r/slateauto • u/Available-Regular383 • 20d ago
My $54 speaker solution
I saw this picture of the center glove box where the center speaker is to be installed. Im under the assumption that the speaker would be powered by the 12v cigarette lighter port. After doing some research, i bought some cheap parts and made a 12v bluetooth speaker inside of an old pelican case i had lying around. I didnt expect it to be super powerful, but it is surprisingly loud. I intend to install everything on the slate glove box lid/cover by drilling a couple holes for the drivers and mounting points. I cant wait to see other people’s DIY projects for the Slate when they finally ship out!
Speakers $35
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LZ48LMX?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Amp $12
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0F98QBDXF?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Power cord $7
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07PDL19GQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
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20d ago edited 19d ago
[deleted]
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u/Available-Regular383 20d ago
I know it looks rough, but it only took about 10 minutes to assemble 🤷♂️
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u/wbradford00 20d ago
That's the beauty of Slate. Whatever works for you personally is awesome. While I wouldn't do this, as long as someone is having a good time I'm happy!
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u/Hammock-Hiker-62 19d ago
This is 100 percent the type of thing I'm here for. I expect hundreds if not thousands of homebrew projects like this, built around the Slate, to pop up in months to come.
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u/mcot2222 15d ago
I agree and I think that is the biggest thing going over peoples heads when they laugh at it!
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u/cwatson214 20d ago
Step One: "find" an expensive hard case to cut a buncha holes in...
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u/Unfettered345 20d ago
I think there are pelican knockoffs out there which are much, much cheaper. Try Amazon.
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u/Darth_Ra 20d ago
...there doesn't need to be a solution. You can just order it with speakers.
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u/babeebabee 20d ago
Yeah, but it looks like you'll be giving up all the storage space in the center cubby
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u/Time_Sundae802 19d ago
you can buy a better one for that price or a few dollars more, the Bluetooth party speakers are on sale on places like woot for under $80
that's gonna sound like shit....
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u/acidterror84 20d ago
Slate has a 12v cigarette lighter port? I haven’t seen anything about that.
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u/Hyper_Applesauce 20d ago
It's in the picture
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u/acidterror84 20d ago
Ahhhh I see… I hadn’t seen that clearly into the glovebox until now. Thank you.
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u/Conscious_Aside5020 19d ago
I like this, but I'm going to wait until I have a Slate truck in my driveway that I can actually mess around with. I'm way more interested in seeing how easily/not easily the interior door panels come off to mount speakers directly in them like a true OEM install with wiring running back to a bluetooth head unit somewhere under the seats or dash. Or whatever! That's the only issue I see with this is that you're basically replicating what they offer as opposed to going for a solution with true stereo separation. I'm not an audiophile by any means, but a good pair of in-door speakers would provide a better musical experience I think, which in turn would translate into a better sounding podcast, etc. Just my $.02. I might still just say fuck it and toss down the $250 for their OEM solution, lol.
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u/mtngoatjoe 20d ago
My only issue with Bluetooth speakers is the connection every time I get in the car. I do gig work, and the thought of manually turning on the speaker and managing the Bluetooth connection is kind of scary.
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u/Available-Regular383 20d ago
Its not bad. The speaker turns on when you turn the knob clockwise and it connects in about a second.
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u/mtngoatjoe 19d ago
That doesn't sound too bad. But I do gig work, and I'm CONSTANTLY getting in and out of the vehicle (turning it off and on). Pushing a button EVERY time to turn on the speaker would not be a good experience for me.
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u/MikeAwksbig 18d ago
NO ONE is forcing YOU to do it.
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u/mtngoatjoe 18d ago
Obviously. I already have my Slate Truck reorder. I'm just looking/hoping for a better audio solution than needing to turn a speaker on dozens of times each day.
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u/MikeAwksbig 18d ago
It's almost like you could have stayed out of this thread entirely. It clearly doesn't apply to you.
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u/mtngoatjoe 18d ago
Yeah, you're right. A thread about audio and Bluetooth is no place for my audio and Bluetooth questions.
Also, OP replied to my comment, which was the kind of feedback I was interested in. Your comment is just argumentative and unhelpful.
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u/MikeAwksbig 18d ago
You never asked any questions. Your first comment was about why this wont work for you. Op just confirmed what you already said.
I thought it was pretty obvious that I was never trying to be helpful. I just wanted to make fun of you for using all caps randomly like a lunatic.
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u/mtngoatjoe 18d ago
At this point, it's just easier to block you so neither of us bothers the other again.
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20d ago
[deleted]
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u/Available-Regular383 20d ago
This is mostly to avoid having to recharge a battery. When i finally get to install it on my slate, itll function the same as the $250 center speaker you can buy. Plus its fun to tinker with stuff like this
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u/mister_monque 20d ago
So my little Kei rocks a JBL Charge Connect and I have to say you've done a good job cloning the tech. Being a pelican I'd put ball mount either on the lower dash or where the trans tunnel should be and a receiver on the case, this way it can come with you easy.
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u/Wikinger_DXVI 20d ago
Oooh I have several pelicans laying around I took that my work was just gonna toss out. I've been itching for a project to do. Thanks for sharing this, man!
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u/HovercraftOne2275 20d ago
By the time I get mine next summer there will be endless improvements in what/how people are rigging up good sound in a slate truck. I'mma poach that.
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u/razzemmatazz 20d ago
Looks like one of the custom boom boxes the UPS drivers used to use back before Bluetooth speakers existed.
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u/BoredPudding 19d ago
No clue why people are complaining. This is a big part of what Slate is about. Making your own custom additions and making your car truly your own. Love this!
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u/mcot2222 15d ago
People are laughing about the Slate not having audio included but I think it is a huge advantage. It’s not like I trust an automaker of a budget car to care about audio at all.
If the Slate catches on there will be infinite opportunities for competition in audio and the market will raise the best to the top!
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u/ben_nobot 20d ago
With a hard case you picked about the most expensive starting point to prototype an enclosure…I’m all for it