Last Updated on: October 7, 2022
A faulty car speaker can dampen your mood, especially if you are the type that loves to blast your favorite song as you drive along your neighborhood or listen to your favorite podcast. This may aggravate you even more if you don’t have much money to spend on car equipment.
But not to worry, replacing a car speaker is cheaper than you expect. You could either replace or repair the faulty one with a few bucks depending on your choice. With the various brands of speakers available on the market, you will definitely find one that suits your immediate budget.
So, if you’re curious about how much it would cost to replace your car speakers, keep reading because I’ll provide an answer in the article.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Car Speakers?
Although replacing car speakers cost about $500, the cost depends on the quality of the car speakers and other attributable factors. Getting the best car sound system can cost around $1000. In contrast, you may get another car sound system for about $250 and pay $100 for installation.
If you aim to change the entire sound system, it costs around $800 and $1000 But replacing only car speakers costs between $300 and $500.
These costs are estimates and can sometimes be more than $1000. In this cost determination, the quality plays a significant role, which means the higher the price of the car audio system, the better the quality.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Blown Car Speakers?
This depends entirely on the car’s sound system; replacing car speakers that have blown can cost between $500 and $800. But suppose you want to replace the stereo set as a whole. In that case, this will cost you more, even above $1000, because the damage caused by the blown stereo set has affected the amplifier and other audio equipment.
It costs a bit less if you intend to replace only the blown speaker, depending on the car model and speaker’s capabilities. The price ranges from $300 to $500 but might cost more because of other factors.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace One Car Speaker?
I understand that most times, only one speaker may be found faulty, but not to worry. You won’t need to change the whole car audio set or speaker. Changing one car speaker costs $300. Quality also plays a vital role. It is also essential to buy from the same brand and series as the other speakers for good car audio.
When shopping to purchase a new speaker, check the model of your car and the type of car stereo it uses to buy the perfect fit.
If your car is updated and costly, replacing one speaker might cost you more than $500.
How Much Do You Need To Install New Speakers In Your Car?
The installation cost of new speakers in your car is around $100. Still, installing the speakers is difficult, even if you try doing it yourself. In case you are avoiding the additional cost of employing the services of an expert, you could learn the few steps to install the new speakers. But you would need some tools to aid the job.
In the article, you will learn the easy steps you can follow to install and replace the new speaker. But the first obstacle you will face is finding the car speaker that best suits your car and your needs.
Is Replacing Car Speakers Worth It?
No matter how sweet you want to sell it, replacing a car speaker is always worth it rather than repairing it. If you have a faulty car speaker, make sure to replace it; repairing the speaker will not improve its performance, nor will it be durable. A fixed speaker might damage the entire car audio system.
Although repairing a faulty car speaker might save you some cash, in the short run, it will surely eat up your savings. So why not replace it instead? Although expensive, it will last many years.
You might not know this, but most times, repairing a faulty speaker costs about the same amount it costs to get a new one. Therefore, it’s better to buy and install a new speaker.
Where Can I Replace My Car Speaker?
It is usually advisable to search on google to get the nearby location to fix up your car speakers; also, there are online platforms where you can get a mechanic. But if you trust your nearby mechanic shop, then you can visit there to get the job done.
There are also social media platforms where you can see some mechanics’ profiles, their shop addresses, professional names, and other information necessary.
You can even check the review section to see clients’ reviews on the mechanic works.
How To Replace Car Speakers?
Firstly, replacing car speakers will require a level of technical know-how. You will need some tips and tools. So here are the essential things to note to replace blown car speakers:
1. Tools
The most important thing needed before starting any replacement process is to gather all the tools necessary to replace the car speakers. You will need electric tape, a wire cutter, crimping tools, different size screwdrivers, and wrenches. If you plan to replace the entire car stereo, you will use tools like a box cutter and wrench socket.
2. Choose The Right Size Speakers
As mentioned earlier, when purchasing a car speaker, you must choose the right speaker that fits your car model because it will be frustrating to install a speaker that’s the wrong size in your car.
3. Disconnect Battery
After purchasing the right kind of battery, you will need to disconnect the battery. You should turn off the battery and the engine simultaneously to stop the flow of electricity.
4. Open Panels
Loosen the screws with the right size screwdriver, and then open the panel to remove the distorting speaker. And make sure to be careful when disconnecting the speaker’s wire.
5. Install The New Speakers
You will install the new speakers after successfully removing the blown car speaker. After the speakers have been adequately fitted, you can connect the electric wires. Ensure you use electric tape to attach the wires firmly.
6. Close The Panel
After successfully installing the new car speakers, you have to close the panel and screw it tight with the screwdrivers. You can also test-run the speakers before closing the panel to check the speaker’s sound quality.
7. Connect The Battery
You are practically done with the whole installation process. Then you can connect the battery again and check the new speakers you just installed. Turn on the engine also to check how the car speaker sounds.
When considering replacing the entire vehicle sound system, you may need to get these three parts: speakers, heads, and amplifiers. Aside from the quality of the car speakers, there can be additional factors to consider.
How Many Car Speakers Do I Need?
No universal rule states the number of car speakers that need to be installed in a vehicle. As a matter of fact, car manufacturers seem to install more premium factory sound systems with features such as cancellation of noises and simulating the engine noise.
Now, when you aim to replace both the front and rear speakers, it’s good to envision a voice-matched system. This means the front and rear car audio systems must be from the same brand and series. If you have a budget limiting your spending, you can purchase the front car audio equipment first. Then, purchase the rear stereo set when you are ready.
However, ensure they are from the same stereo set series or brand so that the car’s sound system can be balanced and consistent.
The Front Audio System Of Your Vehicle
Most cars have just two speakers in the front, having one in each door; they majorly use full-range design. At the same time, other cars have four front speakers, equally spaced in both doors. Numerous cars come with a center dash speaker in charge of essentials in the car, such as navigation prompts, door chimes, and music. People prefer to leave the original car speaker in the center.
The Rear Audio System Of Your Vehicle
These include rear deck speakers, tailgate speakers, and rear door speakers. Although there are now components designs of these speakers, they are usually full-range designs. The rear audio system provides a rear fill for the front seat and produces sound for back seat occupants.
Rear speakers are less significant to people in the front seat and can even be ignored by drivers who don’t have passengers. It contributes no sound to the audio system in front. Therefore, you can choose to ignore it if you are a solo rider.
What Size Of Car Speaker System Should I Buy?
With the different kinds of car speaker’ sizes you have to choose from, it can be somewhat burdensome. You don’t need to sweat over it; you could seek an expert opinion on the speaker size that will best suit your car, either for the front or rear sound system.
The size depends on your spec and location, but I would say, ‘the bigger, the better.’
I advise going for a 6″x 9″ or more oomph, depending on how much you love the big sound system.
What Type Of Speakers Should I Get – Full-Range Or Components
Car speakers sold in the market can be categorized into full-range speakers and component speaker systems:
1. Full-Range Car Speakers
It would be best to consider full-range speakers when you want to replace blown car speakers. It contains all the elements of a speaker in one basket. The full-range speaker consists of a woofer for the lows, and a tweeter mounted on the woofer to deliver the highs. Some full-range models have additional drivers like super tweeter or midrange. They are known as 3-way or 4-way sound systems.
If you wish to replace a factory-installed sound system with the least effort, you should choose a full-range car speaker. It would require you to connect the new sound system after removing the old speaker and mounting it. Full-range speakers are available at every power range and price level.
2. Component Speakers
The component speaker system uses a superior design for speakers, producing the best sound. A component speaker system features external crossovers, separate woofers, and tweeters. The tweeter is distinguished from the woofer in the component system so that it can be highly mounted up in your car.
In case your car has factory-installed tweeters, you can use that location to mount a new tweeter. Because of the external crossover, your music will produce the best sound and have great depth. This results from the high-quality component used by the external crossover network to assure a sharp delineation between the frequencies sent to the tweeter and woofer.
Signs Of A Faulty Car Speaker
A sign as little as a reduction in the sound quality can lead to a car speaker failure. Most people call it a blowout, but it is caused by a mechanical and thermal failure in the audio equipment preventing the car speaker system from performing its normal function.
Thermal failure occurs when the car’s stereo set is fed with more power than it can allow.
As a result, delicate internal components burn or melt. In comparison, mechanical failure happens when the cone in the stereo set is relocated from its initial designed location.
But car audio systems get damaged from careless actions, such as playing excessively loud and at a stretch. These can cause quick deterioration of the car audio system component.
Signs of a faulty car speaker system include:
1. Impaired Sound, Fuzziness, And Hissing
Suppose you suspect the car audio system is blown. In that case, you know the speaker’s status by setting your volume between low and middle levels and then listening for any sound distortion. Plug in an MP3 or play a CD to avoid the regular static FM radio produces.
If you hear any fuzziness or hiss after listening, or the distortion worsens when you turn up the volume, then use the balance volume to trace the stereo set to the issue. Most time, you will figure, more than one sound system has been damaged
2. Telltale Popping Or Rattling Instead Of Music
When you hear unpleasant sounds like rattling or popping and don’t hear music at all, that’s a significant problem, and it’s evident that your car’s sound system has blown.
3. Lack Of Mid-Tones, Treble, Or Bass
This is a major sign of a blown-out speaker; when there’s a severe reduction in the bass or treble feedback, it is enough to hint that your car audio system has partly blown. You can use the equalizer control on your car radio to eliminate the imbalance. Still, you need to get a new car audio system if you notice no mid-tone, treble, or bass.
4. Lack Of Vibration From The Speakers
This is most common for car users and is often ignored. But it is a major sign of a blown-out speaker, which can result from wiring issues. When you are in your car, and you plug in an Mp3, feel the grills of the speaker; if you don’t feel any vibration at all, then you need to inspect if the speaker wire has been disconnected.
5. Checking Speakers For Impedance
This is feasible if you have a multimeter and can remove the speaker grills. You can check the impedance of all the speakers. For speakers that are in good working condition, they will have a typical impedance of 4 to 8 ohms. But if your speaker has exceptionally high impedance, it is damaged.
Pro Auto Thought: If you’re on a tight budget and a newbie to car speakers, then we suggest you repair your speaker units the DIY way. Don’t worry! We got you covered with our post. Read it here — Car Speaker Repair.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Speaker In The Car?
Repairing a car speaker will cost $100 if it is just slightly damaged and requires no significant part changes — the cost of repairing varies between cars and depends on the mechanic’s skills. If it’s a professional, then you might be charged double the amount.
If any damage includes changing the parts of the speakers, wire from the car audio system, or a faulty head unit, then it will cost you more to repair than to replace. Repairs can cost around $200 to $250 when you have speakers on all four doors of your car.
How Much Do Car Speakers Usually Cost?
Car speakers often cost $50 for the lowest quality and average car speaker. In contrast, the high-end car speaker costs about $250, producing a good sound with a stereo audio system. For speakers of average quality, it costs around $150.
How Much Does A Subwoofer Cost?
The subwoofers are mainly for loudspeakers, costing between $100 and $200 for cars. Instead of spending a lot on this, investing more in good-quality speakers to enjoy your favorite music playlist is better. And in case you want to install subwoofers, it is preferable to hire a professional mechanic.
How Much Does A Head Unit Cost?
The head unit is responsible for selecting your songs, controlling your volume, and connecting external devices. It’s a major part of your audio system. The standard cost for a head unit is often between $50 and $100.
Conclusion
Car parts are always prone to damage as the car ages in use, and the audio speakers are not left out. Replacing a faulty car speaker is pretty inexpensive, especially if it’s just one you are to replace. Furthermore, you can decide to repair the defective speaker; however, you might be surprised that the cost of replacing and repairing are similar.
On average, you should expect to pay $500 to replace or install a new car speaker system. But if you desire a high-end audio system, it will cost you $1000. Additionally, your car’s model and the type of car stereo determine the price of the speaker.