Photo: Tesla / Alpine | Edited
For most car owners, sound is a very subjective topic. We like different music and have various budgets, so the expectations vary wildly. But one thing almost anyone can agree on is that a good, even a mildly good, sound system is worth having. It can make driving much better. If you're a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y buyer, you might want to check out Alpine's proposition in this regard. Here's the gist of it.
Find Model 3 and Model Y communities and ask them what they think about their EVs' sound systems. Many will tell you right away that they're surprisingly good, and you won't be dissatisfied with the quality if you buy the sedan or the crossover SUV.
However, those who have owned multiple cars will tell you that the unbranded 13-speaker (14-speaker until March 2022) Premium sound system is better than Mercedes-Benz's Burmester and BMW's Harman Kardon audio experiences. They're not fanatics or exaggerating. Tesla's sound system was developed by former Bang & Olufsen engineers. They knew what they were doing.
That's why some have the guts to argue that even the facelifted 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost with a 10-speaker sound system doesn't outshine what the now-Texas-based EV maker put into its cars for the masses.
However, those praises are only available for the pricier dual-motor versions of the sedan and crossover SUV. Single-motor rear-wheel-drive Model 3 and Model Y EVs now come with a different sound system dubbed "Custom" that has just seven speakers. It's not as good as the 13-speaker audio system reserved for those who spend more.
The facelifted Model 3 Long Range is $8,500 more expensive than its single-motor sibling, while the Model Y Long Range demands a $5,000 premium over its entry-level peer. The Model Y Performance is even more expensive – you'll have to come up with $9,500 more to get it instead of the single-motor version. Keep in mind that these prices are correct at the time of writing. Tesla keeps changing them. You might see different numbers.
Given these price differences, existing owners and prospective buyers of rear-wheel-drive Model 3s and Model Ys might want to check out what Alpine has to offer. If you love listening to music or watching a movie while adding electrons to the high-voltage battery, the brand's newest audio products are certainly worth a look.
The popular manufacturer of in-car audio equipment and other multimedia components (not to be confused with Renault's high-performance division) created an 11-speaker sound system upgrade that fits seamlessly with the 2018-2021 and 2022-present model-year Model 3s that came from the factory with the base audio system. There's also a 13-speaker sound system for those who want something different in their electric sedans equipped from the get-go with the premium audio system.
Model Ys manufactured between 2020 and 2023 can also receive this upgrade, but only the 13-speaker version.
The price is the same: $2,995, regardless of the product that fits your ride.
The 11-speaker sound system includes:
The 13-speaker sound system has:
Both systems will eat one mile of the EV's range per hour at full volume, and the installation should take three hours tops with the included harness. Similarly, they use ultra-lightweight blue carbon fiber for the speaker cone material and a powerful neodymium magnet to guarantee an impressive sound performance.
However, those who have owned multiple cars will tell you that the unbranded 13-speaker (14-speaker until March 2022) Premium sound system is better than Mercedes-Benz's Burmester and BMW's Harman Kardon audio experiences. They're not fanatics or exaggerating. Tesla's sound system was developed by former Bang & Olufsen engineers. They knew what they were doing.
That's why some have the guts to argue that even the facelifted 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost with a 10-speaker sound system doesn't outshine what the now-Texas-based EV maker put into its cars for the masses.
However, those praises are only available for the pricier dual-motor versions of the sedan and crossover SUV. Single-motor rear-wheel-drive Model 3 and Model Y EVs now come with a different sound system dubbed "Custom" that has just seven speakers. It's not as good as the 13-speaker audio system reserved for those who spend more.
The facelifted Model 3 Long Range is $8,500 more expensive than its single-motor sibling, while the Model Y Long Range demands a $5,000 premium over its entry-level peer. The Model Y Performance is even more expensive – you'll have to come up with $9,500 more to get it instead of the single-motor version. Keep in mind that these prices are correct at the time of writing. Tesla keeps changing them. You might see different numbers.
Given these price differences, existing owners and prospective buyers of rear-wheel-drive Model 3s and Model Ys might want to check out what Alpine has to offer. If you love listening to music or watching a movie while adding electrons to the high-voltage battery, the brand's newest audio products are certainly worth a look.
The popular manufacturer of in-car audio equipment and other multimedia components (not to be confused with Renault's high-performance division) created an 11-speaker sound system upgrade that fits seamlessly with the 2018-2021 and 2022-present model-year Model 3s that came from the factory with the base audio system. There's also a 13-speaker sound system for those who want something different in their electric sedans equipped from the get-go with the premium audio system.
Model Ys manufactured between 2020 and 2023 can also receive this upgrade, but only the 13-speaker version.
The price is the same: $2,995, regardless of the product that fits your ride.
The 11-speaker sound system includes:
- Two 6.5-inch midrange front door speakers with 1-inch tweeters (100W);
- Two 4.0-inch midrange rear door speakers (80W);
- Three 4.0-inch midrange center dash speakers, each containing a 1-inch center dash tweeter (120W);
- One 10-inch sealed subwoofer (200W);
- One 12-channel digital sound processor that can push the system from 500W to 720W with no distortion.
The 13-speaker sound system has:
- Two 6.5-inch midrange front door speakers with 1-inch tweeters (100W);
- Two 4.0-inch midrange rear door speakers (80W);
- Two 4.0-inch midrange rear deck speakers (80W);
- Three 4.0-inch center dash speakers, each containing a 1-inch center dash tweeter (120W);
- One 10-inch sealed subwoofer (200W);
- One 12-channel digital sound processor.
Both systems will eat one mile of the EV's range per hour at full volume, and the installation should take three hours tops with the included harness. Similarly, they use ultra-lightweight blue carbon fiber for the speaker cone material and a powerful neodymium magnet to guarantee an impressive sound performance.
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