A client from Mechanicsville recently asked the team at Extreme Audio about installing a vehicle-specific audio system in his 2022 Model Y. The client wanted us to integrate the Alpine PSS-TSLA-22Y kit designed specifically for this vehicle. After discussing the benefits of adding sound deadening, we scheduled an appointment to do the work. Let’s see how this Alpine Telsa project turned out!
Vehicle Preparation
While the Alpine audio system bolts directly into the vehicle, the client agreed that the perfect starting point was to treat the vehicle with sound deadening. SoundSkins offers a pre-cut kit called the SSK-TESLAY for the 2021 and newer Tesla Model Y vehicles. Our team removed the seats, trim panels, and carpet so we could install the triple-layer deadening. The kit covers the floor, trunk, rear wheel arches, and rear fenders.
Alpine Tesla Audio System Installation
The Alpine audio upgrade kit was engineered to bolt directly into the Tesla Y efficiently. The system includes a component set for the front doors with 6.5-inch woofers and 1-inch tweeters. Four-inch midrange speakers are also included for the dash, rear doors, and rear parcel shelf. Finally, a ten-inch subwoofer installed in a custom enclosure handles the bass. The icing on the cake is a 12-channel amplifier with an integrated digital signal processor to power the new speakers. The processor is pre-configured to work with the speaker locations and the vehicle acoustics.
This is a unique amplifier in that it’s designed specifically for the unique low-voltage electrical systems in late-model Teslas. Most amplifiers in this application can’t handle the 17+ volts that run Tesla’s computers, sensors, and lighting, but this unique Alpine amp has no problems with it.
Vehicle Integration Made Simple
Alpine has put a lot of work into designing this sound system. The kit includes wiring designed to fit the vehicle perfectly and work with the audio signals from the source unit integrated into the touchscreen. There’s even a CAN bus interface module from PAC included in the system to interpret digital signals going from the source to the factory-installed amplifier.
Tesla Speaker and Subwoofer Upgrades
All the speakers in the Alpine PSS-TSLA-22Y audio system have a custom chassis design intended to work with the stock speaker locations. As such, the same fasteners that hold the inexpensive, lower-quality stock speakers in place can be reused with the upgraded Alpine high-resolution drivers. All the speakers except the tweeters use a low-mass, rigid, and well-damped hybrid carbon fiber cone material. Alpine integrated a blue and black weave into the carbon to give them a unique and instantly recognizable appearance. Alpine’s synthetic rubber High Amplitude Multi Roll (HAMR) surround ensures the drivers operate reliably and with low distortion characteristics. Finally, many of the drivers use compact, low-mass Neodymium magnets so the system doesn’t add a lot of weight to the vehicle.
The Alpine EV-100SW3-T ten-inch subwoofer system mounts in the right rear fender behind the stock trim panels. Once in place, it’s completely invisible, so storage space and cargo capacity aren’t affected in any way.
Richmond’s Tesla Upgrade Experts
Once the sound deadening was installed, the speakers upgraded, and the DSP amplifier installed in the cargo area, it was time to reassemble the Tesla Model Y and return it to the owner. The client was thrilled with the way the Alpine audio system sounds. He was happy that the system worked as though it had come from the Tesla factory and was essentially invisible.
If you are interested in upgrading the audio system in your Tesla, drop by Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian and talk to a member of our team. We can help you pick a perfect upgrade like this Alpine system for your car or SUV, and our expert technicians will ensure it’s integrated, installed, and calibrated to deliver world-class sound quality and detail. If you can’t get to one of our stores during regular business hours, give us a call or send our team an email. We’d be happy to assist you.
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