Audison APK 690 vs Pioneer TS-D65F: 6x9 vs 6.5 Speakers
By Car Audio and Tint | Car Toys | Washington, Texas, Colorado ... | Published: 2026-10-24
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Audison APK 690 Prima 6x9 component speakers with the Pioneer TS-D65F 6.5 coaxial speakers. Learn which fits your car and sound goals.
Quick answer
If your car has factory 6x9 openings and you want precise staging with external crossovers, choose the Audison APK 690 Prima component set. If you need a drop-in 6.5-inch upgrade with a swivel tweeter and a lower price, the Pioneer TS-D65F coaxial speakers deliver clear sound without extra installation work.
Size and installation differences matter more than you think
The Audison APK 690 uses a 6x9 woofer designed for doors that already house elliptical speakers. That shape moves more air than a round 6.5-inch driver, which gives you stronger bass response from the woofer alone. But it also means you need the right factory cutout or adapter plate.
The Pioneer TS-D65F uses a standard 6.5-inch round frame that fits most universal mounting locations. Its swivel tweeter lets you aim the high frequencies toward the listening position, which helps when the factory tweeter pod is fixed or absent. If you are replacing a blown 6.5-inch speaker, this set goes in with minimal hassle.
Component vs coaxial: the tuning trade-off
The Audison APK 690 is a component system: the woofer, tweeter, and crossover are separate. That lets you mount the tweeter higher in the door or on the dash for better soundstage. The included APCX TW 690 crossover includes tweeter attenuation, so you can dial back the highs if the cabin gets too bright. The trade-off is more wiring and finding a spot for the crossover.
The Pioneer TS-D65F is a coaxial design with the tweeter mounted on the woofer frame. Installation is simpler because you only run one pair of wires per speaker. The 26mm polyester soft dome tweeter swivels, giving you some directional control, but you cannot separate it from the woofer. For many drivers, that is a fair compromise for an easier install.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Soundstage flexibility: The Audison APK 690 component design lets you place the tweeter separately and adjust its output level with the crossover. The Pioneer TS-D65F coaxial keeps the tweeter on the woofer but lets you swivel it.
- Installation effort: The Pioneer TS-D65F is a direct 6.5-inch coaxial replacement with one wire pair per speaker. The Audison APK 690 requires mounting the crossover and running separate wires to the tweeter. If you want a quick upgrade, the Pioneer saves time. If you are willing to wire components, the Audison gives more staging control.
- Bass from the woofer alone: The Audison's 6x9 elliptical woofer moves more air than a 6.5-inch round driver, giving you fuller low-end without a subwoofer. The Pioneer's 6.5-inch woofer relies more on door sealing and aftermarket amplification for bass. For bass-heavy music without a sub, the 6x9 Audison has a clear advantage.
Product facts at a glance
- Audison APK 690 Prima Series 6x9" Component Speakers: The APK 690 system is designed for car models with doors equipped to house elliptical speakers, featuring 6x9 in. woofers and AP 1 tweeter with dedicated crossovers APCX TW 690. If your car has factory 6x9 openings, this component set uses that space efficiently and gives you separate tweeter placement and crossover tuning.
Audison APK 690 Prima Series 6x9" Component Speakers - Pioneer TS-D65F 6.5" Coaxial Speakers: The Pioneer TS-D65F features a 26mm Polyester Soft Dome Tweeter with Swivel Capability and Aramid Fiber Interlaced Injection Molded Polypropylene (IMPP) Cone Construction. The swivel tweeter lets you aim high frequencies toward your ears, and the reinforced cone helps keep distortion low at moderate power levels.
Pioneer TS-D65F 6.5" Coaxial Speakers
Which should you choose?
Best for
- Drivers with factory 6x9 openings who want separate tweeter placement and crossover tuning (Audison APK 690)
- Listeners who prioritize stronger midbass from the door speaker without adding a subwoofer (Audison APK 690)
Not for
- Drivers who want a simple, one-wire-pair drop-in replacement without cutting or running new wire (choose the Pioneer TS-D65F instead)
- Vehicles with only 5.25-inch or 6.5-inch round factory cutouts that cannot accommodate a 6x9 frame (choose the Pioneer TS-D65F instead)
