Subaru Forester Speaker Size

Front Door Panel Speaker

Rear Door Panel Speaker

Dashboard Speaker

Front Speaker

Rear Speaker

Subaru Forester Speaker FAQ

Which speakers should I replace first in my Subaru Forester for the biggest sound improvement?

Replace the front door speakers first. They handle most of your music's midrange and vocal frequencies. For newer Foresters, you're looking at 6x9 inch speakers in the front doors - these larger drivers can move more air and produce fuller sound than the 6.5 inch units in older models. The front speakers do about 70% of the work in your listening experience. Rear speakers mainly fill in ambient sound, so they're secondary priority unless you frequently have rear passengers.

Can I install component speakers in my Subaru Forester's front doors?

Yes, most Forester configurations support component speakers. Component systems separate the tweeter from the woofer - you get better imaging and clearer highs. The woofer goes in the door panel location, while tweeters mount separately. Check if your Forester already has factory tweeter locations in the dashboard or A-pillars. If not, you'll need to find mounting spots. Component speakers typically cost more but deliver noticeably better sound staging than coaxial speakers.

What's the difference between coaxial and full-range speakers for the Subaru Forester?

Coaxial speakers have a tweeter mounted on top of the woofer - all frequencies come from one location. Full-range speakers try to reproduce all frequencies with a single driver cone. Coaxial designs usually sound better because the dedicated tweeter handles high frequencies more effectively. Full-range speakers work but they compromise on clarity. The smaller 4 inch rear speakers in older Foresters are typically full-range by necessity - there's not enough space for a separate tweeter.

Do I need an amplifier when upgrading Subaru Forester speakers?

Not necessarily for basic upgrades. Factory head units typically output 15-20 watts RMS per channel, which can drive most aftermarket speakers adequately. However, component speakers often benefit from amplification - they're usually designed for 50-75 watts RMS and will sound fuller with proper power. If you're keeping the factory radio, look for speakers with sensitivity ratings above 88dB. Higher sensitivity means they'll play louder with less power input.

Why did Subaru change from 6.5 inch to 6x9 inch front speakers in newer Foresters?

The 6x9 size provides more cone area - about 30% more surface than 6.5 inch round speakers. More surface area means better bass response and overall output. The oval shape also fits better in modern door panel designs. You get improved low-frequency extension without needing a subwoofer. The trade-off is slightly less precise imaging compared to round speakers, but most listeners prefer the fuller sound. Installing 6x9 speakers in older Foresters requires modification since the door panels weren't designed for that size.