Reading past topics, I was suprised to see that many did not think highly of the TSX sound system

Why is that? I don't own one yet, but I believe it's a 360 watt-8 speaker premium system. What do you all think of the system? Have you had any issues playing cd-r's (burned cds)?

 

Burned CD-R's sound fine (at least as good as the rip). I think it's pretty good. I do think that the bass can be better though.

 

it depends who you ask. i don't set my volume pass 20, some people here blast the hell outta the oem speakers, and probably why they break.

have no problems with them, the bass, or burnt cdr discs.

 

I agree. Even though I sometimes turn it up over 20, it is not oft n enough to make a difference.
I think the stereo kicks ass. Next to the IS300 I had, it's one of the best stock stereos I've ever heard.

 

I'm not an audiophile but I know what I like and what I don't like. I don't push my volume past 25.

I'm now comfortable with the stereo in my TSX, but when I first got the TSX, I was a little surprised at how it sounded. I liked the way my '99 Integra GS-R sounded more. The speakers in my GSR were stock but the stereo was replaced with a $250 Kenwood MP3 CD player (nothing special).

I can't quantify exactly what element of the audio sounded better on the GSR, but it was there. I'm pretty comfortable with the TSX stereo now though, after getting used to it.

 

integras stereos suck. cept on the gsr it had tweeter on the door panels to make have better sound but it doesnt compare to the tsx. coming from an integra to a tsx its a big difference. the stereo is good to me but i had subs (at one point) in my teg so it doesn't compare to that but for OEM its excellent. btw. all my cd's are burnt and they sound fine. no problems.

 

The system is anice stock system, but can't even hold a candle to a mediocre aftermarket system. My first sstem in my old car (1998 Eddie Bauer Explorer consisted of so-so speakers, sounded good, but not great. However, I stepped up about a year ago to the top-of-the-line stuff. I now have an Eclipse CD8454 head unit, MB Quart QSD's, JL 12W7, JL 1000/1, and 450/4 amps. I am picking up my TSX nest Thursday.

I have a feeling that I will end up just putting the sub in with the JL 1000/1 and run a LOC from the stock headunit using a N-7V Navone Engineering LOC. (best out there) Hopefully this won't totally overkill the sock speakers, but I hav a feeling it will.

I am worried that after listening to my past system, the TSX stock system will just leave me unhappy every single time I pop in a CD. It looks really tough to put in an aftermarket HU without ruining the look of the dash. Second, I am unsure if the alternator in the TSX can withstand a draw or about 110 amps. I am sure the lights will dim like crazy.

My other choice would be to sell all that suff, and just buy an OEM kit, coilovers, and high intensity foglights. The sound system in my car is one of the most important things about my ride, and I hope I can find a happy medium.

 

Tommy are the QSD's you have 6.5s?

 

No, they are the QSD213's (5.25" and 1" tweeter). It is so sad. All this equipment has been sitting in my house for the past four months. Plus, I have an Alpine MRD-F752 5 channel Class-T amp (its a beast at 110x4 and 389x1 watts RMS on the birthsheet!!!) Maybe I will try to put that amp in the TSx, or sell it.

 

Just a quick question:
Can acura refuse to repair your speakers / stereo equipment if you "blast it too loud". I was just wondering because i frequently listen to my cd's at level 35 to 40. I would hope this is not the case because if they make the system go up to 40, it should be able to handle being played at this level.
Anyways, anyone have a problem with this in the past?

 

Same here! I still have my GSR though and the sound is no where near as good as the TSX...at least to me anyway. I don't blast my speakers so the OEM ones are fine to me. I think it has plenty of bass and it plays everyone of my burnt cds.

 

First of all, it is not 360 watts! Not even in hell. It's probably 100, tops.

Second, my Midiland computer surround sound system (100 watts rms) sounds much better in cleanliness and power (stock is muffled like it's 10ft under water). And the rear deck speakers wobble at high bass/volume settings.

And the front speakers rattle in bumps and loud bass...

 

I doubt they'll blow. You'll hear distortion much earlier and will turn it down to stay sane. I find they limited the volume to something much lower than you could take the speaker with a higher power amp.

But to answer your question, you could just say you only hear the radio at volume 10, and they couldn't tell otherwise; hence I'm sure they'd replace anything that breaks.

 

It's not 360 watts RMS though, right? It's too easy for manufacturers to manipulate specs.

 

Yeah the 360W is by adding power to all 8 or 10 speakers. RMS measures the power by an "average" (root mean square or .707 peak-to-peak wattage for a generally sinusoidal wave, which is probably accurate for music). Just sticking to RMS won't render "power" figures uniform.

The home stereo industry is standardized on quoting power as "per channel" (right speaker/left speaker) and in RMS. There doesn't seem to be any such consensus in auto sound. So by comparison, the 360W is deceptive. I think it is RMS though.

 

I'm sure that 360watt value is a peak value and might even be with 10% THD. I would bet the true RMS wattage is probably a 1/3 or 1/4 of that peak value.

 

I am guessing the total wattage of the system sits aroun 100-120 tops. However, my JL amp puts out 1,000 wats RMS anywhere between 11 and 14.4 volts, since it has a regulated electrical supply, so even if my car is off, it is still putting out its advertised watt. But, like always, the amp is not always pushing 1,000 watts, but when the low bass hits and the brups, it definitely will use all of that.

 

dang.. and my accord has 120 watts lol... o_O''

 

The head unit is nice, but its more than the OEM speakers can handle at high volume levels. I usually keep my volume around 14, bass at 5. No problems with CD-R's so far; all the music in my car is a copy of what i have at home...had my CDs stolen once when thieves broke into my old Accord, not leaving any originals in the car no more.

 

Holy crap, 40?! I guess it depends on musical taste as well. I rarely go past 13, but at least for me, and what I listen to, it really depends on some of the Cds and the production on them. Some of the stuff that have a cleaner production, no so much bottom end is really nice and crisp, like the latest Fear Factory for example. Some other stuff get static-y and less clear. Buts that just me again. I liesten to metal and you dont want alot of bottom end in metal ebcause everything turns to mush. When a drummer kicks into some double bass, eveything sounds like a war zone. I like this CD player much much better than the one in my prev car (3.0 CL). Sounds a lot fuler. But than again, I dont know anything about stereos. Just what I hear. Damn, I no help !

 

the system sounds good.....i droped in a pair of alpine 6x9's....took 20mins....and it GREATLY improved the bass....

20-25 on the volume....treb at +6 and bass at +4

sounds good to me

 

oh man, you keep your treb at +6 and bass at +4. my bass is at -3 and my treb is at -1. i find that i cant turn my bass up higher cause the F doors just go to shit like that... and i guess the treb has a lot to do with stock v. aftermarket tweeters... cant wait to replace the F doors and get my new subs!...

p.s.
ill be selling my old stuff as soon as i get my new stuff:
Alpine 12" Type R Subwoofer + 1.0ft^3 box
Alpine MRD-M500 Mono Amp
Alpine Type S 6x9s
... not putting it in the black market section yet, but if your interested send me a PM and ill make a deal with you. everything has been gently used and is in great working condition!

 

I made the same mod and I was quite pleased with the improvement in bass. It does not "move" you in your seat but it definitely improves the stock sound. I have my settings at a very similar place and I do notice "occasional" rattle in the front door. I have not asked for the TSB to be completed but I'm hoping that that will take care of things.
Also..I do not go above 21 at all...typically I'm in the 15-19 range. But I don't play music with the windows down b/c I'm still enjoying the new car smell
Finally, I do feel that the TSX system is quite nice for stock. I may switch out the tweeters at some time but otherwise I really like it. It blows the Blose system in my '01 PF away

 

I Suspect you will suffice with the factory system, my home system costs an excess of $50k and I find the factory system to be enjoyable. The TSX system is not reference quality then again you are moving(varying road noise/vibration) and there are reflections every where and not close to enough room for the bass waves to form naturally. If your a bass head you'll be disappointed if you like to listen real loud you'll be disappointed, if you listen at moderate levels and can handle slightly rolled off bass its just fine.

I have had a car with a better system but it cost $25k(just the system) and was not worth it, having been into car audio(IASCA and USAC) I would NEVER do that again nor would I recommend anyone getting into it. Its not about the music plain and simple. Do yourself a favor and use the money you would on aftermarket stereo components and expand your cd collection you'll get more satisfaction from it with fewer headache's.