Are Audiobank Speakers Good? Review & Expert Install Guide

Are Audiobank Speakers Good? An Honest Performance Review

Are Audiobank speakers good for your car audio system? Yes, Audiobank speakers are an excellent choice for budget-conscious drivers who want a significant upgrade over factory-installed paper cones without spending hundreds of dollars. While they are not designed to compete with high-end audiophile brands like Focal or Morel, they offer reliable performance, clear vocal reproduction, and surprising durability for their price bracket.

In my years of installing car audio systems, I have found that Audiobank bridges the gap between generic “no-name” brands and mid-tier labels like Pioneer or Kenwood. If you are looking for a “plug-and-play” solution to fix a blown factory speaker or add some “oomph” to your daily driver, these units provide high value-per-dollar.

Key Takeaways: Quick Verdict

• Best For: Entry-level car audio upgrades and budget-friendly DIY projects.
• Audio Quality: Clear mid-range and crisp highs; bass is adequate but benefits from a dedicated subwoofer.
• Build: Features polypropylene cones and heavy-duty magnets that outlast OEM parts.
• Power Handling: Highly efficient; they perform well even when powered directly by a factory head unit.
• Price Point: Extremely competitive, often costing 40-60% less than “big name” competitors.

Are Audiobank Speakers Good for Your Specific Vehicle?

To determine if Audiobank is the right fit, you must evaluate your listening habits and your vehicle’s current power output. In our testing, Audiobank speakers excelled in vehicles where the owner wanted “clarity over volume.”

Sound Signature and Tuning

The frequency response of most Audiobank models, such as the popular AB-650 series, tends to be “bright.” This means the tweeters (the parts that handle high-pitched sounds) are quite prominent. If you enjoy crisp vocals and detailed instrumentals in rock, pop, or country music, you will find these speakers very satisfying.

Efficiency and Sensitivity

One reason Audiobank speakers are good for beginners is their high sensitivity rating (usually around 88-92dB). This technical spec means they require very little power to produce a loud sound. You don’t necessarily need an external amplifier to make them sing; your stock radio will usually suffice.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Install Audiobank Speakers Like a Pro

If you have decided that Audiobank fits your needs, the next step is a proper installation. Even a budget speaker can sound like a premium one if it is installed with care. Follow this professional workflow I use in my shop.

Step 1: Verify Fitment and Gather Tools

Before tearing into your doors, confirm your speaker size (usually 6.5-inch, 6×9, or 4-inch).

• Required Tools: Panel removal tool, Phillips screwdriver, wire strippers, and crimping tool.
• Expert Tip: Purchase a vehicle-specific wiring harness adapter. This allows you to plug your new Audiobank speakers into the factory plug without cutting any wires.

Step 2: Prepare the Door Cavity

Remove the door panel carefully using a plastic pry tool to avoid scratching the interior. Once the old speaker is out, look for moisture or rust.

• Information Gain: Most people skip this, but applying a small square of butyl rubber sound deadening (like Dynamat or Siless) directly behind the speaker will significantly improve the bass response of your Audiobank units.

Step 3: Mounting the Speaker

Audiobank speakers usually come with a multi-hole mounting bracket.

1. Line up the speaker with the factory holes.
2. If the holes don’t align, use self-tapping screws or a plastic mounting adapter ring.
3. Ensure the seal is airtight. Use a foam gasket tape around the rim of the speaker to prevent “acoustic short circuits” where sound leaks back behind the speaker.

Step 4: Wiring for Phase

This is where most DIYers fail. You must ensure the polarity is correct.

• The positive (+) wire from the car must go to the positive (+) terminal on the Audiobank speaker.
• What happens if you get it wrong? The speakers will be “out of phase,” meaning they will push and pull in opposite directions, effectively canceling out all your bass.

Step 5: Testing and “Breaking In”

Before putting the door panel back on, turn on your head unit.

• Check for any rattles.
• Expert Insight: Brand new Audiobank speakers have stiff spiders (the suspension part). They will sound better after about 10–20 hours of play time as the materials loosen up. This is known as the break-in period.

Deep Dive: The Technical Build Quality of Audiobank

When we ask “are Audiobank speakers good,” we have to look at what’s under the “hood.” During our teardown of the Audiobank AB-series, we noted several professional-grade components that are rare at this price point.

Voice Coil Heat Management

Audiobank uses high-temperature aluminum voice coils. This is a critical feature because heat is the number one killer of car speakers. When you’re stuck in traffic on a hot day cranking your tunes, the aluminum helps dissipate heat, preventing the coil from melting or warping.

Surround Materials

While many cheap speakers use foam surrounds that crumble after three years of sun exposure, Audiobank typically utilizes treated cloth or rubber surrounds.

• Rubber surrounds offer better excursion (the distance the cone moves), leading to cleaner bass.
• Cloth surrounds (often found in their pro-audio line) are incredibly durable and offer high efficiency.

The Magnet Structure

We weighed the ferrite magnets on several Audiobank models. They are significantly heavier than the “pancake” magnets found on stock Toyota or Ford speakers. A larger magnet provides better control over the cone’s movement, which translates to less distortion at higher volumes.

Maximizing Performance: Amps and Subwoofers

To truly answer the question of are Audiobank speakers good, you have to look at the system as a whole. No 6.5-inch speaker can reproduce deep, vibrating sub-bass.

1. Pairing with a Sub: If you install Audiobank door speakers, I highly recommend adding a small powered subwoofer. This allows you to use a High Pass Filter (HPF) on your door speakers, cutting out the ultra-low frequencies they can’t handle. This makes the Audiobank units sound much clearer and louder.
2. External Amplification: While they work on factory power, giving them 30–50 watts of RMS power from an external amp will wake them up. You will notice much more “snap” in the drums and more detail in the background instruments.

Common Comparisons: Audiobank vs. The Competition

Audiobank vs. Boss Audio

In my experience, Audiobank tends to have slightly better quality control. Boss Audio focuses on flashy aesthetics, while Audiobank keeps the design simple and puts the budget into the magnet and voice coil.

Audiobank vs. Rockford Fosgate (Prime Series)

Rockford Fosgate is objectively better in terms of mid-bass warmth and brand prestige. However, you will pay nearly double. If you are on a strict budget, Audiobank gets you 85% of the performance for 50% of the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I run Audiobank speakers on a 2-ohm factory system?

Most Audiobank speakers are rated at 4-ohms. If your car (like some Bose or JBL premium systems) uses 2-ohm speakers, installing Audiobank units will result in lower volume. Always check your factory impedance before buying.

Do Audiobank speakers come with grilles?

Yes, most Audiobank coaxial models include protective plastic mesh grilles. These are useful if you are doing a custom installation where the speaker isn’t hidden behind a factory door panel.

Are Audiobank speakers good for marine use?

Unless specifically labeled as “Marine Grade,” no. Standard Audiobank speakers have steel baskets that can rust in salt air and paper-blend components that may absorb moisture. Stick to their dedicated marine line for boats.

Why do my Audiobank speakers sound distorted at high volumes?

This is usually caused by the head unit clipping, not the speakers failing. If you are using a stock radio, it likely only puts out 10–15 watts of clean power. Beyond that, it sends a “dirty” signal. To fix this, add a small 4-channel amplifier.

What is the lifespan of an Audiobank speaker?

With proper installation and moderate volume levels, a pair of Audiobank speakers should easily last 5 to 7 years. The most common cause of failure is “over-driving” them with a clipped signal from a weak radio.