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03-28-2015, 03:45 PM | #1 |
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2015 WRX OEM Audio Plus 400+ Setup
Thought I would start a thread on my experiences with the purchase, installation, and opinions on the OEM Audio + 400 system for the 2015 WRX.
Some background, when I put in a new system in my BRZ I really debated on the OEM + solution for that car but it seemed rather pricey and I thought I would get more bang for the buck going with something else. I went with Hybrid Audio speakers, 5 channel amp, JL audio dedicated subwoofer and had everything professionally installed. It came in slightly more than the OEM Audio system factoring in installation charges. It was a dramatic improvement in sound quality, and I was happy. Until I heard the OEM Audio + system on a group meet in an FR-S. To be blunt, it sounded better than what I put together. I have also owned JL Audio C-650 speakers with a Pioneer touchscreen deck and dedicated amp in a previous WRX, and again while a dramatic improvement over stock, it still seemed to be lacking something. What I have learned about myself is that I really don't like touchscreen head units in my cars. I prefer buttons and tactile feel when I am driving. So this time I am going with the OEM Audio + solution. Paid $1099 to have it shipped to my door. That price includes a loaded 8" subwoofer enclosure that custom fits the trunk of the WRX to maximize space and has an OEM look. It also includes two amplifiers (one for the speakers and another amp for the sub), and it includes new tweeters, and all the appropriate wiring and connectors. No splicing, everything just connects up with minimal effort (at least that's what the install video say). Still seems a little pricey, but the key to the system is the DSP amp that has been custom tuned for our head unit, speakers, and car. For me, this is the difference maker and really adds value that you cannot put a price on if you include all the other parts. Install will be later this week when I have some time off work, and I will be adding some pictures and thoughts on the install along the way (I am installing this myself). Some pics: The box (I received this the same week I ordered, really fast shipping): Amps: Wiring harnesses: Tweeters: Subwoofer:
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Last edited by thill; 03-28-2015 at 03:54 PM. |
03-28-2015, 05:04 PM | #2 |
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Wow, that looks impressive. Does it replace all the speakers or just the tweeters?
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03-28-2015, 05:19 PM | #3 | |
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Quote:
I will be honest in my review. I am a home audio guru and build my own speakers. If I had not heard the OEM Audio system in an FR-S back to back with my custom built BRZ I probably would not have bought it. And I am sure with a DSP and proper tuning you can achieve better results than OEM Audio, but I am guessing not for $1K unless you go used. |
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03-29-2015, 09:25 PM | #4 |
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Subscribed. Looking forward to your review.
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03-29-2015, 10:27 PM | #5 |
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I would love to get the 400 system. Hmm, catback or OEMAudio...
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03-29-2015, 10:40 PM | #6 |
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03-30-2015, 11:12 AM | #7 |
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I've read nothing but positive reviews from people with the OEM+ system in other cars.. have been waiting for someone to share their experience with the 2015 WRX version specifically.
Thanks for taking the time, look forward to the results! Cheers |
03-30-2015, 11:20 AM | #8 |
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03-30-2015, 02:15 PM | #9 |
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Interesting...
One of those boxes is a 07-10 dodge caliber subwoofer amp. |
03-30-2015, 03:28 PM | #10 |
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03-30-2015, 06:48 PM | #11 |
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03-30-2015, 11:09 PM | #12 |
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03-30-2015, 11:21 PM | #13 |
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04-02-2015, 12:08 PM | #14 |
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Install complete
I ended up working in the dark for part of it, and had several disruptions (like my neighbors, who are out of town, trampoline blowing down the middle of the street). The install went very smoothly. There were several challenging moments, but I have to say the install video was very helpful. I am a fairly handy guy, but I would say the install is very straight forward. The key to it is taking your time and referring back to the install video as needed. If I take distractions and breaks out of it, it took about 4.5 hours. It really could have gone faster, but I was slow and steady. I really have zero regrets. And I honestly mean that. The system is very well balanced (which is key to me) and this is where the DSP really comes into play. Highs are not too high. Bass is punchy but does not drown out the vocals. Midrange is greatly improved as well as just the overall frequency range. Everything is much more crisp and everything looks 100% OEM. I just don't think I could have put together a better system myself for $1099 without going used and getting really good deals. That said, is this the best car audio system I have heard? No. It's a $1099 all in system. With some more money and proper DSP and sound measuring and management tools for my car I am sure I could top it. Also, it you are looking for loads of bass, I suspect this is not the right system for you. Not that the bass is bad, as I said it is accurate and punchy, but you will not get loads of low frequency bass and you are not going to shake the cars around you. Okay, some pictures that documented the journey. Tools of the trade (I also used a number of socket wrenches). The $6 panel tool set from Amazon is a must, I owned all the other tools seen I thought this would be the hardest part, but it wasn't. That part will be discussed later: Some more random shots of things being removed: Highly recommend some gloves.. I ended up with 2 of these by the end |
04-02-2015, 12:21 PM | #15 |
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I love how clean the amps look:
Okay. I am posting this to help the next person who installs this. On the install video they make it look pretty simple to route the power cable into the channel that is used for sunroof drainage (this ultimately makes it easy to run the power cable straight to the battery). This was the hardest part of the install for me. What I discovered was that the channel you are feeding the wire into from inside the car (by the fusebox) is confusing. The biggest hole or gap is not where you want to run the power wires. See the blue plastic wire piece? I found in my car that I had to pull that piece back to open a gap to run the wires sideways. Not vertically up the channel as the wire wants to travel. This step took me about 45 minutes until I figured out I had to pry the blue plastic piece to run the wires horizontally vs vertically. Sucked and had I known this upfront I would have saved about 40 minutes. I did call OEM Audio Plus and shared my thoughts with them of the install. These guys are really top notch. From the delivery to the customer support. They are 100% committed and Daniel wanted my feedback. Here is a pic of the channel in question: And here is where the wires come out via the sunroof drainage cap: The only other challenging part was the front mounting screws for the subwoofer. I will finish this today because it was just too dark in my garage, but it is a very tight fit trying to get the screw threaded into the rod. I think the screw is too short and might pickup a longer one today. That said, there is another screw holding the subwoofer to the side of the trunk and it is probably more than enough (Daniel at OEM agreed). Please let me know if you have any more questions. I will be adding more thoughts on the sound quality as I have more time with the system. |
04-02-2015, 06:35 PM | #16 |
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It sounds like you're happy but not thrilled. How does the WRX system compare to the FR-S system you heard?
I'm also curious about a comparison to the JL Audio speakers you've had experience with. Besides OEM Audio, I'm considering JL's TR series coax speakers in the front doors, and JL tweeters in the dash. Possibly an aftermarket HU to power them. Prob wouldn't be anywhere close to the OEM Audio system, but would be about half the expense and I can do it piecemeal as funds allow. Also, not as involved of an install. |
04-02-2015, 06:55 PM | #17 |
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04-02-2015, 09:43 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
There is no doubt that you can greatly improve the sound of the stock system by upgrading the stock speakers and adding an amp and/or a better head unit. But, I don't know about it being an easier install. There was no removal of door panels (or hacking up the door) with the OEM + solution everything is plug and play. No splicing. No messing with crossovers. No trying to get the steering wheel controls integrated with a new head unit. And I personally would get an amp no matter if I replaced the head unit or not. I personally would not go with tweeters in the dash and coaxial speakers in the doors. I would probably stick with component speakers from the same line of JL speakers. As far as how the OEM+ system sounds vs the JL C5-650's I had, I would say that OEM Audio system has the edge (I did not have a dedicated sub with my JL setup, but did have an upgraded head unit and dedicated amp). Again, DSP and having a custom tuned car by experts is invaluable. I probably will not go with another setup that does not have a custom tuned DSP in it, and frankly, I did not want to put all the time in effort into tuning a piecemeal solution. I can see where the potential to have a better sounding system vs OEM Audio is clearly there, but it just is not plug and play. I really think you would be very happy with those JL speakers you mentioned and an amp to power them with the stock head unit. It will sound light years better, I can assure you. |
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04-02-2015, 09:51 PM | #19 |
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Also folks, the pictures of panels removed, carpet lifted up, etc. It really does look worse than it is. It was actually really straight forward if you follow their instructions and use the panel tools. I suspect some people look at these pictures and feel overwhelmed, but it really is not bad at all. I would say it was a easy to moderate install. It does take time, and part of that was me just going slow and watching the install time and again.
It I had to do it again, I would and it would probably take me half the time. An experienced installer would probably have this done in 2 hours or less. I did contact an installer and they wanted $175-200 for the install. Which I did not think was bad, but I actually enjoyed doing it myself and turning on the radio for the first time after install |
04-02-2015, 11:34 PM | #20 |
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Thanks for the detailed write-up and excellent feedback! Very very helpful.
Like you, I enjoy working on cars and this particular install doesn't seem too intimidating. My hangup is, I told my wife I'd be spending a few hundred $$ to upgrade the terrible sound system (which she can't hear anything wrong with). $1200 might be a tad more than she is expecting. Being able to purchase parts here and there over the course of months would have a better spousal acceptance factor (SAF). But as you say, the OEM Audio+ system is going to sound far better than anything I can cobble together. Hmm, decisions decisions. |
04-03-2015, 09:16 AM | #21 |
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First of all, great job with the overview of the install. I'm very new to the car audio scene and I have been doing research trying to find the system that I want to install. Since this will be my first install and I want to do the work myself this seems like a good first project since it is plug and play and it is professionally tuned.
That being said I have two questions. They may be hard to answer, but I figured I would ask anyway. 1. I do like bass, I don't need to shake other cars, but I do want heavier bass so I can feel it in the car. Would adding the option for the second amp and sub significantly add to the bass levels in the car? 2. Do you think adding sound deadening material would significantly improve the audio quality with this system? Thanks for the input and the install review! |
04-03-2015, 09:34 AM | #22 |
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I installed the 14+ Forester XT system in the wife car and I will admit it is worth it. I have long been a proponent that a "average" (call it what you will) speaker (aka subaru door speaker) which is properly mounted combined with the proper amplification and tuning can work quite well and in the case of OEM+ it does just that. It sounds great and can retain the factory HU or aftermarket if desired. The simple DSP does wonders for the stock door speakers. I also have a forester with my own install consisting of a P99 HD900/5 JL ZR650's and 10TW3 and although it sounds great after hours and hours of RTA the OEM system would have fit the bill had it been available. However I enjoy RTA and everything associated with it so I would lose out on doing that.
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04-03-2015, 11:36 AM | #23 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
Sound deadening is always a good idea. I have not added it to my car yet since this install did not require opening up the door panels, but I have it on my radar as a future upgrade. I am always cautious about adding more weight to my car but I do feel it is a worthy upgrade. |
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04-03-2015, 11:43 AM | #24 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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Quote:
I have spent weeks messing with my home theater with DSP, microphones, software, etc. I enjoyed it, but I tend to be too OCD and spent way too much time and effort to the point that I stopped really enjoying watching a movie With my car, I just wanted to try the plug and play option and am quite happy. But I have no doubt that having a system like you have and taking the time to properly measure and EQ the sound would yield tremendous results. |
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04-03-2015, 05:44 PM | #25 |
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Thanks for the write up. Feel free to keep us updated with your thoughts on the audio.
I'm the same name on AVS...you?... Lol What is that red tool in your pic? |
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