Frontal car speakers: 5 good models

Pioneer TS-G1023i

The low-cost model with a diameter of 10 cm opens our top five speakers. The perfect size for installing a torpedo in a regular place with the direction of sound on the windscreen, the tilt of which will reflect the sound to the listener. This type of installation is not the best option for accurate transmission of high frequencies, but it is still better than installing speakers in the door or under the torpedo, where the squeakers play foot.

Pioneer TS-G1023i three-lane. One tweeter is for high frequencies, the second is for ultra—high frequencies, i.e. almost ultrasound. This can be seen even from the claimed characteristics of the frequency range — from 45 Hz to 27 kHz. This range goes beyond what a person can hear, and can only be used when playing uncompressed audio formats, such as SACD or DVD-audio. Of course, most motorists listen to the receiver or music from a USB flash drive in MP3 format, in which there are no frequencies above 20 kHz. And when reflected from the windscreen, frequencies above 16 kHz dissipate.

As for the lower frequency range, you should not expect that 4-inch speakers will be able to reproduce the bass loudly and powerfully. On the contrary, for such babies it is recommended to use an HPF filter (at 100-150 Hz) for cleaner reproduction of medium and high frequencies. With such “kids” it is desirable to have a rear bass tone compensation.

Pioneer TS-G1023i reproduces well female vocals, violin, piano and many other instruments lying in the widest middle and upper ranges. The sensitivity is indicated at 88 dB, although they are perceived louder by ear. Rated power of 30 W is sufficient for use with any with tape recorders, and with external amplifiers the model must be used through an HPF filter that protects against large fluctuations of the diffuser.

Pioneer TS-G1023i is equipped with acoustic wires and protective nets. Similar in installation, but 2-way models — Blaupunkt CL 100 and Helix Xmax 110 .

Mystery MC-540

This model consists of two components: a remote squeaker (tweet) and a 13 cm speaker. Also included is a crossover, whose task is not to pass low frequencies to the squeakers, and high frequencies to the midbass, for better consistency of the two components with each other.

The midbasa diffuser is made of the most durable material in automotive conditions — polypropylene. In most cases, such a speaker will be installed in the door under the standard protective mesh.

The location and orientation of the high-frequency emitter is of great importance. It is advisable to place them as far away from the listener as possible, but at the height of the ears. The mounting kit for installing a 25 mm silk tweeter consists of a pair of inset podiums and two pairs of overhead podiums for installation at the corners of the torpedo, in the triangles of mirrors or the upper part of the door panels.

The rated power is 50 watts, and the peak power is 150 watts. The sensitivity is 91 dB, which is slightly higher than the previous 4-inch speaker, which is natural with a larger diffuser area. The specified frequency range on the product box (from 60 to 21000 Hz) is, according to user reviews, more advertising. By ear, the frequency range of a 5-inch midbass is perceived slightly lower than that of a 4-inch, but it's still not bass.

And silk tweeters are famous for their airy sound and a range limited from above, which is perceived more naturally by ear than a metal "cik-cik" at 20 Hz of a more familiar foil tweeter.

DLS K5

One of the simplest two-component acoustic systems created by Swedish engineers David, Lyon and Stefan (DLS). The model is purposefully simplified in order to reduce the cost.

There are no usual boxes (crossovers) in the kit, the full frequency range comes to the 5-inch midbase without filtering, and the brilliant mylar twitter is protected by one small capacitor on the wire, cutting off frequencies below 6.5 kHz (quite high).

The speaker diffuser is made of a material with excellent acoustic characteristics — cellulose (paper) with a protective moisture-resistant impregnation. The shape of the phase—leveling body in DLS K5 is unusual — in the form of a fungus. The trick of this form is to perform two tasks at the same time. When listening to speakers at an angle, when, for example, they are installed in doors, and their radiation axis is directed at the legs, this form increases the width of the medium-frequency radiation and compensates for them at an angle, and also works as another tweeter, only playing low.

The lower frequency range is 50 Hz, which is slightly lower than the previous 13—cm Mystery. If we compare these two models, the DLS K5 really feels a little deeper by ear. The rated power is 50 watts, so the model can be used both for an external amplifier and for a radio.

On the back of the speaker there is a hole in the magnetic system for cooling the sound coil. To install tweeters, podiums are included, and the 20-millimetre case of the "squeakers" easily fits into any regular places for tweeters. DLS K5 are equipped with protective nets.

Similar 5-inch models, but with full—fledged crossovers — Vibe Slick 5 Comp and JBL GTO-508C .

DLS X-SP62

Another interesting model from a Swedish company specializing exclusively in the production of acoustics and amplifiers. Belongs to the relatively new X-programme series, created more for youth club music. This is the thinnest model in the series — the installation depth is 56 mm. Thin speakers are more versatile in terms of installing them in doors.

A well-recognized feature of the X-programme series is the red colour of the midbass basket, whose diameter is 165 mm. Silk 20mm tweeters have a complete set for universal installation, including three types of podiums. The big red crossover has a 4000 Hz split frequency of two bands, as well as tweeter level adjustment (attenuator). This is necessary to align the two components by level during installation.

The rated power of 60 watts is just right for use with an external amplifier.

The range of reproducible frequencies depends on the conditions of use of the speakers. First of all, we mean the acoustic volume, orientation and location in the car interior. In this model, the frequency range is from 40 Hz to 20 kHz. At low frequencies, the 6-inch speaker will definitely be lower due to the low resonant frequency, but the sensitivity is slightly higher than that of the previous models of our review — it is 91 dB.

This model is not equipped with safety nets, because it is designed for installation under standard door safety nets.

Similar in characteristics to the model, but an inch smaller in diameter — Helix B 52C , EDGE ED305 and DLS C5A .

DLS R6A

One of the most popular acoustic systems manufactured by DLS, thanks to which, in particular, this company has become popular in Russia and Ukraine. As users note on many forums and just in reviews on the web, the device combines a very high-quality, clear sound and a deep, soft bass. The R6A has many advantages, but it was not without drawbacks, which will be discussed later.

The well-recognized design of these 6-inch speakers is given by a diffuser made of long-fibre cellulose (paper) with double-sided waterproof impregnation. The rather big, almost subwoofer magnet is protected by a rubber cover. In the central part of the magnetic washer there is an air cooling hole, enlarged to 1.25" of the sound coil. Accordingly, the rated power has been increased — 80 watts.

The silk 25 mm tweeter is protected by a branded decorative grill resembling the stripes on a basketball. It is advisable not to hide such tweeters under regular protective nets, but to put them on the front racks or on the triangles of mirrors with the direction to the centre of the cabin, so as not to lose the lightness and depth of the sound of high frequencies. Moreover, DLS took care of this type of installation and invested in the set of overhead pre-turn and mortise podiums.

A large 2-band crossover divides the midbass with tweeters among themselves at a frequency of 5 kHz. The tweeter's sound pressure level is adjusted relative to the midbass. The range of reproducible frequencies (by ear) along the upper edge of the high frequencies is sufficient, but along the bass edge the sound is very deep and low. The range stated in the passport is from 50 to 20,000 Hz. The sensitivity index is 94 Db.

And now as for the disadvantages mentioned at the beginning of the review. The acoustic systems are quite deep (76 mm), which significantly complicates their installation in the door — not all doors fit. Therefore, they are equipped with protective nets in case of installation in homemade overhead podiums.

Less sensitive analogues — Helix E 62C and Vibe BlackAir 6 V1 Comp .