FOCAL Car Speaker Reviews [UPDATED]

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After extensive research and consultation of the latest Focal car speakers, we have concluded that component Focal PS165FX Flax 6.5-inch is the best option for your car audio upgrade. These speakers feature a humidity-resistant woven fiberglass cone that offers a dynamic bass and accurate mid-range.

In the coaxial apartment, we got recommendations for all standard aftermarket speaker sizes. Scroll down to check it out.

Our Recommended Focal Car Speakers

ImageFocal car speakersRMS PowerPeak PowerSize
Focal ICU-165 Integration...
6.5" Pick

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70W140W6.5 inches
Focal RCX-165 Auditor Series...
6.5" Bang

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60W120W6.5 inches
Focal ICU 690 Universal...
6"x9" Pick

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80W160W6.9 inches
Focal RCX-690 Auditor Series 6...
6"x9" Bang

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80W160W6.9 inches
Focal ICU 130 Universal...
5-1/4" Pick

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60W120W5-1/4 inches
Focal ICU 100 Universal...
4" Pick

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50W100W4 inches
Focal PS165FX Flax 6.5”...
Component Pick

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80W160W6.5 inches
Focal Access 165A1 6.5' 120...
Also Great

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60W120W6.5 inches
6.5″ Pick

Focal ICU 165

Power/Per Speaker: 140W (peak), 70W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 21 kHz
Sensitivity: 93 dB
Top Mount Depth: 1.93”

Focal ICU 165 belongs to the same range of speakers as ICU 690. In fact, it is even easier to integrate into any vehicle because it boasts one of the shallowest top mount depths on the block.

Despite being a 6.5” speaker, its chassis is less than 2 inches deep, making it a perfect fit for any area in the vehicle. This Focal speaker is not as powerful as ICU 90 with its RMS power handling.

Nonetheless, its sensitivity is as good as any high-end speaker. You can rest assured that all the input power will be converted into optimal sound output.

Like ICU 690, Focal 165 also boasts a built-in crossover with an acoustic horn design that helps in creating the high-fidelity three-dimensional sound space inside your vehicle.

6.5″ Bang For The Buck

Focal RCX-165

Power/Per Speaker: 120W (peak), 60W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 60 Hz – 21 kHz
Sensitivity: 91.5 dB
Top Mount Depth: 2.5”

Mylar inverted dome tweeter along with polypropylene woofer cone and butyl rubber surround in rigid steel basket with an ABS mesh grille— Focal RCX-165 has used top-quality material through and through. It is hard to find the combination of such top-grade material within one speaker and at that price point.

The large voice coil of Focal RCX-165 on a Kapton frame with a powerful magnetic can do justice with its RMS rating. You can hook it up to an after-market amp and get the powerful sound off your stereo system. The butyl suspension and high-grade polymer cone guarantee that the speaker doesn’t undergo any physical distortion during high power handling.

Like other Focal speakers, RCX-165 is also easy to install because its frame is not as strapping as other 6.5” speakers. With just 2.5” mounting depth, it can easily go into any built-in speaker enclosure.

6.5″ Also Great

Focal 165CA1 SG

Power/Per Speaker: 120W (peak), 60W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 60 – 20k Hz
Sensitivity: 92 dB
Top Mount Depth: 2 9/16”

The Focal 165CA1 SG is undoubtedly one of the best coaxial speakers you can ever get for your car. I know this because I have used one. These speakers offer impressive sound imaging thanks to a number of great features and specifications.

The first of those features is the aluminum inverted dome tweeter, which acts as a small woofer cone capable of dispersing high-frequency sounds uniformly with incredible dynamics and fine resolution.

To provide you with durability and dependable bass performance, the 165CA1 SG features stiff, woven glass-fiber woofer cones that enable precise mid-base sounds. The sturdy, lightweight speaker frame will offer you plenty of open space for unobstructed cone movement as well as rapid heat dissipation and vent to cool the voice coils.

You will also love the built-in crossovers that ensure smooth distribution of frequencies to the tweeters and woofers resulting in perfect, natural sound.

On the Con side, a price tag might be on a higher side for some customers.
While these speakers feature strong construction, their plastic mounting may crack easily if you do not take enough care during installation.

6″x9″ Pick

Focal ICU 690

Power/Per Speaker: 160W (peak), 80W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 55 Hz – 21 kHz
Sensitivity: 93.6 dB
Top Mount Depth: 3.28”

If you are looking for any improvement for your stock speakers but don’t need something that is a hassle to install, consider this 6×9” option. Focal ICU 690 is a pair of speakers with shallow mounting depth.

Besides its reduced housing depth, its snap-off fixing makes its installation all more breeze. The chassis design is not just shallow but optimally integrated to fall easy on the eyes.

We like this speaker pair for its aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter with a built-in crossover. ICU 690’s tweeter makes sure that you don’t miss out on any high-range details of the track being played. The two-level tweeter adjustment further lets you customize high-range frequency sounds in line with your listening experience.

ICU 690 is also a highly sensitive pair of aftermarket speakers. They convert the optimal amount of power they receive from an amp into their fine yet blustery sound.

6″x9″ Bang For The Buck

Focal RCX-690

Power/Per Speaker: 160W (peak), 80W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 92 dB
Top Mount Depth: 3.18”

This is another 6×9” option you can consider for your factory-fitted replacement. The first thing that caught our eye while reviewing RCX-690 was the elliptical shape that makes it quite similar to many performance-grade speaker units. RCX-690 with its slightly elongated shape and shallow chassis is an automatic fit for many stock locations for speakers.

Like any other Focal speaker model, this one also boasts great treble production— thanks to its Mylar-made tweeter and super-tweeter.

On the other hand, the lightweight yet sturdy polypropylene woofer cone with butyl rubber surround enables the speaker to withstand low-end reverbs and excursions without getting buckled.

Like ICU 690, this Focal speaker is also a pleasant improvement on factory-fitted speakers. Its large voice coil and powerful magnet can handle 60W RMS amp output. Moreover, its 92dB sensitivity ensures that most of its power transforms into sound.

6″x9″ Also Great

Focal OEM 690 CA1 SG

Power/Per Speaker: 120W (peak), 60W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 65Hz – 20kHz
Sensitivity: 91 dB
Top Mount Depth: 3 1/4″

Another high-quality Focal coaxial speaker you can check out is the 6×9-inch Focal OEM 690CA1 SG. It features powerful polypropylene woofers capable of producing a very clean and considerable amount of bass for your car.

Each speaker offers 300-watt peak power of 150-watt par pair with an RMS of 150-watt of 75 watts each.

It is fitted with a butyl rubber surround which ensures enriched sound reproduction quality of the audio source allowing you to listen to your favorite music for the optimal entertainment of all those using the car.

Like the 165CA1 reviewed earlier, this speaker features Focal’s patented inverted-dome tweeter to dissipate high frequency sounds even with impressive dynamics and superfine resolution. The OEM 690CA1 SG is optimized to allow you to install them easily and quickly.

5-1/4″ Pick

Focal ICU 130

Power/Per Speaker: 120W (peak), 60W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 90 Hz – 21 kHz
Sensitivity: 91.8 dB
Top Mount Depth: 1.93”

If you want to fortify your car sound system with door speakers, you should consider this 5.25” option by Focal. Focal ICU 130 is one of the most powerful door speakers you can find on the block.

It can handle the 60W RMS input from the amp, which is even higher than the power rating of many rear deck speakers.

Its shallow chassis makes its installation easier in car doors. Meanwhile, its streamlined elegant design doesn’t look odd with the rest of the interior after installation. We also consider it a great option to install in the doors because of its automatic treble boost that is linked with its door installation.

When installed lower in the door, the 2-position adjuster of the speakers automatically comes into action for treble boost. In other words, you can get a perfect listening experience for the high-range notes of the music being played.

4″ Pick

Focal ICU 100

Power/Per Speaker: 100W (peak), 50W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 100 – 21k Hz
Sensitivity: 91 dB
Top Mount Depth: 2”

The Focal ICU 4″ speakers offer you an excellent choice when it comes to upgrading your car’s sound system. It is perhaps the best of Focal’s Universal Integration Series of speakers.

The company applies the same technology they use in their other audiophile-grade home and studio audio systems in their Integration line of car speakers.

It features a processed aluminum inverted dome tweeter that distributes high-frequency sounds uniform. I love the poly glass woofer with a butyl rubber surround.

The ICU 100 features high-frequency response, very good impedance, and wonderful sensitivity allowing you to enjoy natural, lifelike audio with your car’s sound system. Its peak power handling is 100 watts and RMS power range of 5-50 watts.

This is actually one of the best 4″ car speakers you can find currently on the market, so don’t miss your chance.

6.5″ Component Pick

Focal PS165FX Flax

Power/Per Speaker: 160W (peak), 80W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 55 Hz – 28 kHz
Sensitivity: 87.6 dB
Top Mount Depth: 3.06”

If you are not a fan of coaxial units with their integrated tweeter and woofer construction, you can look at Focal component speakers. Case in point: Focal PS165FX. This component speaker system comprises a pair of 6.5” woofers with two tweeters and external crossovers along with installation hardware. It is a great option to upgrade your stock stereo system with component additions.

Most component speakers are designed to produce a powerful low-end output where high-range frequencies get ignored. However, that’s not the case with PS165FX. Focus’s infamous inverted tweeters create a perfect soundstage with high-range dispersion in PS165FX for a wholesome sound.

The material of the woofer cones of the PS165FX component speaker is also worth discussing. Focal has used an unusual flax fiber on the woofers. It is half the weight of regular fiberglass but offers better rigidity. This perfect combination of attributes makes PS165FX flax-featured woofer cones ideal for producing distortion-free sound while handling the high excursion.

6.5″ Runner Up

Focal Access 165 A3

Power/Per Speaker: 160W (peak), 80W (RMS)
Frequency Response: 55 – 20k Hz
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Top Mount Depth: 2 9/16”

This wonderful Focal component speaker kit consists of a 6.5-inch Access woofer and 4-inch Mid-range both of which have a light and stiff cone and butyl rubber surround.

In fact, the woven fiberglass cone is all-weather meaning you do not have to worry about humidity and other influences interfering with your speakers. The cone is durable and offers a dynamic bass and accurate mid-range. The speakers feature a phase plug design, which controls the midrange out of the listening axis for additional precision.

Focal Access 165 A3 85mm magnet provides for high sensitivity while 25mm woofer coil ensures excellent power handling to provide you with the tight fine-tuned low end. To prevent overheating and provide reliable and consistent performance, the speakers are fitted with a voice coil cooling system.

The speakers are also equipped with The TN 44 tweeter, which provides accurate treble with the highest level of efficiency. The tweeter has a 20mm Ferrofluid voice coil for incredible heat disposal and power handling.

When it comes to crossover, this Focal component speaker features separate crossover Polypropylene capacitors for high and distortion-free dynamics. It allows you to modify the level control in accordance with location (three-level settings) with an easy switch.

Also Great

Focal PS 165

If you are looking for the best Focal component speakers that will be more than just a replacement for your current car speakers then you can trust PS 165 to deliver.

This 6.5-inch woofer features the new Flax cone that provides neutral audio devoid of coloration with more dynamism and natural reproduction. The PS 165 has a new futurist design with Black Mat Aluminum baskets engraved artistically with Focal’s logo for modernism and unwavering tradition.

Similar to other Focal speakers, this unit features the Focal’s patented processed magnesium/ aluminum inverted dome tweeter for excellent sound dissipation, smoothness, and definition without directivity.

To ensure the tweeters perform excellently for longer, Focal has equipped them with new and unique Poron suspension. 80-watt nominal power with 160 watts maximum power ensures great bass and improved sound quality.

Also Great

Focal Access 165 A1

The next time you think of installing a new sound system in your car, you need to check Focal Access 165 A1. It is fitted with 165 A1 woofers that are built with stiff but light cones amalgamated with a butyl rubber surround.

The woofer is capable of offering a degree of quality. The cone performs optimally in all weather conditions including hot and humid environments.

The speaker has impressive power handling capabilities and reliability due to its extra-large voice coils responsible for deep, accurate bass. It also boasts of strong, rigid chassis that is non-resonant and non-magnetic.

The components speaker is fitted with aluminum inverted dome tweeter technology that provides for appreciable rigidity and lowers distortion.

Focal Access 165 A1 separated crossover features polypropylene capacitors that ensure high and distortion-free dynamics. Even more beautiful is the level control two-way systems that allow for refining the tuning of the tweeter in any location.

Also Great

Focal Auditor R-165S2

The Focal Auditor R-165S2 is our bank for the buck choice of a Focal component speaker. It consists of two 6-3/4-inch speakers, two tweeters, and two external crossovers.

The polypropylene woofers offer cool, deep, and accurate bass for perfect lifelike sound quality. The silk aluminum dome tweeters ensure enable significant rigidity and lower audio distortion. It also features a rigid steel basket for added durability and performance.

The system includes mesh/ABS grills and pre-wired external crossover (12dB/octave). You will also like the speaker’s high sensitivity, high-frequency response, and good impedance. You can power the R-165S2 2-way component system directly with your small amplifier or head unit.

Moreover, the phase plug situated in the middle of the speakers ensures increased sound dispersion.

The R-165S2 2-way component system is relatively new in the market and so it has not been adequately tested for critical points to be raised. So far, I cannot identify any disadvantage that can stop you from trying out these Focal component speakers.

Also Great

Focal Integration ISS 165

You cannot go wrong with the Focal Integration ISS 165. This 6.5-inch 2-way speaker kit from the Integration line of Focal speakers has what it takes to improve your driving experience.

The speaker’s 4-Ohm impedance delivers a 93 dB efficiency enabling it to produce complete, lifelike sound from whatever powered head unit or amplifier you are currently using. You will also appreciate Focal’s high-quality aramid fiber inverted dome tweeter with waveguide technology to high definition, smoothness, and precision combined with optimal staging and controlled directivity.

Another component worth mentioning is the high precision separate crossover with modifiable tweeter level control as well as midrange controls.

Focal Coaxial Speakers Vs Focal Component Speakers

You can choose between Focal coaxial speakers and Focal component speakers. What is the difference between the two? I will educate you.

Generally, a coaxial speaker consists of a woofer featuring a tweeter suspended either on a pole extending from through the middle of the woofer or on a bridge above the woofer. The crossover consists only of a simple capacitor that is in line with the tweeter. High-quality coaxial speakers feature outboard crossovers.

Component speakers (at times known as separate speakers) consist of several different speaker components that work together as a unit.

The main parts include a woofer with a 1-inch tweeter and an external passive crossover. Generally, component speakers are considered higher in quality while coaxial speakers offer the advantage of being more affordable and offering more centralized sound.

Image by https://focalaustralia.com.au/, edited by admin.

Last update on 2024-03-29 / 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.

Hey, there mobile audio lovers! My name is Vincent Talbot, founder and chief editor at 99carstereo.com. Ask any mobile audio fanatic, installer, or company rep what makes a good car speaker, sub, or amp, or, better yet, why he or she prefers a certain brand over another, and be prepared to endure a litany of opinions, viewpoints, and passion-fueled perspectives. To be honest, mobile audio shopping can be a daunting task without a guide, so I’ve assembled what I feel are the best products to consider to make things easier for you. More.

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