OEM Audio Plus 500Q Reference - System Review in a 2019 4Runner

niadh0

Member
**** BTW I am getting errors in uploading pictures so I will post the pics later in this thread ******

I bought an OEM Audio Plus 500Q Reference system a few months ago with all speakers, amp, and a custom subwoofer made just for the 2010-2019 4Runners. I had first installed in my 2011 Canadian Trail 4Runner which did not come with any JBL radio. I followed all video instructions from OEM Audio Plus and installed it without any issues, enjoyed it for a couple fo months…. before I came across a 2019 VooDoo Pro that I could not pass. I also came to know that the Canadian Pro did not come with the factory JBL Audio. At first I was a bit disappointed because I prefer to keep it all stock…..but that was momentary as I already had the OEM+ setup which blends in under the seat and keeps the stock look. I am kind of glad now that Toyota Canada did not include JBL in the 2019 Pro because otherwise the MSRP would have been at least $3K more… like the US Pro model.

There are Three distinct advantages for choosing OEM Audio Plus 500Q Reference…..

(1) Sound Quality. In short, it is ten times better than my my wife’s Runners’ JBL system. The experience is almost identical (within the 4Runner confines) to listening to the hi-Res audio on a two channel setup in my house. The sound is crisp and clear, the lows are well balanced with mids/highs and gives the full body to the sound tracks as intended. if you are crazy after just a ton of low frequencies to shake your butt then you should contact OEM+ as they might have an option to add a second sub. Ideally I would have gone for the Sony hi-Res ES deck but the deck alone comes for $2K+ and I would have to remove the stock setup. Besides the supreme sound quality, you can keep your stock looks and wiring etc. The DIY job is so simple. I am attaching some pics. My wife thought I was really crazy to open a brand new car….but really the install is very very simple with a couple of right trim tools. I am like a pro now… after installing it in 2011, removing it from 2011, and re-installing it in 2019.

(2) Customer Service: Daniel La Blanc and the full staff of OEM + is super knowledgable and passionate about their product line up. I must say that they are committed to get the intended performance out of their product after the install. You may wonder how do they achieve that? see #3 for that. I dropped one of the speakers and damaged it a bit while the 2011 removal. When i contacted OEM+ they were very helpful in getting me a replacement…. and not only the replacement, but they practically stood next to me until after the install was done successfully and the system was tuned optimally. A+++ for the customer service.

(3) Product technology: Toyota must have changed something in so many years. I jumped from 2011 to 2019 runner and I noticed that the volume level after connecting OEM+ setup was a bit lower and I felt as if I had lost some low frequencies. When I mentioned this to Daniel, he right away give me a series of very simple steps to upgrade the firmware of the unit and load the latest optimal tuning file to the 500Q unit. it took me a couple of simple steps to perform the upgrade using a computer…. and wow the system now performs better than it ever did before.

I use a Fiio Hi-Res portable player to load my high quality media files and connect the player to the AUX input of the Runner. This sound quality is far superior using the OEM Audio +. I had played the same Hi-Res player before the OEM+ install and it sounded like an off-air FM radio station using the stock setup. In fact any source (spotify over bluetooth, AM, FM, XM) that played in the stock setup significantly improved with the OEM+. I just had to mentioned the Hi-Res part more because the net gain in this source was simply out-sanding… .the point here is that OEM+ was the new component added to achieve this quality sound. Stock is just dull regardless of the type of source.

So the final question many of you would have is the price of the OEM+. yes it is steep a bit but if you really know what you want out of a music system then look no further. You get what you pay for…. Quality Sound, unmatched customer service, and superb product tune-ability. This is a very carefully tuned setup by many experts at OEM+ (you will know when you talk to them)…. And it does NOT tear apart you runner with distorting ultra low frequencies and/or screeching high frequencies with spiked mids. Choice of sounds quality and ow much you want to spend on it really depends on your taste… so be your own judge and decide on what you want to spend on…. at least find someone to audition this system if you are struggling with a decision. OEM Audio Plus gives a ton of value for your money.

…. after all there is a reason why you drive a 4Runner over any other new car that comes with a ton of bells&whistles. i don't really care for the toyota lane assist and safety sense in a runner but the music system need to be top quality... so this was it for me.

https://oemaudioplus.com/toyota/4runner/
 
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**** BTW I am getting errors in uploading pictures so I will post the pics later in this thread ******

I bought an OEM Audio Plus 500Q Reference system a few months ago with all speakers, amp, and a custom subwoofer made just for the 2010-2019 4Runners. I had first installed in my 2011 Canadian Trail 4Runner which did not come with any JBL radio. I followed all video instructions from OEM Audio Plus and installed it without any issues, enjoyed it for a couple fo months…. before I came across a 2019 VooDoo Pro that I could not pass. I also came to know that the Canadian Pro did not come with the factory JBL Audio. At first I was a bit disappointed because I prefer to keep it all stock…..but that was momentary as I already had the OEM+ setup which blends in under the seat and keeps the stock look. I am kind of glad now that Toyota Canada did not include JBL in the 2019 Pro because otherwise the MSRP would have been at least $3K more… like the US Pro model.

There are Three distinct advantages for choosing OEM Audio Plus 500Q Reference…..

(1) Sound Quality. In short, it is ten times better than my my wife’s Runners’ JBL system. The experience is almost identical (within the 4Runner confines) to listening to the hi-Res audio on a two channel setup in my house. The sound is crisp and clear, the lows are well balanced with mids/highs and gives the full body to the sound tracks as intended. if you are crazy after just a ton of low frequencies to shake your butt then you should contact OEM+ as they might have an option to add a second sub. Ideally I would have gone for the Sony hi-Res ES deck but the deck alone comes for $2K+ and I would have to remove the stock setup. Besides the supreme sound quality, you can keep your stock looks and wiring etc. The DIY job is so simple. I am attaching some pics. My wife thought I was really crazy to open a brand new car….but really the install is very very simple with a couple of right trim tools. I am like a pro now… after installing it in 2011, removing it from 2011, and re-installing it in 2019.

(2) Customer Service: Daniel La Blanc and the full staff of OEM + is super knowledgable and passionate about their product line up. I must say that they are committed to get the intended performance out of their product after the install. You may wonder how do they achieve that? see #3 for that. I dropped one of the speakers and damaged it a bit while the 2011 removal. When i contacted OEM+ they were very helpful in getting me a replacement…. and not only the replacement, but they practically stood next to me until after the install was done successfully and the system was tuned optimally. A+++ for the customer service.

(3) Product technology: Toyota must have changed something in so many years. I jumped from 2011 to 2019 runner and I noticed that the volume level after connecting OEM+ setup was a bit lower and I felt as if I had lost some low frequencies. When I mentioned this to Daniel, he right away give me a series of very simple steps to upgrade the firmware of the unit and load the latest optimal tuning file to the 500Q unit. it took me a couple of simple steps to perform the upgrade using a computer…. and wow the system now performs better than it ever did before.

I use a Fiio Hi-Res portable player to load my high quality media files and connect the player to the AUX input of the Runner. This sound quality is far superior using the OEM Audio +. I had played the same Hi-Res player before the OEM+ install and it sounded like an off-air FM radio station using the stock setup. In fact any source (spotify over bluetooth, AM, FM, XM) that played in the stock setup significantly improved with the OEM+. I just had to mentioned the Hi-Res part more because the net gain in this source was simply out-sanding… .the point here is that OEM+ was the new component added to achieve this quality sound. Stock is just dull regardless of the type of source.

So the final question many of you would have is the price of the OEM+. yes it is steep a bit but if you really know what you want out of a music system then look no further. You get what you pay for…. Quality Sound, unmatched customer service, and superb product tune-ability. This is a very carefully tuned setup by many experts at OEM+ (you will know when you talk to them)…. And it does NOT tear apart you runner with distorting ultra low frequencies and/or screeching high frequencies with spiked mids. Choice of sounds quality and ow much you want to spend on it really depends on your taste… so be your own judge and decide on what you want to spend on…. at least find someone to audition this system if you are struggling with a decision. OEM Audio Plus gives a ton of value for your money.

…. after all there is a reason why you drive a 4Runner over any other new car that comes with a ton of bells&whistles. i don't really care for the toyota lane assist and safety sense in a runner but the music system need to be top quality... so this was it for me.

https://oemaudioplus.com/toyota/4runner/

In regard to #3, can you share what you did to upgrade? I think several of us have wondered about the same thing...
 
In regard to #3, can you share what you did to upgrade? I think several of us have wondered about the same thing...

I can certainly share the software and files I received from Daniel @ OEM+; however it would be best if you contact him directly and get a specific file that is targeted for your model. I have a black 500Q Reference model. Just let me know. OEM will stand behind what they supply whereas what I share would be a second hand material and I obviously can not support if you run into any difficulty. I must tell you that the whole process was very simple. Steps 1, 2, 3 using a windows computer and a mini-USB cable attached to the OEM+ amp. Let me know what you prefer.

thanks.
 
Did you add any vehicle treatments while you were mucking about the interior? :banana:

no i did not. i thought of adding sound damping on the door panels last minutes but got lazy to find a good quantity on a deal... so i saved that for a later date. is that what you mean by treatment?
 
no i did not. i thought of adding sound damping on the door panels last minutes but got lazy to find a good quantity on a deal... so i saved that for a later date. is that what you mean by treatment?

So where is OEM plus located?
 
Has anyone run into issues with their OEM Audio + system not working after installing HID low beams? For some background, I installed their system with no issues. Had it working great for a few weeks. And just recently, I installed the XenonDepot HID Xtreme lights for my low beams, but after reengaging the battery, my system no longer had sound. Anyone experience this or similar issue before?
 
Thanks for the review. I've looked at their stuff for my 4Runner but just get over the sticker shock at the moment. But I do understand value for your money. I've got some big ticket items ahead of it but I will probably do it in the future. First the Fox lift and tires, then the bumper and winch, so maybe after those.

When I worked at Toyota many years ago we did of couple of OEM+ system upgrades in the Scions and I was pretty impressed with them. Thanks again.
 
Great review. I hope they do something for the 4th gen but doubtful because the interest probably isn't there. I was following OEM+ back when they had a crazy 2300 dollar setup for the BRZ that came with 2 subs. I think they only made like ten of those setups. I was going to get one but ended up with a Type R instead of the BRZ.
 
Has anyone run into issues with their OEM Audio + system not working after installing HID low beams? For some background, I installed their system with no issues. Had it working great for a few weeks. And just recently, I installed the XenonDepot HID Xtreme lights for my low beams, but after reengaging the battery, my system no longer had sound. Anyone experience this or similar issue before?

Did you check the radio fuses?
 
Did you check the radio fuses?



Yep. Fuse is intact. Checked my wiring and butt connections to make sure I didn’t screw anything up and that power was going to amp too. All those things seem fine. Thinking maybe something is wrong with the amp?

Daniel from OEM+ is a bit stumped too but is working with me to try and figure out what’s up. Open to any other ideas since I’m not technical or proficient on this sort of stuff at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Did you disconnect the main power at the battery while doing the HID install? Have you checked ALL of your fuses? You have a factory fuse for radio headunit, You should have a fuse at the battery for the OEM+ Amp, and you may also have a fuse at the amp in the wiring or actually plugged into the amp itself. Have you checked with a volt meter / test light to see if you actually have 12V+ at the amp and also check for 12V on the remote turn on at the amp? Just some things to look over. Good luck.
 
I did disconnect the main power to the battery while installing the HID. I definitely checked the fuse at the battery for the OEM+ amp and that looked solid. I didn't check other fuses, but my current workaround (to avoid driving in complete silence every day) is to reconnect to the factory wiring so bypassing the amp and I'm getting sound just fine. So my guess is the factory fuses are all good. I did check with volt meter to make sure power wire that came with the kit was delivering 12V to the amp which is why I'm thinking something is off with the amp itself. Still waiting to hear from OEM+ best way to troubleshoot....
 
I do not mean to hijack this thread, but is there anyone reading this who has this system AND is in the STL market? I would love to compare the two as I try to convince my wife that we can save up the money to get this system.
 
Has anyone run into issues with their OEM Audio + system not working after installing HID low beams? For some background, I installed their system with no issues. Had it working great for a few weeks. And just recently, I installed the XenonDepot HID Xtreme lights for my low beams, but after reengaging the battery, my system no longer had sound. Anyone experience this or similar issue before?

Curious if this was ever resolved. I am planning on ordering this System, but know I will be upgrading my lights in the not-so-distant-future.
 

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