OEM Audio Plus with Aftermarket Head Units

[Xtremluck]

So I've been enjoying my OEM Audio Plus Reference 500 system for many years now. However, I've finally gotten tired of the OEM head unit and want to replace it with a more modern setup. Right now it looks like an Alpine Halo 11 or Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX may be the ticket for me. One thing giving me pause is that the OEM Audio Plus setup is specifically tuned for an OEM headunit so I'm a bit concerned about a degradation in audio quality when switching to an aftermarket unit.

OEM+ claims they have DSP remaps for specific audio manufacturers but I'm a bit skeptical after seeing some posts of folks having a bad experience with their system after switching to an aftermarket setup. Anyone on here running an OEM+ setup with an aftermarket head unit? How has your experience been?

 

[Ripper238]

So I've been enjoying my OEM Audio Plus Reference 500 system for many years now. However, I've finally gotten tired of the OEM head unit and want to replace it with a more modern setup. Right now it looks like an Alpine Halo 11 or Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX may be the ticket for me. One thing giving me pause is that the OEM Audio Plus setup is specifically tuned for an OEM headunit so I'm a bit concerned about a degradation in audio quality when switching to an aftermarket unit.

OEM+ claims they have DSP remaps for specific audio manufacturers but I'm a bit skeptical after seeing some posts of folks having a bad experience with their system after switching to an aftermarket setup. Anyone on here running an OEM+ setup with an aftermarket head unit? How has your experience been?

If you switch to an aftermarket head unit set up it will be far superior to your OEM head unit set up. However it needs to be done right with new amps and speakers... The Audio Plus Reference 500 appears to have amps and speakers so it may work if it has low level inputs it can use from the new head unit, but going to premium components to match your head unit will always provide the best results.

I initially tried to keep my OEM head unit and upgrade everything else but the poor quality of the OEM head unit just brought the whole system down. I didn't use a OEM Audio Plus type option so i am not sure how it works and if it has the sensitivity (low level input) to work with a high end head unit like what you are looking at. I would think it should?

I currently run a Kenwood DMX head unit with Maestro Datalink, Alpine 6 channel amp and Alpine X/R speakers. Truly an incredible combo and sounds so much better than with the OEM head unit.

 

[michalik.piotr6837]

Call or email oem audio plus with all those questions, I’m curious as well. Been thinking about swapping my stock head unit for years…. Just not a priority.

 

[gakattack]

When we were buying the Reference 500 setup for ours, I vaguely remember there being an option to specify that an aftermarket HU would be used and that they would provide a different HU pigtail.

Worth giving them a call as michalik said above. I can't imagine that they wouldn't have a solution for going with an aftermarket HU. We're planning on doing something similar sometime next year

 

[Xtremluck]

When we were buying the Reference 500 setup for ours, I vaguely remember there being an option to specify that an aftermarket HU would be used and that they would provide a different HU pigtail.

Worth giving them a call as michalik said above. I can't imagine that they wouldn't have a solution for going with an aftermarket HU. We're planning on doing something similar sometime next year

Yup already talked to them directly and they mentioned they have reflashes for the DSP to handle the different head units. However I’ve read at least one customer who went aftermarket, reflashed their DSP and had subpar results. So I’m looking for folks who have real world experience doing this.


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[Whippersnapper02]

I’ve been running an aftermarket headunit from before I purchased the OEM Audio system. Never had any issues.

 

[Xtremluck]

I’ve been running an aftermarket headunit from before I purchased the OEM Audio system. Never had any issues.

Awesome, this is the feedback I was looking for. What head unit are you using? Im assuming they gave you a custom flash on your Digital Signal Processor?

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Awesome, this is the feedback I was looking for. What head unit are you using? Im assuming they gave you a custom flash on your Digital Signal Processor?

It was an old junk Pioneer DD headunit and now another slightly less junky but still pretty bad Pioneer floating screen. Yes they have calibrations for most brands but it's not anything you need to have for functionality. It basically adjusts the processor settings so the system measures to their specs.

 

[Padraic]

Awesome, this is the feedback I was looking for. What head unit are you using? Im assuming they gave you a custom flash on your Digital Signal Processor?

I have a Kenwood DDX9907XR HU with the OEM Audio+ speakers / sub and it works great. I did have them send me the dongle to update the DSP, but it kept the same setting as was programmed for the stock HU (I think it was setting 6 on the dongle). So there can't be too much of a difference if you decide to update the DSP or not.

 

[Ripper238]

All you need is for the OEM Audio+ to take line level inputs. Maybe that's what the flash update does, though unlikely.