Over the past few months, aftermarket companies have introduced new products designed to make an audio install in a Tesla easier. This is partially due to the fact that many aftermarket retailers are reluctant to work on the vehicles, which are still a novelty in many a bay.
Elettromedia, Focal, Gladen, JL Audio and Metra have announced Tesla audio products. PowerBass also said it is working on a plug and play speaker replacement system for Tesla Model Y and 3 vehicles.
Despite recent talks of a slow down in EV growth, up to 1.4 million electric vehicles are expected to sell this year in the US (out of 15.4 million total). And growth is forecasted to continue, but at a slower pace than 2023.
About half the EVs sold in the US are Teslas.
One of the newer products that may work with EVs was shown by Metra at the recent SEMA show. It is an InstallBay step down converter that works with 36 to 48 volt batteries and draws down the power to 12 volts so car audio and other accessories may be added. It is marketed for golf carts but we note that the new Cybertruck has a 48 volt battery (Metra said it has not yet tested the product in Cybertrucks). See more below.
Here is a run down on the previously announced new aftermarket products for Tesla vehicles with some shipping updates:
Audison (Elettromedia) expects to ship two Sound Pack add on systems for Tesla Models Y and 3 in the second half of 2024.
The systems offer plug and play installation. Level One improves the performance of the factory Tesla system by adding a DSP/amplifier and a 10-inch subwoofer. The Level Two Sound Pack then adds to that by replacing the factory speakers.
Level One should take less than a day to install and Level Two takes about a day and a half. Estimated prices are $2,500 and $4,000 respectively. See more details here.
Focal is now shipping Tesla drop-in speakers for the Tesla Models 3 and Y.
The plug and play HiFi speaker kits are made in France. They come in four models and include a 2-way component kit, a coaxial kit, a central speaker and two woofers. No modifications to the vehicle are required.
Sizes range from 4- to 8-inches with retail pricing from roughly $600 to $1,000 per pair.
The model ICC T3Y 100 is a 4-inch central speaker. It is joined by the IC T3Y 100 4-inch two-way speaker pair, and the IS T3Y 100 4-inch 2-way system, plus the IW T3Y 200 dual 8-inch woofers.
See more details here.
Gladen announced SoundUp harnesses for Tesla vehicles that connect directly to Mosconi One Series and Pico series amplifiers. There are five kits that cover all Tesla models with either the base or premium audio system.
For the newer Tesla models with 18-volt power systems, a Gladen package includes harnesses plus an amplifier with built-in DSP, and a mono amplifier for the subwoofer. See more here.
JL Audio is shipping two Stealthbox enclosed subwoofers for Tesla Models 3 and Y.
The new Stealthbox model SB-TE-3G1-10TW1 is for the 2017 and up Model 3. It mounts on the rear deck and houses a 10-inch TW1 thin-line driver in a fiberglass, enclosure form fitted to the vehicle. It offers 300 watt power handling and is wired for 2 ohm mono use.
It is joined by the Stealthbox SB-TE-YG1-10TW1 for the 2020 and up Model Y (5 Seat). It also includes the 10-inch TW1 subwoofer and is designed to drop into the driver’s side rear storage compartment. It also handles 300 watts mono into 2 ohms. See more here.
Metra Axxess introduced Tesla DSPL and DSPX Digital Signal Processor packages work with 2021 and up Teslas with amplified systems and select GM vehicles. They include amplifier bypass harnesses and they combine digital signal processor and data interfaces.
The DSPs are designed to integrate with factory audio systems and retain factory chimes and voice prompts. Axxess’s DSPL series provides six channels of output and the DSPX series has 10 channels of output. Tuning is done via an Axxess app for phones/tablets. No ship date is available at this time. See more here.
Metra’s InstallBay new 36-48 volt step down converter has the following features:
- Wide input voltage from 36-48Volt
- Stable output voltage is 12V
- 100 Amp Output
- Fully rated power
- Fully stable output current
- Burn-in tested
- Typical efficiency is 95%
- Water-resistant
- Surface mountable
- Over-current, over voltage protections
- Over-temp protections
With high voltage systems, manufacturers
Should be required to add a plug and play port.
And installers certified to work on theses systems.
48 volts dc can be deadly its not just the voltages that are the danger but the amperage the system can
Discharge into you, wile 12 volt systems have high amperage its unlikely the speed of the electrons can break your skin to shock you, this is not the case with such a powerful 48 volt dc battery system.
The other option is an amp line that runs off 48 volts dc
And a safe plug and play port in automobiles
And cabling systems you can plug into the power without being in danger of shock.