Amen - my exact sentiments. This Sony system is crap...

 

i have noticed that on my 2011 sony system it starts dropping out also, my 2010 plat didnt seem to to that, i wonder if there was some change to the 2011 system??

 

I just traded in a '10 Platinum for an '11 Limited and I think there is a noticable difference. I'm not sure if they changed anything because it looks the same but it sounds different. Checked out an '11 Platinum and it sounded worse than my '10 as well.

 

This...
Comparing the stock system in this to other stock systems, it's one of the better ones I've heard. (not talking about ultra premium systems like you can get in an Audi/Lexus/BMW/etc)

Personally, maybe it's just me... But I like the stock stereo more than the Bose systems that come as the premium system in a lot of other cars. It's not crazy loud, its not audiophile quality, but it's decent.

Coming from a nice setup where I had JL Audio and Focal, it's not going to compare, but then again we're talking about a setup that costs a lot more money too. When it comes to audio, you really get what you pay for.

 

Last I checked, Ford's NAV unit is a $2,400 option. I bought a new Pioneer AVIC z110bt for less than $900, leaving me $1,500 to spend on the rest of my system. I'm sure I'll spend a bit more than that, but whatever I spend over $2,400 is the only true premium I've spent over the lousy Sony system in the truck. And, if I'm lucky, I'll be able to sell some of the stock stuff to recoup a small portion of the cost.

Having two close friends with complete aftermarket stereo systems in their trucks converted me. I just can't tolerate this stereo now that I've heard a nice, quality stereo in similar vehicles.

 

Yup the stock Sony system in my new F150 sounds better and goes way louder than the top of the line Chevy/Bose system I had in my VMax....

 

i miss the Boston acoustics sound system i had my 2010 Camaro SS/RS. It was pretty good for a stock system.

 

I came from an extended cab Sierra ('04) with Bose and want my old stereo back. And I have no love for Bose, they're overpriced, overrated, and overmarketed...but in a stock for stock comparison, it blows away the quality of my Raptor with Sony Nav. Hope to replace all speakers, amps, and sub soon.

Mine (and my brother's nearly identical truck) sound like the equalization is way off...like there's literally frequency gaps. I'm not upset about distortion or lack of volume, but it feels like a 3-yr old got hold of the equalizer. Bass/Treble/Fade adjustments don't make it better. As a result, I find some of my favorite music to be "unlistenable". Other music sounds decent. (And it's not an MP3 bitrate/encoding/quality issue).

It took me a few weeks of ownership to really realize how poor the audio quality was. I think I have a post in another thread saying I thought it was decent.

The audio quality is the only major let-down on this truck, but it really screws with my ability to enjoy it. Can't wait to get it corrected.

 

I consider it a pretty decent system for stock setup, definitely acceptable if not great. One comment regarding the cost, for $2400(retail) you get more than just a stereo. NAV, camera, moonroof, an interface to compass, outside temp, clock, climate controls, phone, etc. And HD radio too.

 

My truck has all of that, except NAV. Sure, I can't control my A/C on the screen with a digital button, but I'm quite ok turning the dial to adjust the temp and pressing a button to adjust the fan speed...

 

I really like having Nav, but IMO buttons are vastly superior to touch-screen interfaces in a vehicle. I have to push "Climate" and then "Dual" on the screen to turn off dual-climate mode. You just push one button. There are plenty of other scenarios just like that one.