Oldsmobile Alero Speaker Size

Front Door Panel Speaker

Rear Deck Lid Speaker

Oldsmobile Alero Speaker FAQ

What speakers should I replace first in my Oldsmobile Alero?

Replace the rear deck speakers first. The 6 x 9 rear speakers handle most of your bass response and overall volume. Front 4 x 6 speakers mainly fill in mid-range... but honestly the rears do the heavy lifting in the Alero. You'll notice the biggest improvement starting there. Then upgrade fronts for better stereo imaging.

Can I install component speakers in my Oldsmobile Alero front doors?

Yes, the front door panels accept component speakers. You'll need to mount the crossover somewhere in the door cavity. The tweeter can mount in the factory location or you might need to fabricate a mount. Component systems typically offer better soundstage than coaxials... though installation gets more complex. Check clearance behind the door panel first.

What's the power handling difference between coaxial and triaxial speakers for my Alero?

Power handling varies more by brand than type. Most aftermarket 6 x 9 speakers handle 50-100 watts RMS regardless of coaxial or triaxial design. Triaxials add a small tweeter for higher frequencies around 10kHz and up. The extra driver doesn't necessarily mean more power capacity... just extended frequency response. Your Alero's factory amp puts out maybe 15-20 watts per channel anyway.

Why does my Oldsmobile Alero use different sized speakers front and rear?

The 4 x 6 front size fits the door panel space constraints. Doors have window mechanisms, locks, handles taking up room. The rear deck has more open space allowing 6 x 9 speakers. This size difference actually works well - smaller fronts handle vocals and midrange while larger rears provide bass extension down to maybe 40Hz. It's not ideal for imaging but functional for the Alero's cabin layout.

Should I get 2-way or 3-way speakers for my Alero's rear deck?

2-way coaxials are usually sufficient. The rear deck position doesn't require precise imaging so the extra tweeter in 3-way designs offers minimal benefit. Focus on woofer quality and sensitivity instead. Look for speakers rated around 88-92 dB sensitivity to work well with your Alero's modest factory power. Save money on the rear speakers and invest more in front components if you want better sound quality.

What impedance should I use for Oldsmobile Alero speaker replacements?

Stick with 4-ohm speakers. Your Alero's factory amplifier is designed for 4-ohm loads. Using 8-ohm speakers will reduce volume output significantly... maybe cut power in half. Some people think higher impedance means better quality but that's not necessarily true. The factory wiring and amp expect 4 ohms so work with what's there unless you're adding an aftermarket amplifier.