XLT stereo is terrible 🤨

[rclee]

Ah okay, running it through your phone. What issues are you having?

If you were to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which would require the phone to be plugged in, you could pull up the SiriusXM app on there. Then you'd be able to switch stations from the truck's touchscreen.

I tried that but it just so convenient with BT. The issue I have with the BT is that it will lose the connection and re-connect at random times. Not a huge deal as it connects in less than a minute and you do not lose where you were in the song or talk radio. It just picks up where it lost the signal. I can live with that.

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[jsus]

I tried that but it just so convenient with BT. The issue I have with the BT is that it will lose the connection and re-connect at random times. Not a huge deal as it connects in less than a minute and you do not lose where you were in the song or talk radio. It just picks up where it lost the signal. I can live with that.

No worries, you've got options for a reason.

 

[MavVa1024]

I'm late to this party. But I am a product specialist at Crutchfield, and just took delivery of my XLT with lux package. Our research team will be getting my truck in to their garage this coming week, and then in the next few months, we will be planning and executing a pretty extensive installation on the Maverick. The stock system actually surprised me, as everyone was talking about how bad it was. for a stock system in a 30k truck, I was actually impressed. Now, it isn't "great" which is where 'we' come in. So, while you wait to do your upgrades and/or wait for us to get the research down on what will fit and what wires are where. ... I'm not sure how you have your EQ set. Most people actually do the opposite of what you are supposed to do.

Most people will adjust an EQ curve to the shape of a "U". with the low and high frequencies boosted and the mids either flat or attenuated. This is inherently wrong. It should be the inverse. Without a sub, I'd have the low just above flat response, with the mids boosted, and then the highs... I like to put either flat or slightly attenuated. If you have hearing loss in the high range, a bit of a boost here may be needed. This will keep you bass punchy ( but not over driven and distorted), with clear vocals and a dynamic mid range, and keep your treble from bein overly bright and forward. IT should look like a lopsided upside down "U". 98% of people will hear a marked improvement with this EQ. Once you add a sub, you can then use something like an AudioControl LC2i to correct for any OEM bass roll-of, and then use the bass level remote of your amp to add the bass in to your liking.. I plan on going with a new amp, speakers, sub, sound deadening... all of it. Hopefully will get the ball rolling on that here soon!

 

[Pats-Celts]

I'm late to this party. But I am a product specialist at Crutchfield, and just took delivery of my XLT with lux package. Our research team will be getting my truck in to their garage this coming week, and then in the next few months, we will be planning and executing a pretty extensive installation on the Maverick. The stock system actually surprised me, as everyone was talking about how bad it was. for a stock system in a 30k truck, I was actually impressed. Now, it isn't "great" which is where 'we' come in. So, while you wait to do your upgrades and/or wait for us to get the research down on what will fit and what wires are where. ... I'm not sure how you have your EQ set. Most people actually do the opposite of what you are supposed to do.

Most people will adjust an EQ curve to the shape of a "U". with the low and high frequencies boosted and the mids either flat or attenuated. This is inherently wrong. It should be the inverse. Without a sub, I'd have the low just above flat response, with the mids boosted, and then the highs... I like to put either flat or slightly attenuated. If you have hearing loss in the high range, a bit of a boost here may be needed. This will keep you bass punchy ( but not over driven and distorted), with clear vocals and a dynamic mid range, and keep your treble from bein overly bright and forward. IT should look like a lopsided upside down "U". 98% of people will hear a marked improvement with this EQ. Once you add a sub, you can then use something like an AudioControl LC2i to correct for any OEM bass roll-of, and then use the bass level remote of your amp to add the bass in to your liking.. I plan on going with a new amp, speakers, sub, sound deadening... all of it. Hopefully will get the ball rolling on that here soon!

Wow, I didn’t realize Crutchfield was still around. I used to order from them in the 90’s.
I agree with the OP though, the XLT stereo is bad.

 

[Bigsarge]

Im old,hearing isnt great,but this stereo system in the xlt is terrible.bass and treble act like the more you try to improve it the worse it is.is it the radio or speakers that are the problem or the whole system.music is on a jump drive and sounds alot better on my wifes flex so thats not the problem.this is just terrible

I have the XLT Hybrid. Stereo is not great but adequate. I keep it low when driving. I'm sure that with this being the first model year that they will not give you all the bells and whistles right now. I retired from Mercedes and every body style change started the same way. Mostly basic stuff the first year and then add upgrades each year to entice new buyers. If there were no improvements, there would be a decline in sales year to year.

 

[Brsbill]

The radio is ok but USB-cable from cell sounds better

 

[PeteMaverick]

I have a Lariat and the stereo is terrific. Bang and Olufsen

 

[Reeder]

I'm 68 and have some hearing loss but it's fine on vol 7. You can adjust sound to front if you need more, but I'm fine with all 4 speakers. No-one said it was high end stereo, but its definitely not bad at all. Not sure what people expect for the price range of this vehicle. I could have got Hundai Tuscon for about $30-40,000 and had better stereo!!! No thanks.

 

[BILLNOROVILLE]

I don't mind the radio quality as at 74 my hearing is low on one side. I have also found that my downloaded music on my thumb drive seems to play better than the local FM stations so I use the usb drive mostly.

 

[Tirpitz]

I'm 62, worked in machine shops and an engine lab since 1980. To me, it sounds better than my 2014 C-Max SEL with the optional Sony sound system. I will say, depending on the range of hearing a person has lost, what sounds good to one might sound like garbage to another.
I listen to my music from my IPhone, maybe that helps

As an audiophile I have to say the stereo in the C-Max is probably about the worst modern car system I’ve heard, though I’ve hardly heard them all. We came close to buying one for my wife and I told her if we bought it we would have to do something about the stereo.

Glad to hear that the Maverick system is better than the C-Max!

 

[Tirpitz]

I'm late to this party. But I am a product specialist at Crutchfield, and just took delivery of my XLT with lux package. Our research team will be getting my truck in to their garage this coming week, and then in the next few months, we will be planning and executing a pretty extensive installation on the Maverick. The stock system actually surprised me, as everyone was talking about how bad it was. for a stock system in a 30k truck, I was actually impressed. Now, it isn't "great" which is where 'we' come in. So, while you wait to do your upgrades and/or wait for us to get the research down on what will fit and what wires are where. ... I'm not sure how you have your EQ set. Most people actually do the opposite of what you are supposed to do.

Most people will adjust an EQ curve to the shape of a "U". with the low and high frequencies boosted and the mids either flat or attenuated. This is inherently wrong. It should be the inverse. Without a sub, I'd have the low just above flat response, with the mids boosted, and then the highs... I like to put either flat or slightly attenuated. If you have hearing loss in the high range, a bit of a boost here may be needed. This will keep you bass punchy ( but not over driven and distorted), with clear vocals and a dynamic mid range, and keep your treble from bein overly bright and forward. IT should look like a lopsided upside down "U". 98% of people will hear a marked improvement with this EQ. Once you add a sub, you can then use something like an AudioControl LC2i to correct for any OEM bass roll-of, and then use the bass level remote of your amp to add the bass in to your liking.. I plan on going with a new amp, speakers, sub, sound deadening... all of it. Hopefully will get the ball rolling on that here soon!

Been waiting for Crutchfield to come up with something for the Maverick. I’ll be watching to see what they do to your truck. Haven’t got mine yet but I’ll want to live it with for a bit before deciding what, if anything, to improve on it. But based on what I’ve read I’ll probably be at least changing out the door speakers and tweeters.

 

[Mach 1]

Rclee, i run like you, dont want to plug in phone everytime i use truck, heres a tip about phone signal loss, sometimes you can hit play and it will start to play right away instead of clearing error on phone.

I think the radio is quite good. When i tore my mav apart i installed quite a bit of sound deadning mass mat and CCF. When i was in there i took the economic route and installed some Boss speakers in the front and rear. I run XM though the BT from phone.

Quality is now remarkable, i listen to a bunch of 60s rock, i didnt know it had bass in the 60s rock, damn. I was enlightened, i have never heard 60s sound this good. I can hear instruments and sounds i never heard before. All kinds of highs, tings, bells, whistles. Image and separation is exceptional.

 

[MavVa1024]

Rclee, i run like you, dont want to plug in phone everytime i use truck, heres a tip about phone signal loss, sometimes you can hit play and it will start to play right away instead of clearing error on phone.

I think the radio is quite good. When i tore my mav apart i installed quite a bit of sound deadning mass mat and CCF. When i was in there i took the economic route and installed some Boss speakers in the front and rear. I run XM though the BT from phone.

Quality is now remarkable, i listen to a bunch of 60s rock, i didnt know it had bass in the 60s rock, damn. I was enlightened, i have never heard 60s sound this good. I can hear instruments and sounds i never heard before. All kinds of highs, tings, bells, whistles. Image and separation is exceptional.

Wanna really hear the details? Subscribe to Tidal or Qobuz, and play it via android auto. Will put BT or Sirius ( double compressed via BT) to shame. I used to listen to satellite radio, but stuck to comedy, or talk shows as even my upper teir Spotify account has better resolution and quality. Sirius is a convenient choice though, so I get it.

 

[wreckedbam]

Mine has had all the speakers replaced and it still isn't great. Needs a sub bad. I've been hoping someone would come out with a system that fits without making huge modifications but no dice yet.

look up electronicsdepotfl on instagram Im talking about the area51 not the yellow one. They have done a couple mavericks. Really clean custom sub enclosure in blue cubby of back passenger seat.

 

[Mach 1]

MavVa, thx for tip, will check into. I m a round platter guy ol school, dont care much for compression, it started back in the age of digital.

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