[E'sFR-S]

Originally Posted by ajcarson11

OP, wanted to provide one more thought:

The OEM headunit has an internal EQ that is set to accommodate the stock speakers and their acoustic properties. This means that simply dropping in different speakers (while changing nothing else) can lead to undesirable results. The best method (the one that yields the greatest quality) involves having an external processor that can take the signal from the head unit and flatten the EQ before sending to your amplifier to power the speakers.

It would be nice if the stock headunit spit out a flat signal, but this simply is not the case.

If you're just adding a sub you will be fine -- and depending on your musical ear you may not notice a simple swap in speakers (if you choose to do that), but I thought i'd throw it out there.

Originally Posted by Haeb

Value of something will be different for each individual. I'm not a huge audiophile type, so throwing around specs on this brand sub or that brand amp is lost on me very quickly. So for me the value in buying the OEM Audio setup was in that they have already done all the R&D work. I dont know one amp from the next, or one sub from the next, so by taking all that guess work out of it they've saved me time, money , and a few headaches. The amp they supply works with the OE head unit, and the sub fits extremely well in the space allowed - gives me enough room to still fit a full size road bike back there. All the parts work well together, and compared to the stock system they are a VAST improvement. Will you throw down the $$$ for OEMAudio+ and go out and start winning sound competitions.....no, probably not. Will you have clear crisp sound and nice deep bass that will make you smile....yup.

If your an audiophile type thats obsessed with how one amp vs another makes the highs sound or needs your neighbors to hear the bass from your twin 20" sub setup that takes up the entirety of the trunk and part of the passenger seat...then the OEM+ setup might not be for you. For the record...my neighbors say they can hear me coming home or going to work just fine (thankfully my neighbors are cool with my tunes twice a day lol)

So theres my take on its value...if you just want an upgrade but dont want to guess around or try this or see if that fits....its very worth it. If you have a very specific idea of sound or want something that shakes fillings loose...have fun!!!

* should note I have the basic OEM+ setup, not the top of the line....and its more than adequate for my tastes.

To specify more I think the stock sound system really doesn't sound bad. My previous car was a BMW with premium stock sound system and I really would just like to have a little more good sounding bass and get rid of the the door rattling bass with some sound deadening. I think once the deadening goes in the door speakers will sound a little better too. This option probably wont sound as good as the oem audio system but I think for me it will be good enough for a lot less money. Thanks for the help btw.