6.5 component vs 6x9 components?

So I have focal rcx 6 x 9 speakers in the front doors. Although the speakers are great and they sound really good I want separation of sound. Somebody is riding passenger or driving speaker is blocked by the person’s legs. I’ve seen a lot of people use 6.5 speakers and get rid of the 6X9 speakers but in this day and age 6X9 speakers are also offered in component. I know there’s a debate whether 6.5‘s sound better because they’re around. I just wanted to hear what your personal experiences are and if I should Stay with 6x9s or go with the 6.5s. I do have aftermarket amp and I’m looking to get these infinity speaker.TIA

 

I'm in the 6x9 camp, especially since I don't want to sacrifice the space for subs, and I don't listen to bass-heavy music anyway (pretty much 100% rock). While I also appreciate detail and articulation in music, I save that for home where I have separates and full range speakers and listen to mostly 2-channel. But there's otherwise too much road and general noise around me when I drive since I almost always have my back window down even during winter (living in California allows me to do that ). So it's hard for me to enjoy music at an enthusiast/audiophile level when I drive. Aftermarket 6x9s more than do the job for me, and I get plenty of punch for my music tastes.

But that said, if I did have a sub, I'd more than likely be running 6.5 components.

 

I see where you’re coming from but being that we spend so much time in our vehicles nowadays a good sound system is necessary especially if you like music. I mean who doesn’t like music... I already got an 8 inch JL audio Microsoft and for the size it hits really hard especially after sound dampening the truck not only as a truck quieter but the speakers sound a lot better but like I said I’m debating on what speaker size will work best for the tundra I always see people installing 6.5 speakers and getting rid of the 6X9 speakers. I’m assuming it’s because 6X9 components were not as popular and also the Crutchfield website says that aftermarket 6X9 speakers don’t fit but they do and work just fine. I still want to keep the mid base and pretend I don’t have a subwoofer and get space from the front door speakers so it’s a well rounded system. My ram came with the alpine Soundsystem and the 6.5 speakers alone in the front doors hit pretty hard for being a component speaker from factory that’s not including the 8 inch subwoofer that also came with it. Put all that together and you’re gonna have a good sounding face popping sound system

 

6x9 vs 6.5" for that concern is really a non factor.

Youre on the right track though. Components are what it sounds like youre looking for. Crossovers will ensure that the tweeters are getting the ideal bandwidth they need and will raise the sound stage. Youre running coaxials now so youre getting a lot of the vocal and instrument sound at ankle height. I personally am a fan of 6x9s for better midbass, I typically run tweeters that reach pretty low in the frequency band, which takes a lot of the risk of beaming and stage displacement out of the picture. 6x9s are difficult in the Tundra though since the window track goes right behind the speaker mount and since they have larger spiders they tend to have deeper magnets.

 

Time spent driving is a factor for sure. I don't drive a whole lot (2008 with only 98k miles). While I do take trips to the office which is a 70 mile one-way commute, they're few and far in between. Thank goodness I'm a tele-worker. But even then so, I've never found an in-car system (not just for my Tundra) that can match what I have at home, and I have a good amount invested in home audio. I realize that isn't a comparison that should be made because you don't have to deal with sitting position and speaker position limitations vs a car, but as much as I spoil myself with home audio equipment, it only leaves me wanting in the car, so it's just not worth it to me to pursue it. But I realize that's just me and I may be a rare case.

 

Agreed but I already got 6x9 and the lack in the mid bass is what is also making me want to swap them out.

 

Not sure if it applies to other Gens, but the Gen 2 require a max install depth of 2 7/8" to stay clear of the window track. I was only able to find one 6x9 speaker that qualified (Pioneer) with the run of the mill brands below $200. And even Crutchfield's website says that no aftermarket 6x9 speaker will work, including the ones I got.

 

https://youtu.be/2WWIhpbwgwk

There’s a video I made demonstrating the depth of the window with the speaker

 

Yeah I had to mount my Morel Tempo 6x9s in our 4R. It’s okay though as I ended up with the Morel Virtus 602s for the Tundra

 

How did you like them?

 

I’ve listened to a lot of speakers and the Morels are my favorite. It’s a subjective thing though, everyone has different tastes.

The Morels are never harsh, the crossovers are well tuned and the tweeters play low so they’re easy to get sound staging right. Their only real downside is the their price. But for me it’s well worth it.