XLT stereo is terrible 🤨

[PDM33]

Well im 71 but my hearing as i said isnt the best and it’s probably most of the problem.i think im going to get som front speakers and give them a try.anyone know what size they are?

Front door speakers are 6.5"

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[KevCuRaoi]

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 thought that the sound quality was pretty bad in my XLT as well. Both radio and bluetooth audio. I tried music on USB drive.....so much better!! I originally thought that just the speakers were bad, but that's not it. Something with the radio/BT reception.
Try putting some music on USB drive....should be much improved! I don't use radio or BT audio any more.

 

[Gpp]

Well im using a usb drive so i think i will try another drive.you never know if that could be the problem.

 

[Red Ryder]

It sounds just fine to me, but if premium audio is what you're after, I understand it's pretty easy to upgrade the speakers and add a subwoofer.

True, but for me the magic is the Kicker Key 200.4, specifically the DSP.

I replaced all six speakers and added a sub, but the DSP and EQ that the Key 200.4 provides really made the system in my opinion. Adding premium speakers and not "feeding" them properly with an EQ curve they can use effectively will lessen their benefits. I can say with confidence that mid-grade speakers + (some brand of DSP) is superior to stock headunit + high-end speakers.

 

[Thagh0st]

Red Ryder is 100% right, with a cheaper component set and a cheap dsp will sound alot better then a high end component set and no dsp will.
You could still get a cheap dsp and get some drivers and tweeters individually from madisound and have a really good sound system cheap

 

[belmor]

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.

 

[Parabellum]

PowerBass OE65C-FD and added some sound deadening material while the panels were off.

You did this yourself or you paid a professional to do this and it was 120 WITH the sound deadening material?

 

[r100gs91]

There is also a sound setting where the audio can be changed to aim at the driver, that has improved my audio experience

It's like a whole new stereo when you switch to "driver focused" setting. Also fade out the crappy rear speakers. Mark on Savagegeese thinks that setting makes the radio play above it's price level. Change the bass to -2, the mids to +2 and treble to +4



go to 3:30

 

[r100gs91]

Well im 71 but my hearing as i said isnt the best and it’s probably most of the problem.i think im going to get som front speakers and give them a try.anyone know what size they are?

Have you switched to "Driver Focused" Mode?

 

[HalfFast]

I've read about the maverick stereo for months and how bad it is.

I thought "that's OK, glad it has an inexpensive sound system because I generally replace the sound system in all vehicles that I plan to keep."

If you spend a little time in the settings...driver focused, set the eq and either have good reception or a decent source it will sound ok for most people up to a medium high volume.

I was surprised at all the negativity after spending 15 minutes tuning it to my liking. Sure, it missing low end and some stuff that I've listened to for years on high end stereos is definitely lacking but I think it is passable for the price range of the vehicle.

That being said, I drive a lot and enjoy a concert every now and then so I am researching amps, component speakers and a subwoofer and will be installing with sound damping.

 

[Nu24d]

I expected it to be terrible due to all the youtube reviews I saw pre-purchase. I was pleasantly surprised how much better it was than my last car. It's not the best by any means but much better than some alternatives out there.

 

[Timothyd]

I thought that the sound quality was pretty bad in my XLT as well. Both radio and bluetooth audio. I tried music on USB drive.....so much better!! I originally thought that just the speakers were bad, but that's not it. Something with the radio/BT reception.
Try putting some music on USB drive....should be much improved! I don't use radio or BT audio any more.

I'm gonna have to convert all my old CDs to USB drives. Not so bad as I have already done a bunch. Perhaps that's what that little cubby is for.

 

[crgator]

I'm 71, with minor hearing loss and major tinnitus. Thanks to working on the flight line in the Air Force, too many years of listening to loud rock and roll, and a lot of time at the firing range (yes, I wear sound protection). I'm fine with the stereo in my XLT. So long as I get to listen to my music while driving I'm not too picky. Definitely not an audiophile. I will have to try the driver-focused settings though.

 

[jons]

PowerBass OE65C-FD and added some sound deadening material while the panels were off.

Can you please do a write-up? I would love to see the door covers off and where you applied the sound deadening materials. How much weight did that all add?

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