Simple low-tech audio ideas

[adele]

I hope many of us here are digital minimalists. The digital minimalism is one of the most appealing qualities of Slate. One hiccup I have with Slate though is the assumption that Bluetooth is the default for listening to music. These days I don't use Bluetooth for anything. What I have in my current car is a regular aux cord with a 3.5mm jack. Plug and play straight from my device to the car speakers. No Bluetooth pairing, no Carplay, no screen built into the car just to display the title of the song that's playing (I can hear it, stupid).

There are a lot of reasons why people might not want to use Bluetooth. Off the top of my head:

• People who try to live more offline might prefer to listen to downloaded music from an ipod or a non-smart phone
• Bluetooth pairing and unpairing can be finicky even with smart devices
• Electronic interference sometimes causes music to drop out, and sometimes bluetooth just randomly disconnects for no apparent reason
• Your passenger could hijack your Bluetooth speakers with their phone

Okay so I'm thinking. What's the simplest low-tech option for music? I would just like a simple high-quality speaker that fits into the Slate's dashboard compartment and plugs into that power outlet at the back, has an aux output and a volume knob. No need for the vehicle software itself to even get involved. Here's a good visual example: https://icontact-2.myshopify.com/co...s/products/portable-speaker-with-aux-in-white Something kind of like this in concept, but I'd want to buy something made for Slate so that it actually fits well in the dashboard and doesn't rattle around. Hopefully there will be a range of third-party accessories being made for Slate, so maybe this is something people will think about.

Anyone have any different ideas for audio?

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Right now I found my old AM radio from a 69 AMC Rebel, still works and will be my test device. (Yes, it will work in an EV, they had plenty of noise filtering.) My eventual choice will be from a company called Retro Radio...AM/FM, Bluetooth, USB MP3 and plug for wire speakers. These have push buttons, single DIN so mounting should be easy. (I plan on having a 3D printed mounting box.) They even have a stick on dial cover that looks retro when it's off. A quick search of the internet show many interesting options from low tech and basic to high tech and interesting.
Now, If I could just find my old 8 track player...

 

[RedJoker]

Now, If I could just find my old 8 track player...

I have a 1972 console stereo that should be just under the payload capacity that I plan to use.

I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet but if I'm going to use my own device for navigation, there is definitely the opportunity to have a direct connection vs bluetooth. Good thinking!

 

[hbuck]

I hope many of us here are digital minimalists. The digital minimalism is one of the most appealing qualities of Slate. One hiccup I have with Slate though is the assumption that Bluetooth is the default for listening to music. These days I don't use Bluetooth for anything. What I have in my current car is a regular aux cord with a 3.5mm jack. Plug and play straight from my device to the car speakers. No Bluetooth pairing, no Carplay, no screen built into the car just to display the title of the song that's playing (I can hear it, stupid).

There are a lot of reasons why people might not want to use Bluetooth. Off the top of my head:

• People who try to live more offline might prefer to listen to downloaded music from an ipod or a non-smart phone
• Bluetooth pairing and unpairing can be finicky even with smart devices
• Electronic interference sometimes causes music to drop out, and sometimes bluetooth just randomly disconnects for no apparent reason
• Your passenger could hijack your Bluetooth speakers with their phone

Okay so I'm thinking. What's the simplest low-tech option for music? I would just like a simple high-quality speaker that fits into the Slate's dashboard compartment and plugs into that power outlet at the back, has an aux output and a volume knob. No need for the vehicle software itself to even get involved. Here's a good visual example: https://icontact-2.myshopify.com/co...s/products/portable-speaker-with-aux-in-white Something kind of like this in concept, but I'd want to buy something made for Slate so that it actually fits well in the dashboard and doesn't rattle around. Hopefully there will be a range of third-party accessories being made for Slate, so maybe this is something people will think about.

Anyone have any different ideas for audio?

Most folks use Bluetooth with no issues. I for one. And the Slate is making it so the majority of folks use Bluetooth will have Bluetooth. Now if you want to hardwire into a speaker, there is probably lots of space to do it on your own. IMO. And I will probably do that one day,

 

[zipn]

I plan on a double-din stereo with wireless carplay hardwired to a pair of speakers (door speakers? Maybe with extra left/right small dash tweeters). Many low-cost stereos, some with real volume controls.

 

[haroldd1963]

I plan on using an extra iPad we are not using.
Paired with a decent Bluetooth speaker.
Is Slate going to have an app that will tie in the vehicle information to an iPad or iPhone?

 

[sodamo]

Thought I might reuse my 8 track from my MGB, but either it’s in a really safe place or I finally got rid of it. Can’t seem to find it.

So instead, I’ve been perusing the single din Wireless carplay options that also do AM//FM radio. No decision yet as I’m thinking I’m going to install one on my tractor first, hopefully next month.

 

[E90400K]

I'm not sure what is wrong with Bluetooth, it is ancient technology but ubiquitous and of course has been updated over the decades. These days digital audio streaming bit rates allow virtually lossless music transfer. The OP must not have a recent cell phone as it is rare for a current cell phone to have a 3.5MM audio output jack. A dongle is generally required, or a Bluetooth receiver. I do not use Bluetooth ear buds and prefer wired headphones, so I use a Bluetooth amplifier to port music from my phone to my wired headphones. There are several Bluetooth audio amplifiers for vehicle use on the market that wired car audio speakers can be powered from. Hopefully the aftermarket or Slate will develop speaker housings for integrated dash mount of car audio speakers.

I plan on using my Sony Walkman as an audio source as well as my smart phone via Bluetooth.

I can't imagine anyone who can program a 3D printer would have any difficulty setting up Bluetooth between two devices.

 

[Imhotep]

Personally, I’d sooner mount a record player in my truck than listen through Bluetooth. At least my “dropouts” would be analog

 

[nevermindkid]

Hey all. This is a great thread, not because some of you want to reuse antique sound equipment but because this is what Slate is all about! Customize it the way YOU want. I can't wait to meet up with other Slate owners to see how they modded their rig.
Keep those ideas coming.

 

[sodamo]

I’m guessing anyone NOT wanting to use Bluetooth will have the option NOT to. That doesn’t mean Slate should offer an alternative other than that. Sounds like the non BT group would have an easy choice with no impact on others.

 

[AZFox]

There are a lot of reasons why people might not want to use Bluetooth. Off the top of my head:

• People who try to live more offline might prefer to listen to downloaded music from an ipod or a non-smart phone
• Bluetooth pairing and unpairing can be finicky even with smart devices
• Electronic interference sometimes causes music to drop out, and sometimes bluetooth just randomly disconnects for no apparent reason
• Your passenger could hijack your Bluetooth speakers with their phone

Add to your list:

• Bluetooth uses battery power.
• Bluetooth broadcasts an identity beacon.
• Some people believe Bluetooth's 2.4gHz RF is harmful to health.

I'd prefer Digital Minimalist speakers with aux input, and Bluetooth that can be turned off.

 

[cadblu]

Can anyone recommend a DIN2 plug and play AM/ FM / CD player that will fit nicely in the Slate dashboard. I have hundreds of CDs that went into storage in the late 90s.

I see this as another benefit, that Slate will help reacquaint me with my music library.

 

[AZFox]

Can anyone recommend a DIN2 plug and play AM/ FM / CD player that will fit nicely in the Slate dashboard. I have hundreds of CDs that went into storage in the late 90s.

I see this as another benefit, that Slate will help reacquaint me with my music library.

Bring back Rip-Mix-Burn!

 

[KevinRS]

I'm sure there will be options, and if Slate is successful, in short order there will be lots of aftermarket options.

Many listeners now exclusively use bluetooth for their in car listening, for music, and things like audiobooks and podcasts. With a subscription, there are no or minimal commercials, and you pick what you want to listen to. You can even through an app listen to your choice of most radio stations from across the country, or even streams of police scanners.
So by default, Slate is advertising that option.

Probably by launch date there will be 3rd party fit to slate options available to deliver before even customer #1 gets their truck.