How to select 6.5 or 6x9 inch speakers for your taco

The purpose if this article is to help pick out 6.5 inch speakers for your Tacoma. It is a basic explanation about mounting, power and other important info you should consider before you purchase speakers.
NOTE: If you are planning on a subwoofer I suggest the use 6.5 inch component speakers. If you do not plan on a sub, 6x9s may be enough for your BASS needs.
A common misconception is that all 6.5 inch spears are the same size. However, they vary in size, weight and a number of other factors. The overall diameter is “supposed” to be 6.5 inches. But as shown in some pics below you will see that the sizes vary, even by the same manufacturer.
There are many factors in choosing speakers. This will depend on your taste and the amount of sound (volume) you wish to derive from your system. Not to mention your “budget” J
Here is a list of what to consider when purchasing speakers.
1. Mounting Diameter – this is “hole” that the speaker will fit inside of. 95% of all coax 6.5 inch speakers can be mounted in a 5.125 size mounting hole. This is the standard size used in the *********.com mount. Custom sizes are now available.
2. Mounting Depth – In the case of the 05-09 Tacoma using the *********.com 1” mount will give you a bit over 3.25 inches of mounting depth. In a nutshell you have 3.25 inches before the magnet will interfere with the window operation. Using a cheap ¾ inch mount will yield a bit less than 3” mounting depth. This will reduce your option for higher end speakers.
NOTE: The picture below is for reference only. The deepest speaker I have seen mounted in a Taco was a bit over 3.25 inches.

http://www.*********.com/tn/9.jpg

http://www.*********.com/tn/8.jpg


3. RMS Wattage – don’t be fooled by MAX watt ratings they mean almost nothing when selecting your speakers. RMS (Root means square) is the power your speakers can handle continuously. Very few coax speakers are over 65 watts. MOST manufacturers hide the RMS ratting so search carefully.
4. Sensitivity - A sensitivity rating tells you how effectively a speaker converts power watts into volume. Be weary of cheap speakers that require lots of power because they are bad at handling power. In other words the better a speaker the higher the sensitivity.
5 Coax or Component?
Coaxial Speakers – Good
Coaxial speakers contain two or more elements on a single axis: a woofer, to reproduce the low notes, and a tweeter, mounted inside the woofer, for the highs. These are often lower cost speakers that allow for better sound than most stock car audio systems.
Component Speakers – BEST!
Component systems, or separates, use a superior speaker design to give you the best possible sound. A typical separates system includes 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and 2 external crossovers
Generally, components are made of better materials than their two- or three-way coaxial counterparts. By nature of components, you can position the separate tweeters for optimal imaging. Given adequate power, separates deliver exceptional dynamics and detail.

6. If you don’t understand midbass driver, tweeters or crossovers. Check out this site:
Bcae1.com it is a great information place for stereo newbies.
Below are two speakers from the Polk Audio, Polk Momo 6500 & MM6501. Both are described as 6.5 inch speakers. However you will see they vary a significant amount.
NOTE: The polks only require a 5" mounting hole. While the Image Dyanmics XS65 require a near 5.7 nches. Plus the IDs are much deeper mounting depth.
http://www.*********.com/tn/2.jpg

The pencil lines are traced around the outside of each speaker. You can see a difference of about 1/8 of an inch or about ¼ inch overall difference.
http://www.*********.com/tn/3.jpg
Mounting diameter for about 95% of 6.5 inch coax speakers:
http://www.*********.com/tn/5.jpg
Custom size for ID XS65.
http://www.*********.com/tn/6.jpg


The speaker mount below is a custom sized speaker mount for an Image Dynamics XS65 that requires larger mounting diameter than both of these Polks. I am often asked why not make the hole bigger to accommodate all speakers. Well if the mounting diameter is to big, you wont’ have any place for the screws to attach to using the Polk 6500.
If you look closely the speaker is to small for the larger mounting diameter. Two of the holes have no wood behind them.
http://www.*********.com/tn/10.jpg
Hole to small for the XS65.
http://www.*********.com/tn/11.jpg
BTW, these bad boys ROCK!
http://www.*********.com/tn/7.jpg

95% of all speakers will work in the standard 5.1 inch speaker mounting diameter.

For you folks planning on a very nice sound system, most components will require a larger hole.


The speaker mounts shown above are made from eco-friendly and more important health friendly outdoor grade mdf. Not cheap MDF purchased @ your local hardware store. They contain no formaldehyde and rated for outdoor use.

If you want a lifetime solution check these out:
http://www.*********.com/tn/12.jpg
Oops here is some common info on Coax & Components to back up my info:
http://www.*********.com/tn/coax.jpg
http://www.*********.com/tn/component.jpg
FYI:
You can use just about any 6x9 speaker with the 6x9 mounts:
http://www.*********.com/installation/speakers/full/1.jpg

 

Nice write up!

 

If you need help installing your new speakers, this gal can help:

http://www.*********.com/installation/speakers/


http://www.*********.com/installation/speakers/full/IMG_4005.jpg

 

So i take it you work for *********?

 

I would sure think he does.

 

its official 100%

 

Is this easier than reading?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKcCHIdunPQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7NgBccX1VI