CarPlay (Explain it like I am five)

[cvollers]

That’s one thing I need to see/hear for myself. The Slate speakers. They’re only in the dash and not the doors too, right? I’ve only heard one journalist say they’re “not bad”, but that’s all subjective.

You really need speakers in the doors for both stereo separation and low frequency (bass) performance. I’d rather have tweeters in the corners of the top of the dash than speakers in the front of the dash.

 

[Saint Alban]

You really need speakers in the doors for both stereo separation and low frequency (bass) performance. I’d rather have tweeters in the corners of the top of the dash than speakers in the front of the dash.

The maker site does show rear side speakers if you add an suv kit. If it stays as a single cab, are door speakers still necessary? I think I’m about to send Slate another email lol

 

[GreatLakes]

You really need speakers in the doors for both stereo separation and low frequency (bass) performance. I’d rather have tweeters in the corners of the top of the dash than speakers in the front of the dash.

Many people, and Crutchfield also, suggest that old car speakers (like 5 years plus) are likely worn and good candidates for replacement. Do you agree with that? And if so, are the low end speakers there similar to OEM or maybe even an upgrade? (they suggest Kenwood KFC-1666S for $39/pair - 1550 4+* reviews)

Sadly, tweeters are probably wasted on me. Hearing loss, particularly above 10kHz. A mis-spent youth.

I am interested in a powered sub-woofer. No experience with them, but I do like thumpy bass. Their top seller is a Sound Ordnance™ B-8PTD for $190. 8", 125 watt. Fits under seat in my F150, maybe Slate too? Reasonable idea? Thanks for advice, I know it is a little off topic.

 

[cvollers]

Many people, and Crutchfield also, suggest that old car speakers (like 5 years plus) are likely worn and good candidates for replacement. Do you agree with that? And if so, are the low end speakers there similar to OEM or maybe even an upgrade? (they suggest Kenwood KFC-1666S for $39/pair - 1550 4+* reviews)

Sadly, tweeters are probably wasted on me. Hearing loss, particularly above 10kHz. A mis-spent youth.

I am interested in a powered sub-woofer. No experience with them, but I do like thumpy bass. Their top seller is a Sound Ordnance™ B-8PTD for $190. 8", 125 watt. Fits under seat in my F150, maybe Slate too? Reasonable idea? Thanks for advice, I know it is a little off topic.

If you are in the business of selling new replacement car speakers, of course you are going to recommend replacing your "old, worn" speakers. My 2012 JBL OEM speakers are still going strong. When I notice sound degradation, then I'll think about replacing them.

 

[SichuanHot]

Many people, and Crutchfield also, suggest that old car speakers (like 5 years plus) are likely worn and good candidates for replacement. Do you agree with that? And if so, are the low end speakers there similar to OEM or maybe even an upgrade? (they suggest Kenwood KFC-1666S for $39/pair - 1550 4+* reviews)

Sadly, tweeters are probably wasted on me. Hearing loss, particularly above 10kHz. A mis-spent youth.

I am interested in a powered sub-woofer. No experience with them, but I do like thumpy bass. Their top seller is a Sound Ordnance™ B-8PTD for $190. 8", 125 watt. Fits under seat in my F150, maybe Slate too? Reasonable idea? Thanks for advice, I know it is a little off topic.

I think it depends on the speakers. Some speakers, like the stock ones that came in the BMW E38 are made with a paper diaphragm so almost all of them by now have rotted away. In contrast the stock speakers in my E53 are a tougher plastic based material and still woof real strong. I'm no audiophile, but swapping in a new headunit and tweaking the EQ have made my 20 year old speakers sound much better.

 

[Luxrage]

One thing about Andriod Auto / Carplay that hasn't been said yet is once you have it set-up, it's pretty much get in and go.
When I get in the car and plug in my phone (or if it was wireless it would just start), mine pulls up my music and Waze.

If I get a text I can have it read it, but I have most of that turned off. It's just nice to be downtown and press the little microphone and say "take me home" and have it start navigation automatically. It's amazing what a simple upgrade does to a 15+ year old car. I don't have steering wheel controls, so I just have to press that little microphone button to talk or the next button, but the interface doesn't move around so it's all in the same spot each time. It saves me having to fumble with my phone to go to the next track while navigation is up.

Stereo speakers and Waze (to tell if there's speedtraps / road hazards) are the only two creature comforts I need in a car these days, it's just a shame Google killed having Android Auto just on your phone without a radio plugged in back in 2022.

Here's how it looked in my Fit. I didn't have a better picture on hand as the radio is now in my Element and I don't have a good picture of it running normally there:

On the speaker talk, I've had it both ways. I had a 90s car I thought had great OEM speakers until I put in some mid-level Kenwoods and it sounded fantastic with the OEM radio. Inversely on the Fit the original speakers still sound amazing and are in great shape. The Element is only a few years older and all but one speaker had deteriorated completely.