Rear Speakers?

[Harley Earl]

Will there be provisions for rear speakers in the SUV kit or any Slate for that matter? Will I need to run my own wiring or will the vehicle be pre-wired for speakers? Dimensions for speakers if there is a cut-out provided? Any provisions for an optional rear subwoofer? (perhaps in an unused rear cavity…)

I did check with SLATE via messaging today and the answer was "TBD". Inquiring if there is any insider info or additional insight.

 

[Slatester89]

There is no (announced) audio wiring what so ever at this point. The audio "solution" is BT.

Could that change in the next several months? Sure, but don't get your hopes up.

As DIYs go, running wire is relatively easy. Usually only need a few hand tools to remove panels or access points where it's necessary to lift carpet. A "headunit" (HU) installation will be more difficult as it will require accessing 12V; AND, most likely, creating some type of fixed mounting point in the center cubby for the HU.


b.

 

[FlyHappy]

Will there be provisions for rear speakers in the SUV kit or any Slate for that matter? Will I need to run my own wiring or will the vehicle be pre-wired for speakers? Dimensions for speakers if there is a cut-out provided? Any provisions for an optional rear subwoofer? (perhaps in an unused rear cavity…)

I did check with SLATE via messaging today and the answer was "TBD". Inquiring if there is any insider info or additional insight.

Front isn't pre-wired, the rear certainly won't be.
we'll need to be finding our own pathways.

 

[Harley Earl]

Not too worried. Easy enough to DIY.

 

[mikehell]

There is no (announced) audio wiring what so ever at this point. The audio "solution" is BT.

Could that change in the next several months? Sure, but don't get your hopes up.

As DIYs go, running wire is relatively easy. Usually only need a few hand tools to remove panels or access points where it's necessary to lift carpet. A "headunit" (HU) installation will be more difficult as it will require accessing 12V; AND, most likely, creating some type of fixed mounting point in the center cubby for the HU.


b.

From what I gather, there is room for a double din head unit, but no mounting points for it. Someone is going to need to come up with a mounting bracket kit for those of us who actually would like Android Auto or CarPlay.

I'm wondering if there's any room behind the kick panels in front of the doors for speakers. The door configuration doesn't look like it'll be speaker friendly, and attaching speakers to a T-Rail will probably just look half-assed.

 

[FlyHappy]

From what I gather, there is room for a double din head unit, but no mounting points for it. Someone is going to need to come up with a mounting bracket kit for those of us who actually would like Android Auto or CarPlay.

I'm wondering if there's any room behind the kick panels in front of the doors for speakers. The door configuration doesn't look like it'll be speaker friendly, and attaching speakers to a T-Rail will probably just look half-assed.

I'd previously concluded that the doors were a rather unfriendly spot for traditional flush mount speaker, partly due to their push on T-rails (hidden support? and what do they evision mounting there?) and optional "cubby". At the same time... despite my historical use and expectation of door speakers, I have actually come around to the notion that low door speakers are actually acoustically speaking, crap.

I'll submit that the world is right, and dash speakers are better, sonically..... I'll be curious if high b-pillar (basically roofline) speakers make any sense when I get it. I suspect its something that might be okay for me, but not ideal for taller folks.

 

[mikehell]

I'd previously concluded that the doors were a rather unfriendly spot for traditional flush mount speaker, partly due to their push on T-rails (hidden support? and what do they evision mounting there?) and optional "cubby". At the same time... despite my historical use and expectation of door speakers, I have actually come around to the notion that low door speakers are actually acoustically speaking, crap.

I'll submit that the world is right, and dash speakers are better, sonically..... I'll be curious if high b-pillar (basically roofline) speakers make any sense when I get it. I suspect its something that might be okay for me, but not ideal for taller folks.

It would be nice to have speakers that didn't remove space from the glove compartment(s). I have door speakers in my current car, and although they aren't great, they aren't terrible either.

 

[FlyHappy]

It would be nice to have speakers that didn't remove space from the glove compartment(s). I have door speakers in my current car, and although they aren't great, they aren't terrible either.

I am in complete agreement with you re space from compartments. But I do want to see for myself what the exact utility of those not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4(!) dash compartments really are.

 

[mikehell]

I am in complete agreement with you re space from compartments. But I do want to see for myself what the exact utility of those not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4(!) dash compartments really are.

I'm assuming that I'll lose at least one glove compartment for a 2 din head unit. I don't think anyone knows if the left compartment is actually a compartment or not.

 

[FlyHappy]

I'm assuming that I'll lose at least one glove compartment for a 2 din head unit. I don't think anyone knows if the left compartment is actually a compartment or not.

It definitely is. At bare minimum, it is where Slate wants us to put their (ahem, overpriced) left side blue tooth power speaker in
So the "good part" is that there is power in their OR has an easy path to power to enable that easy DIY BT speaker addition.

Its the compartment to the immediate right of the steering column that is in question. (and oh, apologies if that's what you meant by "left")

 

[mikehell]

It definitely is. At bare minimum, it is where Slate wants us to put their (ahem, overpriced) left side blue tooth power speaker in
So the "good part" is that there is power in their OR has an easy path to power to enable that easy DIY BT speaker addition.

Its the compartment to the immediate right of the steering column that is in question. (and oh, apologies if that's what you meant by "left")

I know there's space behind the compartment to the left of the wheel, just unsure of it has a door or not (unused space). The one to the right of the wheel is probably where I'd want to put a head unit.

One thing I've noticed in videos is that the doors to the compartments seem pretty flimsy and cheap.

 

[SLATE OR DIE!]

Not 100% sure if it will work but I am hoping I can link two/three JBL speakers together via Bluetooth and then place them where I want them. I already have one of the speakers so I think I just need to buy a second matching one to pair it up. Don’t know what it will sound like but at least give me some front back feeling. Keeping power to them is something I plan to look into.

 

[cadblu]

Not 100% sure if it will work but I am hoping I can link two/three JBL speakers together via Bluetooth and then place them where I want them. I already have one of the speakers so I think I just need to buy a second matching one to pair it up. Don’t know what it will sound like but at least give me some front back feeling. Keeping power to them is something I plan to look into.

I've seen certain BT speakers listed as 'TWS' which is true wireless stereo I believe. Meaning that they might offer some level of stereophonic separation and spatial depth, which is not possible with monaural inputs.

 

[Slatester89]

I've seen certain BT speakers listed as 'TWS' which is true wireless stereo I believe. Meaning that they might offer some level of stereophonic separation and spatial depth, which is not possible with monaural inputs.

These at Amazon are TWS. $37 each, so $74 for two. That a whole lot cheaper than the Slate solution. I'm sure there are other options too.
Speakers



b.

 

[AZFox]

Link with tracking removed:
https://www.amazon.com/JUOVI-Portable-Bluetooth-Waterproof-Playtime/dp/B0GCHYDW7Q/

These at Amazon are TWS. $37 each, so $74 for two. That a whole lot cheaper than the Slate solution. I'm sure there are other options too.
Speakers

b.