What size are tweeters?
In loudspeakers, tweeters come in a range of sizes rather than a single standard. The most common consumer sizes are roughly 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter, with larger horn-loaded designs reaching 1.5 to 2 inches for higher output in specialized gear.
Size matters because it influences dispersion, how high frequencies are produced, and how the driver fits inside a cabinet or dashboard. There are typical ranges you’ll encounter across car audio, home audio, and professional systems.
Common tweeter sizes you will encounter
Manufacturers standardize tweeter diameters to fit enclosures, mounting points, and crossovers. Here are the sizes you’re most likely to see in consumer gear.
- 0.5 inches (13 mm) – a compact dome used in small bookshelf speakers and many car speakers.
- 0.75 inches (19 mm) – a very common size offering a balance of dispersion and ease of integration.
- 1 inch (25 mm) – the standard in many hi‑fi, home theater, and car setups, often delivering cleaner high frequencies.
- 1.5 inches (38 mm) – found in some larger or horn‑loaded designs for higher output and different dispersion patterns.
- 2 inches (50 mm) – rare in typical consumer gear but used in some professional PA or high‑output horn systems.
Note: The exact performance depends on more than diameter, including dome material, mounting, and crossover design.
How size translates to typical setups
Different applications favor different tweeter sizes due to space, amplification, and listening goals. Here's a quick map.
- Car audio and compact home speakers: often 0.5" to 0.75" tweeters to fit dashboards and small enclosures.
- Home theater and floor‑standing hi‑fi: commonly 1" domes for a balance of detail and dispersion.
- Specialty PA, live sound, or horn systems: 1.5" or larger tweeters, including horn‑loaded designs, for high SPL and broad coverage.
In practice, manufacturers may mix tweeter sizes within a single system (coaxials, for example) to optimize coverage across the listening space.
Summary
Tweeter size is not fixed. The most common consumer diameters are 0.5", 0.75", and 1", with larger sizes used in specialized systems. When shopping, check the diameter, impedance, and frequency response, and consider how the size interacts with the enclosure and crossover in your setup.
