Best Alpine Speakers (Review)

Alpine is a pretty big name in the car audio industry. It’s been delighting the ears of audiophiles for more than 50 years. As a brand, this Japanese-founded company has been around since 1946 and has something of a fabulous and legendary status all over the world.

Alpine knows a thing or two about audio, and has established itself as one of the most trusted brands for car audio components. The company has released everything from car audio products to navigation systems and maintained a level of quality throughout. The same goes for its selection of car speakers.

Whether you need an affordable pair of speakers or high-end speakers, a full-range or a component system, Alpine has you covered.

The Alpine speaker range covers a range of prices at the more affordable to the upper mid-end of the market but, generally, the more you spend, the more powerful and dynamic the sound.

With so many Alpine car speakers to choose from, how do you know which ones are the best? Well, don’t fret ­– we’ve rounded up our recommendations of the best Alpine speakers of 2021 below. We also distilled the right specifications to take into consideration before clicking that buy button.

Alpine Series of speakers

Nowadays, most aftermarket car speaker manufacturers offer a wide selection of models. As customers’ tastes change and their needs diversify, manufacturers increasingly find themselves building different types of speakers to cater for different needs and requirements you can possibly think of, and that’s why many car speakers makers’ product line-ups have become pretty massive.

Alpine is no exception. Its line-up is actually quite robust with a variety of speakers covering prices as low as under $50 or as high as $400 or more.

The company’s speakers fall into four main categories. There’s “E-series”, “S-series”, “R-series”, and “X-series”.

E-series

The Alpine “E-series” car speakers are affordable and have above-average sound quality. They’re meant for those of you who are on a strict-budget and looking for a cheap and decent replacement to stock speakers. They are available in 6″X9″, 6-1/2″, and 5-1/4″ sizes, but they come only in coaxial configuration.

S-series

Alpine’s S-series lands smack dab in the middle of its offering lineup, providing great overall sound quality at affordable prices.

Alpine “S-series” car speakers are step up in range, build quality, and performance compared to the entry-level speakers in the “E-series”.

The S-series speakers seem to be well-liked because they deliver the winning combination of incredible sound and value without costing an arm and a leg. They come in a wide variety of sizes and in both full-range and component configurations.

R-series

The speakers in the “R-series” offer a great bang for the buck. They aren’t neither outrageously expensive nor super cheap. The R-series Alpine speakers are often more expensive than the S range, but they’re a step forward in terms of build quality and performance.

X-series

The “X-series” represents Alpine’s “Best-In-Class” speakers geared for the avid audiophiles. The speakers in this series are very well-engineered, however, they cost a pretty penny.

Best Alpine 6.5 Speakers

1. Alpine S-S65

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Alpine S-S65

• 1-inch silk dome tweeters
• Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic woofer cones
• Specialized rubber surround
• Larger voice coils
• Neodymium magnets

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We’ll start off these Alpine speakers reviews with S-S65, which are Alpine’s most popular car speakers in today’s market. These entry-level 6.5 full-range speakers seem to hit the sweet spot for a lot of guys. They represent the perfect mix of price and performance.

These speakers are designed to let you step up your game without tearing a hole in your wallet. So, if you’re fed up with anemic factory sound, these speakers’ tone definition, and power handling will make you giddy just about every time you hop behind the wheel.

Alpine S-S65 speakers come equipped with carbon fiber-reinforced plastic woofer cones coupled with high amplitude multi-roll rubber surround for a cleaner and distortion-free sound, while silk dome tweeters give you all the precise details that bring out the character of the instruments and vocals. These tweeters can be pivoted inside their housing, so you can angled them towards your ears for an improved stereo-imaging.

These Alpine speakers have a frequency response of 70Hz to 22kHz and can handle up to 80 watts of power on continuous basis and up to 240 watts at peak, which is impressive for full-range speakers. So, if you are really jonesing for a boost in sound quality, hook these speakers up to a powerful aftermarket stereo or external amp and enjoy your music to the fullest.

The speakers at hand deliver sharp highs and great mids, though to produce punchy lows, try pairing with a subwoofer.

The downside, however, is that these speakers’ sensitivity rating coming in at 88dB is slightly below average.

All in all, if you’ve never experienced Alpine sound quality, the S-S65 speakers are a great place to start.

2. Alpine S-S65C

Alpine S-S65C

• Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic woofer cones
• HAMR (High Amplitude Multi-Roll) rubber surround
• 1 inch silk dome tweeters with inline crossovers
• Larger voice coils
• Neodymium magnets

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If you’re looking to scale up from the Alpine S-S65 (linked to above) but don’t need anything massive, Alpine has plenty of other choices available. One of the more popular options available is the Alpine S-S65C.

First and foremost, it’s worth mentioning that the Alpine S-S65C is a component speaker system. These speakers are quite identical to their full-range counterparts (Alpine S-S65 – mentioned above) in that they’re featured with basically the same drivers – carbon fiber-reinforced plastic woofer cones with specialized rubber surround and 1″ silk dome tweeters with inline crossovers – and boast identical power handling (80 watts RMS), frequency response (70-22,000 Hz) and sensitivity rating (88dB).

So, if you’re willing to spend a few extra bucks, and you like the idea of getting a component system instead of full-range speakers, consider picking up the Alpine S-S65C speakers.

3. Alpine R-S65C

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Alpine R-S65C

• Hybrid fiber woofers with multi-roll rubber surround
• 1 inch silk dome tweeters
• Tweeter swiveling flush-mount housing
• Large Aluminium Voice Coil
• Neodymium Magnet
• Swivel Application
• In-line Network Design
• Tweeter level Adjustment (0, -2, -4, -6 dB)

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If you don’t mind spending some serious dough to get your hands on one of the most capable speakers in this roundup, the Alpine R-S65C might just be the best way to go.

This component speaker system features a hybrid fiber woofer cone coupled with multi-roll rubber surround for consistent, extended cone movement that pushes a lot of air for strong bass response.

When it comes to highs, these speakers use 1″ separate silk tweeters, which ensure a rich experience in the upper frequencies, and enhance your music with detail, depth, and no shrillness.

These speakers also come with a pair of external crossovers that are compact enough to easily fit into some sort of nook and cranny in most vehicles.

Alpine R-S65C speakers sport 88 dB sensitivity and can handle up to 100 watts RMS and up to 300 watts at peak. With a frequency response of 65Hz to 29kHz, you’ll score pristine highs, great mid-range clarity and a respectable bass.

These speakers are also available in coaxial configuration (Alpine R-S65) for those of your looking for a direct-fit speaker system that can be mounted with a minimum of muss and fuss.

4. Alpine SPE-6000

If you’re on a strict budget and looking for an affordable pair of speakers that can get the job done without tearing a hole in your wallet, the Alpine SPE-6000 is one you should check out.

Alpine SPE-6000 speakers offer a nice balance of performance and affordability. They come equipped with 3/4″ silk dome tweeters and pearl mica-injected polypropylene woofer cones supported by specialized rubber surround, which chalk up together to allow you to experience a level of clarity and fullness that factory speakers just can’t manage.

At 60 watts of continuous power and the ability to handle bursts up to 240 watts, these speakers are powerful enough to breath life into your car audio system, and bring out all of your music’s excitement and detail.

They’ll work great with your car stereo, but they really come into their own when you hook them up to a powerful aftermarket receiver or an external amp.

Alpine SPE-6000 speakers boast a 68Hz to 20kHz frequency response and 88.5 dB sensitivity, giving you all the range and power you could want.

5. Alpine X-S65

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Alpine X-S65

• Nano-fiber woofers
• H.A.M.R (High Amplitude Multi-Roll) surround
• 1 inch carbon graphite dome tweeters

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The sky’s the limit when shopping for car speakers, but you don’t have to completely blow your budget to get great sound. There really are great products in every price range, but there are time when you want to eschew the affordable speakers and go with something that offers the very best performance. And that’s precisely when the Alpine X-S65 speakers are such a desirable option.

First, it’s worth mentioning that the X-series is Alpine’ top of the line speakers. The speakers in this series are a step up in both performance and price from from the R-series.

The full-range speakers at hand are designed and built from the ground up with audiophiles in mind. They offer incredible sound powered by 6-1/2″ nano-fiber woofers with high amplitude multi-roll surround and 1 inch carbon graphite dome tweeters.

Additionally, these speakers are fitted with powerful magnets and super-efficient motor structures that makes them really strong in the lower frequencies.

Speaking of frequencies, the Alpine X-S65 boast a 55Hz to 50kHz frequency response and 89 dB sensitivity. They can handle up to 110 watts RMS and bursts up to 330 watts.

Audiophiles who listen to a wide range of music, anything from classical​ to jazz, to hard rock, will appreciate the frequency range of the these Alpine speakers. They deliver the highs, the lows and everything in between with ease.

Be aware, however, that for the impressive sound quality these speakers deliver, the Alpine X-S65 are outrageously expensive.

These speakers are also available in component configuration (Alpine X-S65C) for avid audiophiles who want to settle for nothing less than studio-master-quality sound.

Best Alpine 6X9 Speakers

Now, let’s take a look at some of the Alpine 6X9 car speakers out there…

1. Alpine SPE-6090

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Alpine SPE-6090

• Pearl mica-injected polypropylene woofer cones
• Specialized rubber surround
• 3/4 inch silk soft dome tweeters
• Woofer ferrite magnets
• Neodymium tweeter magnets

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So, you’re on a tight-budget and looking for affordable Alpine 6X9 speakers to get rid of that anemic factory sound, the Alpine SPE-6090 speakers are a decent option to consider.

These speakers aren’t by any means the best Alpine speakers. They usually retail for around 50 bucks making them a great bang for the buck.

The Alpine SPE-6090 speakers are featured with mica-injected polypropylene woofer cone supported by specialized rubber surround for a respectable bass output, while the soft dome tweeters ensure smooth highs that don’t pierce the eardrums.

These speakers sport an impressive 91 dB sensitivity rating, and present a frequency response of 65Hz to 18kHz. They can handle up to 75 watts RMS and burst up to 300 watts.

The Alpine SPE-6090 speakers will sound great running off your stock headunit, but if you’re really jonesing a serious boost in volume and sound quality, pair these speakers to a powerful aftermarket stereo or external amp for optimal performance.

All in all, if you’re working on a budget to set up your car audio system, these speakers could be the perfect choice.

2. Alpine S-S69C

Alpine S-S69C

• Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic woofer cones
• HAMR (High Amplitude Multi-Roll) rubber surround
• 1 inch silk dome tweeters with inline crossovers
• Larger voice coils

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If you’re in the market for a nicely affordable 6″X9″ component speakers that won’t break the bank, it’s hard not to go with the Alpine S-S69.

These 6″X9″ component speakers come equipped with carbon fiber-reinforced plastic woofer cones bonded to big multi-roll rubber surround for cleaner and distortion-free sound. These woofer cones are quite sturdy but are also agile enough to handle the complexities of the midrange.

Additionally, the separate 1″ silk dome tweeters with inline crossovers provide all the precise details that bring out the character of the instruments and vocals ensuring a rich experience in the upper frequencies.

Alpine S-S69C speakers present a frequency response of 65Hz to 22kHz and 90 dB sensitivity. At 85 watts RMS and the ability to handle bursts up to 260 watts, these Alpine car speakers offer detailed sound at both high and low frequencies, not to mention plenty of boom.

These speakers are also available in full-range configuration (Alpine S-S69) for those of you looking for a cheap option that can be easily installed, no muss no fuss.

3. Alpine R-S69

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Alpine R-S69

• Hybrid fiber woofers
• Santoprene rubber surround
• 1 inch silk dome tweeters
• Tweeter swivels
• Large square wire dual-layer voice coil
• High-performance linear drive motor

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If you think the speakers above are nothing to write home about, and you’re looking for something that can bump out extra power, the R-S69 might be the speakers to look at.

These speakers are slightly pricey than the 6″X9″ speakers we listed above. They feature multi-layer hybrid fiber woofer cones designed to satisfy your need for strong bass response. These cones are coupled with Santoprene rubber surround for consistent, extended cone movement that pushes a lot of air for high-impact sound.

As far as highs are concerned, these speakers employ 1 inch silk tweeters which deliver crisp highs that bring out your music’s finer details and depth with no shrillness, adding a satisfying dose of realism to your soundstage.

Performance wise, Alpine R-S69 speakers are impressive. With a frequency response of 60Hz to 29kHz, 90 dB sensitivity rating, and the ability to handle up to 100 watts RMS, you’ll score a completely satisfying musical experience defined by sharp highs, fantastic mid-range clarity, and strong bass response.

4. Alpine X-S69C

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Alpine X-S69C

• Nano-fiber woofers
• High Amplitude Multi-Roll surround
• 1 inch carbon graphite dome tweeters
• Tweeters swivel within flush mounts
• Adjustable tweeter attenuation( 0dB, +3dB, -3dB)
• Adjustable tweeter phase: Normal or reverse
• A-Pole type neodymium magnet

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If you don’t mind shelling out some serious money on a higher-end component system, consider the Alpine X-S69C. The price tag on these speakers is is fairly steep. If you want to go balls to the wall and purchase the Alpine X-S69C, you’ll be looking at over $400 price tag.

The Alpine X-S69C are designed to take the leap to premium sound. They come equipped with nano-fiber woofers with high amplitude multi-roll surround ensuring strong bass performance and excellent linearity. Their highly efficient motor structure and powerful magnets make these woofers really strong in the lower frequencies.

To complement their bass response, these speakers are featured with 1 inch carbon graphite dome tweeters which allow for unmatched performance in the upper-frequencies, and a great sense of realism.

Driven by a powerful amp, you’ll really have a soaring system, thanks to power handling up to a whopping 120 watts RMS. Thanks to their 89 dB sensitivity rating, you can also pair these speakers up to an aftermarket or even a stock headunit.

Match your speakers to your system

To choose the right speakers for your car, there are two main specifications you should keep in mind and those are:

Sensitivity

Measured in dB (Decibels), a sensitivity rating tells you how effectively a speaker converts power applied to it (watts) into volume (decibels).

Generally speaking, the higher the sensitivity rating, the louder your speakers will play with a given amount of wattage.

So, if your car audio system is running off a low-powered factory receiver (15 watts RMS per channel or less), speakers with high sensitivity ratings (over 90 dB) will make the best match. Otherwise, if your car audio system is running off an aftermarket headunit or an external amplifier (with 16 watts RMS or more), then consider speakers with lower sensitivity ratings.

Sensitivity is often measured by driving a speaker with one watt and measuring the loudness in decibels at one meter.

The chart below illustrates that a few dB in sensitivity can make a night and day difference:

As you can see in this chart, a speaker with a sensitivity rating that’s 3 dB higher than another speaker’s only needs half as much power to deliver the same amount of sound.

Power Handling

Power-handling tells you how much power (measured in watts) a speaker can handle. If you’ve got a low-powered system driven by a stock headunit, your speakers don’t need to be able to handle a ton of power. On the other hand, if your audio system is powered by a powerful external amplifier(s), you need to consider speakers whose power-handling is close to the output of the amp(s).

Bear in mind that the key spec in power-handling is the maximum “RMS” power-handling, not the “Peak” power handling. Maximum RMS Power-Handling realistically measures the maximum amount of power a speaker can handle on a continuous basis, whilst Peak power handling refers to the maximum amount of power a speaker can handle during a short musical burst.

What type of speakers do you need?

Aftermarket car speakers come in two main categories: full-range speakers (also referred to as coaxial speakers), and component speakers. Each of which has its pros and cons.

Full-range

Full-range speakers contain all the speaker elements in one basket. In other words, they combine the woofer(for the lows) and tweeter (for the highs) into one speaker. Some models will have extra drivers, like midrange or super-tweeter.

Full-range speakers are a convenient and easy way to get decent sound from a single speaker opening, but their design leaves something to be desired because the woofer and tweeter are both compromised in this arrangement.

You’d want to opt for full-range speakers if you’re looking to replace your stock speakers with a minimum of muss and fuss.

Full-range speakers come in a variety of sizes that mount easily into factory speaker locations. In most cases, installing full-range speakers in a pretty straightforward process. All it takes is to simply remove the old speaker, connect the new one with a wiring harness, and mount it back into the factory opening.

Component

Component systems, or separates, use a superior speaker design to give you the best possible sound. A typical component system consists of 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and 2 external crossovers — all of which are designed to work in concert with one other.

In a component system, the tweeters comes separate from the woofers, and you can position it in a location that provides optimal imaging.

Additionally, component systems are generally made of better materials than their full-range counterparts. Properly powered, a component system will provide exceptional sound quality that is more realistic, more “live,” and have greater depth.

Bottom Line

Alpine is a reputable brand with a long-standing reputation and decades of experience building great sounding speakers.

The company offers a wide variety of car speakers. Too much to cover in one post. However, we narrowed the choices down to a few solid options so you can focus on finding what works best for your setup.

The Alpine car speakers we listed above represent different price points, designs and configurations. With any luck, you’ll find something that works for your car and fits within your budget.