My review of the OEM Audio + Reference 450Q system

My stock non jbl tacoma system can do that some if you turn the bass all the way up and crank up the volume

 

It just won't sound good...

 

I've had the system for a few months. It does sound way better than stock. Is it 1500.00 better, I don't know. I didn't want to cut shit up and I wanted to keep the head unit. The only thing I will say is the bass could be a little better. I had a stock Alpine system in my keep and while it wasn't like a custom system costing way more, it sounded good and the bass kicked a little more. It was an eight inch sub in the back. It would be cool if they made an additional sub for the other side and another amp under the passenger seat. I don't use the storage anyway. I listen to thrash and death metal which has a lot of fast double bass drums. I'm a drummer, I like hearing the drums in songs. Overall I am happy with it.

 

Hm, thats interesting. I've listened to music on the alpine system that Jeep offers many times. A Jeep in the family has it and its pretty mediocre in my book. The O+ has it beat on all fronts by a significant margin, bass included in my opinion but the genre of music you listen to is one of the of the few I dont so that could be the difference maker.

 

Chase you're in Mobile right? Probably be worth a beer to meet up and let me give it a listen! Lol

 

I have a very expensive system in my FJ and sounded killer. The alpine system I thought sounded good for a stock system. It may be the type of music I listen to. They sent me some test MP3s and they did sound better but its not my cup of tea. I'm hyper and a drummer, so naturally I love metal music. Rap, country and top 40 are pretty boring as far as drums go. I am still glad I did it.

 

Certainly! I'm in Mobile and up for it, just let me know. Free most week nights however I'm tied up tomorrow night.

 

I've had the system now for over a year and still have no regrets. In fact the bass to me sounds better now than when first installed - not sure if it's due to me having such high expectations initially OR if the system has broken in a bit.

As stated in the OP, it's still not the type of system to turn heads at a red light but for shear sound quality it's hard to beat. It sounds better or equal to me than any premium stock system I've ever had or heard. The bass isn't overwhelming my any means but it gets the job done.

 

Bump as another thread from where I first mentioned ordering this system has been active with several people comment regarding wondering the thoughts on it etc.

 

I’m so not convinced by this product at its price

 

I probably shouldn’t say this, but

For $1500 I got a professionally installed amped front JL component and amped rear Hertz components with a vented JL 10” sub in a custom box. In my Subaru. It will rock your face off

For $130 I did my entire truck front to back in Rockford Fosgate Prime component system with tweet mounts and door brackets (ahem...Crutchfield). RMS is perfect to run off the stock deck. Sounds amazing. Install on that was 1.5 hrs.

One thing that is VERY cool with the system you purchased and (Bravo! BTW for sticking thru it and keeping cool) installed is that it is specifically designed and engineered for the 3rd gen Taco. I’ll bet it does sound great.