What are Coaxial Speakers?
Coaxial speakers are a speaker system in which the driver of each speaker emits sound from a common axis. They offer a wider field of listening. They are also referred to as car speaker systems, in which the tweeter and woofer are also connected on the same axis and emit sound from a centralized location. Not only are coaxial speakers known to be better than their counterparts, but they are also much easier to install.
In car audio, you can find 2 or 3-way coaxial speakers, and they have a compact design, as the tweeter and mid-range driver are installed in front of the woofer. Apart from this, coaxial speaker systems are also used in home and professional audio setups.
Why Should You Use Coaxial Speakers?
As mentioned above, coaxial speakers project sound from the same axis but through individual drivers. They offer a single solution where the woofer and tweeter are also installed, which makes them easier to install. Moreover, coaxial speakers are often used to replace older speaker systems, such as single-cone speakers.
Coaxial speakers have a full-range and complete sound, mainly because the drivers are synced together and sound is projected at a common axis. Plus, you can always scale up the performance by tweaking certain factors, such as the power rating, tweeter quality, materials, etc. Moreover, they eliminate the need for any crossover or additional device to connect both speakers, the woofer and the tweeter.
Last but not least, coaxial speakers are also budget-friendly, and you can easily find them within an affordable range. Of course, the high-end options cost much more, but their output quality is also enhanced.
History of the Coaxial Speakers
The coaxial speaker is said to be invented by Herman J. Fanger in 1928, and it was improved and reinvented by Fulcrum Acoustic in 1936. Then, the creation of the Altec Lansing Duplex 601 coaxial driver in 1943 and the Altec 604 in 1945 changed the way professional audio was recorded and played back, and this became the standard for recording studios.
In the early 1950s, coaxial speakers were also used in home audio products by Tannoy, a renowned loudspeaker manufacturer. Since then, there have been many improvements in this regard. Coaxial speakers became popular as car audio systems in the early 1970s by Electronic Industries Inc., and Jensen Loudspeakers also rolled out a retail model soon after.
Today, a very advanced and innovative form of coaxial speakers are being used everywhere, from studios to car audio systems.
Things to Consider Before Buying Coaxial Speakers
If you are considering buying coaxial speakers for your car audio systems, you would want to have the best sound possible, so that you can enjoy your favorite music. There are certain factors that would help you choose the best coaxial speakers, and they are listed below.
Speaker Size
If you are looking to replace the existing speakers in your car, then you will have to find out what type they are, as well as their dimensions. You can remove the speakers and measure them, or you can find out the information from shops that sell and install car speaker systems. Once you know the dimensions, you will be able to shortlist your options accordingly.
Power Handling
When it comes to car audio systems, power has a major role to play in the selection of the best coaxial speakers. Power handling refers to the amount of power the speakers can deliver without the sound coming out as distorted. Usually, this value is denoted as the root-mean-square or RMS value.
When you are choosing between different options, make sure to check out their power rating and RMS value, so that you can be sure that they will be able to handle the power that comes from the head unit.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity is another major factor that comes into play when you are choosing the best coaxial speakers for your car. This factor refers to the amount of power the speakers need to deliver sound at a certain volume level. If the coaxial speakers have a higher sensitivity, then they would consume less power to output the sound, and they are suitable for stock car audio.
On the other hand, if you have a high-performance amp in your car or are planning to install it, you can opt for speakers that have a low sensitivity.
Compatibility
A major factor to consider while choosing the best coaxial speakers is compatibility, which refers to whether your new coaxial speakers would work well with the existing car audio system. You can find out about this by reading the customer reviews for the coaxial speakers you are considering buying and seeing if any person has connected them with the factory stereo of their car.
Build Quality
The build quality is one of the crucial factors when choosing the right coaxial speakers, since they directly influence the lifespan and sound output. If you choose coaxial speakers that are made from cheap materials, not only will they fail to deliver the desired sound output, but they will also die out earlier than expected.
Therefore, you should opt for high-quality materials, such as rubber surrounds, polypropylene or metal-coated synthetic fabric woofers, and metal tweeters. These will provide a much more refined sound experience and will also last longer.
FAQs
What is the difference between 2-way and 3-way coaxial speakers?
2-way coaxial speakers have a woofer and tweeter embedded into them, whereas 3-way coaxial speakers have both of them and a mid-range component installed as well.
Can I connect new coaxial speakers with my factory car audio system?
You can do that, but they might not work at their full output, which is why you can add an external amplifier to improve the sound quality greatly.
Do I need an amplifier for coaxial speakers?
You don’t necessarily need an amplifier with your coaxial speakers. However, installing one will definitely improve the sound and volume output, and it would also reduce distortion significantly.f