This guide will help you determine and select the best dash speaker for your classic car. Most classic cars came with a single speaker in the dash and a radio that played in mono. Now, songs are recorded in stereo and all new radios play in stereo as well. We offer a wide selection of dash speakers that play in stereo from a single speaker. ## Two Different Styles There are two different styles of dash speakers, dual dash mount speakers and dual voice coil speakers. ### Dual Dash Mount Speakers The dual dash mount speakers consist of two, 3.5" or 4" speakers that are mounted to a plate. That plate then installs in your vehicle so that you have two small speakers in your dash. The plate may mount directly to studs in your dash or with the use of an included bracket. ### Dual Voice Coil Speakers Dual voice coil speakers are larger speakers that have two tweeters on the speaker post, one for the left channel and one for the right. ## Brands ### Kicker We offer all of our dash speakers with both the Kicker CS and Kicker KS speakers. The CS speakers have lower power handling and cost less than the KS. The CS speakers have a PEI dome tweeter while the KS have a silk dome tweeter. The CS speakers also have a lighter weight cone versus the KS. The PEI dome tweeter is going to play brighter than the silk dome tweeter on the KS, but the KS will have a richer, smoother, more musical sound profile. If you don't have an amplifier, go with the CS. An amplifier will make the CS sound much much better, but if you have an amp, the KS will sound better than the CS. If you are spending the money on the amp, spend the No Amp = Kicker CS Amp = Kicker KS ### Hertz The Hertz dash speakers are the most efficient dash speakers we offer. The Hertz Dieci speakers come in both 3.5" and 4" sizes and will fit in any of our direct fit brackets. The Hertz Dieci play nice and bright and sound great when powered directly off of the radio and even better when powered with an amplifier. In addition to the Dieci speakers, we also offer dash speakers with the Hertz Cento speakers. The Hertz Cento dash speaker is the best sounding dash speaker we offer and really shines in applications where the speaker is not directly facing you, but instead facing up toward the windshield. The Cento tweeters sit at an angle and can swivel in order to provide better separation versus the other dash speakers we offer. The Hertz Cento speakers should be powered by an amplifier. If you just power them off of the radio, you are not giving them enough power to hear the quality that you are paying for. ### JL Audio The JL Audio C2 speakers come in both 3.5" and 4" sizes and will also fit in all of our direct fit brackets. The JL Audio C2 speakers have silk dome tweeters for smooth, rich, musical output. JL Audio is known for their sound quality and the C2 line is a step above their entry level, C1. The C2 speakers are efficient and versatile. You can power them directly off of the radio or with an amplifier. The JL dash speakers are a premium product and an amplifier will always sound much, much better than the radio. We recommend an amp, but you don't need one. ### Rockford Fosgate Our Rockford Fosgate dual dash mount speakers are only available for applications that accept a 4" speaker. The 4" Rockford speakers have a point source silk dome tweeter for smooth and accurate response. These are the most affordable upgraded dash speakers we offer. ### Audison The Audison dash speakers are only available for applications that accept a 4" speaker. In 2019, I wold have said that these are the best sounding dash speakers we offer, but that title now belongs to the Hertz Cento. ### Custom Autosound Custom Autosound makes both dual dash mount and dual voice coil dash speakers. The Custom Autosound speakers are perfect if you just need a speaker, you aren't too concerned about sound quality, and you want something cost effective. If you listen to talk radio (AM), podcasts, or audio books exclusively, the Custom Autosound speakers will work just fine. If you listen to music and want something that will sound good, you can step up to the Kicker CS or Rockford Fosgate dash speakers for a little bit more money and get much better sound quality from the tweeters. ### Antique Automobile Radio Antique Automobile makes low-profile dual voice coil dash speakers. The AAR speakers are significantly slimmer than the Custom Autosound speakers. However, if you have an application that originally came with a bracket, you will have to custom make a bracket that will work using the aluminum bracket strapping that is included. The AAR speakers sound slightly better than the Custom Autosound speakers, but they are a premium priced product due to the low-profile basket that allows for easier installation and fitment in more applications. ### Kenwood If you love Kenwood, you should get the Kenwood dash speaker. Otherwise, this speaker isn't much of an upgrade versus the Custom Autosound speker and you are better off saving your pennies. If you want an upgraded speaker at an affordable price point, I like the Kicker or the Rockford Fosgate. ## Dash Speaker Based On Power Source It is important to pick a dash speaker that will work with your power source. If you are powering your dash speaker off of your radio, it doesn't make sense to purchase a Hertz Cento dash speaker as you will be paying for a premium product and you will not be able to hear what you are paying for. Similarly, if you have an amplifier, there are products that just sound better than others. If you have the power, you might as well put it to good use and purchase some good speakers. ### All Speakers Sound Better with an Amplifier If you add an amplifier to your car's stereo system, your speakers will sound better. a 25 watt RMS amp will sound better than a 50 watt radio, as long as the amplifier isn't some no-name, knock-off brand. ### Dash Speakers that Work Well When Powered By Your Radio - Kicker CS - Kicker KS** - Hertz Dieci - Rockford Fosgate - Custom Autosound - Antique Automobile Radio - Kenwood - JL Audio** ### Dash Speakers Listed Above that Will Work off your Radio, but We Recommend an Amplifier because they Sound 100x better - Kicker CS - Kicker KS - Hertz Dieci - Rockford Fosgate - JL Audio ### Dash Speakers that Need An Amplifier to Shine - Kicker KS - Hertz Cento - Audison Prima **The Kicker KS and the JL Audio dash speakers will work when powered off of your radio. However, for the price point, we recommend using an amplifier. Can you run them off of your radio? Yes. Are there better options that cost less money and will likely sound better when powered off of your radio? Yes. The best analogy is this: If there is a VW Bug in my driveway and a Cadillac in my driveway. If I am by myself, which one will be easier to push into the garage? The VW Bug. The same is true with speakers. The CS speakers have a lighter cone and a PEI dome tweeter. In low power applications, you get more movement from the CS than the KS and the CS typically sound better when powered directly off of the radio.