With all other things equal, the coffee maker you use seems to make a big difference for drip coffee. Variables I can think of would include flow rate (both on the grounds and into the jug), temperature of water when it drops on the grounds, and temperature of the hot plate under the jug.

The best coffee maker I had was 20€ no-brand from grocery store corner shelf. One of the worst offenders IMHO is the popular design icon Moccamaster.