Tesla Model Y Speakers & Sound System Overview

Internal combustion engine popularity is not what it used to be. Rising gas prices, government regulations, tax breaks… Whatever the reason, some people have been searching for alternatives, and the Tesla Model Y is a very popular choice at the time of writing this article. According to Drive Tesla Canada, the Model Y is actually making its way to becoming the best-selling vehicle in the US.

Regardless of the car's make or model, a sound system is extremely important. I mean, one could argue that with no engine sound, a Tesla Model Y sound system is even more important. So, what kind of sound system does the Tesla Model Y have? Let’s dive in!

Tesla Model Y vs. Model 3 – Do Their Sound Systems Differ?

Let’s face it… While the Model Y is the point of this article, the first most popular model that comes to people’s minds when they think of Tesla is the Model 3. How does the sound system of the Tesla Model 3 compare to the Tesla Model Y?

Over the years (and I mean just in the last few), Tesla has changed the amount of speakers by cutting and adding. This is most likely to offset costs in production. It looks like Tesla has evened things out a bit for the Model 3, but the Model Y still depends on the trim level.

For example, as of January 2025, all of the Tesla Model 3 trims have the premium 17-speaker system with 2 subwoofers and 2 amplifiers. How many speakers does the Tesla Model Y have? Well, the base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive only gets a 7-speaker system with 1 amplifier (it has no subs), while the Long Range RWD and Performance specs get a 13-speaker system with one sub and 2 amps.

However, despite the lower number of speakers, some people actually claim the premium sound system in the Model Y sounds better than the comparable Model 3. This may be because of the interior size difference as well as the fact there is no physical barrier between the subwoofer and the interior cabin. Ultimately, this all comes down to the listener, what settings you run, and the quality of the music you are listening to.

Since we’re really here for just the Model Y, let’s move on from the Model 3 and focus on the topic at hand, shall we? Of course, if you’d like to learn more about the sound system of the Tesla Model 3, make sure to check out its in-depth overview on our blog.

Standard Sound System in Tesla Model Y (RWD Only)

Starting on the “eh” side of things. For the basic Model Y (called Long Range RWD), you only get a wimpy 7-speaker system. This eliminates quite a lot compared to the more potent Premium audio option, especially the subwoofer and one of the amplifiers. Some time ago, the Model Y used to have “hidden speakers” that you could activate with some effort. However, those days are long gone, leaving its owners with:

• 1 tweeter.
• 4 midranges.
• 2 woofers.

While people still report that the quality is pretty decent compared to other brands, you’re not going to get the clarity you normally would get (especially in the highs and lows) with a system that has more speakers and power. Interestingly, Tesla calls this system “Custom” on their website, instead of the previous “Standard” name.

Premium Sound System in Tesla Model Y (All AWD Variants)

As mentioned before, this is the top-of-the-line system that you can get for the 2025 Tesla Model Y, the same for both the Long Range and Performance spec trims. The 13-speaker setup is powered by 2 amps and breaks down into:

• 3 tweeters.
  
• 7 midranges.
  
• 2 woofers.
  
• 1 subwoofer. 

The subwoofer outputs 160 W, with the two amplifiers allowing the system as a whole to produce 560 watts of total power. To compare things to BMW, a 2025 BMW X3 with a Harman Kardon system has 16 speakers that only put out 464 watts.

A Bit of Trivia: History of the Tesla Sound Systems

Back in the day, the original Sound Studio package for the Tesla Model S was developed by a company called S1NN out of Germany. However, later on they were purchased by Harman Kardon and as time went on, Tesla decided to do things more “internally.” 

As you might know, one of the top audio names in the world is Bang & Olufsen – Tesla decided to hire some of their former engineers and said: “Make our stuff awesome.” This made their own system sound even better than it has in the past with their new, “non-B&O-but-kinda-B&O” system. So if you ask: “What is the Tesla Model Y sound system brand?” the reply will be: it’s Tesla! Made by some of the smartest audio guys, of course.

Despite such dedication to high-quality factory audio, the ever-growing car manufacturer is still no stranger to cost-cutting measures. This means offering fewer options, which is both good and bad. While this means bumping the base audio option in the Model 3, it also cuts down on the system for the entry RWD Model Y, as mentioned before. I guess it’s a give-and-take scenario.

Tesla Model Y Speaker Specifications & Location

I keep mentioning these Tesla Model Y speakers and while we answered the question of how many speakers the Model Y has, you may still be wondering about the technicalities of the setup. Things like “How many watts are in Tesla speakers?” or “How are they laid out?”. 

Well, wonder no more! At the time of this research, it seems the size of the speakers has been standardized, so here is what you can expect in your Tesla Model Y, at least post-2023.

Speaker	Size	Watts
Tweeters	1” (25 mm)	25 W
Midrange speakers	4” (100 mm)	33 W
Woofers	8” (200 mm)	80 W
Subwoofers	8” (200 mm)	160 W

Now that you know the speakers a little better, where are they located in a Model Y? With the premium system, you’ll get:

• 3 mids – in the dash.
• 2 mids – in the rear doors.
• 2 mids – in the back. 
• 1 tweeter – in the front dash. 
• 2 tweeters – in the front doors. 
• 2 woofers – in the front doors.
• 1 subwoofer – in the trunk.

The 7-speaker system is obviously simpler. You get two tweeters up front with a mid in the dash and one full-range mid in each door. 

Other Noteworthy Features of Tesla Model Y Audio

Tesla being Tesla means they like to be a bit extra. How much of this is marketing buzz talk and how much is reality? Let’s take a look at some of that.

Immersive Sound in a Tesla Model Y

Hearing something like “immersive sound” should give you an indicator of what it is: supposedly, a solution that will take you away sonically. But just how “immersive” is the Immersive Sound and what does it actually do?

In short (I hope), this setting is supposed to change the digital signal processing (DSP) of the audio you are listening to, making you feel more like you are there. How does this happen? I highly doubt any track you are listening to has been specifically mixed to have the best experience in your Tesla Model Y. How dare they, right?

Anyway… Tesla’s solution is to turn on the tweeters in the A-pillars and then change up the actual audio by doing things like altering the delay between speakers to create more depth and widen the sound. It will also change aspects like the reverb in the tracks.

The results? Well, they are something highly subjective. Most users seem to turn the option completely off, some can’t even hear it at all, and other self-proclaimed audiophiles have lots to say.

Honestly, this comes down to your preference. If you like it, use it! If you don’t, then don’t. Personally, I would suggest always trying to listen to the track as close to the original mix as possible, since that’s what the people who get paid big bucks intended it to be. But that’s just my two cents.

Tesla Model Y External Speaker (Tesla Boombox)

You may think that by seeing this, you’ll be holding a box containing Tesla speakers over your head, Model Y in the back, and “In Your Eyes” blasting. If you got the reference, I hope you’ll soon be taking advantage of all the benefits AARP has to offer.

What this ACTUALLY is is something a bit more basic. The Model Y has an external speaker for the Pedestrian Warning System. With Boombox mode activated and your Model Y in “Park,” you can take over that external speaker and use it to play your current media, use it as a megaphone to project a modified version of your voice, or use the horn button to play the first five seconds of any sound from a compatible USB device.

While it seems more gimmicky than anything, Tesla loves quirky, Easter-Egg-type things like this. I guess it beats rolling down all of your windows or opening your doors to play loud music for a group, am I right?

How to Adjust Speakers in the Tesla Model Y?

When it comes to audio, it is never a one-size-fits-all type of deal. This goes for any vehicle you’re in or any sound system you are playing your music through. While I said earlier that I always encourage you to listen to music how it was originally mixed, a little extra EQ work isn’t a TERRIBLE idea. 

There are a couple of things you can do. One—and don’t hate me!—is simple volume control. Some things sound better at a lower volume and some things sound better at a higher volume. Okay… With that out of the way, what’s next?

EQ adjustments can be done in almost any vehicle to some extent. While some may just give you low and high controls, Tesla gives you low, mid, high, and one extra band between low/mid and mid/high (a few decibels of control for each band). This will allow you to “tune” the music a bit more towards your listening preferences.

Balance adjustments will allow you to “pan” the music to which area of the vehicle you want it more in. Front or back, left or right, and any combination of all of these. Keep in mind that pushing something all the way left or right could make you lose some of the feeling from the original stereo mix. This is a great tool if you know one of the most common issues with a car: too much audio coming from the rear. 

If your vehicle has the premium sound system, you’ll also have independent bass control which enables cranking the subwoofer up or down to make the sound most comfortable to you.

Finally, there is the Immersive Sound, which we talked about before. While I won’t go into too much detail since that was taken care of already, you do have the option for it to be off, a little more, “standard,” a little more than that, or “high.” You can also set it to “auto” and let your Tesla determine what it thinks will sound best.

After reading all of this you might be thinking: “What are the best Tesla audio settings?”. I don’t want to disappoint you, but the answer is: we don’t know! Sorry, but this is something YOU have to determine. That’s why here at BimmerTech we ask our customers a series of questions before we send out each of our Alpha One amps for BMWs, MINIs, Supras, and—very soon!—Teslas. This allows us to tune it to their specific vehicle, the genre of music they listen to the most, and their ears. For the fully customized experience, baby!

Circling back to the topic of Tesla sound system settings, there are multiple not-so-obvious factors that will strongly influence the way you perceive audio. Listing and describing all of them would take up an entire article, but you could start the process by asking yourself things like:

• Do you have hearing damage? 
• Do you generally only listen to podcasts? 
• Do you like extra high-end? 

Only you know the answers to these, so mess around with your Tesla’s settings and find out what works best for you! What else could be helpful in your trial-and-error process is this article about testing the car speakers – make sure to check it out.

Speakers Upgrade for Tesla Model Y 

You may think at this point that the Model Y has the best sound system possible. Yes and no. The premium system is great. The base system is rather limited. However, even the premium system has some flaws. Crank it up too high and you’ll get noticeable distortion. So, if it can’t go high enough for you, this is where the aftermarket comes in.

As of now, there are only a handful of options out there ready to be a direct plug-and-play solution for the Model Y. Alpha One by BimmerTech will soon be joining that list! By now, hopefully, you are aware that we have one of the best plug-and-play aftermarket amplifier and speaker solutions for BMWs, MINIs, and Supras. 

Not wanting to stop there, we are working on translating over 10 years of experience we have working with the above brands and are currently perfecting our line of Tesla speakers and amps. If you want to know more about it right when it drops, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter!

Tesla Model Y Sound Deadening 

Another option to control the audio in your Tesla is sound deadening. While the deadening from the factory is decent, things like regulations, cost, and space all limit the sound deadening that can be applied.

While I hate to say, “hey! Guess What!? This is something we are working on” again, I’m going to say it again… This is something we are researching! So if you have not subscribed to our newsletter or our YouTube Channel, you might want to do so to learn when these products drop.

You’ll also be notified first about discounts and other cool stuff!

To Sum It Up…

The Tesla Model Y can sound pretty good, depending on which system you get. From the hiring of ex-B&O engineers to offering fun and unique features like Boombox mode, the Tesla Model Y can meet the audio needs of some music enjoyers. We hope you found this article helpful and hope you return to learn more about the top-selling EV brand, as well as what we will be offering for those models in the future!