What I was meaning with the badge is, say I got oem rs system number 3 for my tc, if would be cool to have badge say 3 of 25 for rs tc 78. Making the badge customized to match my rs vehicle number.

 

Like the 25 people that order rs oem system have their own rs vehicle numbers on it, made when ordered

 

OEM Audio Plus only posted limited specifications for their amps being impedance and RMS. They have yet to post any specifications for their speakers or add additional specs for their amps. They probably shouldn't have posted any specs at all since their focus is towards the ignorant shopper just like Bose.

Also, just because a cone is made out of carbon fiber doesn't mean it's actually good. You can replace the paper cone on the stock speakers with carbon fiber and they will still sound just as bad as with paper. I can assure you the speakers I use are of good quality even though they aren't made of carbon fiber. You can look at the full specifications of my speakers as well as be assured they aren't overrating themselves since these are highly reputable companies with car audio history beyond 20 years. I can even reference some high priced home speakers that are high quality and aren't sugarcoated with the selling point of carbon fiber cone construction.

How about instead we try to make a real apples to apples comparison and first find out what these OEM speakers are capable of instead of just using random carbon designed speakers off those sites as a price comparison?

For all you know, the speakers you linked will have a higher frequency response capability than OEM Audio+ or higher SNR or RMS etc etc. Nor can you use the provided amp specs and 'assume' OEM Audio+ speakers are rated at the RMS of the amps provided on their site.

 

oblivionlord needs a cookie

 

I like cookies...

 

haha but really...what else is there to say that hasnt already been said?

we all know oblivionlord just hates OEM Audio+...but why really? because they dont show the full specs? because it is expensive? maybe they picked on him when he was a kid i dont know...

it is (and has been said for a long time) that the Reference 400CF (as well as their other reference systems for the xB and iQ) have all the research and backing og being a really good complete system, but it is clearly not for those thinkers that want everything to the point adjusted exactly how they want it. if you want the whole capability to tweak every little thing...then no dont spend the $$ on their product. but if you are one of those people that want better sound and dont know how or dont want to do all the research on getting what components and then taking the time to adjust it...then this is for you, since they have done all that work for you.

but to continually say that their system sucks...why? because it doesnt! does it sound terrible? NO. is it something that will break your car? NO. will it cause all the cookies in the world to be burnt? probably not. So while the system is for some and not for others...there is no denying that is still a really good system. the install is great on the car and easy for the average DIY-er. the components are all good quality. but even if you dont know all of that...once you hear it you know that the sound is just so clean, crisp, and clear.

keep in mind they are saying it is an upgrade to the factory system. while stock is good...there are a lot of faults and this system is here to fix them. thats why they are an official add-on option by Scion.

 

"there is no denying that is still a really good system."

Outside of tinkering which i can understand some people just don't have the desire to do or are incapable of, there is still the fact that unless there are technical specifications on paper then all your doing is going off of subjective opinions on what sounds good. You may have heard the system in a car and say that it sounds 'good' meanwhile it may not sound good to someone else.

Now I'm not talking about companies that shortchange their hardware and sugarcoat their specs on paper like Boss and Jensen. I'm talking about well known companies that can back up their claims.

Then again, regardless what things look like on paper, there are also those that are just biased to what they like.

For example.. Try proving to someone that absolutely adores BOSE that their system is horrible compared to OEM Audio+. Neither company gives out all the specs to determine what the true capabilities are with their speakers to say for a 'fact' who can outperform who.

 

yes that is established.

however i'm not saying that either system is horrible. i am not hating on ANY system to be exact. i'm just saying that the OEM Audio + Reference 400CF for the 2nd Generation Scion tC is a good system. this is according specifically to my ears, but i do know that many other would agree with me.

 

for those that want to hear their system but cant make it to car meets??

The Reference 400CF for the Scion tC is now available for listening evaluations at the following Scion dealerships:
• Longo Scion / El Monte, CA -http://www.longoscion.com/index.htm
• Bernardi Scion / Framingham, MA -http://www.bernardiscion.com/
• All Star Toyota / Barton Rouge, LA -http://www.allstarscionofbatonrouge.com/
Hear it for yourself!!

 

hmmm.... 3 hour road trip next weekend! Need to hear for myself so I can tell KJ or OL where to stick it!

 

Is that so? How about afterwards you take a road trip to see me in FL and I'll immerse you with something even better.

 

Hell man, I've dropped more than 1400 on some high end amps in the systems I have built over the years. Talking about a big dick competition. Seems like a cool idea to work with the OEM stuff to me.

You want high end Audio try butler, focal, McIntosh or whatever. Then to tune it all is a headache. Looks like they take a lot of guesswork out of the equation.

9 out of 10 after market systems out there are hack job thrown together distortion rich crap systems. A set of true high end speakers can run you 1400 bucks. A 600 dollar system is going to sound just like that. A 600 system.

 

With the right tuning I can make the $600 shine to the point you wouldn't notice any difference incomparison to the supposedly $1400 system.

Tuning is all subjective. I personally would rather have the freedom to do it on my own.

 

Having worked in the audio industry for quite some time it's pretty simple. No you cannot get a 600 system to outshine a 1400 system. You may think you can, but once you actually work with high end equipment you'll soon learn the errors of your way.

No put together system will be able to re-create sound like matched system, ever. Most of the amplifiers you get off the shelves are junk, regardless the writing on the box. 90% of the performance measures on the vast majority of audio equipment is false.

You get what you pay for period. There is no way around that.

 

Sure…but if you can get the same components for $800 and put them together yourself, you’ve just saved $600. I think the real question should be, “Are you getting $800 worth of sound system for that $1400 of OEM Audio +?” Or, are you really getting $1400 worth of sound?

 

don't forget you have to include the costs of tuning the system...in which OEM+ did on a professional level that is specifically tuned to the specs of the tC2

they used a combination of professional they employe as well as flying in other well knowns from other parts of the country to get it perfected

 

I don't care how much you want to sugarcoat the whole act of tuning by professionals. There really is nothing OA+ is going to do anymore than me or anyone else can do that's heavy in this hobby when the acoustics in this car are naturally horrible. You'd have to do some real customizing to the panels so you can get an 'equal' effect from the speakers to where the listener is sitting inorder to make any real audible difference. Even at that point you'd still have the issue with road noise while driving unless your method for only listening to car audio involves sitting out in a quiet field with the least amount of ambient noise possible. Just saying

If there was anything at all done by OA+, then the majority of it is more than likely at amp level with some contained firmware with a preset suited for the acoustics to this particular TC2 making it act as if it was some sort of preamp in a way. Kind of the same analogy as selecting the TC mode on the Premium Alpine deck unit. However, to take advantage of this so-called 'tuning', you'd have to disable all sound alternating processes which includes setting the EQ on a flat band. In any case, I highly doubt this is what they doing nor are their custom amps even that sophisticated enough to even perform such an act on their own without a preamp of some sort.

Furthermore to even add wood to the fire on my point... when you select "Order Now" on their website, they ask what specific deck unit you have in your TC2. From the looks of it, it appears that they only tune around the Stock/Premium deck units from the factory. This is very possible since they have a solid guide to base their system around since every TC2 will come with these particular deck units. However, this throws up a big red flag to me because if their system was really 'tuned' for this vehicle then their hardware would be capable of making a difference on its own without the requirement of being tuned around a deck unit. If you get down to things and really think about it then exactly what is involved with their tuning? If the extent of their tuning is based around stock/Premium OEM units from the factory then that is a great limiting factor in their credibility. Yes they do have the option of "Don't see my radio listed!" to probably tune around an aftermarket unit, but the likelihood of that being the case is really slim to none since this adds to their cost taking away from profit because they may not even have the test unit you have in question to even tune around.

The overall quality will be limited by the deck unit. The Stock/Premium deck units are garbage.

My guess is that they are just using decent quality amps with no special sound processing capabilities that probably sound no different than a good quality amp off the shelf that anyone can buy from reputable companies.

The big question here is.... Can you buy the full package and install it yourself or are you forced to have a dealership install it for you?

 

How long is this going to go on? Obviously this isn't a product for people who like to customize they're audio systems like myself and a lot of people on here. This is just like bose from gm. It's an upgrade from stock that the average Joe would be happy with.

I don't get why people keep going on and on talking it down and saying they can do better for cheaper. Every manufacturer has their upgraded stock system, most more expensive than this. It's not for everyone, but for some people on here, its a great system with no thinking, audio knowledge or tuning neccesary

 

yes, but not everyone is like you nor is heavy in this hobby...

outside noise will always be a varying factor for any system...custom or prebuild...theirs or anyone elses...

Remember...this is a FACTORY UPGRADE SYSTEM...meaning it is meant to be an upgrade with FACTORY UNITS....it is also the easiest to do R&D because many tC owners will have FACTORY UNITS....
they do go to the next level by acknowledging that the tC community is interested in aftermarket units...in which they can do some additional R&D on other aftermarket units. but for now will be on a case-by-case basis (why tune the system for a JVC radio if no one with a tC2 that wants the system has a JVC?)
but they have for a fact done some testing aftermarket units...i was there IN PERSON when they did R&D of their system with the Pioneer AVH-4300DVD

wrong.

yes you can buy the full package and install it yourself...it clearly says it on their website and why the have a DIY guide posted for DIYers to follow....

agreed. i've been saying (and resaying) it all continously....i'm not trying to get into a debate. i'm just answering questions. the only issue i have with (person that shall not be named) is their continual encroachment on the OEM+ system. there is nothing on the system to say it is a bad system...but (person that shall not be named) somehow claims it is without even hearing it for themselves....



------------
tell me....if it is such a bad system....why do some reputable players in the auto industry say the system is a good system?

for those that have not heard the system and are in doubt based on the comments in this thread...think about it:
who would you trust...Scion accepting the OEM+ system as part of their accessories department (other companies that have made it: TRD, 5Axis)...or (person that shall not be named) ?

 

Custom CAN go the extra length to reduce road noise by adding sound dampening material.

If this is the case then it's nothing more than a basic amp which proves my point that they are tuning 'around' deck units. This proves that their system doesn't act on it's own with preamp'like functions. Therefore there is nothing that is really all that special about their system that any custom installer can't do on their own with the right equipment to 'tune' around.

Furthermore we both recognized that the factory deck units are garbage which is why we replaced ours. The source is what mainly determines the overall quality of sound. Clearly anyone willing to spend $1400 isn't foolish enough to believe that the Stock deck unit is all that's required for optimum sound. The cost for them to dwell within tuning around many various aftermarket deck units will only stretch so far since it's not cost efficient for them. They probably used 4300 as an example simply because it's quite appealing as of now for this vehicle amongst the community. If I installed an Alpine INA-W910, what are the chances that they will spend out of pocket $1.2k out of their pockets to tune on my behalf if I was willing to buy their system?

Prove me wrong with ALL the specifications to their hardware. You nor anyone else have yet to do this since the information isn't available. What they do include on their website are basic specifications which don't tell the full story.

If I were to hire a custom installer to do all the basic installation that I did myself then it would still come out cheaper in the end by $400 overall if I was only charged $400 for labor. I think that's a pricy figure since I didn't do anything really all that custom except bolt 2 amps under the seats. I will still bet money that my system will sound just as good.

When have you ever heard Bose get talked down by JVC, Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony etc etc etc. It's simply not good business practice regardless how it sounds to them.

Just because someone has a name brand doesn't always mean it's going to be assured quality. Take the Alpine unit that comes with the Premium package. Although Alpine is a big hitter in this industry, you can't tell me that this particular deck unit is worth $400 vs the cost of the 4300. I went from the Alpine to the non-LCD display Pioneer since I was aiming for the better sound quality. The Alpine unit can't compare.