JL Stealthbox vs OEM+: what is your experience?

[reynierpm]

Let's start taking about what I've changed in my car so you get a full idea: everything!

Meaning:
- Stock Head Unit replaced by: Sony XAV-AX100
- Dash Tweeters + Front Door: JL Audio C5-650
- Dash Middle:Kicker 43DSC3504
- Rear: Pioneer TS-G1045R
- Amp: Pioneer GM-D9605

If it's not the best choice or setup don't blame me at all (not a music or sound expert) just wanted something better than stock sound.

Now, regarding the subwoofer I decided to go with the JL Stealthbox and after two days I'd to return it. Why? It's really louder and my trunk is vibrating all the time, at the end the sound were worst that before. Also I use Spotify all the time and it wasn't helping to much since the bass changed between songs and then I need to go to the head unit and adjust the sound again because some times was so louder others was making the trunk vibrate. Knowing this I decide to return the box since I couldn't use at 100% and get a real good sound.

I am still interested in a subwoofer, so has any run into this issue before? If so what was the solution? How does OEM+ fix this issue? Did any had the chance to compare both sounds? I mean from JL and from OEM+?

If OEM is really good then I am willing to sell everything in less price even if it's completely new (no more than 2 weeks on my car) and go with OEM+ but I need to know for sure it will works.

Advice?

[Chimera]

Originally Posted by reynierpm

Let's start taking about what I've changed in my car so you get a full idea: everything!

Meaning:
- Stock Head Unit replaced by: Sony XAV-AX100
- Dash Tweeters + Front Door: JL Audio C5-650
- Dash Middle:Kicker 43DSC3504
- Rear: Pioneer TS-G1045R
- Amp: Pioneer GM-D9605

If it's not the best choice or setup don't blame me at all (not a music or sound expert) just wanted something better than stock sound.

Now, regarding the subwoofer I decided to go with the JL Stealthbox and after two days I'd to return it. Why? It's really louder and my trunk is vibrating all the time, at the end the sound were worst that before. Also I use Spotify all the time and it wasn't helping to much since the bass changed between songs and then I need to go to the head unit and adjust the sound again because some times was so louder others was making the trunk vibrate. Knowing this I decide to return the box since I couldn't use at 100% and get a real good sound.

I am still interested in a subwoofer, so has any run into this issue before? If so what was the solution? How does OEM+ fix this issue? Did any had the chance to compare both sounds? I mean from JL and from OEM+?

If OEM is really good then I am willing to sell everything in less price even if it's completely new (no more than 2 weeks on my car) and go with OEM+ but I need to know for sure it will works.

Advice?

what crossover settings did you use for the JL, and for the front?, what amp did you use with the JL? did you use any form of remote gain control?


As far as packaged solutions go, OEM+ takes the guess work out, which is HUGE. for example with a custom setup, crossovers, how loud do you want to play your music overall? do you want the sub to have more presence in the 50~80 hz Ranges and less in the mid bass range (use a steeper slope) or would you like it to blend more into the midbass range, and perhaps lower in the 50-80 hz range, (use a shallower slope and less gain, also consider a crossover gap upto 2x the LPF for your sub so maybe 50\-12db lpf, and 100\-12 HPF) TIme alignment is a thing too, do you like your sound more right in front of you, or more in the middle of the car?


OEM+ gives you the advantage, and disadvantage, of making all these decisions for you to meet a sound profile that users are looking for without having to figure it out themselves. You've already invested a lot in the equipment you have, I would suggest reading a but more on how to use it. DIY mobile audio is a good forum, and sonic electronics and crutchfield have great articles on how to use all your system parts to make a system.




That said, OEM+ is the most popular for a reason, the installation is clean, and they sell you a system that works without all the work of making it sound like this, or like that. they will also customize their dsp to your headunit as I understand it.


disclaimer: I have never owned an OEM+ system, nor am I in anyway affiliated with them, I'm just a forum troll.

[Chimera]

Originally Posted by reynierpm

Let's start taking about what I've changed in my car so you get a full idea: everything!

Meaning:
- Stock Head Unit replaced by: Sony XAV-AX100
- Dash Tweeters + Front Door: JL Audio C5-650
- Dash Middle:Kicker 43DSC3504
- Rear: Pioneer TS-G1045R
- Amp: Pioneer GM-D9605

If it's not the best choice or setup don't blame me at all (not a music or sound expert) just wanted something better than stock sound.

Now, regarding the subwoofer I decided to go with the JL Stealthbox and after two days I'd to return it. Why? It's really louder and my trunk is vibrating all the time, at the end the sound were worst that before. Also I use Spotify all the time and it wasn't helping to much since the bass changed between songs and then I need to go to the head unit and adjust the sound again because some times was so louder others was making the trunk vibrate. Knowing this I decide to return the box since I couldn't use at 100% and get a real good sound.

I am still interested in a subwoofer, so has any run into this issue before? If so what was the solution? How does OEM+ fix this issue? Did any had the chance to compare both sounds? I mean from JL and from OEM+?

If OEM is really good then I am willing to sell everything in less price even if it's completely new (no more than 2 weeks on my car) and go with OEM+ but I need to know for sure it will works.

Advice?

Also, I see you're in FL, if you're ever coming through ATL, send me a PM, I can try to help you get your stuff tuned in if that's something you'd be interest in.

[reynierpm]

Originally Posted by Chimera

what crossover settings did you use for the JL, and for the front?, what amp did you use with the JL? did you use any form of remote gain control?

Do you mean at head unit level? Or wiring level? Or what? Again sorry for my ignorace about your question. If it's the head unit I can take a pic and upload later on.

Originally Posted by Chimera

As far as packaged solutions go, OEM+ takes the guess work out, which is HUGE. for example with a custom setup, crossovers, how loud do you want to play your music overall? do you want the sub to have more presence in the 50~80 hz Ranges and less in the mid bass range (use a steeper slope) or would you like it to blend more into the midbass range, and perhaps lower in the 50-80 hz range, (use a shallower slope and less gain, also consider a crossover gap upto 2x the LPF for your sub so maybe 50\-12db lpf, and 100\-12 HPF) TIme alignment is a thing too, do you like your sound more right in front of you, or more in the middle of the car?

I would like the sound on front of me but of course with a clean and not so louder bass. I mean the idea is to have the bass but without such vibration in my trunk which is insane. I'd to lower the head unit a lot to get something I could support on my ears.

Originally Posted by Chimera

OEM+ gives you the advantage, and disadvantage, of making all these decisions for you to meet a sound profile that users are looking for without having to figure it out themselves. You've already invested a lot in the equipment you have, I would suggest reading a but more on how to use it. DIY mobile audio is a good forum, and sonic electronics and crutchfield have great articles on how to use all your system parts to make a system.

Ok, let me see what I can find for help me on this one but the sub is gone now. I already return it.

Originally Posted by Chimera

That said, OEM+ is the most popular for a reason, the installation is clean, and they sell you a system that works without all the work of making it sound like this, or like that. they will also customize their dsp to your headunit as I understand it.

If I can get what I have to work as I wish and like then I will not get rid of nothing, as you said is a "lot" of money but if I can't for sure I'll be selling this and getting something I do like more.

It'll be a challenge to me if I need to explain OEM how do I like the audio because I am a native Spanish speaker lol

[reynierpm]

Originally Posted by Chimera

Also, I see you're in FL, if you're ever coming through ATL, send me a PM, I can try to help you get your stuff tuned in if that's something you'd be interest in.

I'll let you know thank you in advance

[Chimera]

Originally Posted by reynierpm

Do you mean at head unit level? Or wiring level? Or what? Again sorry for my ignorace about your question. If it's the head unit I can take a pic and upload later on.



I would like the sound on front of me but of course with a clean and not so louder bass. I mean the idea is to have the bass but without such vibration in my trunk which is insane. I'd to lower the head unit a lot to get something I could support on my ears.



Ok, let me see what I can find for help me on this one but the sub is gone now. I already return it.



If I can get what I have to work as I wish and like then I will not get rid of nothing, as you said is a "lot" of money but if I can't for sure I'll be selling this and getting something I do like more.

It'll be a challenge to me if I need to explain OEM how do I like the audio because I am a native Spanish speaker lol

Try giving them a call, a PM, or an email.
I'm sure they'd be happy to work with you and earn your business and I think you might be happier with the results in the end.