separate woofer and tweeter. The woofer is usually installed in the door or the kick panel, while the tweeter is placed on the dashboard or in the A-pillar separately.
This unique design allows for customization and better sound quality. This design is known as a “separate” speaker because it lets you fine-tune the sound quality and customize it more.
Component speakers are the bomb because they make your music sound way clearer and detailed compared to coaxial speakers. This is because they keep the woofer and tweeter separate, which cancels out any bad distortion and interference, giving you primo sound quality. Plus, these speakers can give you a way wider soundstage, so your music will feel like it’s wrapping you completely.
Another thing that’s super cool about component speakers is that they’re totally customizable. Since each driver has its own spot, you can move them around to get the ultimate sound quality for your car’s interior. You can also choose from various sizes and styles for both the woofer and tweeter, so you can create a totally unique sound system that ticks all your boxes.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with component speakers. The biggest bummer is that they’re pretty expensive compared to coaxial speakers. Since they require extra installation time and lots of expertise, they’re going to hit your wallet pretty hard.
One downside of component speakers is that hooking them up can be a real pain, especially if you’re not a car audio whiz. Setting up fancy speakers usually means running separate wires for each speaker, which takes a lot of time and can be confusing.
But regular coaxial speakers are a whole different story. They’re way simpler to install and won’t break the bank like fancy speakers will. Since all the speakers are mounted on one axis, they need less wiring and are generally simpler to set up. Moreover, they are also cheaper options compared to component speakers.
Coaxial vs Component Speaker: Which One Should You Choose?
Deciding between coaxial and component speakers is tough, especially if you’re new to the car sound game. Each speaker has its pros and cons, so it’s crucial to think about what you personally want before committing.
- Sound Quality: The main factor to keep in mind is sound quality. If sick beats and crystal-clear audio are your jam, component speakers are the way to go. They can create broad soundstages and decrease distortion and noise, which ultimately leads to better sound quality overall.
While coaxial speakers can still sound cool, they may not deliver the same level of detail as their component counterparts. - Customization: If you’re all about having a personalized experience, then component speakers are the way to go. With component speakers, you can move around each speaker to get the best sound for your car. This means that you can create a sound system that’s tailored exactly to your style.
On the flip side, coaxial speakers have all of the speakers in one place which limits your options for customization. - Installation: Installing these speakers is also a big factor to consider. If you don’t know much about car audio, it might be easier to go with coaxial speakers.
These speakers require less work and aren’t as complicated as component speakers. With component speakers, it’s necessary to wire each driver separately, which can be more challenging if you’re not a pro. - Price: The component speakers are usually pricier than the coaxial ones since they come with their own drivers and need more skill and time to set up. If you’re being frugal or not keen on dropping a lot of cash on your ride’s sound system, coaxial speakers might be the smarter option.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Coaxial and Component Speakers
Here are some factors that you must look at before you make a decision on whether you want to go with component speakers or coaxial speakers:
Sound Quality
When it comes to the crunch, sound quality is crucial when deciding between coaxial and component speakers. Coaxial speakers are generally considered the more basic option and usually produce a solid sound quality that is decent enough for most listeners.
But if you’re a major-league audiophile or you simply want the absolute best sound quality, component speakers are probably the best option. Component speakers are decked out with separate drivers for each frequency range, which allows for more precise and accurate sound reproduction.
Price
If you’re trying to pick between coaxial or component speakers, price is a big deal. Coaxial speakers will usually cost less and be a better fit for those on a tight budget. But remember that the cost of either type can change depending on who made it, how good it is, and other things.
Installation
Coaxial speakers will be way easier to install because they’re made to fit into standard speaker holes in your car. Component speakers will take some extra work because they have separate tweeters and crossovers that need to be put in certain places. If you’re into fixing things yourself or you’re okay with getting a pro to do it, component speakers might be a better choice.
Compatibility
When deciding between coaxial and component speakers, you must take into account how well they’ll work with your sound system. Coaxial speakers tend to jive with more factory or aftermarket head units, so they’re more versatile. But component speakers might need extra gear to function at their highest potential. If you’re not trying to mess with your factory head unit or add any extra stuff to your setup, coaxial speakers are probably the smarter play.
Purpose
Think about why you want to upgrade your car’s sound system before making a final decision. If you just want a better-than-stock sound and you’re not an audio snob, coaxial speakers should do the trick. If you’re a hardcore music head who demands top-notch sound quality, go with component speakers.
Do Component Speakers Sound Better?
Yes, component speakers sound way better than coaxial speakers. This is because component speakers are made to blast out crystal-clear and super-detailed audio that beats out coaxial speakers. The best thing about component speakers is that the woofer and tweeter are on different mounts so less distortion and weird stuff are messing with your sound.
Still, it’s not just about the speakers you pick. The quality of your amp and wiring, how your car’s insides are set up, and what you’re playing your audio on (like a CD or streaming app) all affect how sweet your listening session will be.
Final Words
Picking out the right speakers for your car’s sound system can totally change the way you vibe. Coaxial speakers are a cheaper and simpler option to put in, but if you want to bump to some next-level audio quality and have more options to flex your style, go for the components.
Don’t forget to take into account your wallet, taste in music, and ride when deciding between coaxial or components. It all comes down to what you personally want and need for the ultimate sound experience in your ride.
