Hertz CK 165 L Review: Non-Pressed Paper Woofers, 3.8 kHz Crossovers and the CK 165 Difference
Updated: Oct 7
The Hertz CK 165 L is a 6.5-inch (165 mm) two-way component set from Hertz's mid-range Cento line, pairing C 165 L woofers with non-pressed paper cones, C 26 tweeters and separate compact crossovers that cross at 3.8 kHz. Hertz rates it at 100 W continuous and 300 W peak, with a 92 dB woofer sensitivity and a 50 Hz lower limit. Its Indian MRP is ₹24,990, the same as the CK 165. It suits owners who want a component front stage with crossovers small enough to tuck away, on head-unit power or an amplifier. See today's price on our Hertz CK 165 L product page.
Quick summary
The C 165 L woofer uses a non-pressed paper cone, which Hertz chose for a natural sound with powerful, well-damped low frequencies.
Separate ultra-compact crossovers: woofer low-pass at 6 dB/octave and tweeter high-pass at 12 dB/octave, both at 3.8 kHz.
Same C 26 tweeter and same MRP as the CK 165; the woofer, crossovers and ratings are what differ.
One owner review was available when we checked, and it was positive.
Hertz CK 165 L specifications
Specification | Hertz CK 165 L |
|---|---|
Type | 6.5-inch two-way component system |
Parts | C 165 L woofers, C 26 tweeters, CCX 2W and CCX 2T crossovers |
Impedance | 4 Ω |
Power handling | 100 W continuous, 300 W peak |
Woofer sensitivity | 92 dB |
Frequency response | 50 Hz – 22.5 kHz |
Woofer | Non-pressed paper (NPP) cone, 25 mm high-excursion voice coil on aluminium former, ferrite magnet |
Tweeter | C 26: 26 mm Tetolon fibre soft dome, 20 mm voice coil, neodymium magnet |
Crossovers | 3.8 kHz; woofer 6 dB/octave, tweeter 12 dB/octave |
Tweeter level | 0 / +3 dB |
Weights | Woofer 0.973 kg, tweeter 0.037 kg, crossover 0.07 kg |
India MRP | ₹24,990 |
Figures come from Hertz's official CK 165 L page, with the MRP from our listing. Our listing gives the woofer as 91 dB; Hertz says 92 dB, and we have used Hertz's figure. On grilles, Hertz's page lists them in the kit title but calls the CG 165 grille optional in its accessories section; our listing treats it as sold separately, so confirm with us when ordering.
CK 165 L vs CK 165: the exact differences
These two sets share a price, a tweeter and a woofer sensitivity, so it is easy to assume they are the same. Hertz's own figures show where they part ways.
Specification | CK 165 L | CK 165 |
|---|---|---|
Woofer cone | Non-pressed paper (NPP) | SPP-M, semi-pressed paper with mica |
Crossover | Separate woofer and tweeter units, 3.8 kHz | One CCX 2 network, 2.5 kHz |
Slopes | Woofer 6 dB/octave, tweeter 12 dB/octave | 12 dB/octave |
Power handling | 100 W continuous, 300 W peak | 95 W continuous, 285 W peak |
Frequency response | 50 Hz – 22.5 kHz | 55 Hz – 22.5 kHz |
Crossover weight | 0.07 kg | 0.185 kg |
Tweeter, sensitivity, MRP | C 26, 92 dB, ₹24,990 | C 26, 92 dB, ₹24,990 |
On paper, the higher 3.8 kHz crossover and gentle woofer slope give the woofer more of the vocal range and ask less of the tweeter at the bottom of its band, while the CK 165 hands over to the tweeter earlier, at 2.5 kHz. Which suits you depends on where the tweeter can go and how you like voices presented; read our Hertz CK 165 review for the other side.
Factory head unit or amplifier?
With a 92 dB woofer, the CK 165 L can run from a factory or aftermarket head unit, and it gains the imaging benefit of a separate tweeter straight away. Push the volume, though, and a head unit's small built-in amplifier clips, which is hardest on tweeters.
An amplifier delivering 65 to 75 W per channel suits the 100 W continuous rating. The Zapco ST-2B (65 W per channel into 4 Ω) accepts OEM speaker-level input for factory touchscreens, and the JL Audio JD700/5 adds a subwoofer channel to four 75 W channels. Once a sub joins the system, high-pass the woofers around 80 Hz.
What owners and reviewers say about the Hertz CK 165 L
Owner feedback is thin. When we checked in October 2026, OnlineCarStereo had one review, dated April 2024. The reviewer ran the set from a JL Audio four-channel amplifier and praised how well the woofers and tweeters blend, with clear sound even at high volume. One moderated review is not a consensus, but it is a positive start.
BestCarAudio's 2019 Cento speakers spotlight is a sponsored post, so treat it as promotional. It says the CK 165 L's non-pressed paper woofers aim for natural balance and solid, controlled low-frequency output, which matches Hertz's own description. If you own a CK 165 L, we would like to hear how it sounds in your car.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the CK 165 L if you want a component set whose crossovers are small and separate, so each filter can sit near its own driver, and you prefer Hertz's non-pressed paper woofer and the slightly higher ratings over the CK 165.
Look elsewhere if you want a drop-in coaxial (the CX 165), or a bigger 29 mm tweeter, a three-step tweeter level and slightly more power handling, which the Cento Pro CPK 165 (₹29,990 MRP) offers.
Installation notes for Indian cars
Hertz doesn't list the C 165 L's mounting depth; our listing gives 62.5 mm, but measure your door, including window-glass travel, before you order. Adapter brackets are common, and damping the door skin pays off with any 6.5-inch woofer; our guide to applying sound damping explains how.
The separate crossovers are the installation story here. Hertz says the split design brings simplicity and flexibility, and with a listed crossover weight of 0.07 kg they should be easy to tuck behind trim. Keep the woofer filter out of the wettest part of the door, where water gathers in the monsoon, and set the tweeter level switch once the tweeters are in their final positions. VA3 Car Studio offers professional installation in Ghaziabad.
Price and where to buy
The CK 165 L has an MRP of ₹24,990 in our listing, covering woofers, tweeters and crossovers. Check today's price on the CK 165 L product page. Every set we sell is a genuine Hertz product.
The bottom line
This is the less obvious Cento component set: same tweeter and price as the CK 165, but a non-pressed paper woofer, a higher 3.8 kHz crossover split into two compact filters, and slightly higher ratings. It can run on head-unit power, a modest amplifier gives it cleaner power at higher volume, and the one owner review we found is positive. Choose between it and the CK 165 on woofer cone, crossover point and installation, not price.
Hertz CK 165 L FAQ
Is the Hertz CK 165 L better than the CK 165?
Not simply better; different. The CK 165 L has a non-pressed paper woofer, separate crossovers at 3.8 kHz and ratings of 100 W continuous and 50 Hz. The CK 165 uses a mica-filled SPP-M woofer and one crossover at 2.5 kHz. Both use the C 26 tweeter.
Does the CK 165 L include grilles?
Hertz's page is inconsistent: its kit title lists grilles, but its accessories section calls the CG 165 woofer grille optional. Our listing treats the grille as sold separately, so check with us before ordering if you need one.
Can the CK 165 L run on a factory head unit?
Yes. Hertz rates the woofer at 92 dB, which suits head-unit power. An amplifier giving 65 to 75 W per channel lets it play louder without clipping; the one owner review we found used a JL Audio four-channel amplifier.
Buy the Hertz CK 165 L Cento in India
Check the Hertz CK 165 L Cento price in India, browse more Hertz speakers or compare all component speakers in India. Want it fitted properly? Book component speaker installation at our Ghaziabad studio.
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