Is the XLT AUDIO SYSTEM ADEQUATE?

[Aggie210]

Just was wondering what you guys would rate the standard audio system quality in the XLT?

How is the bass, quality of sound and overall experience?

 

[Meeker]

Well, I haven't spent a lot of time with it, but I would rate it as "good". Not "great" however. Warning: I'm not an audiophile and never will be...

It's better than the stereo in my 2006 Expedition Limited was - that was the stock unit with Navigation, which I think was the highest end unit available that year. That unit had a somewhat muffled sound, and it couldn't go much over half volume without distorting.

This one sounds cleaner. Note that the truck is much quieter so that might contribute to my perception. I do find the bass a bit strong but not really bad.

Compared to my wife's Mark Levinson in her Lexus HS250h - about 75% as good. The ML sounds clean and undistorted way way up in volume - you'll be surprised how loud you're listening to it when you stand outside...

I guess Ford had to leave room for the B&O in the top end models!

YMMV.

Oh, I'm only talking sound above. As far as I can tell, everything else (controls, display, radio, inputs, etc.) is top notch. Playing podcasts from my iPhone while using Apple Maps is great. Music as well. Haven't found anything to complain about, well, except maybe that when you're in the CarPlay screen, there's no button that explicitly brings you back to the Sync 3 menu. I just hit the equalizer button and go from there.

BTW, the Nav system is among the best built-in systems I've seen, although I've only used it twice so far.

 

[Scottorama]

I am not impressed with either the base or the B&O stereo. The B&O I listened to in my test Drive had what I would call a tinny sound. The sound is all there, it just feels like it is missing something in the mid range. I played around with the equalizer, but just couldn't get it sounding like I wanted it to.

Have not drove the Navigator yet to see what that system sound like, but someday I will if I can find one.

 

[dlcorbett]

I have not heard the base unit, but im sure its better than the base unit in 15-17 expys. The std and opt units in the 07 to 14 expys were both great. Coming from the thx unit in my 09 nav, the b&o unit is adequate, i wouldnt call it tinny, but more so flat. To me it doesnt distinguish sounds, it pushes the volume. Like all units, the media type determines the sound youll here. Cds still produce the best quality all around, bluetooth sound quality is pretty good depending on quality of your mp3 files. I like using my usb as well. The thx was one of the best systems ive ever hrd in a vehicle, if you look at old reviews, the same system was lauded in the mkx(i wasnt as heralded in the nav due to speaker placement i assume). My expy has a clearer sound and is much louder, the nav was better at sound isolation and distinction. The surround sound also felt more encompassing and dimensional, the expy is flat by comparison. The expy is quieter by a huge margin so it helps with the sound quality. I still like it, but the nav added emotion to the music that my expy just cant match. I drove in a nav with the base system, it was slightly better than the expy, but still seemed somewhat flat. I didnt get to play with it much and for long, so im sure it be better if i did. I bet the premium revel unit is great.

 

[JExpedition07]

My 07’ XLT with navigation has the “premium sound package” which I think was standard and it sounds great, very good sound and bass out of it for a stocker.

 

[dlcorbett]

I will say my b&o is comparable to my dads bose system in his escalade and the mark levinson in his jag xf.

 

[Paddler]

I don't understand why people pay for car audio upgrades. You can't really do much in the way of critical listening when the noise floor is 67dB or more. I have an excellent sound system in my home theater, where the noise floor with the projector fan on is 22dB. My XLT is due here this week, so I'll know more, but there's no way I'd pay more for any audio upgrade. Save your money for a nice home audio system.

 

[JExpedition07]

I don't understand why people pay for car audio upgrades. You can't really do much in the way of critical listening when the noise floor is 67dB or more. I have an excellent sound system in my home theater, where the noise floor with the projector fan on is 22dB. My XLT is due here this week, so I'll know more, but there's no way I'd pay more for any audio upgrade. Save you money for a nice home audio system.

My XLT performs better than my dads Lariat Sony Sound system in his 16’ SD so I think you’ll be fine.

 

[Paddler]

Yep, I'll be fine. No car audio will compare to my Oppo 103/Outlaw 973/Bryston 4B SST2/B&W 800D2s.

 

[dlcorbett]

I like listening to music on the road. even with the road noise, these systems still sound pretty good. Gives me more of a reason to get out and drive.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Do y’all think JSki is ok? He hasn’t chimed in telling us all how vastly superior the sound system is in his Gen3....I hope he’s alright.

(I’m just giving you a hard time JSki [emoji6])

 

[st381183]

Do y’all think JSki is ok? He hasn’t chimed in telling us all how vastly superior the sound system is in his Gen3....I hope he’s alright.

(I’m just giving you a hard time JSki [emoji6])

Don’t poke the bear!

 

[edizzle]

Yep, I'll be fine. No car audio will compare to my Oppo 103/Outlaw 973/Bryston 4B SST2/B&W 800D2s.

Now we are talking my language!! Shameless plug ahead!!

 

[edizzle]

not sure what happened to the links above but the are right clickable to open in new window.

 

[edizzle]

I don't understand why people pay for car audio upgrades. You can't really do much in the way of critical listening when the noise floor is 67dB or more. I have an excellent sound system in my home theater, where the noise floor with the projector fan on is 22dB. My XLT is due here this week, so I'll know more, but there's no way I'd pay more for any audio upgrade. Save your money for a nice home audio system.

while i have an impressive home system as well. we are in our vehicle so much, it makes it WELL worth it to spend a couple extra $$$ for good sound!!! WELL WORTH IT. The B&O system is as good as any factory installed sound system i have heard in any vehicle. My wife, daughter and I regularly listen to it at elevated levels as we all really enjoy music. I spend all day listening to incredible sound systems and while obviously it doesnt compare to the finest home system......It is absolutely worth the money to me. I am very pleased.

 

[st381183]

It works well enough. Better than my 07 Exp. The issue is does it matter enough to pay the extra $$$ to upgrade the entire vehicle to the next highest trim level.

 

[Paddler]

I like listening to music on the road. even with the road noise, these systems still sound pretty good. Gives me more of a reason to get out and drive.

Oh, I agree. I just don't think the upgraded systems are worth the price for the difference in sound quality. The dynamic range of classical music makes car listening problematic, rock and roll sounds just fine in my 2008 XLT. So does NPR. I think the new one will be satisfactory.

edizzle, not sure what some of those photos show. Maybe a blower in a couple of them with 4" hose? Fireplace with a couple of towers. Any photos of the entire room? In the rack photo, what's on the left side? Looks like a receiver on the right side. The PJ is still wrapped up. What do you do for a living that you listen to high quality systems all day?

 

[edizzle]

Oh, I agree. I just don't think the upgraded systems are worth the price for the difference in sound quality. The dynamic range of classical music makes car listening problematic, rock and roll sounds just fine in my 2008 XLT. So does NPR. I think the new one will be satisfactory.

edizzle, not sure what some of those photos show. Maybe a blower in a couple of them with 4" hose? Fireplace with a couple of towers. Any photos of the entire room? In the rack photo, what's on the left side? Looks like a receiver on the right side. The PJ is still wrapped up. What do you do for a living that you listen to high quality systems all day?

All of those photos are of my work I install high-end A/V systems for a living. Right ranch houses all termination points routers and switches etc. and also house is a Yamaha receiver. The left side houses all of the AV sources the Crestron 16 x 16 HDMI switch the Crestron swap 24 x 24 audio switcher amplification. The projector is a brand new Sony VPL-VW385ES, screen is screen innovations slate zero edge

The box and tube is a James Loudspeaker 12 inch power pipe subwoofer it is vented through the baseboard. We took that section of the baseboard to a cabinet shop that had a CNC router and they routed a beautiful series of slaps the baseboard. It is powered by 1000 W rack mounted amplifier and sounds incredible. This house also has a Bang and Olufsen eclipse 65 inch OLED on a motorized hinge mount. $14k for the tv/soundbar/mount!!!

 

[Artie]

Do y’all think JSki is ok? He hasn’t chimed in telling us all how vastly superior the sound system is in his Gen3....I hope he’s alright.

(I’m just giving you a hard time JSki [emoji6])

Since he hasn’t commented he must be banned again lolol

 

[JExpedition07]

Since he hasn’t commented he must be banned again lolol

No he’s around, just staying out of trouble.