Best 6.5" Motorcycle Speakers
by Jeff Vogl
Quick Overview
6.5" speakers are very versatile speakers to use on a motorcycle. Because they are smaller than 6x9 speakers, there are more locations that these speakers can be located on a motorcycle. Some of the most common places you will see them are as a piece of bikes with a large console display over the bars, or often down lower than the tank near the forks on the crash bar pointing back up at the rider. When working with custom audio installs on motorcycles, there are many more places that custom installers can create space for these 6.5" speakers. While they are not as loud as the 6x9 speakers, 6.5" speakers are often more affordable while still packing some serious punch. The loudness is especially important when you're listening to music over the top of road noise, and noise from your motorcycle.
There are many different models, styles, and price points for 6.5 speakers. This variety of options create difficultly when deciding which ones are the best to purchase for your motorcycle. Additionally, all the terminology used for comparing speakers can be daunting when breaking down what separates speakers from one another. Our goal with this 6.5" speaker buyer's guide is to help you find the best 6.5" speakers for your motorcycle.
- Absolute Best 6.5" Speakers - Hertz Mille Pro
- Best Premium 6.5" Speakers - Hertz NEO
- Best Mid-Level 6.5" - Rockford Fosgate 6.5" Fairing
- Best Low Cost 6.5" Speakers (4 Ohm) - Kicker PS
- Best Low Cost 6.5" Speakers (2 Ohm) - Kicker PS
Highlights
- 1000W RMS
- 92dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- Tetolon Tweeters
- Grilles NOT Included
- $399.99 Pair
Some things are worth indulging in, and the enjoyment of your daily drive is one of them. Install the Mille Series MPX 165.3 PRO 6-1/2" car speakers in your vehicle, and you'll experience the very best of what Hertz has to offer: a passionate approach to premium sound.
Hertz thoughtfully integrates a Tetolon fiber dome tweeter flush at the base of the woofer cone, rather than on a post jutting out from the woofer. This concentric design, highly regarded by audiophiles in-home speakers, minimizes phase problems for a natural timbre and detailed soundstage. For more impactful lows, each speaker employs a "Boundary Free" rubber surround with its enhanced pressed pulp and cotton fiber cone to move more air with accuracy. Superior damping is also key to the sound of these speakers — minimized resonance reduces distortion for a true-to-life sound.
Hertz believes that a good speaker should reveal the emotional power of the music you love. That's a high bar, but with their commitment to using premium components and boundary-pushing design, they're more than up to challenge. Comprised of music lovers, Hertz is committed to optimizing your car's sound system for total audio enjoyment.
Highlights
- 100W RMS
- 96.5dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- PEI Dome Tweeters
- Grilles NOT Included
- $479.99 Pair
The Hertz SX 165 NEO can handle 100 watts RMS and are the ultimate coaxial speakers for your motorcycle. These speakers can handle a ton of power, they get loud and bright, and they fit in your factory Road Glide and Street Glide 6.5" speaker pods without any modifications required. The Hertz SX 165 NEO speakers have water and humidity-resistant treatments as well as anti-UV treatments to ensure that these speakers will last when exposed to the sun, or if you or your bike get caught in a rainstorm.
From an efficiency standpoint, these speakers are rated at 96 dB @ 1W/1m. That is unheard of for coaxial 6.5" speakers, let alone drop-in replacements. If you are looking for the best speakers, that you can simply drop in and install in your motorcycle, the Hertz SX 165 NEO coaxial speakers are the answer. Nothing else that gets this loud, and just drops right in.
What amplifier do we recommend?
- Soundigital 800.4 EVOPS
- Rockford Fosgate TM400X2ad or TM400X4ad
- Stinger SPX700X4
Highlights
- 75W RMS
- 91dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- Neodymium Tweeters
- Grilles Included
- $399.99 Pair
These Fairing/Tour Speakers are designed by Rockford Fosgate for 2014 and newer Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® or Road Glide® motorcycles. These are 6.5" inch full-range motorcycle speakers that include grilles for fairing and rear Tour-Pak included. The speakers make it easy to complete a Do-It-Yourself install. These 6 1/2 inch full-range speakers from Rockford Fosgate are designed to replace the factory fairing or Tour-Pak speakers on 2014 and newer Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. The TMS65 speaker mounts using the factory hardware and comes with new grille assemblies, making it an easy do-it-yourself motorcycle stereo system upgrade. These speakers are weather-resistant, the Ultra‐High Temperature Glass Re‐Enforced Polymer Frame can withstand the hot sun on long rides. Rockford Fosgates' VAST (Vertical Attach Surround Technique) gives the speaker 25% more cone area without changing the original mounting holes. The increased cone area provides quality sound at a higher volume from a smaller speaker, resulting in lightweight audio performance.
Highlights
- 60W RMS
- 92.5dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- Titanium Dome Tweeters
- Removable Grilles Included
- $179.95 Pair
(4 Ohm Version) These Kicker PSC65 6.5" PowerSports weather-proof coaxial speakers come designed with bikers and power sports enthusiasts in mind. With features including titanium tweeters and neodymium magnets, these speakers deliver clean, crisp sound. Through tough construction that stands up to the elements, combined with high-grade sound quality, this makes the Kicker PS 6.5" Coaxials the perfect audio solution for motorcycles and UTV's. These PS speakers work best with 60 watts of recommended power.
Highlights
- 60W RMS
- 92.5dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- Titanium Dome Tweeters
- Removable Grilles Included
- $179.95 Pair
(2 Ohm Version) These Kicker PSC65 6.5" PowerSports weather-proof coaxial speakers come designed with bikers and power sports enthusiasts in mind. With features including titanium tweeters and neodymium magnets, these speakers deliver clean, crisp sound. Through tough construction that stands up to the elements, combined with high-grade sound quality, this makes the Kicker PS 6.5" Coaxials the perfect audio solution for motorcycles and UTV's. These PS speakers work best with 60 watts of recommended power.
Honorable Mention Category
Speakers we don't carry in stock but are worthy of reviewing here
Highlights
- 100W RMS
- 93dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- Mylar Tweeters
- Grilles NOT Included
- *Not Currently Sold on MotorcycleStereo.com
Throug the introduction of two popular models last year, the GZCK165XSPL and 200XSPL speakers, Ground Zero received many requests from customers asking for full-range versions of the popular speakers. People specifically were looking for full-range speakers to work in motorbike installations. Ground Zero then followed up with the GZCF 6.5" Speakers as a response to these requests. These GZCF speakers support an impressive 93 dB Sensitivity and 100W RMS and are a great full-range speaker for the price.
Highlights
- 75W RMS
- 95dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- Copper wire/Polyimide former VC
- Grilles NOT Included
- High output drivers, not a mid bass speaker
- *Not Currently Sold on MotorcycleStereo.com
MMATS Pro Audio water treats the PA601 speakers with an industrial chemical they purchase in large quantities by the gallon. The paper cone of the speaker is then treated with a strong solvent. It saturates completely through the cone to the other side. The speaker is then left to get rid of any gasses still present for 24 hours before it's repackaged for sale by MMATS. After the speaker is treated, you can even place it under running water in the sink without damaging it. It's incredible to see the treatment work and water bead off the speaker and not stick at all. This chemical process is so efficient that the process barely adds any weight at all to the speaker. This is great because the extremely minimal weight difference doesn't change the sound of the speaker at all.
MMATS PA601 speakers cut amazingly through mechanical, road, engine, and wind noise. The impressive 95db sensitivity on the speakers makes sure this is the case. If you currently have challenges hearing your speakers on your motorcycle, these are a worthwhile upgrade. The PA601 will deliver loud and proud sound with impressive clarity, making sure you're not missing a thing from your audio system.
Highlights
- 150W RMS
- 101dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- Single Layer High Temp Voice Coil for Tweeter
- Grilles NOT Included
- *Not Currently Sold on MotorcycleStereo.com
If you currently own a 2014 or later Harley Davidson, these speakers from Diamond Audio are a great potential upgrade. The MP654 speakers fit in your Harley easily. The speakers do not require an additional tweeter location on the fairing. The MP654's simply bolt into the previous factory speaker locations. This feature makes the MP654 speakers a great all-in-one solution.
When creating these speakers, Diamond Audio collaborated with American Hard Bag to help with early development. American Hard Bag helped create the MP654's with the right acoustic and dimensional characteristics for late-model baggers. Additionally, The MP654's pack an oversized voice coil that assists in amazing sensitivity and unbelievable output. These speakers have amazing overall loudness, great low end, and amazing clarity right out of the box when compared to many of the 6.5" speakers on this list.
Highlights
- 160W RMS
- 91dB @ 1W/1m Sensitivity
- Inverted Dome Compression Tweeter
- Grilles NOT Included
- *Not Currently Sold on MotorcycleStereo.com
These HDA 165 6.5" speakers have been designed specifically for motorcycles operating in noisy environments. The HDA 165's feature an Access cone, and Inverted Dome Compression Tweeter, that delivers an impressive 91dB sensitivity response. The inverted dome tweeter allows the speaker to reproduce music loudly, without the need to be specifically directed at the rider. Focal also includes special speaker grilles that allow for perfect integration into your Harley Davidson. They'll fit amazingly into the existing speaker's slots and look amazing with the included grilles.