Impressed with the XL sound system

[Ron Quixote]

I must say: the 6-speaker base sound system in the XL really exceeds my expectations. I've owned dozens of vehicles, including some with very custom aftermarket sound systems. We currently have a Mazda with the Bose system and a Jeep with the Alpine. I've got a decent basis for comparison.

The Ranger XL sound system... isn't as good as the upgraded sound systems in the Mazda and Jeep. And it's definitely not as good as the aftermarket systems I've installed. It's not a miracle system.

However, for a base sound system, it is excellent. It's better than any base model sound system I've ever heard.

The reason? Ford has given this thing a really, really nice sound stage. The mids sound, frankly, aftermarket. Base systems almost universally suffer from muddy mid-range response. Not this one. And the resulting sound stage is quite open and expansive. The clarity is very good, too. However, it seems to be quite signal-dependent. It's never going to make SiriusXM sound amazing, but with quality Apple Music streaming, the little 6-speaker setup punches way above its weight.

If I ruled the world, I'd give the highs a little more sparkle. The biggest demerit is extremely middling bass response. I expect a modest powered sub will remedy this.

Otherwise, I almost wonder if the wrong speakers got installed. It's that good.

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[Black Shadow]

For a $35-55k truck it’s decent but these trucks and other vehicles grossly overpriced. I’ve had several Rangers and the price has doubled in 15-20 years and salaries haven’t.

 

[NM Mike]

I’m no audiophile. Chemo 40 years ago really damaged my hearing. My XLT has the same sound system as what’s in the XL trim and it sounds pretty decent to me. I’d like to have more than 3 bands of adjustment, but I can live with it. Overall it is a pretty good sound for a stock system.

 

[Sharpix]

Id say the same. My truck is a non-B/O and for stock speakers makes quite a decent sound. Nice soundstage when pumping the volume, the tweeters a little low gain, but helps on not tiring the ears prematurely
. Im missing the truck now that its been with the dealer for the first 1 thousand miles oil change. Some 90's tunes sound quite good.

my previous 2015 Tacoma was frankly a joke with the most awful speakers and stereo ive ever seen since a 1995 Jetta mk3; Upgraded all with new speakers, amp, and Kenwood deck and NEVER sounded joyful. The Taco doors are TERRIBLE enclosures, and leak terribly any bass, sounding thin and loose.

I transferred the front JBLs to the Ranger keeping stock tweeters, and sounded very very decent, enough volume to make me sing. Im even considering not to install the 90w x 4 aftermarket amp I had.

Kudos to Ford to avoid cheapening the sound. I enjoy greatly riding the thing.

 

[RETMSG]

I must say: the 6-speaker base sound system in the XL really exceeds my expectations. I've owned dozens of vehicles, including some with very custom aftermarket sound systems. We currently have a Mazda with the Bose system and a Jeep with the Alpine. I've got a decent basis for comparison.

The Ranger XL sound system... isn't as good as the upgraded sound systems in the Mazda and Jeep. And it's definitely not as good as the aftermarket systems I've installed. It's not a miracle system.

However, for a base sound system, it is excellent. It's better than any base model sound system I've ever heard.

The reason? Ford has given this thing a really, really nice sound stage. The mids sound, frankly, aftermarket. Base systems almost universally suffer from muddy mid-range response. Not this one. And the resulting sound stage is quite open and expansive. The clarity is very good, too. However, it seems to be quite signal-dependent. It's never going to make SiriusXM sound amazing, but with quality Apple Music streaming, the little 6-speaker setup punches way above its weight.

If I ruled the world, I'd give the highs a little more sparkle. The biggest demerit is extremely middling bass response. I expect a modest powered sub will remedy this.

Otherwise, I almost wonder if the wrong speakers got installed. It's that good.

Agreed. My music subscription is Spotify which is not as good of quality in streaming but I recently tried a free Amazon Music trial which is much better quality. It sounded amazing through the system. Unfortunately my Spotify is a family package and getting everyone to change would take an act of congress. And I don’t see a reason to have both subscriptions.

 

[bigb]

And the resulting sound stage is quite open and expansive. The clarity is very good, too. However, it seems to be quite signal-dependent. It's never going to make SiriusXM sound amazing, but with quality Apple Music streaming, the little 6-speaker setup punches way above its weight.

Are you streaming your Apple Music on iPhone or Android? Have you also tried Pandora? I stream Apple on Android and it has it's issues.

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