I am interested in TSX and want the best quality audio system that I can afford.
I surf the TL forums and they claim '09 TL audio system is far better than TSX. I thought they are the same system? I see TL is about 440W while TSX is 415W. Does that make a lot of differences???

Anybody tested both cars? what is your opinion?

Plus, with TL you can use your own graphics as screen saver on the nav screen. Can we do same thing with TSX?

 

The '09 TL ELS is the better system...by far, esp. if you more than you in the car at a time.

 

honestly; I don't think the sound system in the TSX is amazing. It is above average for sure, but it was nothing that made me jump out of my seat in excitement. Its definitely possible the TL sound system is better althought i've never heard it

 

For the extra money the TL should be better. It's hard to believe someone would decide between these cars on account of the audio system. Don't forget you'll have to actually look at and drive the car everyday. I bet replacing the speakers in the TSX would help them out. The stock speakers have that paper thin sound.

 

I agree, its better than average but nothing to get too excited over. It definitely sounds like a Panasonic system. The Bose system in my 07 Nissan Altima sounds waaaay better than my tech TSX. As a matter of fact, I'm finding that the TSX is not quite so easy a replacement for the Altima (as originally intended), especially in addition to the quality issues I've been having on the Acura. Grrrrr

I'm very sure its possible that the TL sound is better. For the additional price premium I hope it is!

 

I had posted before about the Bose in my 06 Altima SE-R and it rocked compared to the ELS. I know audiophiles think I'm deaf and dumb for saying that, but I like the Bose much better.

If I hadn't had some issues with blown speakers I'd probably be fine with it, but now I know I have to replace the speakers with aftermarkets & be done with it.

 

ive sat in the altima SE-R alot and that system is awesome!!!! Its way above average; very good stock sound system.

 

I think I remove TSX out of my list. Now it's down to either TL or G37x. Love everything about G37x, the audio system is good too. I will give TL a test drive this weekend and will determine about it.
No, I don't determine whether I buy this or that car based solely on audio system. It is the last thing I considered and the last feature that will pull the trigger.

 

The TL ELS system is better than the G37 BOSE Studio on Wheels system.

Another option...Mercedes GLK350, if you want AWD vehicles. Yes, it is a mini-SUV, but it is heavily based on the C-class. And i think that it does have a pretty good sound system (HK Logic 7 with over 600 watts or something).

 

Any stereo system sounds only as good as the speakers and personally I think the TSX oem speakers suck donkey balls just like the tires. I have not been impressed and I've had both front speakers replaced

 

i think it matters how you listen to your music. Since i listen through my ipod, i think it sounds better cause i can adjust equalizer settings in my ipod and through my car; so its like 2 way adjustable lol

 

GLK is a nice car, but I just don't think I can trust reliability of Germany car.
I really don't like the front exterior of TL. Otherwise, I don't have to keep thinking again and again for which one I should get. Damn! Hope there is a deal this weekend!

 

Get a V6 TSX and change the speakers. Seems like a no brainer for what you are trying to achieve.

 

whats your reason for taking it off the list; just out of curiousity...

 

i duno why acura ever changed from bose to els... i remember the bose system in my friends 03 tl was really great. i guess they wanted to save some pennies.

 

Actually, the BOSE in my sister-in-law's TL was not very good at all! I think that it is even worst than the base system in the 2009 TSX.

 

I think that it is a mistake to rule out the TSX. Besides the subpar stereo ELS system, i think that the TSX is a great car! I have had my shares of cars over the years (from 2003.5 BMW M3 to many SUVs). The TSX is a really good car that i almost overlooked due to looking on the net instead of testdriving it. The TSX is rock-solid, easily as solid (if not more so) than my 2003 M3. Sure, the engine only has 4 cylinders, but Acura did a great job with the throttle so that it "feels" a lot quicker and more responsive. In fact, the TSX feels more responsive than the 2009 TL loaner that i had. The auto transmission is really nicely calibrated to the throttle...no noticeable lag when you press the gas and the downshift. The suspension is firm but not nearly as firm as a C300 sport (loaner i drove)...easily tolerable, even on the bad Texas highways. Windnoise is nicely subdued. Road noise is suppressed enough too without being too tomb-like. Interior quality is excellent, along with enough room for 4 people. For size, it is in the middle between a Corolla and a Camry...perfect size IMHO. Of course, the crash safety ratings are top-notch! Exterior shape is easily the best of Acura vehicles.

What i am trying to say is that the TSX is really more impressive once you sit in it and drive it. It is really a great bargain, esp. when you can get below invoice. My wife and I picked the TSX over a Camry V6 XLE. On paper, we almost went with the Camry, but once we saw the TSX in person and drove it, we were hooked on the TSX.

Good luck.

 

yes, as much hate the tsx seemed to be getting when it first came out, it has already gotten solid reviews and made alot of this years top ten lists. It even made number 1 for a couple I think. I am too lazy to look up the charts but trust me they're there!

 

I think the ELS is still a good system, its just not as impressive as the specs seem to indicate. There are a lot of other pluses to the car and I still enjoy driving it. If the stereo bothered me that much then i'd get the speakers changed.

 

I think that the 2010 TSX's will not have the faulty speakers.
Therefore I wont say much until the next years model comes out.

 

You guys sound very convincing

Can we change or use our own graphics as the screen saver in TSX as in TL?

I don't think any wrong with TSX speakers. I just don't know if they use same speakers in TL and TSX. I think they do, but somehow they sound different.

 

Have you actually driven the cars, or are you basing this all on what's on paper?

 

Yes to all but not the TL. As mentioned above, I will test drive TL this weekend.

 

No you can't use your own graphics in the TSX.

Well, the sound of a system has as much to do with the other parts of the system like the headunit and amplifier as it does the speakers. I'll bet the two cars have different setups. I'm sure they did more than just turn up the wattage in the TL. I hope they did anyway.

 

Speaker position is different...along with differences in speaker sizes.