You have just stated all the reasons I have never gotten around to doing any exhaust mod. Some sound like an old truck. I would think the muffler would end the drone. But I have done zero exhaust mods. What my 1st exhaust mod would be is the X pipe you mentioned but I think "cherry bomb" has a muffler that will fit adding the stock tips. You could do 2 1/2 or 3" and add the tips back and looks stock. When I finally do it, that is what I will try. I may get a drone as well. We will see.