OEM Audio Plus BRZ Issue
 

So, I put the money together for the 400+ system, had it installed by a reputable local installer and have the strangest of issues. It seems the system is pushing high frequencies through the back speakers, including subwoofer and the bass frequencies through the front speakers.

No one has a solution yet, but I wonder if this is a FRS system, in error.

The unit is being returned and Daniel at OEM is going to see what's up.

Anyone else come across this issue?

Thanks!

Wow never heard of this problem. I can't really imagine what it'd sound like pushing the low frequencies through the tweeter and high through the woofer lol. If it's an amplifier issue I'm sure OEM+ will sort it out quick. I doubt the shop installed it wrong since the plugs can only really go in one place.

I thought I was going crazy until the installer guys took a look and were gob smacked...very weird, but I hope OEM can come up with a solution so I can get some good music flowing:party0030:

never underestimate peoples' abilities to prove to you that they are dumber than you could have possibly imagined.

This.

I wouldn't be surprised if your installer installed the system incorrectly.

So they didn't even listen to it after they installed it? :|

I guess they did listen to it, but just thought "Wow! So this is what $1,200 gets you, we could have done better than that!"...but they did not say that to me or check with the manufacturer as to what might be wrong :bonk:

So there was a problem with the programming apparently. I am trying to find out more...

I will post the whole story next week, but it was not the installer. I am incredibly pi**ed right now...mistake, after mistake, after mistake...I just don't see how OEM can "...make it right..." It's not finished yet, too...:sigh:

So...the first unit I received was a FRS model...the second unit I received was a BRZ unit, but it was programmed as a reference system and not a 400+...third time...it looks like I have the right system. Clearly, OEM Audio have service issues, but to be fair to Daniel, he has been extremely responsive throughout the whole ordeal.

So, here's the review of the system...brief version...playing Beyonce and Jay-z...the sound is awesome...there's a clear distinction in the vocals and the music with the subwoofer pushing out great pulses. With compressed modern music, again, it brings out the strengths of the system. Where it seems to lack is in playing 70s or 80s uncompressed music where it fails to pull out the tight bass lines...it almost ignores them! I am working with Daniel to see if the OEM team can find a solution, I suspect this is the way it is. With that, I recommend that if you like hard rock, this is not the system for you.

Another aspect for consideration is highway driving...I feel like the system could do with some noise canceling to take out the piped in cabin engine sound...but that might not be an option.

Finally, I want to applaud the OEM team for attempting to bring true audio quality to in-car entertainment...there are too many systems out there that bring quantity, but not quality to the table.

Maybe the reference fills in the holes of the 400+, but it is highly unlikely that I will be purchasing that upgrade considering the poor experience I have had with OEM.

Just pull out the sound tube & plug the hole. No need for the audio system to have to compensate for it.

I'm on my phone so if I make mistakes, blame Sportsguy83

Good point...but I still feel that wouldn't be enough...maybe some soundproofing, but then I would miss the engine sound when I am actually driving enthusiastically and have the music switched off...😁

IMO sound deadening is pretty important. No matter what you do though you still have a sports car which means road noise to muddle with the sound. Sound deadening btw wouldn't be so good where you don't have any engine sound anymore.

[QUOTE=l0aded;1554045]IMO sound deadening is pretty important. No matter what you do though you still have a sports car which means road noise to muddle with the sound. Sound deadening btw wouldn't be so good where you don't have any engine sound anymore.[/QUOTE

True! 😁

Just wondering what happened with this ?


Since I love 80's Hard Rock !


I purchased a 400+ system for my BRZ directly through OEM Audio.
I specified for it to be matched to my aftermarket Kenwood head unit & work with my aftermarket Pioneer door speakers. I was told that this would be no problem.


I received my system & upon opening the box the first thing I see is a pair of door speakers & a harness jumper for a Reference series install.
So I know that the amps are not flashed correctly for my set up.


Daniel sent a UPS pick up tag for the amps & reference parts and will have the amps reflashed for my set up.


While I'm waiting for the amps to come back; I was preparing for the install by going through the instructions & video.
I laid out my parts & wiring harness only to discover that in the middle of the harness where there should be a wiring pigtail & plug at the factory amp location = there was none.


So I now have the wrong harness or a misassembled one = ARGH !


I emailed Daniel on this...but it is the weekend...will have to see on Monday.


I'm getting bummed out on this unit as I keep having problems & I haven't even begun the install yet.


I would REALLY hate to go through all this & then the install just to have a less than premium experience with my 80's hard rock in the end !

Anakin...stick with it...I now have the reference system, which is how OEM tried to make things right. I have some settings that will bring the best out of this system for you, but it is never worth $1500. Let me know if I can help...

Daniel emailed me today to let me know that he will be sending me the correct System Series harness.
Evidentally the harness I have is Reference Series "only".
Neither of us thought of that difference when sending the other parts back.


Daniel's customer service has been great.

It's good to know that this was not a misassembled harness ; it restores a little confidence in the techs at the company.


paiceyfan ; thanks for your input !
Hopefully this will come out well; but I'm sticking with the System Series as I love Pioneer speakers & don't want to have to open up the doors again.


I changed the head unit out because the stock one was ; too hard to use, created too much distracting light on the dash, & I hate navigation / satellite units. I just wanted simplicity / single DIN / great CD & HD radio only.


When I did the door speakers I was unaware that they really functioned as woofers...but the replacements still function better due to their extremely wide frequency response range.


Now I will have better tweeters & a sub-woofer (never been a sub fan as I don't listen to music that requires one).


Hopefully someone will come out with improved direct replacement dash mid-speakers & rear speakers.
If anyone has found some = Let me know !


Well...that's it until I receive my parts...stay tuned...

Well...I received the correct wiring harness & installed my system last weekend.


A lot of people have complained that they could never hear their rear speakers on the BRZ... well on mine I found out at least one reason why.
When I reinstalled my rear side panels I shined my work light in through the grill as I always do when installing speakers to make sure everything looks correct; on my passenger side I noticed that some of the grill holes were not fully punched through in the manufacturing process.
Then I looked at the drivers side & about 80% of the holes were not punched through at all !
So I took a 5/64" drill bit & carefully punched all the holes through on both sides by hand...very tedious.

On to my findings :

The Good :
(1) The system has cleared up / cleaned up the sound from my door woofers.
(2) I can now hear my rear speakers.
(3) It seems to have a good amount of power.

The Bad :
(1) You can definitely tell that the sub woofer is working & where the sound is coming from.
(2) The sub woofer's sound almost seems delayed in timing.
(3) No matter where you adjust the equalizer (Kenwood only has 3 adjustments : Bass / Mid / Treble) you get too much sub woofer "blort blort".
(4) It is not natural sounding at all.


I am currently corresponding with Daniel on this & they are purchasing another Kenwood head unit to replicate my system to see if they can correct the problems. He even asked for a few of my favorite test tracks to use as a guide line when evaluating the system.


So...I'm patiently waiting for their findings & hopefully a great solution.


Stay tuned again...

OEM Audio+ has ridiculous customer service. Purchasing a headunit and asking for songs you listen to in order to replicate the environment? Geeze.

Yep...I have to agree ; so far Daniel's customer service has been fantastic.

I received my Kewood matched amplifiers this week & installed it :


Comments on new flash / programing :
(1) The sub woofer timing is WAY better / no longer seems delayed
(2) Front door speakers are not as clear as before & seems as if more power is going into the dash mounted mids
(3) Overall sound is much more natural
(4) Sub woofer is not as pronounced & is more controllable / Yeah !
(5) Unfortunately my head unit has limited EQ adjustability & I still have the "missing" mid bass response (the frequencies just above the sub woofers range)
(6) Control over CD reproduction is better than control over FM reproduction with this head unit & the OEM + combination

This is the best it has ever been though.

I spent 4 hours listening & adjusting today (still haven't gotten on the road with it yet).
Also tested with sub woofer disconnected ; this is definitely not the answer for this set up / but did confirm the lack of "mid" bass I described.

I realize everyone's ear & perception is different & due to what I listen to & the cars configuration this is probably as good as it gets.


OEM Audio +'s customer service IS top notch.

Here's my final settings for standard head unit with OEM Audio Plus...
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=78