Last Updated on: October 6, 2022
From improving bass to enhancing audio clarity, a subwoofer delivers a plethora of benefits. It is a must-have for your car sound system if you are looking for the best sonic experience even on the road.
Today, even smaller ones have top-notch performance. With the best 6.5-inch subwoofer, you can elevate your listening experience even without the luxury of space.
Looking for a high-quality subwoofer? Read on and find out some of the top options. If there is one product that wins this review, however, it is Rockville W65K9D4 Car Audio Subwoofer.
Top Picks For The Best 6.5” Subwoofer
1. Rockville W65K9D4 Car Audio Subwoofer – Best Overall
If you are looking for a car subwoofer that can deliver top-notch sound quality, this is one option that should be on the top of your list.
The best thing about the Rockville W65K9D4 is its construction. It is made of high-quality materials to guarantee longevity.
It has a cast aluminum basket with a black sand finish. Plus, the subwoofer features a double-stacked magnet, dual chrome-plated terminals, and black cone stitching. It also comes with a thick foam surround for better sound absorption to minimize distortion. The combination of these features allows the subwoofer to withstand the test of time.
With a peak power handling of 1,000 watts and program power handling of 500 watts, it has impressive technical specifications to guarantee unrivaled performance. Nonetheless, when it is playing music at full volume, there is a tendency to rattle.
Overheating is a common problem in many powerful 6.5” subwoofers. Good thing that this product has a vented hole on its T-yoke. The latter allows better heat dissipation to improve thermal management and prevent damage.
Your purchase is inclusive of a custom mounting gasket. The latter makes air-tight installation effortless, preventing dirt and debris from ruining the internal components.
Pros
- Made using high-quality materials to ensure longevity
- Has a vented hole to improve thermal management
- Impressive power handling for unsurpassed performance
- Good-looking custom mounting gasket
Cons
- Can be prone to rattling at full volume
Takeaway
From its top-notch technical specs to the exceptional construction, the Rockville W65K9D4 is an unmatched choice for the best 6.5-inch subs.
2. Skar Audio EVL-65 D4 Subwoofer – Best For Efficiency
Designed to be responsive and powerful, this new-generation small subwoofer has monstrous bass while being efficient in terms of its power consumption. Skar is known for making subwoofers in affordable price ranges, including this model.
The subwoofer has dual voice coils. Each coil has its respective connection. The coils will mount on their respective cylinders but have a common cone. It offers multiple wiring options, making it more versatile since you will have different choices for its installation – independent, parallel, and series.
Equipped with a 39-ounce ferrite motor, it has ferromagnetic metal oxide. The material resists corrosion and deterioration, so you can be confident of its durability.
It has an advanced cooling system. The latter ensures the flow of cool air. This will prevent the unit from overheating. With the deep design of its cone, air can flow more freely despite being a small subwoofer.
To add, the Skar Audio EVL-65 D4 has a low-frequency response. In subwoofers, the lower the frequency response, the better the ability to deliver deep bass.
Pros
- Efficient power consumption without compromising performance
- Has dual voice coils for versatile installation
- Prevents overheating with its advanced cooling system
- The low-frequency response ensures deep bass
Cons
- Awkward positioning of the spade connectors
Takeaway
Overall, the Skar Audio EVL-65 D4 stands out in the market for the best 6.5″ subwoofer because of its efficiency, durability, and versatility.
3. Lanzar 6.5” Subwoofer – Best for People On A Budget
Improve the performance of your car audio system with the LANZAR 6.5″ Subwoofer. It will deliver a punchy bass for a better music listening experience on the road.
One of its highlights is the 1.5-inch aluminum voice coil. It has a high-temperature rating for maximum power handling and can resist corrosion.
With a three-inch shallow mounting depth, this car subwoofer is versatile. You can install it even in tight spaces. Even better, it comes with the things that you will need for its assembly, including an installation template and cables.
Another notable feature is the clean-cut non-pressed paper cone. This means that it has a large surface area, which is responsible for pushing more air to generate louder sound. Additionally, it also has high sensitivity while ensuring efficiency.
It also has a foam edge suspension, which is made from a specially treated material. This will keep the subwoofer safe. Along with the bump-vented motor, you can enjoy effortless installation and longevity.
Nonetheless, one of the most common complaints about this model is the design of the subwoofer cone, which can easily separate from the driver. This can compromise its durability.
Pros
- Has an aluminum voice coil that resists heat and corrosion
- The shallow mounting depth allows versatile installation
- Comes with a non-pressed paper cone for audio clarity and efficiency
Cons
- The cone can easily separate from the driver
Takeaway
From its high-temperature voice coil to the non-pressed subwoofer cone, the LANZAR 6.5” Subwoofer stands out, especially for those looking for an economical alternative.
4. Earthquake Sound SWS-6.5X Subwoofer – Best Subwoofer Pair
Is one subwoofer not enough? Enjoy double the power with Earthquake Sound SWS-6.5X. Despite the small size, it has 100 watts RMS power rating with an impedance of 4 ohms. It will deliver decent bass even if it is tiny.
It has a shallow mount design with a depth of only 1.75 inches. Coupled with the small size of the speaker, it will allow low-profile placements. To maximize its performance, consider adding a sealed enclosure.
With an inverted style cone design, it can efficiently dissipate heat that builds up in the voice coil. As a result, it will transfer heat build-up to the cone as it acts as a large heat sink attachment. This will increase power handling while minimizing damage to the components. It is also responsible for the maximum bass output with minimal distortions.
The cone has a ribbed pattern. It eliminates break-up distortion, allowing the subwoofer to generate clearer audio and fast acoustic response.
While it is a minor issue, it is frustrating that the dust cap keeps falling off. It would have been better if it has a more secure fit.
Pros
- Allows low-profile placements because of its shallow mount
- The inverted cone design helps in heat dissipation
- Ribbed cone prevents audio distortion
Cons
- The dust cap easily comes off
Takeaway
The Earthquake Sound SWS-6.5X is excellent because of its ribbed inverted cone design, shallow mounting depth, and decent maximum power rating given its size.
5. Massive Audio GTX64 Subwoofer – Best Competition Subwoofer
The name itself should already give you an idea about what to expect from this product – massive audio. It may be tiny, but with a max power rating of 500 watts and RMS rating of 250 watts, it is an incredible product.
As you will see in many 6.5-inch sub reviews, one of the best things about the Massive Audio GTX64 is that it is guaranteed to last. From the woven tinsel leads to the poly-cotton spiders, its components will withstand harsh environments.
To add, this subwoofer features a non-pressed paper cone, which delivers clearer audio because of its large surface area. Not to mention, the cone is also responsible for better sensitivity and energy efficiency.
The cone is even made better by the EROM Foam Surround. It is good for delivering maximum excursion while also having self-damping benefits to elevate your car audio. Compared to a rubber surround, the foam has better efficiency while also being lighter and more efficient.
Pros
- Uses hand-picked and durable materials
- The design of the subwoofer cone improves efficiency and sensitivity
- Has foam surround for better excursion
Cons
- Sound quality can deteriorate over time
Takeaway
To conclude, the Massive Audio GTX64 Subwoofer has an incredible construction for delivering competition-grade bone-thudding bass.
6. Memphis Audio MJM644 Mojo Series Subwoofer – Best For Power
Give your car sound system the bass boost that it deserves with the Memphis Audio MJM644 Mojo Series Subwoofer.
It has a peak power of 1,400 watts and an RMS power rating of 700 watts. With such numbers, it is powerful enough for playing loud music without distortions.
Like most of the best 6.5-inch subwoofers in this review, it has a 1.5-inch 4-ohm dual voice coil configuration. It allows impedance flexibility. Whether you wire it in a parallel or a series, you can expect optimum performance.
The overall construction is commendable, which is also responsible for its top-notch sound reproduction. It has a vented cast aluminum basket, which facilitates the exchange of heat with cool air for effective thermal management. More so, the basket has a stitched surround, which will protect the subwoofer.
Pros
- The dual voice coil allows series or parallel wiring
- Has a vented basket that can prevent overheating
- A stitched surround protects the subwoofer from damage
Cons
- Not for people on a budget
Takeaway
Wrapping up, the Memphis Audio MJM644 Mojo Series Subwoofer is commendable because of its powerful performance, exceptional heat management, and versatile voice coil design.
7. Toro Tech Fierce 6 Subwoofer – Best For Hard-Hitting Bass
Are you on the lookout for the hardest-hitting 6.5 subwoofer? The Toro Tech Fierce 6 Subwoofer is worth considering. It is affordable but competition-ready!
With peak power handling of 400 watts and 200 watts RMS, the numbers may not be as big as others on this list, but that does not mean that it has inferior performance.
It is from the lineup of the company’s low-frequency subwoofers, which can effectively balance high-frequency sounds for the best sound quality.
Looking at its construction, you will find many impressive features. On top of it all, it has a textured die-cast aluminum basket that complements its reinforced paper cone. The latter has a non-pressed design for better cooling efficiency.
Other features that give this subwoofer an edge over its competitors include the double-stacked high-energy magnets, dual poly-cotton spiders, and four-layer high-temperature voice coil. The latter is handy for extending playtime without putting too much strain on the subwoofer.
Lastly, the subwoofer has been through a series of tests and went through stringent quality control. This makes sure that every detail is accurate, including the stated tech specs.
Pros
- A good but affordable competition sub
- The design of the paper cone allows effective heat management
- Has been through rigorous tests to prove the claims of the manufacturer
Cons
- The surround foam can easily rib apart
Takeaway
From the paper cone to the voice coils, the Toro Tech Fierce 6 Subwoofer has plenty of innovative features to deliver punchy bass.
Essential Considerations When Choosing the Best 6.5-inch Subwoofer for Car Audio
The choices for the best subwoofer abound, but it does not mean that they can all deliver superior performance. As you narrow down the choices, here are some of the most important considerations:
Material
The choice of material directly impacts the performance, durability, and even price of the subwoofer. Different parts will be made of various materials. For instance, for the cone, non-pressed paper is one of the most common choices. For the voice coil, choose high-temperature materials to avoid being burnt. It can also have a foam or rubber surround. Tinsel leads and baskets are also important.
Technical Specs
Look at the technical specifications to ensure rich sound quality. From the peak power to RMS watts, be familiar with the meaning of the numbers in the spec sheet. Consider its power consumption as well to determine efficiency. The sensitivity and impedance are also worth looking at as they will dictate performance.
Size
Even if it says that the subwoofer is 6.5 inches, do not immediately assume that they are of the same size and they will fit in the same space. Subwoofers are three-dimensional. So, they will not lay flat. The cone or the depth will impact its overall size. It is best to use a measuring tape to determine the exact size that will fit in your car.
Ease Of Installation
The hardest-hitting 6.5 subwoofers should not only have good sounds but must also be user-friendly, especially in terms of installation. Some will require professional installation while others can be assembled yourself. With the latter, you can save money since you do not have to pay a pro.
Watch This!
To help you install the subwoofer, watch the short video below:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of a 6.5” subwoofer?
The biggest benefit of a 6.5” subwoofer is its space-saving design. It is small in size but big in audio advantages. It will reproduce low sound frequencies with exceptional clarity and deliver good bass responses, but not as high as those that you will find in a mid-bass woofer. It can also lighten the load in full-range speakers.
Where do you mount a 6.5” subwoofer in a car?
One of the best things about a 6.5-inch subwoofer is that it is compact. With this, you can mount it almost anywhere in your car. It can even fit under the seat. Some will mount it on the door. The rear seat is also a good location, especially because it ensures proper sound distribution inside the car.
Conclusion
The Rockville W65K9D4 Car Audio Subwoofer wins this review of the best 6.5” subwoofer. It has a cast aluminum basket, custom mounting bracket, double-stacked magnet, paper cone, and four-layer voice coils, which contribute to the subwoofer’s durability and audio quality.
Is there any other 6.5” subwoofer that you would like to recommend? Let us know by leaving a comment below.