My OEM Audio+ experience

[Racer-X]

I had though about the OEM Audio+ system for some time, but just couldn't justify the price. After the unpleasantness with my 2015 and the resulting settlement, I had plenty left over for the 450Q system and upgraded side speakers. I pulled the trigger during the black Friday sale and received the system on January 10th.

Installation started the following Saturday bright and early. Things were going well, but I started to notice that the printed instructions had some issues. I had downloaded the .pdf from their website since the photos in the printed one were hard to see. I began to notice that the web and printed documents didn't match, which caused some confusion. I then realized the instructions were having me do things I shouldn't be doing, like putting the side panels back on the car before I had installed the new speakers.

I got to the point of starting to install the harness, and followed the instructions to run the two connectors through the new cut in the truck panel. I moved on to the next few items, but began to read ahead since I didn't trust the instructions to be in the right order. At one point it has you plug in the two connectors into the amp, but then says to plug the other two into the sub as well! I thought this was odd since there were only two connectors at that end of the harness, but there were two suspicious connectors about six feet away at the end of a separate bundle of wires. I was less than pleased that the instructions didn't mention the second set of connectors until much later. It was time to call OEM, and Daniel was there to inform me after a few minutes that I had the wrong harness. He promised to overnight the correct one, but with MLK day, and it being Saturday at 10:30 am, there was no way I would get it by Sunday, let alone Monday. It showed up on Tuesday. I also noted that there were no instructions either included or on their website on how to install the upgraded side speakers. Apparently that documentation should have been included in my shipment but wasn't.

Fast forward to today, and I finally finished the installation. I've played around with the car and SSP settings, have been listening for some time; it certainly does sound better than the stock system, but I don't think I would do this again. The cost, for me, was too much for that difference in sound. This was essentially free money for me, so it wasn't hard to spend it.

I've redlined the instructions to indicate where I found out of order instructions, bad, conflicting, and just wrong info as well as some ideas I have to improve the instructions and sent them to Daniel. Hopefully they will update them for future customers.

I am grateful to Daniel for the prompt customer service, but I would not have needed any of his help if the right harness had been shipped out and the instructions were consistent/correct/more clear/etc.

[Eman]

That's funny, I got mine the same time and there was no harness in the box at all. I called and they sent me one in two days, even with the holiday. I will say I didn't have any problems with the instructions and I had the reference system with the replacement rear speakers.

I do like the sound and have been happy with it so far. I would suggest you give them a call if your not happy with it. If you got the wrong harness it's possible your system was tuned for the wrong car too. I understand from reading other posts that you can send them back the DSP and they will re-flash it for you.

I have installed full systems from scratch before and I have to say this was a lot easier to install thanks to the all in one wiring harness. All in all, in my opinion..... worth it. But that's just my experience.

Eman

[Racer-X]

Originally Posted by Eman

I will say I didn't have any problems with the instructions and I had the reference system with the replacement rear speakers.

My issues, for instance, was telling me to reinstall the side panels and seats on page 9, then telling me to install the speakers on page 14 which of course requires removing the panels.

Also, when it tells you to set up your radio, there are four head units listed, none of which were mine, the stock one from 2016. There are nine head units listed on OEM's web site, so you would think the instructions would list those as well.

In the addendum, it states that the wire closest to the face of the speaker is positive, which is true on the passenger side; however, on the driver's side the positive wire was furthest from the speaker face.

[Eman]

All true, I guess I just figured those issues were self explanatory. I also noted that they didn't give any instructions for my Kenwood so I gave them a call and asked about this. The answer was the same for my head unit as it was for the stock units which was essentially keep the EQ flat on the head unit and let the DSP do its job.

I guess maybe my expectations (as to the instructions) were lower than yours. On a side note they have some great installation videos which I found helpful.

Eman

[Racer-X]

Originally Posted by Eman

All true, I guess I just figured those issues we self explanatory.

Yes they are, at least to us. I would hope they would be to the OEM+ people as well. Alas they do not appear to be, which is why I redlined their documents with my suggestions.

[Twinz]

I too think they need to update the instructions but I looked over all the instructions before I got started and called them when I had a couple questions. The call should not have been needed, but when I needed to talk to them, they were there and very helpful.

As for the value proposition of this system, it was very much worth it to me, but I have been installing sound systems as a hobby for a long time. The old-instructions-issue was just a small blip in an otherwise straightforward and simple installation.

The sound quality from the system is so good that my wife went from skeptic to fan in 3 songs, and we ordered a second system for her 2015 the morning after she heard it in my 2016.....She's not even into sound systems and didn't like the idea of me spending the money on mine in the first place. (But that was before she heard it)