Hertz DCX 165.3 Review: A 6.5-Inch Dieci Coaxial for Factory Door Openings
Updated: Oct 7
The Hertz DCX 165.3 is a 6.5-inch (165 mm) two-way coaxial speaker from the Dieci range, with a 15 mm neodymium PEI-dome tweeter mounted in the centre of a water-repellent paper woofer and a built-in crossover. Hertz rates it at 60 W continuous (120 W peak) into 4 Ω, with 93 dB sensitivity and a 60 Hz to 21 kHz response. The India MRP is ₹8,990, between the Uno X 165 and the Cento CX 165 in our Hertz range. It is built for a very common upgrade: swapping tired factory door speakers for something clearer, without new wiring, tweeter holes or an amplifier. See it on our Hertz DCX 165.3 product page.
Quick summary
A one-piece replacement: woofer, tweeter and crossover in a single DIN-size basket, wired like the factory speaker.
93 dB sensitivity and 60 W continuous handling suit factory and aftermarket head units, with room for a small amplifier later.
Water-repellent paper cone and TPU surround, sensible for door cavities that see monsoon water.
Five UK buyer reviews from 2014 to 2020, none negative, praising clear sound and value.
Hertz DCX 165.3 specifications
Specification | Hertz DCX 165.3 |
|---|---|
Type | 6.5-inch (165 mm) two-way coaxial, built-in crossover |
Tweeter | 15 mm PEI dome, neodymium magnet |
Power handling | 60 W continuous, 120 W peak |
Impedance | 4 Ω (Re 3.3 Ω) |
Sensitivity | 93 dB |
Frequency response | 60 Hz – 21 kHz |
Woofer cone and surround | Water-repellent pressed paper; TPU |
Voice coil | 25 mm pure copper on Conex former |
Magnet | Ferrite, 80 x 40 x 15 mm |
Xmax | 2 mm |
Fs / Qts / Vas | 68 Hz / 0.85 / 14.3 litres |
Weight | 0.77 kg |
India MRP | ₹8,990 |
Figures come from Hertz's official DCX 165.3 page and match our listing. Hertz prints the dimensions as lettered figures (165, 144, 72 and 64 mm) without a legend, so no cutout or mounting depth is clearly labelled.
Built for factory head units
Many factory head units in Indian cars, including the touchscreens fitted at the showroom, have modest built-in amplifiers. What matters most for a speaker running on that power is sensitivity, and at 93 dB the DCX 165.3 makes good use of every watt; on that kind of power, efficiency counts for more than headline wattage. The built-in crossover means it connects to the same two wires as the speaker it replaces.
Hertz lists a DIN-size basket protected by abrasion-proof paint, tin-plated high-current terminals and silver-plated lead wires. The woofer parameters (Fs 68 Hz, Qts 0.85, Vas 14.3 litres) suit door mounting, where the door works as a large, leaky enclosure. With 2 mm of Xmax, it won't produce deep bass at high volume, and no 6.5-inch door speaker should be expected to.
When an amplifier helps
Add an amplifier when you find yourself turning the head unit near its maximum on the highway and the sound turns harsh. That harshness is usually the head unit clipping, not the speaker failing. A four-channel amplifier such as the Dieci Hertz DP 4.300, at 60 W per channel into 4 Ω, matches the DCX 165.3's continuous rating exactly, and its speaker-level inputs work with factory touchscreens. Set its high-pass filter around 80 Hz so the woofers are spared the deepest bass. Our explainer on whether you need an amplifier covers the basics.
What owners and reviewers say about the Hertz DCX 165.3
Feedback is modest in volume but positive. This is what we found when we checked in October 2026.
Four Car Audio, a UK Hertz dealer, lists five reviews dated December 2014 to June 2020. One is at the top of its scale, two one step below and two two steps below. The written comments describe great sound and quality for the price (August 2015), excellent results (December 2014) and a nice, clear sound (June 2020). Nobody reports a fault, though neither of the two lowest scores says why, and none of the reviews names the car, the position or the head unit used. The retailer's description, which comes from Hertz, calls the speaker very efficient and suited to any source in any car; that is promotional.
DCX 165.3 vs X 165, CX 165 and DSK 165.3
The cheaper Hertz X 165 from the Uno range (₹6,490 MRP) deserves an honest look. On paper it has a larger 24 mm PEI tweeter, the same size of magnet and the same 60 Hz to 21 kHz rating, for ₹2,500 less. The DCX 165.3 answers with a TPU surround where the X 165 uses foam, and 60 W continuous against 55 W. Foam surrounds are generally thought to age faster in heat and humidity, which is the main argument for the TPU version in Indian conditions.
Moving up, the Hertz CX 165 from the Cento range (₹12,990 MRP) brings a 24 mm Tetolon fibre tweeter that can be rotated towards the listener, 70 W continuous handling and a response quoted to 55 Hz; its grille is sold separately. If you can mount tweeters on the A-pillars, the Hertz DSK 165.3 component set (₹10,990 MRP) lifts the sound off the floor in a way no door-mounted coaxial can.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the DCX 165.3 if you want a straightforward replacement for factory 6.5-inch door speakers, will run it from the head unit for now, and prefer a TPU surround to foam.
Look elsewhere if you're on a tight budget and happy with a foam surround, where the X 165 makes sense, or you want a higher soundstage, where a component set is the better tool. Neither coaxial replaces a subwoofer for deep bass.
Installation notes for Indian cars
Many cars mount their factory speakers in plastic brackets or use openings that need an adapter ring for a 6.5-inch aftermarket speaker. Measure the depth behind the factory unit and check the window glass doesn't touch the magnet when lowered, or ask us to check fitment for your car. Keep the factory plastic water barrier behind the door trim intact, since water running down inside the door is normal in the monsoon.
While the door is open, add damping to the outer skin and seal large holes in the inner panel; our sound damping guide covers the basics of applying damping material. Check polarity on both doors. VA3 Car Studio in Ghaziabad offers professional installation.
Price and where to buy
The Hertz DCX 165.3 has an India MRP of ₹8,990 for the pair. Check the current price on our DCX 165.3 product page; we can also advise on adapters for your car. Every pair we sell is a genuine Hertz product. Our guide to car speakers under ₹10,000 covers other options at this budget.
The bottom line
The DCX 165.3 does the basic job properly: a single-piece 6.5-inch speaker that makes good use of factory power, with a TPU surround and a water-repellent cone. The cheaper Uno X 165 is a genuine alternative on paper, and a component set will image better, but as an easy upgrade on head-unit power the DCX 165.3 makes a strong case.
Hertz DCX 165.3 FAQ
Will the Hertz DCX 165.3 fit my car's factory speaker opening?
Many cars take a 6.5-inch speaker directly or with an adapter ring. Hertz prints only lettered dimensions, so measure the depth and opening, or ask us to check fitment for your car.
Does the DCX 165.3 need an amplifier?
No. Its 93 dB sensitivity suits head-unit power. An amplifier of around 60 W per channel helps if you play loudly on the highway and hear the head unit straining.
Should I choose the DCX 165.3 or the Uno X 165?
The X 165 costs less and has a larger 24 mm tweeter, but uses a foam surround. The DCX 165.3 has a TPU surround and a slightly higher continuous rating. If heat and humidity are a concern, the DCX's TPU surround is the main point in its favour.
Buy the Hertz DCX 165.3 Dieci in India
You can buy the Hertz DCX 165.3 Dieci online from VA3 Car Studio with pan-India shipping. See more Hertz speakers, compare other coaxial speakers, or book a speaker upgrade in Ghaziabad.
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