Storage space behind audio components

[dcoldone]

I like the full audio setup with the center and side speakers, but I'm worried about losing the storage space in those areas. It seems crazy that opting for a relatively modest speaker setup would completely fill that space. At the very least it looks like there should be room on the passenger side. I've asked Slate but haven't heard back yet. As far as I know none of the previews have shown this, but it's fairly important as it means if you opt for audio, you kind of have to opt for extra storage as well.

 

[Revenant89]

Slightly concerned about this as well. Also the fact that if you opt for the audio and get a tablet. You block half of the center speaker and the buttons. On the flip side it would block opening the center compartment entirely.. So I guess if you want a tablet you're going to have issues either way.

 

[adele]

I plan to fill the entire dash with aftermarket speakers, and I’m not concerned about it. There’s still that front center bin, apparently a lot of space behind the seats, and of course the frunk.

I’d consider stitching my own fabric/mesh pockets onto the seat covers in case I need more room for napkins and papers and such.

 

[Johnologue]

I'm not certain whether the audio takes up the entire storage space and prevents you from accessing it. Still, one of the "expected" cabin elements I had to realize was missing on the Slate is a glovebox, and that role seems to be filled by the dash panels (especially with the option of a lockable compartment). If you lose dash panel storage...

There's gotta be a way to add more forward-mounted storage. Maybe a sort of flat and thin plastic bin that fits the curve/angle under the dash to give you some extra document hoarding space (like a pizza box with a flap on one end) for the manuals and such.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

This set up takes too much real estate. and it doesn't appear that you can just get the side speakers alone. There are some very nice surface mount speakers, I'm thinking either roof mount or door mount. This is where I will most likely do a lot of DIY stuff.

 

[tubes]

I had a dream.

Some day we are all going to wake up, check Maker, and it will be completely refreshed. When you click on an item it is presented like other online marketplaces. It will show 360 degree views of the item. It will have a spec sheet. It will have the pdf instructions. You know, normal stuff you see while online shopping.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I had a dream.

Some day we are all going to wake up, check Maker, and it will be completely refreshed. When you click on an item it is presented like other online marketplaces. It will show 360 degree views of the item. It will have a spec sheet. It will have the pdf instructions. You know, normal stuff you see while online shopping.

It was a fever dream. Take some Tylenol. We ain’t there yet.

 

[Kopsis]

This set up takes too much real estate. and it doesn't appear that you can just get the side speakers alone.

You can't. The center contains the Bluetooth receiver and Class D (presumably) amp. The side speakers are satellites that plug into the center's amp. I have to say that pricing on the side speakers seems way high for what they are.

 

[Sertao]

[/QUOTE]

I like the full audio setup with the center and side speakers, but…

I don’t know how many different Bluetooth speaker, options and service provider options, and phone options, and receiver options as well as other players… There have been over the last 10 years. But it has to be in the thousands.
I have pretty much decided that I am not opting for any form of speaker/stereo package, and very much like the fact that I don’t have to. There are just too many other portable options. That work just fine in a small cabin like the Slate presents.
For starters, I am going to try to just work with my phone and a couple of Bluetooth speakers and see how much I like it. Many of the speakers have both microphones and very good quality speaker controls. Sitting them on the floor, the back of the seats, a dashboard, in some storage area, or figuring out better mounting points will be more my exercise than spending money on something that will be obsolete in two years.
I love our flexibility in these vehicles.

 

[tubes]

Sitting them on the floor, the back of the seats, a dashboard, in some storage area, or figuring out better mounting points will be more my exercise than spending money on something that will be obsolete in two years.
I love our flexibility in these vehicles.

There ya go. I agree. It isn't every day you start thinking of music filling the air from behind, but that just may work.

 

[Dman250]

I would just play music out of the phone speakers. It will bring back memories of the cheap AM radio with built-in speaker I had in my first car. In fact it will probably sound better. And it will go well with the wind-up windows.

 

[WV Slateman]

I plan to fill the entire dash with aftermarket speakers, and I’m not concerned about it. There’s still that front center bin, apparently a lot of space behind the seats, and of course the frunk.

I’d consider stitching my own fabric/mesh pockets onto the seat covers in case I need more room for napkins and papers and such.

There's an upgraded center console available, as well as door mounted storage.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I would just play music out of the phone speakers. It will bring back memories of the cheap AM radio with built-in speaker I had in my first car. In fact it will probably sound better. And it will go well with the wind-up windows.

I feel ya. Not a big leap to go with the one external speaker though ($29 - $299?), and it would sound at least 2x louder and at least 12% better?

 

[adele]

There's an upgraded center console available, as well as door mounted storage.

Yeah I’m aware. I was pointing out that you don’t have to opt for that extra storage just to make up for the glovebox. I don’t think those accessories make sense at $50-$250 when there are other places to store little things.

 

[KevinRS]

We are still around 5 months from anyone actually being able to finalize a shopping cart and click a checkout button. I think the maker is still basically in preview mode. At some point I do expect a major refresh, where everything gets prices, more details, views, links to install pages, etc.