Speakers are a major component of any audio setup. Speakers are designed to reproduce sound from an audio source. They receive sound signals in the form of an electric signal and convert the electric signals into sound by moving air. When buying new speakers, you will come across several speakers of different sizes and shapes. Some of the most common speaker sizes are 6.5 inch and 8 inch speakers. But which speaker size should you choose between the two? In this guide, we compare 6.5 vs 8 inch speakers in detail.
Quick Comparison Table
| Comparison Variable | 6.5 Inch Speakers | 8 Inch Speakers |
| Size | Size Medium | Large |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Sound output | Good | More powerful |
| Power consumption | Average | High |
| Applications | Door speakers, background sound | Trunk speakers, surrounding speakers |
Should You Choose 6.5 or 8 Inch Speakers?
There are several differences between 6.5” and 8” speakers. Although they are all designed to reproduce sound, they differ in various aspects such as:
1. Available space
Generally, 6.5 speakers are medium-sized while 8-inch speakers are larger. If you want the best sound output from your speakers, you need to match them with the available space. For instance, if you install small speakers within a large room or car, you will not get the best sound.
6.5-inch speakers are most suitable for medium-sized rooms. You can also use them as door speakers in small to medium-sized cars. However, if the room or car in question is larger, then consider installing 8-inch speakers. 8-inch speakers are louder than 6.5 speakers. Thus, 8” speakers are more capable of dispersing sound evenly around a larger room or car cabin.
Also, 8-inch speakers take up more mounting space than 6.5-inch speakers. For instance, if you are installing speakers in your car, you will find that 8-inch speakers cannot fit in most car doors. You may have to install them in the trunk to fit while 6.5 speakers will fit in most car doors.
2. Bass output
The bass output of a speaker is an important aspect to consider when comparing speakers. If you choose speakers with poor bass quality, you might miss out on important low frequency details in your music.
Essentially, 6.5 speakers have lower bass output than 8-inch speakers due to their smaller size. 8-inch speakers are larger and move more air, making them produce deeper bass.
3. Sound Organization
When setting up a surround sound system, you will need surrounding sound and background sound for the best home theater experience. When choosing 6.5 or 8 inch speakers for your home theater, consider installing 6.5” speakers for background sound and 8” speakers for surrounding sound.
Essentially, background sound tends to be continuous and soft. Thus, 6.5 speakers deliver better background sound. Also, 6.5 speakers are better for soft music than 8” speakers. On the other hand, 8” speakers perform well with surrounding sound. For instance, 8 inch speakers sound better when playing hard rock music than 6.5-inch speakers.
4. Power Consumption
A more powerful speaker requires more power from an amplifier or audio source. For a speaker to produce superior sound quality, it needs sufficient power supply. Generally, 6.5 speakers require less power than 8-inch speakers. Thus, you need a more powerful amplifier to supply 8-inch speakers with sufficient power than 6.5 inch speakers. If you already have a high-powered amp, you can comfortably go for 8-inch speakers. If not, consider a budget for a powerful amp if you must choose 8-inch speakers.
Final Thoughts on 6.5 vs 8 Inch Speakers
After comparing 6.5 and 8 inch speakers, both speakers are great in their own ways. Essentially, 6.5-inch speakers are ideal for smaller spaces while 8-inch speakers are ideal for larger spaces. Also, if your budget is tight, 6.5 speakers are your ideal choice as they are more affordable than 8” speakers. In terms of sound output, 8-inch speakers are more powerful with deeper bass and louder sound. Thus, consider your preferences and needs when choosing between 8 vs 6.5 inch speakers.
Michael Evanchuk is a San Francisco-based sound engineer with 20 years’ experience installing, troubleshooting, and repairing commercial, automotive, and household sound equipment. Evanchuk owns an auto stereo center, where he offers highly competitive car audio installation and repair services. He has written dozens of articles on different sound engineering topics, all of which have been published in leading journals, blogs, and websites.
