Scion tC Speaker Size

Front Door Panel Speaker

Rear Side Panel Speaker

Scion tC Speaker FAQ

Which speakers should I replace first in my Scion tC for the biggest sound improvement?

Replace the front door 6.5-inch speakers first. These handle most of your music's midrange and bass content, so upgrading them creates the most noticeable difference. The front speakers get about 80% of your stereo's power in most factory setups. After that, consider the rear 6.5-inch speakers - they fill in the soundstage but won't dramatically change your listening experience like the fronts will.

Can I install component speakers in all four 6.5-inch locations in my Scion tC?

Yes, but it's probably overkill for the rears. Component speakers work best up front where you benefit from the separated tweeter placement. The Scion tC already has dedicated 1-inch tweeters in the front doors, so you'll want components that let you use those mounting points. For the rear side panels, quality coaxials around 50-75 watts RMS should be sufficient since they're mainly for ambiance.

What's the difference between coaxial and component speakers for my Scion tC setup?

Coaxial speakers have the tweeter built into the center of the woofer - everything in one unit. Components separate the tweeter and woofer into different pieces with a crossover network. Since your Scion tC has separate tweeter locations in the front doors, components let you optimize placement better. The crossover handles frequency division more precisely than coaxials, typically splitting around 3,000-4,000 Hz. Components cost more but... the staging improves noticeably.

Should I replace the 1-inch tweeters in my Scion tC front doors?

Only if you're installing a component speaker system. The factory tweeters might handle up to 20 watts but they're designed to work with the factory woofers. When you upgrade to aftermarket 6.5-inch speakers, the frequency response changes. Component systems include matched tweeters engineered to work with their specific woofers. If you're installing coaxials in the doors, you could disconnect the factory tweeters to avoid frequency overlap around 3-5 kHz.

What power handling should I look for in 6.5-inch speakers for my Scion tC?

Look for speakers rated 50-100 watts RMS. The factory head unit pushes maybe 15-20 watts per channel, so you don't need massive power handling unless you're adding an amplifier. More important is sensitivity rating - aim for 88 dB or higher. This means the speakers will sound louder with the same amount of power. Peak power ratings are mostly marketing... focus on RMS numbers. If your Scion tC has the premium audio package, the speakers might already be getting more power.