Our avid audiophile staff picked through an extensive list of the 5.25 speakers to find the cream of the crop. To further fuel the fires of the eternal debate and, more importantly, help you to get the best sounding car speakers for your money, we present to you our reviews of the best 5.25 car speakers, components, and coaxial.
Recommended 5.25″ Car Speakers
| Image | 5.25 Car Speakers | Power/Per Speaker | Frequency Response | Sensitivity | Top Mount Depth |
 | Our Pick Check Price | RMS: 50 W Peak: 100 W | 65 - 21k Hz | 90 dB | 2-1/4 |
 | Runner Up Check Price | RMS: 70 W Peak: 140 W | 55 - 20k Hz | 89.5 dB | 2-1/16” |
 | Bang For The Buck Check Price | RMS: 45 W Peak: 135 W | 67 - 21k Hz | 92 dB | 1 15/16" |
 | Our Pick Component Check Price | RMS: 50 W Peak: 100 W | 65 - 21k Hz | 90 dB | 2 1/4" |
 | Runner Up Component Check Price | RMS: 100 W Peak: 300 W | 32 - 96k Hz | 85 dB | 2 5/8" |
5.25″ Coaxial Speakers
Focal RCX-130 Auditor
Power/Per Speaker: 100W peak, 50W RMS
Frequency Response: 65 – 21k Hz
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Top Mount Depth: 2-1/4”
Self-sufficient components are not the easiest to find. Most speakers often need a sort of bolster in order to tap into their full potential. But that’s hardly the case with the Focal RCX-130 5.25 car speakers. They sound remarkable on their own. Their crystalline, powerful and well-decorated output is why this lot sits on our number one throne.
A good sound system takes a whole village to run; but not if you’re using the RCX-130. To say the least, this package can tear your cabin’s roof off with no help at all. Their reproduction capacity is like no other; an incredible mid-range sound that captures every last detail in a tune. Running on a maximum power rating of 50 watts RMS (100 watts peak), it’s easy to see why.
4 Ohms impedance is the reason behind these speakers’ steady creation even at very high volumes. If you push these babies to the extreme, they might just push through.
Their physique might just be the reason behind their mind-boggling potential. A polypropylene woofer cone sits at each speaker’s core. It is then graced with a butyl rubber surround. A little rattle from the cone vibrates through the surround to create delicate yet heady simulations. Ultimately, you get to experience sound in its most real form.
The speakers come with a rigid steel fiberglass basket that keeps inner elements secure. The aluminum inverted 3/4″ Mylar dome tweeters are adjustable. Despite their small size, they take on their tasks with impeccable zest. Their input is rich and can be felt clearly in the overall sound.
In short, the Focal RCX-130 package is a modern-day pied piper that will have you high on its gorgeous tenor.
More: Focal Car Speakers Reviews
Morel Maximo Coax 5
Power/Per Speaker: 140W peak, 70W RMS
Frequency Response: 55 – 20k Hz
Sensitivity: 89.5 dB
Top Mount Depth: 2-1/16”
The Maximo Coax 5-1/4″ 2-way car speakers from Morel were designed to improve the performance of your sound system, whether it’s driven by a factory stereo or an aftermarket amp.
The Maximo Coax 5 tweeter’s base is built on the same design principles as the company’s other high-end speakers. A 19 mm (0.8″) soft dome transmitter with a strong neodymium magnet motor is included in each coaxial speaker.
The design, combined with the use of high-quality dielectric materials in the crossover, reduces distortion while improving off-axis performance and preserving the “sweet and warm” distinctive sound that only a Morel can deliver.
A ferrite magnetic of the highest quality at the source provides more magnetic flux, which increases power handling and output.
The composite woofer cone with treated paper and the tweeter with a soft dome offers outstanding complete sound and can take power up to RMS of 70 watts. The speaker also has a built-in MXR crossover for a perfect balance of highs and lows for a fantastic stereo image. Overall, the Maximo Coax 5 is a 5.25-inch speaker you really get what you pay for!
Rockford Fosgate R1525X2
Power/Per Speaker: 80W peak, 40W RMS
Frequency Response: 62 – 20k Hz
Sensitivity: 91 dB
Top Mount Depth: 1 7/8″
The Rockford Fosgate R1525X2 is a seemingly well-sculptured gift to the market’s budget pool. For a relatively affordable price, these Rockford Fosgate 5.25″ speakers are surprisingly befitting. They sound better than any factory speakers and make perfect replacements.
We love that this budget package carries massive sophistication in both its appearance and sound. Its speakers pride themselves on their power handling capacity which’s probably one of the highest within their price class. With a 40 Watt RMS handling, these 5-1/4 speakers disperse shockingly clamorous waves. At their peak, they run on 80 Watts which makes them massive rattlers.
The speakers house powerful vacuum polypropylene cones which sit in a heavy-duty rubber surround. This combination works meticulously to reproduce a decent sound. Silk dome flush mounted tweeters back their speaker teammates by dispersing clean, high-frequency notes.
The package features high pass crossovers which accurately filter frequencies between the two system drivers. The Rockford Fosgate R1525X2 package comes ready with a grille and mounting hardware.
Infinity Reference 5032 CFX
Power/Per Speaker: 135W peak, 45W RMS
Frequency Response: 67 – 21k Hz
Sensitivity: 92 dB
Top Mount Depth: 1 15/16”
The Reference series is surely no joke. Its components spit fiery notes; clean, polished melodies that have only solidified the Infinity’s prowess in the market. The Infinity Reference 5032CFX delivers that signature sound with much diligence. What’s more, they’re worth every dime spent on them; you can bet on that.
Power handling is an imperative aspect of determining a component’s competency. The Infinity 5 1/4 car speakers have a decent amount of power to juggle around. With 135 Watts (45 RMS) at its disposal, there’s very little this package can’t deliver.
Even when cranked all the way up, these speakers hold up pretty decently. They maintain incredible amounts of details which are pleasantly backed by the powerful bass.
Injection-molded Polypropylene woofer cones take on notes with tremendous competency. A hi-roll rubber surround maintains the same momentum resulting in phenomenal sound delivery. All this is contained in an optimized frame size basket that proves to be a competent guard.
True 4 Ohm impedance technology allows users to combine the speaker’s 3-ohm impedance with the wires’ impedance to handle a 4-ohm load.
Its balanced textile dome tweeters offer audiophile-grade performance. Once the tweeters’ crispy highs merge with the speaker’s abyssal bass, the overall outcome is profound musical excellence.
DS18 PRO-FR5NEO
Power/Per Speaker: 400W peak, 200W RMS
Frequency Response: 242Hz – 13.6KHz
Sensitivity: 94 dB
Top Mount Depth: 1.74”
As a fresh brand in the game, the DS18 sure has its work cut out for them. The surprising thing is that they seem to have this well under control. The brand has managed to awe hundreds of audiophiles with its progressive style of audio deliverance.
That is heavily evident with the PRO-FR5NEO 5.25″ bullet speakers. With their amicably avant-garde construct, these speakers are taking the industry by storm.
The PRO-FR5NEO speaker not only looks different, but it also sounds different; and pleasantly so. With a 200 Watt RMS power handling capacity, this speaker is bravely pushing audio delivery limits. When performing at full capacity, the power-packed component runs on a staggering 400 Watts.
You might be wondering how a budget-friendly speaker can handle that much zest. Well, its 1.2″ high-temperature KCCAW 2 layer voice coil must be how. That and its 4-ohms impedance. This combination packs a ruthless faculty that makes this speaker the legendary performer it is. This mid-range component features a cloth edge, non-pressed paper cone. Considering the rugged nature of this speaker, you can already tell its cone is a pretty tough element.
A bullet dust cover is added to keep its voice coil free from damage. And in case you experience any issues with the speaker, you can hit up its manufacturers who are very quick to offer assistance. All in all, the DS18 PRO-FR5NEO is fresh, affordable, and sounds mighty when at work.
Polk Audio DB522 DB+ Series
Power/Per Speaker: 300W peak, 100W RMS
Frequency Response: 55 – 22k Hz
Sensitivity: 91 dB
Top Mount Depth: 1 3/4”
If you’ve been surfing around in search of the 5.25″ marine speakers, you’ve finally got it. The Polk Audio DB522 speakers are badass and extremely sturdy making them great for a marine milieu and with a power rating of 100W RMS you get
Armed with a legitimate marine certification, these speakers have more than enough to prove their dexterity. The DB522 possess tough skin that makes them very instrumental in extreme conditions.
So what makes the Polk Audio DB522 different from all the other models floating about in the market? Well, there’s quite a list of traits. One, the speakers feature water, dirt, salt, and humidity-resistant parts.
Their UV-resistant polypropylene cones are not only robust but also carry immense vibrating abilities. This goes for its rubber surround as well. Palpably, that helps maintain lucid performance even though mother nature’s extremes.
The speaker’s laser imaged design plays a great part to ensure crisp reproduction. It reduces distortion and unnecessary glitches. Silk dome tweeters, which are also waterproof, add a bit of their magic to the system’s already ace reproduction.
Alpine S-S50 S-Series
Power/Per Speaker: 170W peak, 55W RMS
Frequency Response: 80 – 22k Hz
Sensitivity: 87 dB
Top Mount Depth: 2”
Alpine has a long history of producing high-quality automobile speakers, and the S-Series S-S50 speakers are no different. The cone material and voice coil size have been upgraded in these 5.25-inch speakers to give excellent sound quality.
These speakers are a wonderful starting point if you’ve never heard Alpine sound quality before. They can handle up to 170 watts peak power and 55 watts RMS power and can ensure clean sounds by offering a frequency response range of 80 – 22k Hz.
Alpine’s carbon fiber-reinforced plastic tweeter cones are not only extremely durable, but also flexible enough to tackle the midrange’s intricacies. Their high-amplitude multi-roll rubber enclosure reduces interference for a smoother sound, and silky dome tweeters draw out all the fine nuances that bring out the personality of the vocals and instruments. All of this helps to make great the Alpine S-S50 S-Series 5.25 inch speakers great.
Kicker 43DSC504 D-Series
Kicker has a tremendous following as a manufacturing house in the industry. Their products have gathered legitimate thumb-ups time and again, and that is unlikely to cease anytime soon. I mean, with products like the Kicker 43DSC504, we can’t help but praise these fabricators. The Kicker 43DSC504 5-1/4 coaxial speakers are super affordable yet very impressive performers. These speakers give the market to experience audio excellence without necessarily breaking the bank.
With a rigid polypropylene cone, the 43DSC504 reproduces beautiful, detailed tunes. This is further bolstered by a polyester foam speaker surround that allows for effortless cone excursion. Although the components are designed for efficiency, they need the power to expel their full capacities. Luckily, the Kicker 43DSC504 comes with a decent amount of it. At a nominal level, the speakers dish out 50 Watts and 200 Watts at a maximum.
These speakers pride themselves on minimal tweeter protrusion once installed. The PEI tweeter is a brutal hitter when it comes to the upper, high-level frequency notes. This complements the speaker’s more mid-range output to create a detailed blend of excellent sound. The Kicker 43DSC504 package may not be the best out there, however, it packs enough to keep you entertained for a long while.
Kenwood KFC-1395PS 5.25″ car speaker
The Kenwood KFC-1395PS 3-way 5.25 car speakers are far from what I’d regard a basic performer. The system works in unison to create splendid sound. The components remain steady and playful all through the audio spectrum. This aspect makes this system a very versatile player.
At its peak, the 3-way system has a 320 Watt power handling capacity. That much power is hardly child’s play; these speakers could easily blow your eardrums out when cranked up. Excellent sound dispersion can be attributed to its water-resistant polypropylene cones which carry a mad excursion tendency. The rubber surround allows for unrestricted cone mobility. This ultimately results in a rich, decorated sound.
The tweeters, much like the woofer components, are molded from very high-quality materials. These super ceramic tweeters reverberate insane highs which add a dash of detail to the system’s output. With a 4-ohm impedance, the components are able to tread delicate sonic heights at high volumes.
The fair price tagged to the KFC-1395PS makes this package even more tantalizing to anyone looking to replace a crappy factory system.
JBL CLUB 5020
The JBL Club 5020 5.25 speakers evoke a seemingly mixed reaction from the masses, and that can get pretty confusing. But here’s the thing, this system is very decent from the look of things. Having been spun from high-quality, top-of-the-line materials, the speakers pack an obvious awesome performance capacity. Although there are a few complaints here and there, its praises are basically double fold if not more.
What stuck to me about the JBL Club 5020 speakers is their high-sensitivity design. The Plus One woofer structure extends the surface area of the cone. This creates an ambiance of super-high sensitivity resulting in an incredible mid-bass resonance.
The UV-resistant polypropylene cone carries a palpable character. This allows for liberal expansion and thus phenomenal sound. Other than design, the JBL Club 5020 also benefits from an impressive power feed. At normal rates, the speakers run on 80 Watts which shoots up to 250 Watts at its peak. It’s also very compact making it a perfect fit for a long string of modern vehicles.
Its PEI tweeters feature functional bodies that allow them to disperse high frequencies at fascinating faculties. Some complaints imply that these tweeters are a bit too much. However, a bunch of users stand in full agreement with the tweeters’ competence.
5.25″ Component Speakers
Focal RSE-130 Auditor
The Focal RSE-130 Auditor component 5-1/4 inch car speaker is a top-notch performer. Featuring audiophile levels of quality at a price you’d expect to pay for a “regular” speaker upgrade, the RSE-130 is nothing if not well balanced.
It plays crisply and cleanly across the board. The woofers provide deep bass without much phase shift resulting in less muddy sound. The tweeters are very bright but not grating on the ears.
It gets even better as the RSE-130 reaches its full potential when hooked up to an amplifier, whose extra power is largely responsible for maximizing the speaker’s tonal quality as well as minimizing distortion.
The Focal RSE-130 Auditor is not the loudest of the bunch at 50 watts RMS (100 watts peak power), but it can play music loud enough for daily driving that won’t’ leave you wanting. However, all that quality sound and faithfully balanced rendition come at a price: these speakers are big.
This severely limits the areas you can install it on and at worst could mean that you can’t install it in your vehicle at all. On the bright side, however, if the size is not an issue for you, then the RSE-130 is a top purchase.
Pioneer TS-Z65C
The Pioneer TS-Z65C package (you get 2 speakers, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossovers) is one of the best 5-1/4 component speakers on our list. Besides being a our runner up, this package also comes with all the bells and whistles that encompass exceptional speakers.
First and foremost, the TS-Z65C features a strategic design that promotes a wider dynamic sonic range. That gives these speakers astounding powers; considering their enormous playfield. A maximum of 300 Watts of max power (100 W RMS) runs through the components when at play.
With the help of a multilayer mica matrix cone and elastic polymer surround, this input power bolsters neat audio stimulation regardless of the ambiance. A heat-resistant voice coil translates to uncluttered, consistent reproduction even at high volumes.
Soft dome tweeters further warm up the system’s sound by throwing in their high-pitched appendage. A new spider design is applied to encourage a more accurate response. The speakers also feature cooling baskets with air vents to rev up power handling when running at extreme levels.
The TS-Z65C component package offers a pleasantly novel experience to those privileged enough to encounter it. Cordially, it comes with the nice price.
See more Pioneer car speakers reviews here!
JBL Club 5000C
The JBL Club 5000C is a subtle yet powerful performer – we go into more detail in the full JBL Club 5000C review. This edgy, well-put-together 5.25″ component speaker is one of the best within its caliber. With stellar elements and a crazy affordable price tag, this package is definitely a germane addition to any sound setup.
Let’s first shade light on its potent power handling capacity. As a set, the components push a neat 55 watts RMS and 330 Watts at the peak. Individually, the speakers have a 55 Watts RMS and 110 Watts at the peak. This amount of power, fed into the right system, could have a profound sonic effect.
The Club 5000C features damped UV-resistant polypropylene cones that hold incredible responsiveness. The cones capture high and mid-range waves with professional prowess and reproduce them as such.
Edge-driven PEI tweeters then come in to add a high-frequency condiment to the overall output. The components also feature a rubber magnet boot cover which keeps the inner element safely tucked away.
Infinity REF-5020cx
Like most of the models in the Reference series, the REF-5020cx is a decent package. Its components are made from high-quality materials. Its features are all placed in a particularly strategic manner. It’s clear that Infinity’s intention was to create an all-around impeccable performer. I must say they gleefully achieved that goal.
Equipped with a Plus OneTM woofer cone, the components have a decent response capacity. When charged with a maximum of 195 Watts of power, the components respond fast and craftily so. I’d say the seemingly competent cone, with the aid of a hi-roll surround, is largely responsible for the nippy responsiveness.
Textile tweeters work hand in hand with the woofers to formulate very clean, crisp notes. The speakers also feature newly engineered baskets that pretty much fit anywhere. Conclusively, the system offers up crystal clear sound which is always a sizable bonus.
Be sure to check out our review of 4×6-inch speakers.
Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / *Image Disclaimer: We use images/data from Amazon Product Advertising API solely on products that link to Amazon. On products with the "Price at Crutchfield" button, we use images/data from Crutchfield.com as per the partnership deal.
