not all are loud, and certainly not all are obnoxious either. If you want to run one on your junk thats fine, it is your decision. Personally I think there are better setups, especially for your V8.
And they are still in business because they have an excellent marketing department and the hype is great, and because not everyone knows that they do not flow as well. Their name even says it right? For the kid with a new car looking for noise and a sticker, flowmaster has their name in solid. For the enthusiasts that have done a little research, not so much, for the people who do a lot a research, not at all. I consider it amazing considering their price is higher than the competitors, that they sell as much as they do. More kids want Nikes over walmart shoes for the same reason.
I think one of the 5.0 tests was with some bolt ons, but nothing crazy. I have seen the same test with a stock 4.6, and CHP did one using just a flow meter hooked to the muffler, I assume shop air into a plenum to supply the muffler, I do not recall their exact setup, but when I read it it seemed reasonable to me.