Most people are unaware of component and coaxial speakers until they decide to upgrade their car’s sound system. A poor sound system can ruin any drive, and most factory-installed speakers are not very good at producing a nicer sound quality.
When looking for an upgrade, you will find coaxial and component speakers in the market. Both of these speakers are created with different approaches, but both of them end up producing a decent quality of sound.
Based on personal preferences there are certain pros of the coaxial speakers and certain cons of the component speakers, and vice versa. Before diving into their pros and cons, let’s first discuss what these speakers are.
What Are Coaxial Speakers?
Coaxial speakers are a type of speaker in which different components are incorporated in the same speaker assembly. These speakers are most commonly found as factory-installed speakers in many cars.
The speaker assembly is composed of a woofer, which is further installed in a crossover with a tweeter. Both of these components are used for different purposes. The low-frequency sounds are handled by the woofer, which also handles the mid-frequency sounds.
The tweeter is installed to handle the high-frequency sounds. This design is also referred to as a 2-way speaker design because of the amalgamation of two components into 1 assembly.
Coaxial speakers are definitely better than single-cone speakers which are responsible for the poor sound quality of many speakers. When a single-cone speaker is upgraded to these coaxial speakers, the sound quality is definitely enhanced and any previous flaw of the sound quality is removed.
What Are Component Speakers?
As we have already discussed, the co-axial speakers unite the two main components into 1 assembly. Unlike coaxial speakers, component speakers keep these two functions separate.
Component speakers manage to separate these two by incorporating a cross-over function. This crossover is responsible for making sure that the tweeters receive the high-level frequencies and the woofers receive only the low to mid-range frequencies.
The different components of the component speakers are mounted separately. They are better at sound quality than the coaxial speakers, yet some people prefer the coaxial speakers over them. Let’s go through the differences between these speakers to learn more about them.
Differences Between Coaxial And Component Speakers:
There are a number of differences between component and coaxial speakers, let’s go through them one by one:
1. Sound Quality:
The coaxial speakers are definitely a nicer upgrade to the single-cone conventional speakers, but they are not as amazing as the component speakers when it comes to sound quality. The frequency response of the component speakers is better than that of coaxial speakers.
The component speakers are superior in their sound quality because of their individual components and better crossover. The superior sound quality of the component speakers is also attributed to the better quality of the tweeter and woofer used. The sound accuracy of the component speaker is overall better.
2. Advance Options:
The component speakers are loaded with a number of advanced options that are lacking in the coaxial speakers. The options are mostly related to sound control based on user specifications.
The tweeter volume can be adjusted in the component speakers to make them sound more relevant to the user’s preference. There are some other wiring configurations in the component speakers as well.
3. Designing:
The designing of the tweeters and other components of the component speakers is high-performance. They are rigid in their structure and are made up of special materials such as silk, aluminum, or ceramic.
The power handling of the component speakers is also superior to that of coaxial ones. Hence, they can withstand 75 watts RMS to 100 watts RMS on average. Sometimes they can even exceed that.
4. Installation:
The component speakers are provided with better installation accessories than the coaxial ones. The component speakers are difficult when it comes to their installation. The coaxial speakers are easy to install and can be installed even without professional help.
The installation of the component speakers is difficult, hence it requires special accessories, as well as professional help. This adds to the overall cost of the speakers.
5. Adjustability:
With different components being separate, you get the freedom to mount them in different locations. It is generally preferred to keep the tweeter next to the ear level while keeping the woofers at a lower location.
Keep in mind that both of these shouldn’t be very far apart from one another. When such specifications are carried out, they make the sound experience better than the coaxial one.
6. Cost Friendly:
The component speakers are more expensive than the coaxial ones. This is because they are generally made of a higher quality of sub-components, and are aimed at providing a luxury sound experience.
In addition to being expensive, to begin with, component speakers are also difficult to install, which ultimately leads to their professional installation. This extra load of expense is also a drawback when it comes to component speakers.
7. Crossover Component:
The quality of the crossover component is also better in the component speakers as compared to the coaxial ones. The crossover is specially designed in the component speakers to inhibit the low frequencies from reaching the tweeter and the higher ones from reaching the woofer.
This enhanced filter is provided by the component speakers because of their dual filters. Unlike the coaxial crossover mechanism, the component crossover design enables 2 stage filtering. The external crossover design of the component speakers is better at being an inductor and a capacitor.
8. Size And Space:
To install a component speaker, you will need more space as it is designed to be installed separately. However, the design of the coaxial speaker is space friendly, which means that if you do not have enough space on hand, coaxial speakers are your way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you still have some questions unanswered after reading our article, read the frequently asked questions. Here, we have you covered.
Q – Which Speaker Is Better? Component vs Coaxial Speakers?
The question is simple, but the answer is not. There are a number of bases on which certain individuals judge a product. A simple answer can be component speakers. It is because they provide superior sound quality.
When installing a car sound system, sound quality is and should be the top preference. However, there are multiple reasons why component speakers are not ideal for you.
If you are looking to have an average experience that is obviously better than the poor sound quality of your pre-existing single-cone speakers, then you might not be looking for the best product in the market.
Simultaneously, component speakers might be too much for you if you are looking for a budget-friendly option. In such conditions, coaxial speakers are excellent and can provide you with the experience that you were looking for.
Q – Which One Is Easier To Find? Coaxial Or Component Speaker?
Since coaxial speakers are very popular, they are easier to find than component ones. Their budget-friendliness and their easy installation increase their demand among users.
Other than the ease of availability, the coaxial speakers are available in a wide range of options. You can get a coaxial speaker for a lot cheaper and also in a more expensive range.
It is, however, not recommended to get a very cheap coaxial speaker, since it will not be able to provide you with the sound that you are looking for.
Q – Can I Install The Speakers Myself?
The installation depends on your choice of speaker and your skillset. If you happen to choose the coaxial speaker, it does not require a lot of tools and a lot of expertise, and you will be able to install it easily, using a manual or a little guidance from someone more experienced.
On the contrary, if you choose component speakers, you will have to have technical or professional help. You should be skilled enough for the job if you’re willing to do it yourself.
Q – Which Speaker Is Suitable For My Car?
Most of the coaxial speakers are designed to fit the cars in their factory settings. Even if you are unable to find a coaxial model that is just perfect, you will be able to fit it because of its compact design.
However, a component speaker takes more space. So if you have a bigger room in your car, then go for it, if you do not, then you might need to stick to the coaxial one. There are also some guides as to which models support hat speakers, so you might need to research a little more to get your perfect type.
Conclusion:
Both coaxial and component speakers are good at sound quality, both of them have a superior sound system as compared to a single-cone speaker. There are some differences between the two types, which we have explained in great detail in our article. Depending on your preference, you should be able to select the right type for your car.
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