Audio Systems: Speakers, car stereo speakers, 5x7 speakers

Question
I think you can answer my question; it has to do with car stereo speakers. The car I drive has 5X7 speakers that I want to replace, wouldn't I be better off installing 6 1/2" speakers instead if 5X7's if I can make them fit without to much trouble. Won't 6 1/2 speakers perform better than 5X7 speakers? The concern I have is the gap in the door panel that the 6 1/2 will leave due to the larger hole on the top and bottom for the 5X7 cutout, letting road noise in.

Thanks, Larry

Answer
Dear Larry,

By 6-1/2" v. 5 x 7, I take it you're intending to switch from elliptical speakers to circular speakers. There's nothing in the sizes you mention that indicate that one will perform any better than the other.

Elliptical speakers were invented to accommodate the weird dimensions that speaker installers found in cars. You know, rocker panels, rear decks, and so on have very oddly shaped usable space. So elliptical speakers were invented to fill spaces where large circular speakers wouldn't fit.

Frankly, the radiating area of a 5" x 7" speaker vs. a 6-1/2" speaker is not worth the debate. As long as you get a quality speaker, either will perform very well.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin