10 Best JBL Car Speakers of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

JBL is known for making good speakers, but that doesn’t mean that every product they make will be right for you. On the contrary, selecting the right car sound system can be complicated and even frustrating.

To make your job easier, we’ve surveyed JBL’s entire product line and featured their ten best speakers on our list. Whether you’re a budget buyer or someone willing to get a premium product, there will be something here for you.

Read on for the best JBL car speaker reviews!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		JBL Premium Co-Axial Speaker	Rich sound Pivotable tweeter Independent bass/tweeter adjustments	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		JBL Stage 3-Way Coaxial Car Audio Speakers	3-way system Should be an easy installation Affordable	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		JBL GTO Series Car Coaxial Audio Speakers	Rubber coated woofer for better bass Titanium lined tweeter for clarity Easy installation	CHECK PRICE
		JBL Premium Component Speaker System	Good bass Great tweeters Fine-tuning	CHECK PRICE
		JBL 2-Way Coaxial Car Speaker	Very affordable	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best JBL Car Speakers

1. JBL Premium Co-Axial Speaker – Best Overall

The JBL Premium is a full-range (AKA co-axial) pair of speakers that will be optimal for the person who wants to crank up the bass. The carbon-infused design concept is specifically optimized to circulate more air through the speaker system, facilitating that rich, weighted sound people look for in their bass-heavy music.

The onboard tweeter also has a lot going for it, featuring a pivot component that allows you to direct where the sound will be output. You can use this feature to direct the sound waves at yourself, giving the music a much livelier effect. The tweeter and the bass can be adjusted independently to optimize sound levels to your preference.

Mounting dimensions are 5-1/16 inches, and it requires at least 2 inches of internal clearance. The speakers require an amplifier range of 25-180 watts to perform as manufacturers have intended. You should know that people with open cars (jeeps, SUVs, vans, etc.) don’t get much out of the bass. You may need to offset this problem with subwoofers if you don’t have a compact car. Despite this, we still think these are the best overall JBL car speakers on the market today.

2. JBL Stage 3-Way Coaxial Car Audio Speakers – Best Value

The JBL Stage is an affordable 3-way system that will do well to serve the needs of the buyer on a budget. Indeed, that is why we have rated it our best JBL car speaker for the money. The 6×9 inch speakers have been molded with polypropylene for the stiff build that bass requires.

The units handle 70 watts of continuous output or 210 at peak power. The speakers also feature a built-in dome and piezoelectric super tweeters for a more layered listening experience. Last, but not least, the speakers are easy to mount and should fit in well with the factory pre-cut holes on most cars.

Unfortunately, the sound quality is somewhat lacking relative to some of the other products on our list. It features staticky feedback that audiophiles probably won’t tolerate. Still, if you need something affordable and basic, this will do the job nicely.

3. JBL GTO Series Car Coaxial Audio Speakers – Premium Choice

The JBL GTO Series features a rubber-coated woofer cone that will be perfect for amplifying the effects of your bass. Meanwhile, the tweeter is surrounded by a titanium lining to add depth to the sound quality. It features a peak output rating of 300 watts (or 600 watts per pair) and a sensitivity rating of 94 dB, which will help you crank up the music if you’re feeling so inclined.

They are also made with durability in mind. The speakers are specifically optimized for handling humidity and rapidly changing temperatures—both factors that can jeopardize the health of car speakers.

Last, but not least, it also benefits from an easy installation. The manufacturer specifically made the speakers fit naturally into the precut holes made in the factory. Unfortunately, they are some of the pricier speakers on our list. However, if you don’t mind the premium price, you will find plenty to appreciate.

4. JBL Premium Component Speaker System

The JBL Premium Component Speaker System benefits from a carbon-injected woofer cone that is spaced to filter in more air. This feature creates a more robust sound profile that accentuates the bass. The separate tweeter, meanwhile, is optimized for heat dissipation and better power handling, creating a nice, smooth sound profile.

The tweeter can be fine-tuned to enhance the performance, regardless of speaker placement in the car, while the “low impenitence” 3-ohm factor is made to compensate for poor wiring in your car. Mounting options are also user-friendly. The specially designed hardware allows for exterior or flush mounting, and you can select an approach best suited for your car’s layout.  The speakers can handle 270 watts of power at peak output.

However, the sound quality won’t compete with that of higher-end systems. Ultimately, these speakers are best seen as a replacement for damaged factory installations than they are a deluxe upgrade.

5. JBL 2-Way Coaxial Car Speaker

The JBL CLUB6520 is a very basic but affordable speaker that will be good for replacing factory-installed units when the time comes. It features a peak output of 150 watts and a sensitivity level of 92 dB, which, though not record-setting, will still be adequate for the average car owner. The mounting measurements have been specifically made to fit most factory presets, though this may not be true for some cars.

The only problem with these speakers is that there is no wow factor. The power and sound quality are both average but won’t likely serve as an improvement to what you are already used to.

6. JBL GX Series 2-Way Coaxial Car Loudspeakers

The JBL GX Series is an affordable coaxial pair of speakers that can handle 180 watts at peak power. Operating at the 50Hz–21kHz frequency, it can hit a wide range of sounds with clarity. The installation width is sized at 6 inches, which should be suitable for the vast majority of factory precut holes. It benefits from 3 ohms and comes with deluxe earbuds that further enhance the value of the purchase.

Unfortunately, the range of these speakers may not be everything you are hoping for. The tweeters specifically seem to struggle a good deal with high notes. Unfortunately, that’s the drawback you tend to encounter in this price range. However, the speakers will serve as an upgrade for most factory-issued speakers.

7. JBL Coaxial Car Audio Loudspeaker

The JBL CS762 features power handling of 45Wrms, a peak performance of 135 watts, and a frequency response of  55Hz–20khz. The two-pack is very affordable and has a width of 6 inches to accommodate most factory preset holes.

Unfortunately, many buyers report that the hardware did not quite line up with the factory holes, requiring small alterations before installation. This was particularly true of older cars dating back to the early 2000s. Fixing the holes is easy, but if you aren’t comfortable with it, you’ll need more cash for professional help.

You should also note that the power output probably won’t improve that of the speakers that came with your car. These are designed to replace, but not necessarily upgrade, factory speakers.

8. JBL GX Series Coaxial Car Loudspeakers

The JBL GX963 is a powerful set of two speakers with a peak wattage of 600. The speakers are coated with rubber, enhancing the durability factor and providing a nice, stiff foundation that will do well to amplify the bass.

Many users have reported that their speakers didn’t last for very long. Several have claimed that their speakers didn’t make it a year. Granted, this complaint may have something to do with how the user listens to music. For instance, if they use an overpowered amp, it could blow the speakers out sooner. Still, it is something to be aware of.

9. JBL Stadium High-Performance Speakers

The JBL Stadium is a component-based set. The bass woofer cones are made of fiberglass and are designed to be both lightweight for air circulation and stiff for sound depth and quality. It also benefits from a surface area approximately 25% larger than the average speaker, which, at least in theory, further improves the sound quality.

Meanwhile, the dome tweeters feature soft woven fabric for smoother frequencies. The tweeter can be adjusted effortlessly via a dial by +0 dB flat and +3 dB. Remember that the installation isn’t very easy, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience. You also won’t get much out of these speakers without a decent amplifier, so account for that in your budget.

10. JBL Peak 3-Way Coaxial Car Audio Loudspeaker

We close things out with the JBL CS763. It’s a basic but effective pair of speakers that can replace blown-out factory presets affordably. They feature power handling 45Wrms and a 135W peak. The sensitivity rating comes in at 93 dB.

If you choose this set, be prepared for the installation. The package doesn’t come with any wiring or hardware, which certainly complicates things. It also has no grills, and the power levels are mediocre. As with several other models on our list, it works as a replacement set but won’t offer much in the way of an upgrade.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best JBL Car Speaker

A lot goes into a good speaker. Below, we’ll look at a few considerations to help you better understand what makes a product special.

Sensitivity

The speaker’s sensitivity references how well it will be able to use the power it is given. Higher-powered systems do best with a low sensitivity rating, while the opposite is true of lower-powered units. Striking the right balance will help ensure that you enjoy excellent sound quality.

Power Handling

Power handling refers to the maximum wattage of power that a speaker can handle. You don’t need to worry about power handling for basic systems. However, if you’re investing in a more intricate configuration (with powerful external amps, etc.), you will want to ensure the power handling rating is high.

Full Range Speakers

When adding in aftermarket speakers, full-range speakers are usually the path of least resistance. In one easy package, these units feature everything you need (woofers, tweeters, etc.). Better yet, they can often go directly into the same spaces that hosted your factory speakers for easy installation.

Component Speakers

Buying component speakers is significantly more complicated but typically results in a better experience if you do it right. This configuration separates woofers and tweeters but coordinates them with a crossover network. The harmonization adds vibrancy to the music, doing well to replicate the “live” experience.

The downside is that they usually come with a complicated installation and will often be more expensive than full-range speakers.

Materials

The speakers’ materials dictate both sound quality and the overall durability of the design concept. Below, we detail materials that are optimal for both types of speakers.

Woofer Material: Woofers thrive with stiff materials. Most are crafted with synthetic plastics, like polypropylene. However, woven metal is also sometimes used to facilitate a robust bass sound. In that case, aluminum is a good option because it is lightweight but also highly responsive.

You also want the surrounding material to be durable but capable of facilitating high-quality output. Rubber is usually prized for handling various temperatures and weather conditions. However, you can save money by opting for cloth and foam and still enjoy a good experience.

Tweeter Material: In contrast, tweeters tend to be made of softer materials, like silk or other poly-blend fabrics. The softer components facilitate a mellow sound to provide a nice contrast to the stiff vibrancy of the bass.

Pivoting Tweeters

Even in the confined space of your car, the direction of the soundwaves will have a significant influence on your overall experience. Pivoting tweeters allow you to manipulate the direction of the output so that the sound is coming directly at you. The result is that the music feels much more vibrant and alive than it otherwise would.

Installation

Professional installation may add considerably to the cost of your new speakers. However, many units are straightforward enough that the average Joe shouldn’t have trouble getting them in. If you don’t have any technical prowess but would still prefer to avoid the expense of a professional installation, there are options for you.

Look for products that are sized to fit the average factory-sized holes. Granted, this won’t be a one-size-fits-all situation, but you can usually find out more about your car’s compatibility with a set of speakers by visiting the manufacturer’s website. JBL may have a list of makes and models their speakers will work with.

Bluetooth

Most of us no longer use CDs, and the radio will only get you so far. For on-demand music, look for speakers that are compatible with Bluetooth. Phone compatibility is a pretty common feature these days and may even be available at an affordable price.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read our JBL car speaker reviews, you hopefully have a better idea of which product is right for you. However, if you’re still stuck between a couple of options, you might benefit from our recommendations.

If you’re looking for a true upgrade, our top choice, the JBL GTO629 Premium Co-Axial Speaker will be the way to go. However, if you’re just trying to replace factory speakers without spending much money, you’ll likely prefer our runner-up, the JBL Stage 9603 3-Way Coaxial Car Audio Speakers.