It’s no secret that most stock car audio systems are best at playing mid-level tones. That’s why so many car stereo users add such things as subwoofers to enhance bass. A subwoofer will enhance lower frequency music notes but that still leaves higher frequency music notes hard for the car audio system to recreate. That’s where adding a nice tweeter to your car’s audio system comes into play. These will enhance the high notes in the music that you play that would normally be neglected by most stock vehicle audio systems.
Most people are unfamiliar with what the best car tweeters are for their car or truck. Don’t worry because we are here to help with that. In this article, we will do a series of car tweeter reviews on the top models that are available in the car stereo marketplace. By the time you are done reading you will most certainly have read about a car stereo tweeter that you might like to win yourself.
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
ST35 – Hertz 1.4“ 100W RMS Bullet Tweeters |
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Skar Audio VX35-ST Tweeter |
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JL AUDIO C2-075ct 0.75″ Tweeters |
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DS18 PRO-TW820 Super Tweeter |
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Rockford Fosgate PP4-T Punch Pro Tweeter |
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Pioneer pro-Series TS-B400PRO 4″ Bullet Tweeter |
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Best Tweeter Reviews (Recommended Picks)
1. ST35 – Hertz 1.4“ 100W RMS Bullet Tweeters
The interesting but expensive product from Hertz in form of pair of tweeters with nice specifications and power. The construction of this set is from aluminum (cone and dome) which is proven to be durable against the vibrations.
The power of this tweeters is 100 Watts of the peak which is a lot and thanks to advanced construction and materials, the sound reproduction is precise and strong. With the price of just under $300 this is expensive and high-end product and with the peak power of 100 Watts, it is clearly intended for use in premium sound systems and for people that need strong sound.
2. Skar Audio VX35-ST Tweeter
The Skar Audio VX35-ST is a stylish set of high compression titanium bullet tweeters, capable of producing high-quality sound and amplitude. High frequencies’ strength and accuracy make them a premium quality product for their price range, ideal for a gift to a music-loving friend or family member. This compact set of 3.5-inch speakers works at a maximum power of 500 Watts and RMS power of 300 Watts – more than most of their counterparts in the industry. The depth of bass will surely resonate and catch the eye of the by-passer.
The tweeters can be mounted to most vehicles and amplify the sound range considerably, but the magnet base does not fit universally to all harnesses, depending on the car model. For custom adaptation, a mounting depth of around 2 inches and 3 inches diameter will be standard. Some occasional readjustment and refitting may be required. Although they come with a bass blocker, cranking them up to the highest levels may cause them to burn out more quickly or begin to crackle, so use with precaution to get the most out of this product.
3. JL AUDIO C2-075ct 0.75″ Tweeters
Compact yet powerful set from JL Audio in form of two easy to install tweeters. Nicely designed and easy to install JL Audio tweeters comes with peak power of 250 Watts and 100 Watts RMS which is more than enough for most users and most applications.
With the silk dome and metal construction od the speaker it is not the most advanced product on the market but still is quality built with decent materials. This product is priced accordingly and for little, under $90 you will get a nice set of tweeters with lots of power and very good sound delivery.
The users reported no problems with this set and also very precise high tones which make it perfect for every enthusiast.
4. DS18 PRO-TW820 Super Tweeter
The DS18 PRO-TW820 is a 1-inch super bullet tweeter, designed to enhance the sound experience and bring a new dimension to enjoying music. Although it is tailored for automobiles, the speaker can also be applied to a home-theater system. The speaker works at a maximum output of 200 Watts and RMS power of 100 Watts, making it average in its range of products. The high-quality aluminum frame and diaphragm ensure a crisp, clear, and loud sound reproduction. Be aware that this is a single-unit order, while most competitors on the market offer prices for a pair.
The DS18 is not a wireless unit but has to be connected to the dashboard. One potentially challenging element is that the product does not come with a universal manual for installation, and some research or professional help may be required for the novice user. They are also somewhat bulkier and heavier than other tweeters in their range, making them a little more difficult to mount or screw in. Like many speakers in their range, the DS18 also has a limited life span and cranking up the bass regularly will reasonably decrease their productivity and endurance. They do, however, come with custom attached bass blockers and are solidly built.
5. Rockford Fosgate PP4-T Punch Pro Tweeter
We are big fans of Rockford Fosgate speaker products and tweeters like this model are the reason why. It’s well-designed and will add some dynamic high notes to your car audio system. At only 4.5” in diameter, it does this without taking up much space in your car’s interior or trunk either.
How do you get some great high sounds with this small size tweeter? It’s all in the design. The Rockford Fosgate PP4-T Punch has such outstanding features as 50 watt RMS power handling ability and a high powered aluminum diaphragm. The integrated 6dB high pass crossover only enhances the sound that it produces all that much more.
This is one tough car stereo tweeter too. It is laid into a cast aluminum housing that will help keep it stable no matter where you mount it on your vehicle. Rockford Fosgate also includes all the necessary mounting hardware for this 4-ohm tweeter right in its package.
Pros:
- 50 watt RMS power/120 watt peak power
- Cast aluminum housing
- Integrated 6dB high pass crossover
- High powered aluminum diaphragm
- Includes the necessary mounting hardware
- High temp Kapton Former voice coil
Cons:
- Includes no protective grill
- Short 1-year warranty
6. Pioneer pro-Series TS-B400PRO 4″ Bullet Tweeter
Similar to a previously featured product from Rockford, the Pioneer’s TS-B400PRO is a single powerful tweeter. It has an amazing peak power of 500 Watts and 200 Watts RMS which makes it one of the most powerful tweeters you can buy.
It is also built from quality materials and capable of perfect sound distribution. The customers may find this product hard to install since it is 4-inches in diameter so keep that in mind before you buy. The price is affordable, comparing to the competitors and for less than the $50 you can have one of the best tweeters on the market.
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Rockford Fosgate Punch P1T-S Tweeter Kit |
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Infinity REF3022CFX 3.5″ Coaxial Car Speakers |
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Kicker 43CST204 3/4″ Cs-Series Car Tweeters |
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Infinity REF-275tx 135W Car Tweeters |
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JBL CLUB750T 3/4″ 270W Dome Tweeter |
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Rockford Fosgate Prime R1T-S 1-Inch Tweeter Kit |
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7. Rockford Fosgate Punch P1T-S Tweeter Kit
Another great product from Rockford Fosgate in form of P1T-S tweeter kit. For just under $50 you will get a pair of tweeters with decent specifications and materials and a high-pass crossovers.
The tweeters are a standard dimension and they are easy to install in any car interior.
However, the power output is less than desirable and this set has a peak power of 120 Watts and 60 Watts of RMS. It may sound a lot less than the competitors and on the paper it is. But, in real life situations, the less power means it is not capable of really loud noises but in regular volume levels and normal use, this set is just as capable as other on the market.
So, if you are planning on building really loud audio system you should look for alternatives but if you need a normal set for normal use, this is one for you.
8. Infinity REF3022CFX 3.5″ Coaxial Car Speakers
Here is a set of car stereo tweeters that will really increase your car stereo listening pleasure. They are not overpowering but they will add some very smooth high tones to the music you listen to you as you drive. These tweeters are not out of place in a pickup truck, boat or RV either.
Why does this infinity tweeter set reproduce such well-defined high tones? It has everything to do with their edge-driven textile tweeter dome.
- Pros:
25 watt RMS power/135 watt peak power - Edge-driven textile tweeter dome
- 8500 – 21,000 Hz high-frequency response range
- Plus One™ large area woofer cone architecture
- Super-lightweight at only 12 ounces per unit
- Hardware for 3 different mounting options included
Cons:
- Included mounting hardware does not work on every vehicle
- Can be tricky to install on some car audio systems
9. Kicker 43CST204 3/4″ Cs-Series Car Tweeters
Kicker has come up with a really nice 4-ohm tweeter design here. It’s not made for super high powered car audio systems but for most stock car audio systems with small amplifiers, it will work very nicely. If you supply it with the recommended 50 watt RMS power, a set of these will add some dynamic high-frequency tones to your car’s audio system.
For a small tweeter, they have a very generous high sound reproducing range. They duplicate sounds very well that fall in between a 4500 – 21,000 Hz. These tweeters have such nice features as titanium speaker domes and an in-line 6dB high pass crossover (4500 Hz).
The Kicker 43CST204 car stereo tweeters are small and don’t take up much room (0.8” x 0.8” x 0.6”) and weigh only just over 12 ounces each. Kicker has also included enough mounting hardware in the package to install these tweeters 3 different ways too.
Pros:
- 50 watt RMS power/100 watt peak power
- Titanium speaker dome
- 4500 – 21,000 Hz high-frequency response range
- In-line 6dB crossover at 4500 Hz
- Super-lightweight at only 12 ounces per unit
- Hardware for 3 different mounting options included
Cons:
- Included mounting hardware does not work on every vehicle
- Can be tricky to install on some car audio systems
10. Infinity REF-275tx 135W Car Tweeters
Here is a signature series speaker that really delivers from Infinity. This nice 3-ohm woofer is part of their very popular ‘Reference Series’ of car stereo components. When you add these tweeters to your car audio system it will really bring a whole new range of high notes to life to enhance your vehicle stereo listening pleasure.
This is one of the more powerful tweeters on our top review list. It works best at 45 watts of RMS power but can handle as much as 145 watts of peak power in short bursts. They are also an edge-driven textile tweeter so they deliver bolder high notes than what you get with standard paper cone tweeters. They also feature Infinity’s popular Plus One™ large area woofer technology.
The high note frequency range on these tweeters goes beyond what most tweeters can deliver for you too. They feature a nice working frequency response range of 2500 – 21,000 Hz. They are a stylish speaker too and can easily be flush or surface mounted (hardware included for each).
Pros:
- 45 watt RMS power/135 watt peak power
- Edge-driven textile tweeter
- Generous 2500 – 21,000 Hz high-frequency response range
- Infinity’s popular Plus One™ large area woofer cone
- Stylish design
- Includes flush and surface mounting hardware
Cons:
- May not fit in vehicles that have little extra space
- Instructions are too generic and include several model tweeters together
11. JBL CLUB750T 3/4″ 270W Dome Tweeter
JBL speakers are always some of our favorite types of speakers to review because this company always puts out some innovative speaker products at very affordable prices. This tweeter set from them definitely does not disappoint. It is part of their best-selling ‘Club Series’ line of products and will definitely add some crisp, clear high notes to your vehicle’s audio system.
These nice, car and marine edge-driven, tweeters that are designed to have great balance are loaded with other great features too. Among them are Harman’s patented Plus One™ woofer design and their UV-resistant polypropylene cone.
Other characteristics of these speakers help them produce dynamic high sounds on the music you play through them too. They have a very wide 3000 – 20,000 Hz high-frequency response range and they are acoustically dampened so they emit better quality non-resonant high tones. These JBL tweeters are also designed to be super-sensitive to enhance their performance even more.
Pros:
- 45 watt RMS power/135 watt peak power
- Patented large Plus One™ woofer cone architecture
- 3000 – 20,000 Hz high-frequency response range
- Acoustically damped
- UV-resistant polypropylene cone
- Super sensitive for better performance
Cons:
- Works best with amplified car audio systems
- Instruction booklet needs improvement
12. Rockford Fosgate Prime R1T-S 1-Inch Tweeter Kit
As usual Rockford Fosgate has delivered a great speaker for an affordable price with this model tweeter. Everything about them was designed to reproduce some excellent quality high-frequency sound in a small tweeter speaker package. A pair of these will definitely kick your car audio sound up a few notches.
They are not designed to go on super amplified systems but they at 40 watts RMS they are a significant high-frequency sound upgrade over the factory installed car audio systems. They have advanced Mylar dome tweeter construction that is designed to generate a balanced high-frequency output. This Rockford Fosgate
Prime R1T-S tweeter is ultra-sensitive too for even better sound playback quality.
High-frequency sound playback is done in an extended range to thanks to this tweeter’s 2500 – 22,000 Hz high-frequency response range. Mounting is fairly simple in most cases unless you need to do a cutout. Most people can avoid that due to this tweeter speaker’s triple mounting options.
Pros:
- 40 watt RMS power/80 watt peak power
- Mylar balanced dome tweeter
- 2500 – 22,000 Hz high-frequency response range
- High sensitivity playback
- 4.5kHz @ 6dB/octave high pass crossover
- Includes triple mounting options and hardware
Cons:
- Only a single year warranty
- Mounting options are great/mounting instructions not so much
13. JBL GTO19T Premium 0.75-Inch Component Tweeter
Here is a very well-thought-out stand-alone tweeter design from JBL. For a small and lightweight tweeter, it delivers some really pronounced high-frequency sounds. It definitely will nicely complement any stock or slightly amplified car audio system. The expanded high frequency sounds this tweeter emits will not only pleasantly surprise you but they will also let you experience car audio music the way it was meant to be.
Not only will you here voice and high notes louder with these tweeters but you will also hear them in a crisper and clearer fashion. This is due to these tweeter’s outstanding features such as their edge-driven soft-dome tweeter design, oversized voice coils and their integrated 12dB/octave high pass crossover.
Another impressive feature on these model tweeters is their expanded high-frequency response range. They will capture and reproduce all the high notes in a generous 2500 – 21,000 Hz range.
Pros:
- 45 watt RMS power/135 watt peak power
- Edge-driven soft-dome tweeter design
- Oversized 3-ohm voice coils
- 2500 – 21,000 Hz high-frequency response range
- 12dB/octave high pass crossover
- High sensitivity
Cons:
- Don’t fit easily into stick harnesses
- Slightly bigger and harder to mount than most tweeter speakers in its class
14. Kenwood KFC-ST01 Tweeter
This is a light, compact, and basic set of polyetherimide dome tweeters for your car, produced by Kenwood. The item weighs a mere 0.55 lb and comes in a stylish black tone. Each speaker works at a maximum of 80 Watt output and 40 Watt RMS, making them weak compared to other products on the market. Rest assured, though. They offer high-quality sound and treble-bass balance. However, if the volume is what you are looking for, this may not be your best bet. Nonetheless, the price is reasonably low for the quality you get.
The package comes with mounts, screws, bolts, and an in-line crossover capacitor. They are relatively easy to install. However, no instruction manual included, but merely a diagram of the parts and some additional fabrication may be required on your part to make them fit. The item will work optimally when set to 2 ohms per speaker. A nice feature is that they can be rotated easily in all directions upon installation, allowing you to customize the sound experience to your taste. They work equally well as the rear of front speakers, enhancing the overall experience of listening to music on the road.
What is a Tweeter in a Car?
The high-frequency speakers or tweeters are the type of speakers designed for reproducing high tones. Their construction and size are much different than the regular mid or low-frequency speakers but the basic principle of working is the same.
The tweeters are always small speakers with hard membranes or cones and with minimal suspension travel. The Tweeters can produce sounds ranging from 2,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz which is also the limit of human hearing and even above it. Due to rising home and car audio system popularity in the ’70s and ’80s, tweeters become an integral part of any seriously built system and even today they are needed for perfect sound and a great addition to any speaker set.
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Best Tweeters Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | PRICE | DIMENSION | SENSITIVITY | IMPEDANCE | POWER HANDLING | DESIGN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ST35 – Hertz 1.4“ 100W RMS Bullet Tweeters | $$$$$ | 10 x 5 x 5 inches | 109 dB/SPL | 4-Ohm | 100W Peak | 1.4" Copper Clad Aluminium Ribbon |
Kicker Speaker Bundle KS-Series Tweeters | $$$$ | 20mm or 25mm | 94 dB | 4-Ohm | 150 watts Peak / 75 watts RMS | 1 Inch Dome |
JL AUDIO C2-075ct 0.75" Tweeters | $$$ | 8.4 x 6.3 x 2.9" | 92 dB | 4-Ohm | 250 watts Peak / 125 watts each RMS | Silk Soft-dome |
Lanzar OPTITW Optidrive 1-Inch Dome Tweeter | $$$ | 6.2 x 8 x 1.9" | N / A | 4-Ohm | 100 Watts RMS / 200 Watts Peak | 1'' Titanium Dome Tweeter Neodymium Magnet |
Rockford Fosgate PP4-T Punch Pro 4-Ohm Tweeter | $$$ | 6.5 x 7 x 4.5" | 105 dB | 4-Ohm | 50 watt RMS power/120 watt peak power | 1-1/2" aluminum bullet tweeter with compression horn design |
Pioneer pro-Series TS-B400PRO 4" Bullet Tweeter | $$$ | 4.9 x 3.7 x 4.8" | 106 dB | 4-Ohm | 500 watts Peak / 200 watts RMS | 4" Titanium Diaphragm and Aluminum Die-Cast Chassis |
Rockford Fosgate Punch P1T-S Tweeter Kit | $$$ | 10.2 x 5.8 x 2.6" | 90 dB | 4-Ohm | 60 Watts RMS / 120 Watts Max | 1" polyetherimide (PEI) dome |
Infinity REF3022CFX 3.5" 75W Coaxial Car Speakers | $$$ | 10 x 4 x 6" | 91 dB | 3-Ohm | 25 watt RMS power/135 watt peak | Edge-driven textile tweeter dome |
Kicker 43CST204 3/4" Cs-Series Car Tweeters | $$ | 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.6" | 92 dB | 4-Ohm | 2-50 watts RMS / 100 watts peak | 3/4" Titanium dome |
Infinity REF-275tx 135W Car Tweeters | $$$ | 11 x 7 x 2" | N / A | 3-Ohm | 45 watt RMS /135 watt peak | Edge-driven textile |
JBL CLUB750T 3/4" 270W Dome Tweeter | $$ | 10 x 4 x 6" | 92 dB | 3-Ohm | 45 watt RMS /135 watt peak | Edge-driven balanced dome with built-in crossover networks |
Rockford Fosgate Prime R1T-S 1-Inch Tweeter Kit | $ | 8 x 7 x 2" | 72.5dB | 4-Ohm | 40 Watts RMS / 80 Watts Max | 1" Mylar balanced dome |
Conclusion:
The tweeters or high tones speakers are an obligatory part of any proper audio system. Try listening to some music without high notes and you will immediately see why these small components are so important. Fortunately, there are a lot of different offerings on the market and you can choose by specifications, size or by price.
However, if you are building your custom car audio system or just want to improve the existing one, you must have a set of tweeters. Here we have compiled some of the best tweeters on the market.
We hope you enjoyed reading our car tweeter reviews, learned more about the tweeters and find the one that will suit your car, your needs, and your musical taste.