OEM Audio 400+ Experience and Sound Quality Review

[Be-Are-Zee]

First off, for those wondering about the product please go ahead and click the link right here!

http://www.oemaudioplus.com/

The following is my experience from purchasing to installation to use of the OEM Audio 400+ system in my Subaru BRZ Limited.

It didn't take long for me to start researching aftermarket or upgraded sound systems after listening to some sort of random noise coming from my speakers when trying to play music. I'm quite sure I am not alone in this regard when talking about the stock sound system in the BRZ.
After a few weeks of internet browsing and forum lurking I decided to go one of two paths:
1 - Add the Subaru sub-woofer system as a dealer installed option for MSRP $599 and hope it did something, anything to upgrade the sound.
2 - Spend a little more, $1,199 MSRP on the OEM Audio 400+ system specifically designed for the FT86.

My research of other's experiences and reviews pushed me to option number 2.

Buying Experience:
Probably the best buying experience I have ever had. Not just for a car product, I mean ANY product. Daniel answered all 20+ e-mails I had sent him and was very quick to respond to each and every one. Cheers to you and your patience sir as I know I had a lot of questions!:happy0180:
Shipping was fast and flawless with all products arriving on time and with no damage.

Installation:
In addition to the instructions provided with the system (which are very well documented with pictures and descriptive actions) I also referred occasionally to the following thread.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...m+audio+review
Big thanks to Yruyur for taking so many pictures to help the descriptions as well.
The best way to see how each step is done is to watch the youtube video of the install.

The total install time for myself (first time taking anything apart in my BRZ) was around 2 hours and 30 minutes including setting up my working surfaces and cleaning up all my tools. Speaking of tools, my favorite tool for a snap removal tool. Refer to the link above for a shot of what the snap removal tool looks like and where to get one (Amazon etc.).
I also managed to drop the 20A fuse into an engine compartment way down under the alternator so that was a solid 30-45 minutes rigging up a way to get it back.

Tips + Tricks During Install
Be patient - all pieces will remove without breaking if you are patient, careful and in a good mood. Put on some tunes while you work and relax with a beer or two at milestones.
Do NOT reinstall the passenger side rear panel or rear seat until you have flattened out the metal the sub-woofer will secure too. Skip to Sub-woofer and Amp installation section (6:43 seconds into the YouTube video) and flatten the two hole metal before re-installing the passenger rear panel and seat.
Be careful with the fuses - I managed to drop mine as I said earlier somewhere below the alternator and had a blast trying to retrieve it.
The sub-woofer enclosure WILL fit on top of the all weather truck liner but it will take some finagling with the screws and some downward force to align the screws to the speed nuts.

Easy vs. Hard Steps
Removing paneling - EASY
Removing front domes and replacing tweeters - EASY
Removing Dash Panel and HU - EASY
Removing Quick Connects - EASY
Removing door sil plates - EASY
Installing Sub-Woofer and Amp - EASY
Running the wire harness - EASY
Re-connecting harness to HU - EASY
Running two power wires to engine bay - EASY
Crimping two power wires and shrink wrapping - EASY
Installing Fuses - EASY (unless you drop it)
Resetting the clock after reconnecting the battery - HARDEST part.

Ahh and now the Sound Review
After firing the system up for the first time and changing my EQ settings to FLAT I was actually nervous to put a song on. Part of wondered "what if this doesn't sound any better at all". That "part" of me vanished three seconds into the first song that came on. One high, one low and you will be sold on the quality of this system. I honestly don't understand how the remaining 6 stock speakers sound so much better with the new Amp. The bass kicks from the sub-woofer are solid and accurate without being over bearing. I think accurate is the best word to describe the new sound. All of the notes are hitting right where they should be, reproducing the sound as if it was in studio.
For those wondering, yes this system will be louder.

Conclusion
If you are contemplating - stop, just contact Daniel and order. The install is not overbearingly long, nor hard. I imagine if I had a helper for some of the wire running to the HU hole or through the firewall I could have completed this in less than 1hr 30 minutes (especially if I didn't drop the fuse).

If you are still unsure - stop, contact Daniel and at the very least look to see if there is a Demo unit near you.

If you are never going to install the system and think it's a waste - stop, ask why you even opened this thread and continue to listen to your music with your windows all the way up and the sound turned way down low because your too embarrassed to let anyone else hear how shitty your car sounds.

:happy0180::happy0180::happy0180::thumbs up:

[chanomatik]

Thanks and congrats! Daniel is AWESOME! I hope to make the plunge eventually.

[thill]

Thanks for your writeup and review. I have thought about this system, but have also thought about just swapping out the factory speakers in the front with something better to see what it gives me. I have some connections in the audio world for home theater, but I should be able to get car audio speakers at cost too..

Torn, because I like the concept of this system and that it is tuned for our cars. Your post did not help

[Gary in NJ]

I've been waiting to upgrade my sound system since I drove my BRZ off the dealers lot. Like you I contemplated a host of aftermarket options as well as the factory sub. I'm one of the oddball owners that actually likes the OEM Audio/Nav unit and I didn't want a Frankenstein sound system. The Audio Plus system most definitely meets my needs.

The only thing that has kept me from sending my cash...The Audio Plus Reference system. I'm interested in seeing/hearing what else they have improved.

[G-Man]

is this their own brand of speakers? I am not seeing anything about what specs/brands their speakers or amps are.

[cnk]

Thanks for the review. I've been considering the system as well, but trying to find someone that sells it cheaper than the $1199 price. There are resellers that sell the system meant for the FRS cheaper, but none for the BRZ yet.

[DoomsdayJesus]

How easily removable is it if you wanted to drop some mass for a track day? And would it seriously interfere with getting the spare tire/kit out for a flat?

[Be-Are-Zee]

Originally Posted by DoomsdayJesus

How easily removable is it if you wanted to drop some mass for a track day? And would it seriously interfere with getting the spare tire/kit out for a flat?

The 19 lb woofer with attached amp takes about 20 seconds to remove.

Keep the provided Allen key in your glove box for easy removal. There is one screw at the back that the Allen key can remove and the other screw just behind the rear seats has a handle type screw for even easier removal.

You would need to unscrew those two screws to get the spare tire out. Again it wouldn't take any time.

I will take some pictures of what I'm taking about for you.

[Be-Are-Zee]

Here is the Allen key screw.



And here is the hand one. You can see the seat pull strap for reference on where this sits.

[Skippman]

Does this system help to compensate for the door speakers tendency to rattle? It's like they're getting starved for power at louder (30) volume settings and they start to distort. I'm hoping the DSP tune on this includes some better crossover points for them now that there's a subwoofer.

[Be-Are-Zee]

Originally Posted by Skippman

Does this system help to compensate for the door speakers tendency to rattle? It's like they're getting starved for power at louder (30) volume settings and they start to distort. I'm hoping the DSP tune on this includes some better crossover points for them now that there's a subwoofer.

I used zero sound deadening materials when I did my install and I have yet to hear any more rattles since the install. The new amp helps out the stock speakers so much. They actually are decent speakers that just needed some love!

I 100% know what your talking about though because 9 out of 10 songs used to rattle my door speakers at volumes over 20.

[Skippman]

I didn't really want to use the term "rattle" as that implies to much sympathetic vibration from the door panels. But it was the best word I could think of to describe the blown sound of the speaker during certain notes. I notice it quite a lot when listening to Clutch for example.

[BRZfan]

Does this OEM Audio 400 increase the SOUND QUALITY OVERALL in all frequencies and volume or is it just a bass enhancing system whereby it is more of a 'boom box' that one hears a half-mile away?

[Nsot]

Originally Posted by Gary in NJ

I've been waiting to upgrade my sound system since I drove my BRZ off the dealers lot. Like you I contemplated a host of aftermarket options as well as the factory sub. I'm one of the oddball owners that actually likes the OEM Audio/Nav unit and I didn't want a Frankenstein sound system. The Audio Plus system most definitely meets my needs.

The only thing that has kept me from sending my cash...The Audio Plus Reference system. I'm interested in seeing/hearing what else they have improved.

I've heard that all you need to do once the Reference System is released is pay the difference over the regular one to get all of the new bits. No excuses now!

I think I will end up picking this up as well eventually but at the moment I haven't been listening to my stereo much while I've been practising driving as this is my first MT car!