OEM Audio + Reference 450Q vs. Factory JBL System

Has anyone had the opportunity to personally listen to the OEM Audio + Reference 450Q system? If so How does it compare to the factory JBL System?

Trying to decide what audio system to order for my new 3rd Gen Tacoma
Thank-you for your insight!

 

I'm the first one with the 450Q!!!
The development for this system was actually done on my truck by OEM Audio +.
I'll post a full review but I can say two things for now:
1. You can't even compare this system to the junk Toyota decided to spec these truck with.
2. Even after driving 45minutes home from OEM Audio+ with the new system, I sat in the driveway for another 45minutes listening to it.... It's like having a high end home audio system in your truck. The R&D guys over at OEM Audio+ really know what they are doing. More to come.

 

Looks nice! http://www.shop.oemaudioplus.com/Toyota-Tacoma-Dbl-Cab-Reference-450Q-TYT-TCD-REF45Q-0515.htm

I went with JL-Audio speakers & an alpine amp - world of difference and only
ran 100 or so above what they wanted for the JBL system.

 

Thanks for your input, great to hear from the guinea pig! LOL!
I like the idea that nothing is permanently modified in the event something would happen to the HU.

My dealer indicated it would void the factory warranty, that is my main concern.

I guess they want to sell me the $700 JBL crap.

In my mind this is only really costing me $800, if I don't go this way I would pony up the extra money for the JBL.

WILDPEAK, do you feel the 450Q system has enough bass?

Was the install challenging?
Will you provide instal instructions in the writeup?

 

Do you guys know if the HU is the same on the JBL and Non JBL assuming you get the Tech package?

 

what did OEM audio plus charge for the install?

 

No idea sorry. I relied on many of the audio-heads here for proper info, I've never
done a replacement and I wasn't about to test out my skills on the new truck

Garyinok, manethon & James_Bond were the ones I recall talking to the most. All were
very helpful in sorting things out for me and for a few hundred extra to have a pro shop do it
and not fry my system, was money well spent.

 

Sorry blkbelt42, I meant to ask WILDPEAK if the 450Q has enough bass, my bad.

Do you have JL Audio speakers and a sub?
Do you have a custom box made for you JL Audo? I didn't think they have the stealth boxes out yet for the 16s.

 

Yes, all JL-Audio, sub is 10".

It is a JL sub box, rear storage behind drivers side had to go as did the
hard plastic backing. Both pieces come right off with NO damage to anything.

 

Hmmm... no offense, but your review may be a bit biased eh?

 

Of course I'm biased! I've only heard three differrent sound systems on a 2016 Taco: the OEM, the JBL, and the OEM Audio+...

 

WILDPEAK, do you have any affiliation with the OEM Plus company?

How is the bass response in the system? =,<,or> to JBL?

 

No affiliation, I'm a Product Manger with Falken Tire. A co-worker happened to tip OEM Audi Plus on that fact that I had acquired a '16 double cab and so the conversation began to allow them to borrow my truck for a couple of weeks to do the sound system development.

The bass is is great, and the whole sound system is really clear, no distortion at all even at high volume. In fact at half volume I think it is about as loud as the OE system at full volume. The bass isn't over powering but definitely has quite the punch cosidering the enclosure size behind the rear seat. No need for the stereo in the bed like the Honda El Camino, just crank up the OEM Audio+ to half+ volume.

 

Did you pay for the system?

 

I received a discounted rate since they had my truck for a couple of weeks. It took some time to get all of the video footage of the istallation procedure as well and do the acoustic development work.

 

I'm going to go by a dealership and compare to the JBL side by side with the same tunes. I just need to find a stealership with a JBL equipped truck and a friendly sales guy. I'll report back.

 

I know there is an audio sub-forum, but this is a good thread with some like-minded folk I think ...

Here is what I'm thinking of doing so far:

Digital Channel-Summing Line Out Convertor:
AudioControl 6 Channel Line Out Converter
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002T4XR78/
$103

Front speakers:
JL Audio C2-650 6.5-Inch 2-Way Component Speaker System
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036D1DQI/
$154

Rear speakers:
JL AUDIO TR650-CXI 6.5" 2 WAY CAR STEREO SPEAKERS 6 1/2

JL AUDIO TR650-CXI 6.5" 2 WAY CAR STEREO SPEAKERS 6 1/2

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BI7Y64/
$99

Sub:
Jl Audio 10tw3-d4 Shallow-mount 10
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJWSLBU/
$277

Amp:
Kenwood XR900-5 eXcelon Reference Fit Five-Channel Digital Power Amplifier

Kenwood XR900-5 eXcelon Reference Fit Five-Channel Digital Power Amplifier

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BD5NS6Y/
$350

I want to build a box like this:

As seen in this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-complete-audio-install-tutorial.16252/page-9

However, I may do it by removing the plastic storage bins ... not really decided on which way to go. I don't really want to cut the storage bins up because they're about $800 or so new, and I'd like to be able to return it to factory condition if needed ... Then again, I do plan to keep the truck for a while, so I might just go ahead and cut it up. If I do cut it up I'd probably keep the sub if I did get rid of the truck some day, but let the future owner take the box ... I'm definitely not going to cut up both bins though, since the 5 channel Kenwood amp is small enough to tuck under one of the front seats.

That's a little under $1000 in speaker equipment, but I figure another $400-500 in sound deadening and materials for the box and speaker adaptors ... figure $1500 budget total, plus a couple of days of my spare time on the weekend fabricating this stuff.

This system would require a lot of fine tuning to get the LC6i sounding just right with the aftermarket amp ...

The OEM Audio+ stuff is a direct drop in, but would still require the $200-300 in sound deadening. It would just not require the tuning, just hook it up and enjoy the audio ... however I think the JL 10 would probably have a little more thump at the end of teh day. Some 8" subs will surprise you though, and OEM Audio + is knwon for quality ...

Thoughts?

 

JoeRacer-

I can tell you right away that I asked the OEM Audio+ guys if they used any sound dampening material because I am anal to say the least about rattles and noises. The only other thread on this forum (besides the tire talk) that I am really engaged in is the steering column buzz issue I have from the factory. Their response was that they tuned the door speaker frequencies (filtered the lows) to prevent any rattling and therefore no need for additional material installation with their system.

 

sub'd. in for further info. since i got the manual i got screwed out of decent sounding audio.

 

No. No you didn't.

The JBL system is shit. Just look around and check out exactly what the speakers are that Toyota uses in that system. They are complete shit.