OEM Audio + Feedback (Updated 10/18/2017) Dual Subwoofer Is Here!

I'd be in on a group buy. last year they offered a fathers day discount... i'll wait till then i guess.

 

Picked up the reference 450q. Installed mine over the last two days. Door speakers were simple. Dash tweets were not too bad either. Tried the speakers out before adding dsp and sub. They sounded better than factory but still a bit muddy. With dsp and sub this thing came to life. Really happy with the sound. I feel it would rival a diy system around the same price range. Even with the plug and play it takes some time. I couldn't imagine piecing one together and routing all the wires and crap.

 

Thanks for the information. You had been looking at this option for a while based on the thread. Mind if I ask if the bass is to your liking? Also what genre do you primarily listen to? thanks!!

 

Inky, I listen to a wide range of music, really. Not big on rap/rnb but have a few songs I like and they thump just fine for me. Bands like the Black Keys, Clutch, Metallica, 12 Foot Ninja.. really anything from folk to rock to metal sound good. I've noticed the source mix makes a difference on the bass response. I've had to tweak the EQ a little to fit all genre's, but for me, rock (and all that's within this genre these days) and metal sound great... especially 12 Foot Ninja...good mix. The bass shakes the rear view mirror, punches the passenger sitting in that seat.

 

Well, here is my two cents. I've had the OEM for maybe a year or more, I bought it well before they offered an in house sub option. I even had to send back the DSP to get the gain on the sub RCA turned down and get the gain on the back speakers turned up along with some other file updates. So I guess I was a bit of a test subject. First off the customer service was top notch, even with all the issues and all back and forth these guys actually care about their product. As, for the sound...well I guess I'm more satisfied than excited and and happy.
I have an 16 access cab and a JL microsub plus 10", I have used dynomat in all the doors doubling it behind the speakers. I mostly listen to AAC "Apple" through USB

* Installation was easy with the help of the videos, just take your time. Plastic fittings don't like to popped in and out multiple times

* As for the sound quality...I would say it is good, but not great. Still way better than stock.
The sound just doesn't feel "full" and the clarity just misses the mark. Not the crisp sound I've grown accustomed to. Yes, I'm picky...but I should be, I spent $1000 on the OEM and $500 on the sub. With my sub turned down (I have sub volume control wired from my JL, which is great) the mids and lows seem absent. I understand that the lows are filtered, but I would expect some overlap...the 6 x 9's are quality, but they don't sound like it. I've heard vehicles with just 2 6x9's blow all 6 of these speakers away. As, for the JL sub, sounds GREAT! Add the remote volume control to easily control the sub with one knob that can be installed where ever you want

* One thing I've noticed is that I can hear static/hiss through the speaker when no music is playing, even with the volume turned down. It sounds like the noise you get from a speaker when a stereo volume is turned up all the way with nothing playing. Never had this on any other stereos I've owned, perhaps I have an issue with my unit... maybe that's why the sound isn't as crisp and full as I should expect, not sure if anyone else is experiencing this? I checked the ground wires and all looks good.

*By all means the OEM is a good option for a stereo upgrade, the plug and play installation is well thought out and it takes out a lot of the work and frustration from an upgrade. For most people this system will work great, huge upgrade from stock

*Get a sub, either OEM or aftermarket...not just because you may want loud bass, but because the lower mids and lows are lacking...having a higher frequency range from lows to highs will produce better sound quality. You will regret not getting one

*As for audiophiles, the DSP is nice but not great. Trying to "cleanup" a speaker output from a crappy HU is just not the same as getting a "clean" signal from some RCA's on an aftermarket HU. With a new quality head unit, Amp, speakers, and a whole lot of wiring, for not much more money, a system could be installed that would blow the OEM + out the water. But, this is to be expected as OEM+ doesn't make claims of superior sound, their system is based on higher quality sound than the stock system and an easy all in one installation.

* My opinion on sound quality could change if there is an issue with my DSP, I have noted a hiss/static coming from my speakers even with the volume turned down...the noise isn't loud, even easily missed. But I wonder how this is effecting sound quality when playing music and turning up volume.
* Also considering I bought this system when 2016 Tacoma was still new, there might be updates to the DSP that mine doesn't have.

OEM is a good company trying to put out a quality product. I have a lot of respect for hard working people who care about their customers. I'm not knocking OEM, just trying to give an honest review.

 

Installed mine yesterday and very happy with the whole setup, great sound and quality. Got the 450q and customer service was great.

 

I also notice a hiss. I might re-seat the ground on its own and see what happens.

 

Installed mine last weekend. Went with the full kit. Install was straightforward and there weren't any surprises. Mine took a while because I installed Rammat/Ensolite at the same time, but it was totally worth it.

The system destroys the crappy stock speakers. The 6x9's could use a little more lower mid-range, but the sub more than makes up for it and provides the rounding-out that the rest of the system needs.

$1500 is a bit over-priced IMO, but it is nice to be plug-and-play and be done with it.

My gripe: why in the heck do the instructions have you run the power wire out the passenger dash hole instead of the driver-side? Seems so needless, so I didn't do it. I zip-tied the yellow power wire back along the length of the harness until I got back to the kick-panel and then ran it out the driver side. WAY less wiring under the hood which is always a good thing IMO.

Overall I'm happy and glad to be rid of the factory trash speakers.

 

and that's why I went with the OEM, didn't hear good things about taco tunes and the reviews were horrible and I also wanted a "plug-n-play" system to make it easier.

 

My thoughts as well.

 

There is also a setting on your Entune head unit under "apps/settings/volume or something like that, (sorry can't remember) that you can change to high, it is factory set at low and this will also increase the output.
if you need help finding it, I will get it later, I have it in my truck and will get after work.

 

Probably just trying to balance out the Taco Lean.

 

I have the same hiss too. It can be heard at low volumes or when no music is playing but the audio is ON. I talked to OEM Audio a lot about this. After they did some testing, their conclusion was that the HU is the cause of the hiss. Some are worse than others apparently. They said that nothing can be done to fix it except chain out the HU for another (and hope that the new one is better) or get an aftermarket HU. Call and ask them about it...they will send you the test data if you request it.

 

I think the hiss is the ringing in my ears so I don't notice it that much, although I have the premium entune plus HU so that may be the reason I don't notice it?..lol

 

Well shit...

 

I'm a 40 year old musician that listens to bands like Radiohead, Stringcheese, Lord Huron, and Greensky Bluegrasss.. OEM+ has more than enough bass for my needs. anymore and it would compromise the overall intent of the music.. OEM did one hell of a job, my truck sounds amazing now!!!

 

I know audio is a deep subject and can even be confusing trying to relay what you're hearing and using the "right' terminology with others gets muddy...



But this OEM+ set up has me interested... I already have a "system", Pioneer deck, two 12's, two amps, hybrid audio in all doors.. But never been happy with it.
I have tinnitus, also very sensitive to certain frequencies, mainly highs... It's just never sounded right to me.. It could be it really needs a true pro to tune it using a sound processor and mic etc... But even then, everyone hears things a little different, so that could be subjective.

I like a more warm well rounded full sound..
Not loud and high, that's how my system is, it can get super loud, but it's not warm at all, and lacks mid range warmth and clarity.




I'm curious as a comparison, to those who have sat in a Taco with the JBL factory system... How does this OEM+ compare?

To me the JBL system doesn't sound bad for what it is... It seems to be be fairly well tuned to the the truck, and you get a decent sound that isn't horse to your ears (or at least mine).. Sounds to me better than what I have in mine.

 

There's a thread on that very subject.. No Comparison, the JBL doesn't hold a candle to the OEM + system... I was bummed I couldn't find a silver TRD Sport 4x4 double cab with the JBL but now I'm happy it worked out the way it did. After my install was complete and turning on the system for the first time, I was absolutely thrilled by the results.. Don't hesitate, the money is well worth it and there are coupon codes out there to save 100.00

 

I am very happy with the OEM audio system, I think the hiss is very low and you really only hear it when the sound is turned down, I made our first big road trip about 4 hours each way and the system sounds fantastic, I am content and I think my tinnitus causs some of the ringing that I also hear...

 

I'll have to find that thread (unless you have the link)..
How would you compare the difference? You did hear the JBL one right?