Hunting For The Best 3 Way Speakers In 2020
If you’re looking to upgrade your car speakers, home theater audio system, or simply want a more balanced sound coming out of your desktop audio set, you should consider investing in the 3 way speakers. The best 3 way speakers have several things unique to regular 2 way speakers. They split frequencies into 3 ranges, and allow the mids, which are usually muffled on 2 way speakers, to pass cleanly through a third driver. The result is a much cleaner, much deeper sound that is a pleasure on the ears. Audiophiles can pick the difference between a 2 way and 3 way sound within a few seconds!
If you’re shopping for 3 way speakers and not sure which ones are worthy right now, we’ve rounded up what we think are the best 3 way speakers on the market today. Let’s take a look:
1 – Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System
**[Editor’s Choice]**
The SSCS5 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers are a classic Sony offering – a pleasure to look at, and made to high standards. As a longtime user of Sony headphones, I have always been impressed by their sound technology and these are no different. The stylish wooden finish not only looks great, but improves the resonant acoustics significantly.
These speakers have remarkably impressive sound staging and are designed to produce sound that fills the room with Hi-Res Audio. They require no special setup and are readily available for use on any device.
3-driver speakers
The 3-driver bookshelf speakers include a rigid 5.12 in MRC woofer for dynamic bass, along with a 0.98 in tweeter and 0.75 in super-tweeter designed to reproduce High-Resolution Audio tracks.
Powerful sound
This system has an impedance of 6 Ohms and a maximum input power of 100 watts. The Mica Reinforced Drivers contribute in preserving the sound’s original form while boosting the bass. The Optimized components of the Crossover are the main element responsible for properly splitting the frequencies and releasing them through the drivers, resulting in an immensely potent sound reproduction that reaches 50 KHz and can easily fill a standard living room.
Tapered Edges
With slightly tapered faceplate edges, edge diffraction is suppressed for a clear and natural soundstage.
Rich acoustics
The wooden finished enclosures are built for resonant acoustics. This allows for unwanted vibrations to be absorbed, thanks to a rigid construction which includes wooden panels and interior joints.
2 – Rockford Fosgate R165X3 Prime 6.5-Inch Full-Range 3-Way Coaxial Speaker
The Rockford Fosgate R165X3 is a 3 way speaker system designed by a well known brand in the industry. It is a meticulously engineered piece of equipment that makes a great replacement for subpar factory speakers.
Its nominal impedance is 4-Ohm while the sensibility is around 91 db, a volume producing capacity that puts it ahead of the comparatively priced competition. The sound system is rated for a decent 45 watts, allowing them to work on any type of unit.
The Rockford features a Vacuum Polypropylene cone that provides dispersion of low frequencies, a silk dome mounted Piezo tweeter for the highs, and the midrange for the mid frequencies. The integrated tweeter crossover is responsible for splitting these frequencies and sending them to the appropriate speakers, doing so at a high pass of 6 db per octave. The rubber surrounds help disperse the sound while enhancing the bass.
3 – Dual LU43PB 100 Watt 3-way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers
The Dual LU43PB is a standard set of speakers that is wired to the back of a stereo amplifier. The sound produced by these compact and cheap speakers is surprisingly powerful and clear. They’re fairly light and can therefore be mounted on a wide variety of places in your house, and in the outdoors thanks to the weather resistant design.
Both pairs reach an impressively loud 100 watt and are rated for 50 watt RMS, while their sensitivity is advertised as being around 85.5 dB. The Frequency response is a wide 100Hz – 20 kHz, with the lowest frequency indicating a very strong bass.
While listening to a song on these speakers, the vocals flow smoothly through the Midrange 40mm poly cone while the instrumentals are dispersed by the 20mm tweeter Piezo dome.
Dual Electronics offers a limited one year warranty with the purchase of these speakers.
4 – Yamaha NS-6490 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers
The Yamaha NS-6490 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers are very well crafted with an exquisite black satin cloth covering the pair. They’re very flexible in their use as they can be placed anywhere in the house either as main speakers or auxiliary ones, and even for home-theater applications thanks to magnetically shielded design.
These speakers are rated for 70 watt RMS and boast an impressive frequency response of 45Hz – 23 kHz, providing a better filter for clear frequencies than most speakers within this price range. This clean and balanced sound is owed to the 8’’ woofer that passes low frequencies, the 4’’ midrange that belts out the mid frequencies, and the 0.75 Dome Tweeter that sends out the higher ones. They work in tandem to keep the sound cohesive and rich in the audio nuances that aren’t normally detected by a 2 way system.
5 – BOSS AUDIO CH6530 Chaos Exxtreme 6.5
**[Best Value]**
These low end speakers offer a great value for their cheap price. While they might not produce the balanced and clear sound of high end products, they are still a noticeable upgrade from the stock speakers that are made by car manufacturers.
They are rated at 150 watts RMS and have a wide frequency response that ranges from 100 kHz to 18 kHz. The low frequency response usually translates into a prominent bass sound, and this set is no different. The 3 drivers produce a moderately balanced sound with the bass getting the better filtering.
For an entry-level set, they’re very durable and made out of quality materials such as Mylar and aluminum. The surrounds are made from quality foam with a lifespan that reaches 16 years.
The BOSS AUDIO comes with a 3 years dealer warranty.
6 – Rockville RSG12 12” 3-Way 1000 Watt 8-Ohm Passive DJ/Pro Audio PA Speaker
The Rockville RSGs are high end large speakers that are built for professional use by DJs and other exacting audio applications. They are made out of high density top quality Resonant Particleboard and are supported by rubber isolating feet.
Their RMS is at 500 watts and their peak power is an immense 1000 watts. They run at an efficient impedance of 8-Ohm with a sensitivity that reaches 99 db. The frequency response is palpable and ranges from 22 kHz to 45 kHz. The high frequencies are especially cleaner thanks to the high efficiency Piezo compression horn that supplies the driver with a full range of sound.
The manufacturer insists that the speakers are durable and designed to handle live stage performances. A one year warranty comes with the purchase.
7 – Pyle PL63BL 6.5-Inch 360-Watt 3-Way Speakers
[Best 3 way speakers for the price]
The Pyle PL63BL 6.5-Inch 360-Watt 3-Way Speakers are another cheap option in this list that is purposefully built to serve as a replacement for the under performing speakers that are included in cars. They’re designed in a typical manner with the exception of a striking and distinctive blue poly injection cone that gives it a firm appearance.
They are rated for 180 watts RMS and have a sensitivity of around 89 DB. The PL63BL Woofer and tweeter help create a detailed and clean sound that has a frequency response of 90 KHz – 20 KHz. The bass is especially prominent thanks to the extra dispersion effect supplied by the rubber surrounds and the 1 inch high temperature ASV voice coil.
As it is the case with most sound systems priced this low, these speakers are far for being the most durable and excessive high volume could damage them in the long run.
8 – Kenwood KFC-6965S 6 x 9 Inches 3-Way 400W Speakers
The Kenwood KFC-6965S is a set of 3 way speakers geared toward replacing the factory installed audio system of a car. Their design is generic and features stylish grill covers. It comes at a very cheap price and offers good value for the money.
They are rated for 45 watts RMS and a peak of 400 for each pair with a high sensitivity of 92 db, an impedance of 4-Ohms, and a narrow frequency response of 30 – 22,000 Hz. It is boosted by a Polypropylene woofer cone, a 2 inch Polyetherimide cone tweeter, and a one hand a half inch ceramic super tweeter. The sound that emanates from the speakers is clear and intricate.
The potential issue with this pair of speakers is the fact that they are delicate and don’t feel like they could last as long as some of the more expensive options.
9 – Genius 3-Way Hi-Fi Wood Speakers for PC, MP3 players, and Tablets
These speakers are well adapted for use with tablets, Desktop computers, smart phones and MP3 players. They’re made out of durable wood and have a retro shape with an exceptionally sturdy MDF board cabinet. The package comes with a secondary 35 mm line-In jack that connects the speakers to any playback device.
Their total output is a respectable 20 watts that makes them more suitable for smaller rooms. The two inch woofer driver provides a groovy bass sound that blends seamlessly with the soft sounds emanating from the 1-Inch tweeter. The speakers also allow the user to adjust the intricacies of the sound via tone controls.
One slight issue with the sound is that the mids aren’t reproduced as well as the highs and lows.
A full refund within 30 days of purchase is offered with this set.
10- JBL GTO638 6.5-Inch 3-Way Speakers
The JBL GTO638 is a premium quality set of 3 way speakers that are made to replace the often underwhelming original-equipment manufacturer speakers of your car. They produce the extra smooth and detailed sound that the brand is well known for.
These speakers are rated for an impressive 60 watts RMS and offer a whopping 180 watts of peak power. Their impedance is at 4 –Ohms, enabling the pair to extract more power from the amp for a much superior performance than a high-impedance system could’ve provided.
The woofer included in these speakers produces an exceptional booming bass output that the rubber surrounds help spread and amplify. The Mylar-titanium tweeter is high bandwidth with a large vocal coil and performs at home theater level quality and the crossover network flawlessly blends the high frequencies and low frequencies to create a balanced sound.
A major selling point for this product is the fact that unlike most car speakers, its installation is simple and straightforward. The included rings help them adjust to any location and the process requires no additional tools.
Customers who purchase the JBL GTO638 from an authorized retailer will benefit from a warranty for parts.
How To Choose The Best 3 Way Speakers
Having some grasp of the technical features of sound systems will make the job of finding good speakers much easier. Here are the main characteristics that you should concern yourself with:
Materials
The quality of the materials used in the making of the speakers has a direct impact on the quality of the sound. Aluminum and top grade steel are optimal for guaranteeing the durability and thickness of the drivers.
RMS
It is a rating that measures the power that a set of speakers can handle. The higher the average and peak RMS is, the more the speakers are able to continuously function without internal damage.
Frequency Response
It is measured in Kilohertz and denotes the range of frequencies that a set of speakers can produce. It is represented by an interval between 2 numbers with the lower indicating the lowest frequency produced by the speakers and the larger number describing the maximum frequency it could reach.
Impedanc
It indicates the power required by the speakers in order to function. It is an important metric to know before making the purchase as it is necessary to know if the speakers you’re intending to buy are compatible with your setup.
Sensitivity
Represented in decibel, and is related to impedance metric. It essentially measures the amount of electrical signal that is turned into sound. The higher the sensitivity is, the more efficient the speakers are.
It is important to note that the metrics discussed above are controversial and not an exact science and only indirectly impact the quality of the sound. Reading a well formulated review on sites like Amazon or testing the sets yourself are only reliable ways to tell which product is the best for you.
You might also like our articles on best speakers for rock music.
Resources
[1] lifewire.com/speaker-sensitivity-3134850 what is sensitivity?
[2] audiogurus.com/learn/speakers/speaker-impedance-rating/1092
Speaker Impedance Rating Explained
[3] youtube.com/watch?v=44blfTkLqaY 2 way vs 3 way speaker comparison
[4] wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudspeaker
[5] youtube.com/watch?v=YXjCodzFI9Y How 3 way crossover works