Mike Up

How to I get the gain in the stereo to adjust so that the stereo gets louder.

I have the base Sync, 7 speaker stereo. Ever since it was new, it's volume has to be turned up 3/4 of full volume to get certain sources to play at adequate volume levels such as some USB sources and CDs of older songs that were not mastered as loud as todays music. Even full blast, the stereo isn't obnoxiously loud like I would expect. It's like it' pre-amp gain is set to low, which doesn't allow the stereo to ouput it's full gain without a perfect master recorded at the max levels.

The 2012 F150 base sync 6 speaker stereo was awesome and had enough volume to drive you out of the truck. Not this wimpy stereo. I'm wondering if there's a setting not set correctly but I've tried it optimized for driver and passengers, and with the bass, midrange, and treble turned all the way up, yet it still doesn't get loud.

This is a concern because I listen to USB albums and CDs I recorded myself at only a few decibels lower than max, to be sure the music didn't clip and distort. I just can't get enough volume when going down the road with the windows open to even hear it clearly.

Like I said, I never had a stereo with so little gain. Most stereos in my vehicles have enough gain that the music will distort at only around 5/8 to 3/4 of full volume. This is what I'd expect so that there's enough gain for music mastered at lower record levels. This 2016 F150 stereo won't get loud enough to even distort the loudest recorded music at FULL VOLUME.

Am I missing a setting in the stereo???

My wifes new 2017 Fusion has the Sync 3 and 11 speakers and it'll blow you out of the car before it's even at 1/2 of full volume.

idrive

iTrader: (3)

Wrong sub forum. You should be asking the guys in the 2009-14 section.

Mike Up

Why would I ask in a 2014 F150 forum for a 2016 F150??? Doesn't make any sense.

idrive

iTrader: (3)

And you're right. I read it as you having the 2012.

Carry on.

brg2015

Just to be clear, does it seem loud enough when listening to FM?

Mike Up

No, it's like this lowered volume on all sources. I guess you could technically get full wattage/amp output at "Max" volume if you had a source that was recorded loud enough but most classic rock and pre-2000 music is not recorded at a max decibel level.

Therefore, I need a head unit that has sufficient gain to amplify the lower source signals.

This has only been a problem with the new 2016's 4.2" screen Sync and 7 speaker stereo (additional front center speaker over previous 2012 stereo). It was never an issue with my 2012 F150 sync system that had a LED text line display and a 6 speaker system.

stowaway

add an amp of your choice and better speakers (more efficient and better sounding). tap into the speaker leads, run to the amp, then back to the new speakers. No need to change the head unit.

Mike Up

I'd like to keep the stereo I just bought. The previous Stereo was very good. There's no reason why this more expensive truck, with a supposedly upgraded sync and stereo, should have inferior amplification. It seems more of a defect or a setting, as any stereo amp should have sufficient gain to clip or distort the music signal at full gain (volume).

Mike Up

Any Ford Rep customer support???

stowaway

head to the local dealer and hop in a truck with the 4.2" screen and see how it sounds. If it's different then have the service techs take a look.

And I've had stereos where the source volume was so low that I could max the **** out and not get the desired volume. The amp may be able to output more watts, but the amount of gain available didn't let it happen.