Hertz MLK 165.3 Review: How It Differs From the MLK 1650.3, and Who It Suits
Updated: Oct 6
The Hertz MLK 165.3 is a 6.5-inch (165 mm) two-way component set from Hertz's Mille Legend line: ML 165.3 woofers, ML 28.3 tweeters with 35 mm Tetolon domes, and MLCX 165.3 passive crossovers, rated at 150 W continuous (300 W peak) into 4 Ω. Its Indian MRP is ₹89,990, which is ₹20,000 below the MLK 1650.3, the other 6.5-inch Legend set and the one Hertz promotes as an EISA winner. It suits buyers who want Mille Legend drivers without paying for the dearer kit's extra crossover switches. See today's price on our MLK 165.3 product page.
Key takeaways
It uses its own drivers, the ML 165.3 woofer and ML 28.3 tweeter, not the ML 1650.3 and ML 280.3 found in the MLK 1650.3.
The crossover is simpler: a fixed 3.5 kHz point with 12 dB/octave slopes, tweeter level and a Hi-Contour switch. Hertz lists no bi-amp, Mid-Contour or Hi-Boost setting for it.
Power, impedance and frequency response are rated the same as the MLK 1650.3: 150 W continuous, 4 Ω, 40 Hz to 25 kHz.
Owner feedback is thin: one owner on a US forum, who recommends 150 W or more per channel.
Hertz MLK 165.3 specifications
Specification | Hertz MLK 165.3 |
|---|---|
Type | 6.5-inch (165 mm) two-way component system |
Woofer | ML 165.3, 36 mm CCAW voice coil, cotton-injected paper cone |
Tweeter | ML 28.3, 35 mm Tetolon fibre dome, double neodymium magnet |
Crossover | MLCX 165.3, 3.5 kHz, 12 dB/octave |
Adjustments | Tweeter level +2 / 0 / -2 dB; Hi-Contour on/off |
Impedance | 4 Ω |
Power handling | 150 W continuous / 300 W peak |
Frequency response | 40 Hz – 25 kHz |
Sensitivity | Woofer 92 dB; tweeter 91 dB |
Woofer Fs / Qts / Vas | 65 Hz / 0.57 / 9 litres |
Weights | Woofer 1.65 kg; tweeter 0.075 kg; crossover 0.37 kg |
Crossover size | 146 x 114 x 40 mm |
Grilles | Die-cast aluminium, included |
India MRP | ₹89,990 |
Figures come from Hertz's MLK 165.3 product page and its official tech sheet. The product page quotes 91 dB for the set; the sheet splits it into 92 dB for the woofer and 91 dB for the tweeter. Hertz publishes no woofer mounting depth or cutout, and US retailers quote different depths, so measure your doors or ask us to check.
MLK 165.3 vs MLK 1650.3: what is actually different
Both sets share the power rating, the 4 Ω load and the quoted 40 Hz to 25 kHz response, and both use 36 mm woofer coils, 35 mm Tetolon domes and three-spoke aluminium baskets. The table shows where Hertz's own data separates them.
Specification | MLK 165.3 | MLK 1650.3 |
|---|---|---|
India MRP | ₹89,990 | ₹1,09,990 |
Woofer / tweeter | ML 165.3 / ML 28.3 | ML 1650.3 / ML 280.3 |
Crossover | MLCX 165.3 | MLCX 2 TW.3 |
Crossover point | 3.5 kHz | 2.5 or 3.5 kHz, set by the contour switches |
Filter slopes | 12 dB/octave | 6 dB/octave woofer, 12 dB/octave tweeter |
Switches | Tweeter level, Hi-Contour | Tweeter level, Hi-Contour, Mid-Contour, Hi-Boost, bi-amp |
Woofer sensitivity | 92 dB | 93 dB |
Woofer Qts / Vas | 0.57 / 9 litres | 0.47 / 8.3 litres |
Woofer / tweeter weight | 1.65 kg / 0.075 kg | 1.29 kg / 0.1 kg |
Crossover size | 146 x 114 x 40 mm | 195 x 119 x 41 mm |
EISA award | None listed | European In-Car Speaker System 2015-2016 (Hertz-promoted) |
In practice, the crossover is the real dividing line. The MLK 1650.3 lets you move the crossover point, shape the mid-bass and the off-axis treble, and switch to bi-amping so woofers and tweeters run on separate amplifier channels. The MLK 165.3 gives you tweeter level and Hi-Contour, which Hertz uses to adapt the tweeter filter to its mounting position. Its smaller crossover box is also easier to tuck behind a kick panel or under a seat.
The drivers in detail
The ML 165.3 woofer has a cotton-injected paper V-cone, chosen by Hertz for stiffness, low weight and dynamics, on a Boundary Free butyl rubber surround. Its 36 mm two-layer copper-clad aluminium coil sits on a Kapton former, in a vented three-spoke basket. Linear excursion is ±5 mm.
The ML 28.3 tweeter pairs a 35 mm Tetolon fibre dome with a double neodymium magnet, and Hertz extended its rear chamber to lower the resonance from 1,000 Hz to 900 Hz. Crossing that dome at 3.5 kHz leaves a wide margin above its resonance. The crossover uses polyester film capacitors, air-wound copper inductors and wirewound resistors.
Power: what to run it on
With 92 dB woofer sensitivity, the set will play from a strong head unit, but a 150 W continuous rating says it is built for an amplifier. The one owner we found recommends 150 W or more per channel. Zapco's HB 154D II, rated at 4 x 150 W into 4 Ω, matches that on paper and can power front and rear speakers. If you later want time alignment and per-driver EQ, our guide to why a DSP helps in car audio explains the next step.
What owners and reviewers say about the Hertz MLK 165.3
When we checked in October 2026, Sonic Electronix and Woofers Etc showed no customer reviews, and Crutchfield's review page would not load for us.
The most useful comment is in a 2018 RamForum thread. An owner said he was glad he had paid more than for similarly specified sets, and that with a good, powerful amplifier they sound amazing. He thought a 120 W amplifier would cope if not pushed to the limit, but suggested 150 W or more per channel. Another member, writing about the MLK line in general rather than naming this set, called it smooth, laid-back, warm and natural, and said it improves markedly with more power and is best run active.
We found no magazine test of the MLK 165.3. The magazine reviews and EISA award often quoted for Mille Legend belong to the MLK 1650.3, so don't assume they apply here. If you own this set, we would like to hear how it sounds in your car.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Buy the MLK 165.3 if you want Mille Legend drivers on a four-channel amplifier with roughly 150 W per channel, you are happy with simple tweeter-level and Hi-Contour tuning, or you plan to add a DSP that will do the fine tuning anyway.
Look elsewhere if you want to bi-amp through a passive crossover or need the Mid-Contour and Hi-Boost adjustments; the MLK 1650.3 has them. If ₹89,990 is a stretch, the Mille Pro MPK 165.3 (₹49,990 MRP) is rated at 110 W continuous with a 29 mm tweeter. Building a fully active system? Hertz sells the ML 1650.3 woofer and ML 280.3 tweeter separately.
Installation notes for Indian cars
Measure the door before ordering, since Hertz lists no mounting depth and retailer figures disagree, and check that the window glass clears the magnet. Many installs need an adapter ring. Damp the door skin and seal the large openings; our sound damping guide shows how, and a rigid, damped door is where a 6.5-inch woofer gets its mid-bass.
Mount the tweeters on the A-pillars or sail panels where possible, then use the Hi-Contour and level switches to suit that position. Keep the crossovers out of the door's wet zone, and secure them against vibration on rough roads. VA3 Car Studio offers professional installation in Ghaziabad.
Price and where to buy
The Hertz MLK 165.3 carries an MRP of ₹89,990 for the full set of woofers, tweeters, crossovers and grilles. VA3 Car Studio often sells below MRP, so check the current offer on the MLK 165.3 product page. Every set we sell is a genuine Hertz product.
The bottom line
The MLK 165.3 is the more straightforward of Hertz's two 6.5-inch Legend sets. It shares the MLK 1650.3's power rating and quoted response, but uses its own woofer and tweeter and a simpler crossover with no bi-amp option listed. Independent feedback is limited to one enthusiastic owner. For a well-powered passive front stage, or as the drivers for a DSP build, it saves ₹20,000 over the MLK 1650.3.
Hertz MLK 165.3 FAQ
What is the difference between the Hertz MLK 165.3 and MLK 1650.3?
They use different drivers and crossovers. The MLK 165.3 pairs ML 165.3 woofers and ML 28.3 tweeters with a fixed 3.5 kHz crossover offering tweeter level and Hi-Contour. The MLK 1650.3 uses ML 1650.3 and ML 280.3 drivers with a crossover that adds Mid-Contour, Hi-Boost, a 2.5 kHz option and bi-amping.
Can the MLK 165.3 be bi-amped?
Hertz lists no bi-amp switch for the MLCX 165.3 crossover. If you want to bi-amp through the passive crossovers, the MLK 1650.3 is designed for it; otherwise a DSP and separate amplifier channels can drive the drivers actively.
How much amplifier power does the MLK 165.3 need?
Hertz rates it at 150 W continuous and 300 W peak at 4 Ω. The one owner we found recommends 150 W or more per channel, so a four-channel amplifier rated around that figure is a sensible match.
Buy Hertz Speakers in India
You can buy the Hertz MLK 165.3 Mille Legend 6.5 Inch 2-Way Component online from VA3 Car Studio with pan-India shipping. See more Hertz speakers, compare other component speakers, or book component speaker installation in Ghaziabad.
Comments