About the Rockford Fosgate Upgrade. Did you Know...

[jburson250]

Thanks Tom (nfr5111) for the RF link.
Here's what I wrote:

"You folks are likely aware that Nissan has mis-represented your name in a sound system installed as standard equipment in the 2004 Nissan Titan LE. It is optional on the Titan SE. I own an LE. Other owners have written you about this issue.
What Nissan has sold us is a system composed of a Panasonic head unit (with terrible FM signal quality) Clarion 350W amp, 9 Clarion speakers and a Rockford FOSTER (yes, that's what it says on the Sub magnet!) subwoofer. Your logo and corporate name is on the dashboard trim at the center of the head unit.
Question #1: What is it about this system that's Rockford Fosgate?
Question #2: Why is RF allowing itself to be mis-represented by Nissan?
Question #3: Given that RF was at least aware that Nissan wasn't using any RF components (maybe the Rockford Foster sub is enough), why should I consider buying other RF components when I replace this sound system? After all, I already paid for the one I've got."

I'm not expecting a response. Kinda like talking to a Nissan customer care rep. "Oh, we haven't heard about this issue before."

It's hard to believe the same company that builds this exceptional truck can knowingly dump such a mediocre sound system on us. When my son bought his SE earlier this month, we specifically hunted and found one with the popular pkg - no RF. Guess it was a sort of customer backlash.

[nfr5111]

Well, I got a canned response. At least someone read it at RF, and its a start.....now I just have to figure out how to get them to actually DO something.....


Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 07:20:17 -0700
To: nfr5111@yahoo.com
From: rftech@rockfordfosgate.com Add to Address Book
Subject: [Incident 040627-000006] Do you realize how bad the supposed RF units are in Nissan Titans?


Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support
center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.
We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you
within 48 hours.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.


Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
Do you realize how bad the supposed RF units are in Nissan Titans?


Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Steve) - 06/28/2004 07:20 AM
Tom,

Thanks for contacting us. Sorry to hear you are unhappy with your
Nissan audio system. If you feel there is a problem I would advise taking
the vehicle down to your local Nissan dealer and have them take a look
at it. The Nissan engineers designed the system, we are vendor and do
not have any technical information. We have been advised by Nissan to
refer you to 1-800-Nissan1 for any technical support. I will also go
ahead and forward this to our OEM department, your feedback is always
appreciated.

[ensclark]

Thats the same kinda response they gave me. Thank you for your inquiry with us. We are a parts supplier for the audio system
in your titan. For more information on it you will want to call nissan at 1800
nissan 1 they are the ones that put this together and install it so they will
have all the information on it.

I guess they just don't care to much about whats going on.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by nfr5111

Thanks for contacting us. Sorry to hear you are unhappy with your
Nissan audio system. If you feel there is a problem I would advise taking
the vehicle down to your local Nissan dealer and have them take a look
at it. The Nissan engineers designed the system, we are vendor and do
not have any technical information. We have been advised by Nissan to
refer you to 1-800-Nissan1 for any technical support. I will also go
ahead and forward this to our OEM department, your feedback is always
appreciated.

That kind of conflicts with Nissan's position that it can properly be called "Rockford-Fosgate" (even though no RF components) because RF designed the system.

Check this post:

http://www.titantalk.com/showthread.php?t=11520

"Regarding the radio issues. While it is true that the majority of the components are not Rockford-Fosgate, what makes the system "Powered by RF" is that RF designed the specifications of the system and then the parts were manufactured by the other companies to those specs."

So for Nissan, it is a Rockford-Fosgate system, and for Rockford-Fosgate, it is a Nissan system. Nobody wants to claim paternity of this wonderful audio system.

[Big Platinum]

How convenient is that?

[37L1]

"Victory has many fathers, defeat is an orphan."

[benjr]

Dont go to circuit city or best buy they are hacks. Use the stock radio zapco amp and zapco line drivers ( not a line level converter) These are the best amps made and are not expensive. They kill JL and Kicker amps when it comes to sound quality and power.

[nfr5111]

Well, I was bored again today, so I sent this reply to STEVE, the RF Tech that replied to my first email.

"Steve-
Thank you for your response.
I have to say, it is quite interesting that both Rockford Fosgate and Nissan are pretty much twiddling their thumbs about this issue. Its kind of expected out of Nissan, they seem to be indifferent about the whole thing, and I guess maybe that is to be expected out of a giant manufacturer. It disturbs me, however, that a company like Rockford is just trying to pass the buck and say its Nissan's issue. Its not. YOUR NAME IS ON THIS STEREO!!! If I was RF, I would be concerned about the press your stereo system is getting in the Nissan community. In fact, the RF system has a new name- C.R.A.P.!! (Clarion Rockford/FOSTER And Panasonic). If Rockford Fosgate wants the new CRAP name projected as its image, I am sure there are many Nissan owners willing to help you spread the word, in fact, if you look on this link, you will see that its the official name for the stereo at TitanTalk.com ( http://www.titantalk.com/showthread.php?t=12666 ).

As I said before, I am a previous Rockford owner. I spent $1300 extra dollars to get a ROCKFORD FOSGATE system in my Nissan. I did not get a ROCKFORD FOSGATE, I got CRAP (Clarion Rockford/FOSTER And Panasonic). I now have to purchase at least speakers and a DECENT amp to get the system I want, and you can be that Rockford won't be getting any of that cash. You have deceived me once, and that will not happen again.

I know you are probably not the correct person to sent this rant to, but I hope you can at least get it to the right person, or provide me with a way to contact them. I feel Rockford really needs to do something about this issue, you are going to lose customers who feel they have been betrayed by RF, which is too bad because the products that you do have are actually pretty good.

Thanks for your time, again.
Tom XXXXX
nfr5111@yahoo.com
603-966-xxxx"

RF needs to step up and do something. It just pisses me off that they point the finger to Nissan, yet the nameplate screams ROCKFORD FOSGATE.

The wait begins.......

[nfr5111]

oh yeah, if anyone else would like to email RF directly, this is the email address I have

rftech@rockfordfosgate.com

It goes to a tech (supposedly) so fire away techincal questions, though it seems they already have the canned responses ready for you.

[bestatchess]

Do you think that was too subtle?

BTW, I couldn't find any TM registration for Rockford Foster at www.uspto.gov

[Kansas City Titan]

I agree with alot of people on the on the RF problem. My Titan has a problem with a right rear speaker making noise and buzzing at low volumes. The dealer replaced the speaker the first time. The second time they said they could not duplicate it. Now, the third time they are ordering me a new stereo, wonder if it will be any better? I hope this also fixes the FM fade problems as well. I also have a problem with the 4x4 lo light comes on, part on order. That is al I hear from my dealer, we have to order another D-MN PART!

[37L1]

In a prior lifetime I used to work in Parts Departments.

a standing joke for Backordered Parts was:

definition of backorder:

They are planting the seeds for the tree that will make the box that the part will come shipped in.

[Quad T]

Thanks for the thread, and sorry to hear of your problems.
I will be sure to not order the RF system.

[cshepherd]

It's not just the RF system. The stock system sounds like CRAP as well. FM stations fading in and out and a huge volume difference between the radio and CD's. There is something about the head units in these vehicles that is not up to par. If Nissan ever comes out with a permanant remedy, I'll get it, otherwise, I'll upgrade it myself to something that really works.

Whatever happened to the "prototype" radio fix??

[bestatchess]

Last I heard it was on prototype Rev. 3.