Mike Up

I've never had a stereo where the gain was so low, that even on low volume sources as Dio, The Last In Line CD would not play distorted at full volume because of the gain. That is one album, that even at full volume, is just not loud. I have the original CD but it's not mastered loud.

Mike Up

So I'm the only one whose noticed this?

tvsjr

You should be able to get the volume to an ear-bleeding, distortion-ridden mess, even with the stock system.

IMO, you've got something wrong with the system... maybe one of the transistors in the head unit is gone. I'd suggest a dealer visit. Install an SPL meter app on your phone (they aren't great, but decent for comparison purposes). Run it with a known good CD in a new truck on the lot with the same system... then in yours. See if they match up.

Mfitz

I have the same issue, I just assumed it was a weak amp driving 7 speakers. I can easily play music on max volume, at least it doesn't distort too badly at that volume. I have considered the idea of replacing speakers, then maybe an amp if needed.

gscallan09

I have a 2016 and I have to play it at about 23 to actually listen to it. That is will just regular radio play. I don't have the front center channel (speaker). I was in a 2017 rental that had the front center speaker and it was on 7-8 and was loud. I looked at the setting to see if there was something i was missing and was set the same. Back in the day with Chevy you could press a three button combo on the head unit and it actually engaged the preamp. I didn't know if Ford was set up so no one would blow the speakers before vehicle sold.

SixShooter14

have you gone through the settings?

I assume your fade and balance is all centered?
I have my eq. set so that the High and Low is almost maxed and the mid is about +3


Also check to see if where the "optimization" is set. "ALL" or "Driver" it makes a difference, especially in bass output.

another check is the speed variable. I keep this turned off.

gscallan09

Yes that is all the stuff I saw messing with the 2017. The one thing i did change was to ALL instead of just driver. That does make a difference but my volume still has to be 3/4 of the way up. The EQ is set the same. I was doing a stare-and-compare but different outcomes. Not that I'm hard of hearing, i just enjoy my music loud! Don't feel like changing it out to a custom unit at this time.

SixShooter14

I like mine loud too. With my windows down and rolling, I keep it set to 20-25 depending on the song/source. But if I slow down or the ambient noise goes down, I turn it down to 15ish. I also have a 12"sub filling in for the missing stock bass.

Mike Up

Yeh, I went through all the settings. I just have to realize this stupid stereo sucks! My wifes 2017 Fusion Sync 3 stereo is great. I typically have to listen at 25 out of 30 also. This stereo sucks especially coming from a 2012 Sync 1 in my F150 that was really nice and loud if not a bit shy on bass. So many things on this 2016 are a disappointment next to the 2012, such a shame.

stormsearch

I have a '16 with Sync 3 and 7 speaker system. It gets plenty loud for me. Compared to my '09 Sync 1 system, it is much better - though I don't think Sync has anything to do with it. I updated the system in my '09 as I was sorely disappointed. I have all the components sitting in my basement and see no need to install them into the new truck.