【FOCAL ES 165 KX3E | Full-Fledged 3-Way Car Audio Speakers】

If, while listening to music in your car, you feel that “the vocals are a bit too far away,” “the sounds of instruments overlap and blend together,” or “you want a more natural, fuller sound,” then this is for you.

FOCAL ES 165 KX3E is a 3-way component speaker system consisting of a 165mm woofer, an 80mm midrange, and a 32mm tweeter.

In a 2-way speaker, the midrange is handled by a single unit; by splitting that midrange into a dedicated midrange section, sounds such as vocals, guitars, and pianos become easier to separate and organize. Even with songs that contain many notes, you’ll be able to perceive the position and character of each sound more easily. And even with the music you already listen to all the time, this speaker will bring new discoveries.

The woofer uses FOCAL’s proprietary K2 sandwich cone. Not only does it deliver strong low-end quantity, it also clearly portrays the outlines of the bass and bass drum. The midrange supports the presence of the vocal band, while the 32mm M inverted aluminum/magnesium cone tweeter reproduces the fine nuances in the high frequencies with an open, smooth character.

The network is designed so that you can select the connection between the woofer and the midrange from 300Hz, 400Hz, or 500Hz. Since you can adjust it to match your car’s acoustic environment and installation conditions, you can aim for a sound that comes together naturally inside the cabin—not just by replacing the speakers.

Parts that Matter for Installation

With 3-way speakers, because the number of units increases, the installation location and angle, as well as how each unit is connected, have a major impact on the overall sound impression.

In particular, you need to verify—depending on the vehicle model—the foundation work needed to make the woofer on the door play properly, the positional relationship between the midrange and tweeter, and compatibility with the factory audio system or an amplifier.

If it were me, I wouldn’t stop at simply replacing the speakers. After checking the vehicle’s factory system, how you use it, and what music you typically listen to, I would organize together which areas are worth investing in—up to and including adding deadening material, an amplifier, and even a DSP.

To take full advantage of the ES 165 KX3E’s performance, it’s important to consider installation and adjustment as well. It’s ideal not only for those who want to change the sound dramatically, but also for those who want to enjoy music for long periods without fatigue, and who want a sound that lets you appreciate the expressions of vocals and instruments.

Depending on the vehicle model and the specifications of the factory audio, the best configuration and installation content will differ. First, please tell me what you’re dissatisfied with in your current sound and what music you often listen to. Rather than pushing you toward an expensive configuration, we’ll think together about how best to make the ES 165 KX3E work in that specific car.

Main Specifications / Specs

【Basic Information】

• Product name: ES 165 KX3E
• Brand: FOCAL
• Type: 165mm 3-way component kit
• Impedance: 4Ω

【Playback Performance】

• Reproduction frequency range: 45Hz–32kHz
• Rated input: 120W
• Maximum input: 240W
• Output sound pressure level: 93dB (2.83V / 1m)

【Network】

• Network: 6-12 / 12 / 12dB
• Between woofer and midrange: selectable from 300Hz / 400Hz / 500Hz
• Between midrange and tweeter: 3kHz / 5kHz

【Speaker Units】

• Woofer: 165mm K2 sandwich cone with TMD
• Midrange: 80mm K2 sandwich cone with TMD
• Tweeter: 32mm M inverted aluminum/magnesium cone with TMD

【Installation Dimensions】

• Woofer mounting hole diameter: 142.1mm
• Woofer mounting depth: 76mm
• Midrange mounting hole diameter: 73.2mm
• Midrange mounting depth: 34mm

If you want to build a system that lets you enjoy music properly inside your car, let’s decide the direction while looking at an actual vehicle once. To ensure you end up with great sound, we’ll handle things properly from installation to adjustment.