yeah his factory system was "upgraded" to another factory system. anything offered from the factory is called a stock system. anything that you install after is called modified or aftermarket.

 

I've got the stock Sync system in my XLT ($320us) and if you think the Sony's are bad, you should hear mine.

 

While I side with it being a stock system perhaps "factory" is the correct term to settle the matter for both parties. Can we just get along and figure out the modest upgrades to put on my list of things to do to a truck I don't even own yet?!?!

 

If it's from the factory, I consider it stock too. Hell, anything from Sony might as well be stock. It's better then the earlier premium systems, and it would be different if we were talking about Audi's or Mercedes that come with Bose or Bowers and Wilkins systems as a factory option. Let's not confuse stock for base and upgraded/premium.

I've got the base single CD system with Sirius in my XLT EB, and while I'm happy with the HU, the speakers are still complete garbage. Paper cones in speakers should have been outlawed a decade ago, frankly. The highs are ok, but the mids are weak and the lows sound like someone dumped mud into the doors. As soon as the new Alpine SPR-68's hit the market, those suckers are going bye bye. Just going to change the fronts out for now, and then when it warms up I'll move the 68's to the back and add a nice set of comps when I install a sound processor and decent amp to power them. Haven't decided on a sub. I'm not in love with the boxes that are on the market, as they stick out way too far into the footwell in my opinion, so I might build something simple to fit under the passenger side rear seat. A single low profile 10" is more than enough for my needs, and I've yet to come across something like this pre-built.

 

I'm very dissapointed by the sound system in my 11 FX4. It has the premium 6 CD that's included as part of the FX Lux package and to my aging ears. It sounds muddy. I really liked the sound my 07 Audiophile system offered but the 11 leaves a lot to be desired.

I've not looked at sound system upgrades in a good 20 years, so I have no clue where to even start. I might look at speakers because I like the features the rest of the system offers. I don't want to screw with that stuff.

 

I'm right there with ya. I have the sony nav system and I would expect that it would perform better than what it does. I can max it out and I don't think it is that loud and the clarity could be a bit better.

 

I removed my factory Ford - 25W speakers and installed four new Kenwood KFC-6879ie speakers, two Metra Ballistic speaker sound deadener kits and Metra speaker connector's two weeks ago. I purchased everything from Amazon and the total was under $130.

The sound is a lot cleaner and has better bass response than the factory dual cone paper speakers. I may eventually upgrade the system with a Kenwood AMP.

Not a bad way to go if you need an improvement from the factory HU.

 

My 08 F150 premium system sounded better than my '11 premium sound. I don't know if it is the new cab configuration or the actual speakers.

2 things I do like,

1.New truck has no rattles as loud as I turn it up
2.The sub does not seem to wash everything out when turned up like my 08 did

 

Is the '11 sound system you have basically the same as the
Nav system? Just trying to get an idea if the nav system will be at least on par with my current audiophile 6 disc.

 

You are not going to get a good sound out of any of Ford's stock sound systems. None of them are going to give you the quality you seek, if you are seeking a quality sound. I listened to them all, and decided the cheap route, and added 4 JBL GTO8628 to replace the stock cheap door speakers. It's what I would call good from far, but far from good now, if ya know what I mean. The JBL's made a huge improvement over the stock paper cone junk, but the bulk of the problem lies in the head units, and skinny little wiring. Lucky for me, I'm no longer looking for the bone rattling punch, and I'm too frugal to waste money chasing the picture perfect sound.

The Sony speaker upgrade is not worth the money. They are overpriced, and a bit of a gimmick. Perhaps the only positive thing I can say, is that if you get the premium system with the sub on the floor (which eats valuable floor space), at least it is pre wired (again with the cheap skinny wires) for a better sub.

Bottom line, if you seek great sound, get a truck with the base, stock, FREE stereo, rip it out, throw it in the garbage, and open your wallet for some aftermarket quality. If you want "good enough is good enough" pick a "sub or no sub option" and replace the speakers. Sony is not known for their car audio quality.

I ordered mine with the cheap head unit, and spent a couple hundred on aftermarket door speakers. Mine sounds way better than any of the factory $800 premium upgraded sound. But that sub built into that $800 upgrade would be a nice addition to what I have now.

 

Thanks for posting some details. At least now I can go look at something without wondering where the heck to start.

 

last weekend i installed a full set of infinity kappa 682.9cf's and all i can say is that i am completely impressed with the change in my sound quality. notes are more distinct and speakers fit in the doors just fine no mods to make em work. gonna light em up with a small amp soon to brighten em up some more. my best suggestion i can make to you is to go to a store and start playing with whats on their wall to see what fits YOUR taste as to sound quality. thats what i did.

 

Check my photo album for a few install pictures. Make sure any speaker you install has atleast a 90db rating or higher and starts at 2 watts, not 6 or 10 watts. My Kenwoods are: two-way coaxial, 91 db, 2-55W RMS, 6x8" direct fit speakers.

I listen to mostly Classic and Hard Rock music on CD's, USB and MP3 with my SYNC system. The speaker response and sound is much improved over the factory dual-cone paper speakers. I immediately noticed an improvement after the Kenwood installation. Here is the link to my install write-up.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sp...wood-6x8s.html

 

I picked up my new truck on Monday. I have 2 sets of Polk DXi570's arriving today from Crutchfield. Saturday afternoon I will be digging into my doors for an upgrade.

I love the new truck but hate the sound. I have the standard 1 disk HU.

I will start with theses speakers for now with the factory HU. Down the road I plan on more mods.

---Nailer---

 

Hopefully someone like Metra will produce a harness that is completely plug and play so I can install a 4 channel Kenwood AMP. I refuse to cut or splice any of my factory harness .