Saturn SL Speaker Size

Front Door Panel Speaker

Rear Deck Lid Speaker

Rear Door Panel Speaker

Saturn SL Speaker FAQ

What speakers should I replace first in my Saturn SL?

Replace the front door panel speakers first. These 6.5-inch drivers handle most of your music's midrange and vocal frequencies. The Saturn SL front speakers typically run around 20-60 watts RMS and 4-ohm impedance. Rear speakers can wait - they mainly fill in ambient sound. Front replacement gives you the biggest bang for your buck since you're sitting closer to them anyway.

Can I install component speakers in my Saturn SL rear doors?

Yes, but only on 1991-1999 Saturn SL models. The rear door panels accommodate component systems with separate woofers and tweeters. You'll need to mount the crossover somewhere accessible - maybe under the rear seat. Later models moved rear speakers to the deck lid, so no more rear door mounting. Component systems typically improve frequency separation around 2-3 kHz crossover point.

Why did Saturn move the rear speakers to the deck lid?

Better sound staging, probably. Deck lid placement in 2000-2002 Saturn SL models positions speakers behind your head instead of beside your legs. Creates more spacious soundstage. Though you lose some bass response since deck lids vibrate more than door panels. The 6.5-inch drivers still fit the same mounting holes, just different acoustic environment. Some people actually prefer the door-mounted setup for punchier low-end response.

What's the difference between coaxial and full-range speakers for my Saturn SL?

Coaxial speakers have separate tweeter mounted on the woofer cone - usually crosses over around 3-4 kHz. Full-range drivers try to reproduce everything with one cone, which gets messy in the upper frequencies. Your Saturn SL can handle both types in all positions. Coaxials generally sound clearer since the tweeter handles highs better than a stressed woofer cone. Full-range might give you slightly more midrange punch though. Depends what you're after.

Do I need an amplifier for aftermarket speakers in my Saturn SL?

Probably not initially. The factory head unit pushes around 15-20 watts per channel, which works fine with efficient aftermarket 6.5-inch speakers. Most decent replacements are 88-92 dB sensitivity, so they'll play reasonably loud. Adding an amp later helps with dynamics and bass control - maybe 50-75 watts RMS per channel. But start with speakers first, see how they sound. The Saturn SL's interior isn't huge, so moderate power goes pretty far.

Can I fit larger than 6.5-inch speakers in my Saturn SL?

Stick with 6.5-inch. The door panels and deck lid openings are specifically sized for this diameter. You might squeeze in 6.75-inch drivers with some modification, but mounting depth becomes an issue. Saturn SL doors don't have tons of clearance behind the panel. Plus 6.5-inch gives you plenty of options - most manufacturers make quality drivers in this size. Better to focus on speaker quality than trying to go bigger.