When we took delivery our our 2010 RDX Tech I was a bit disappointed with the audio system. Using DVD-A, DTS-CDs, XM, and an iPod, tracks were a bit off. I tried disabling the Dolby PLII, adjusting the balance (the center seemed too prominent), and the bass/treble, and it never sounded as good as my 2005 RL. It also didn't sound like an upgraded audio setup for a premium car. I dismissed it as bad acoustics (the components seem sound and the sources provided great sound in other setups). That was November, and our car was less than a week old (we ordered it from the factory and it was delivered next door at the R&D facility).

It seems that the timing was crucial, as after 2+ months and 3500 miles (and the corresponding hours of listening) things now are infinitely better. Most speakers benefit from a break in period where they can loosen up a bit (some people dispute this notion), and unlike those in a home setup, you can't exactly have your car stereo running all day to speed things up, but somehow I expected things to be different in a car (since they're sold new, I expected them to sound good new). Anyway, if you're disappointed at first, give it some time, and if you're happy at first, prepare to be dazzled.

Sadly all isn't rosy, as I'm a bit disappointed with the USB/iPod setup. First off its a great feature, especially the USB support. Sadly it does not display any meaningful into on the dash mounted display (the one up top). This means switching from nav to audio to see what's playing. This sucks, as no matter how things are when you turn your car off, it reverts to nav when you start again (and click OK), plus you're SOL when backing up. Hitting the disp-mode button down on the radio controls does nothing to change it from its usual "iPod xx/yyy" (which shows numerically what track you're on out of the number of tracks in your playlist). The after market solution for my 05 RL (from USASPEC) offers artist or title up there, which is very nice. I can't fathom why all I can see is "iPod xx/yyy". I also don't understand why I can't see the audio screen when starting if that's how I left it, nor I can I figure out why it goes black if I don't click OK vs showing audio. Oh well, I guess they need some things to work on for 2011.