2019 RDX Tech 12 speakers vs Advance 16 speakers
#1
2019 RDX Tech 12 speakers vs Advance 16 speakers
Hey guy. Does anyone know what are the difference between RDX tech and advance audio system. Tech also have 2 roof mounted speakers. But not in rear seat and 2 additional speaker behind the back seat. The ELS 3D only in advance model. Is it because amount of speaker make it 3D or the software?
#2
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Not sure.
The 3D claims 710 watts power. I don't know the power on the Tech version.
What I do know is that the 12 speaker version in my Tech model sounds great.
I haven't had a chance to listen to the 3D.
btw, The 16 speaker 3D is in the A-Spec as well as in the Advance package.
The 3D claims 710 watts power. I don't know the power on the Tech version.
What I do know is that the 12 speaker version in my Tech model sounds great.
I haven't had a chance to listen to the 3D.
btw, The 16 speaker 3D is in the A-Spec as well as in the Advance package.
#3
Hey guy. Does anyone know what are the difference between RDX tech and advance audio system. Tech also have 2 roof mounted speakers. But not in rear seat and 2 additional speaker behind the back seat. The ELS 3D only in advance model. Is it because amount of speaker make it 3D or the software?
roof mounted speakers. The base and tech DO NOT have 3D sound, they have 12 speakers. I don’t know what the wattage is of the els premium system in the base and tech pkg, but to get 700 watts and 16 speakers you need to go aspec or advanced.
#4
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what makes it 3D is the additional 4
roof mounted speakers. The base and tech DO NOT have 3D sound, they have 12 speakers. I don’t know what the wattage is of the els premium system in the base and tech pkg, but to get 700 watts and 16 speakers you need to go aspec or advanced.
At least there are grilles on the roof and an adjustment control for roof speakers in the audio menu.
I'm not sure exactly where the 4 additional speakers are in the 3D system.
It would be helpful if someone had exact locations for the 9, 12, or 16 speakers.
#5
Actually, the base system has Premium with 9 speakers and Tech has ELS with 12 speakers including the roof speakers.
At least there are grilles on the roof and an adjustment control for roof speakers in the audio menu.
I'm not sure exactly where the 4 additional speakers are in the 3D system.
It would be helpful if someone had exact locations for the 9, 12, or 16 speakers.
At least there are grilles on the roof and an adjustment control for roof speakers in the audio menu.
I'm not sure exactly where the 4 additional speakers are in the 3D system.
It would be helpful if someone had exact locations for the 9, 12, or 16 speakers.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...300621166.html
#6
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Correction: Just checked my Tech and it has the 2 roof speakers up front but, not the 2 in the rear.
Thanks for posting that article. Nice find.
So the missing 4 are 2 in the rear roof and 2 in the 'way back'.
The Tech lists power at 550 vs. 710 for the A-Spec and the Advance.
Thanks for posting that article. Nice find.
So the missing 4 are 2 in the rear roof and 2 in the 'way back'.
The Tech lists power at 550 vs. 710 for the A-Spec and the Advance.
#7
Racer
Had a chance to look at the audio tuning settings during a test drive... You can now adjust the mids, but the subwoofer settings are surprisingly gone now. For a high performance system they are selling, I don't understand why you could not add that in there.
If subwoofer (not bass) control is there somewhere and I missed it, my bad.
If subwoofer (not bass) control is there somewhere and I missed it, my bad.
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#9
Had a chance to look at the audio tuning settings during a test drive... You can now adjust the mids, but the subwoofer settings are surprisingly gone now. For a high performance system they are selling, I don't understand why you could not add that in there.
If subwoofer (not bass) control is there somewhere and I missed it, my bad.
If subwoofer (not bass) control is there somewhere and I missed it, my bad.
#10
Correction: Just checked my Tech and it has the 2 roof speakers up front but, not the 2 in the rear.
Thanks for posting that article. Nice find.
So the missing 4 are 2 in the rear roof and 2 in the 'way back'.
The Tech lists power at 550 vs. 710 for the A-Spec and the Advance.
Thanks for posting that article. Nice find.
So the missing 4 are 2 in the rear roof and 2 in the 'way back'.
The Tech lists power at 550 vs. 710 for the A-Spec and the Advance.
#11
Has anyone had a chance to test both systems? Are they using the same quality speakers in both systems? I’m assuming they are but you never know. I’m doubting there is much sound quality difference for the driver in the “3D” version. Back seat passengers may notice a difference though, but who cares about them!
#12
i don’t think the base package uses the same speakers. The ELS system in partnership with Panasonic comes in on the tech and above. The base just has Acura’s premium system. The ELS is more than just extra speakers. It had dynamic range speakers designed for a specific purpose. We would need to find replacement parts list or something to confirm but I would think the standard is just your run of the mill “builder grade” speakers.
#13
gotya...I think we’ve determined that the 16 speaker 3D sound is 710 Watts vs 550 and the extra speakers are in the way back and the roof above he rear passengers. I haven’t compared them side by side but just based of that info you can bet the 710 watt system is going to sound remarkably better overall. Especially with the added rear roof speakers providing more vertical sound projection. It’s like when you have a home theater system and you put speakers in every corner of the room and it offers true surround sound verses a system that has a sub and L,R,C speakers located at the sides and front of the tv. The speakers behind the viewer make all the difference.
#14
I am hoping the Tech system has at least the same sound quality if not better than the ELS system in the 2018 RDX.
I would guess/hope that the sound quality/fidelity would be similar in the Tech ELS but the surround sound effect would be better with the 3D ELS system.
I really do not want to spend the extra $5k on the Advance, as it puts it this in German and MDX territory, considering their discounts. Tech seems like a good all-around value, as long as the NVH and ELS sound is at least as good as the 2018.
Would have liked a "Tech plus" trim with fog lights, cooled seats, rain sensing wipers, and remote start, but not worth $5k when I could care less about the other stuff.
I would guess/hope that the sound quality/fidelity would be similar in the Tech ELS but the surround sound effect would be better with the 3D ELS system.
I really do not want to spend the extra $5k on the Advance, as it puts it this in German and MDX territory, considering their discounts. Tech seems like a good all-around value, as long as the NVH and ELS sound is at least as good as the 2018.
Would have liked a "Tech plus" trim with fog lights, cooled seats, rain sensing wipers, and remote start, but not worth $5k when I could care less about the other stuff.
#15
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I am hoping the Tech system has at least the same sound quality if not better than the ELS system in the 2018 RDX.
I would guess/hope that the sound quality/fidelity would be similar in the Tech ELS but the surround sound effect would be better with the 3D ELS system.
I really do not want to spend the extra $5k on the Advance, as it puts it this in German and MDX territory, considering their discounts. Tech seems like a good all-around value, as long as the NVH and ELS sound is at least as good as the 2018.
Would have liked a "Tech plus" trim with fog lights, cooled seats, rain sensing wipers, and remote start, but not worth $5k when I could care less about the other stuff.
I would guess/hope that the sound quality/fidelity would be similar in the Tech ELS but the surround sound effect would be better with the 3D ELS system.
I really do not want to spend the extra $5k on the Advance, as it puts it this in German and MDX territory, considering their discounts. Tech seems like a good all-around value, as long as the NVH and ELS sound is at least as good as the 2018.
Would have liked a "Tech plus" trim with fog lights, cooled seats, rain sensing wipers, and remote start, but not worth $5k when I could care less about the other stuff.
#16
I am hoping the Tech system has at least the same sound quality if not better than the ELS system in the 2018 RDX.
I would guess/hope that the sound quality/fidelity would be similar in the Tech ELS but the surround sound effect would be better with the 3D ELS system.
I really do not want to spend the extra $5k on the Advance, as it puts it this in German and MDX territory, considering their discounts. Tech seems like a good all-around value, as long as the NVH and ELS sound is at least as good as the 2018.
Would have liked a "Tech plus" trim with fog lights, cooled seats, rain sensing wipers, and remote start, but not worth $5k when I could care less about the other stuff.
I would guess/hope that the sound quality/fidelity would be similar in the Tech ELS but the surround sound effect would be better with the 3D ELS system.
I really do not want to spend the extra $5k on the Advance, as it puts it this in German and MDX territory, considering their discounts. Tech seems like a good all-around value, as long as the NVH and ELS sound is at least as good as the 2018.
Would have liked a "Tech plus" trim with fog lights, cooled seats, rain sensing wipers, and remote start, but not worth $5k when I could care less about the other stuff.
#17
2013 RDX tech Amber
I test drove an Advance model with the 3D ELS sound system and I was surprised how good it made even Siruis XM radio sound. Normally that sounds very compressed and mushy and I eliminated my subscription a couple of year ago because of that but I have to say if it sounds that good on this system I may turn it back on when I get a vehicle.
#18
Racer
I test drove an Advance model with the 3D ELS sound system and I was surprised how good it made even Siruis XM radio sound. Normally that sounds very compressed and mushy and I eliminated my subscription a couple of year ago because of that but I have to say if it sounds that good on this system I may turn it back on when I get a vehicle.
#19
MORE PICTURES PLEASE!!!
#20
Does anyone remember the days when the car radio had one speaker in the center dash, and a five button push radio (AM/FM, but sometimes only AM). Then they started selling cars with a stereo radio, which got you two speakers in the dash. Now we are up to 16 speakers, in the roof and the floor and all over. Problem is, today's music stinks to play anyway, so why bother. All tongue in cheek folks. Love the ELS in my 2011 RDX. Especially with DVD Audio's.
#22
Don't believe the hype!! Unless you have an extra set of ears pointing the opposite direction all of those speakers are just decoration. The only thing that would make it somewhat worth it is time alignment adjustment which I doubt it has.
#23
WayTooManyAcuras
Ah, a two ears-two speaker guy.
#24
I don't know what that means. If you are proposing that proper imaging happens in front of the listener and not behind them then you are correct. The amount of speakers isn't as important as placement whether it be 2 or 20. This is not objective just facts of car audio
#25
WayTooManyAcuras
I don't know what that means. If you are proposing that proper imaging happens in front of the listener and not behind them then you are correct. The amount of speakers isn't as important as placement whether it be 2 or 20. This is not objective just facts of car audio
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Eiffel (06-21-2018)
#26
I have listened to ELS16 speaker 3D. With Sirius XM it’s pretty meh. You can tell it’s good, but I also could guess that is had great potential with a better source.
Download some music to Spotify app at high quality (or CarPlay Spotify at high quality) and play that higher quality source.
I was BLOWN AWAY by the quality. Incredible immersion, tight bass, good clean treble, good mids. Great soundstage. I’m not easily impressed. I was grinning and told the sales guy “that is just awesome”.
I was also blown away by the B&W sound system in the new XC60. But that is a $3000 option!
I had the Baumeester in my W205 C class and it doesn’t even come close to the ELS 16 speaker system, and the Baumeester was a 1K option.
If this 16 speaker ELS isn’t quite as good as the XC60 B&W, just know that it’s darned good enough and has to be close. I’m now going to research some audiophile reviews of these two systems and how they compare.
The value of the A-SPEC is getting much better than I initially thought. in Canada the A-SPEC is 5K less than the Elite Advance (or whatever the very top trim is called in Canada) at just over 50K CAD. And in Canada we get the ventilated seats (not sure if US A-SPEC gets them), the spare tire, rain sensing wipers, and only SH-AWD.
Comparing equal features against the Q5 / GLC / X3 and considering this sound system is better than the upgraded audio in those models by quite a bit, I’m thinking it would take 7-10K more money to be equal given the LKAS / ACC driving features are also included in the RDX.
#27
Suzuka Master
The thing that gets me is that the system on the RDX takes only streaming, OTA or MP3 audio sources and then uses that to "convert" that into the 12/16 speaker system. No more CD or DTS-CD/DVD-A true surround source. I miss that a lot!
#28
WayTooManyAcuras
No, you're wrong. It will play true surround 5.1 and 4.0 .wav and .flac files. Read the post above from ELS themselves. It just won't play any type of disc at all, as there is no disc player.
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oblio98 (06-22-2018)
#31
Compared
i have sat in both models and paired them with source from my phone (320kps mp3)
i would say say that you actually can hear the difference with mainly treble being more clearer coming from the roof speakers. This is very apparent with vocal tracks. You will require less volume to hear the clarity.
a better system? Yes, but worth paying for the upgrade? Luckily, this isn’t the only difference between advance and Tecch models to make the upgrade worth while.
Btw, the 16 ELS sounded much better than the standard audio systems in xc60 and x3.
i would say say that you actually can hear the difference with mainly treble being more clearer coming from the roof speakers. This is very apparent with vocal tracks. You will require less volume to hear the clarity.
a better system? Yes, but worth paying for the upgrade? Luckily, this isn’t the only difference between advance and Tecch models to make the upgrade worth while.
Btw, the 16 ELS sounded much better than the standard audio systems in xc60 and x3.
Last edited by acuraada; 06-18-2018 at 02:38 PM.
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Stew4HD (06-18-2018)
#32
WayTooManyAcuras
ELS has posted on FB that all versions of the audio system in the RDX, 12 or 16 speakers, will play 5.1 .wav files - not just the 3D version in the A-Spec and Advance.
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robuckj (06-23-2018)
#33
I agree! it is a little funny to think about it. I remember adding 2 speakers to the back seats in my first car. I thought that was awesome. I have the 12 speaker system which is good enough. I don’t think the sound may be limited by the input signal anyway.
#34
Drifting
IMO the biggest impediment to quality car audio isn't the input signal, it's the incredible noise floor unless you're sitting still in your driveway with the engine off, pissing off the neighbors.
The second biggest impediment is compression and digital mayhem inflicted upon the input signal before it ever gets to the head unit. Or maybe it's the crazy acoustics of a car interior... take your pick.
But putting speakers close to my ears instead of next to my ankles is the best idea since sliced bread. Amazing improvement in clarity, even for my tired old ears.
The second biggest impediment is compression and digital mayhem inflicted upon the input signal before it ever gets to the head unit. Or maybe it's the crazy acoustics of a car interior... take your pick.
But putting speakers close to my ears instead of next to my ankles is the best idea since sliced bread. Amazing improvement in clarity, even for my tired old ears.
#35
Instructor
I have the 12 speaker setup. IMO the audio fails to meet the quality of the car.
- Low volumes, at settings about 8-10, there is no mid-base. Variable loudness equalization is required.
- Higher volumes the tweeters are harsh.
- Sound is not immersive, audio is all in the dash area of the car, were 9 of 12 speakers are.
- DTS Neural Sound helps but at times unbalances the sound. Backing vocals can be stronger than lead vocals. Or too much from the center speaker.
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Ih8honda (07-17-2021)
#36
Instructor
I finally went into the dealer and listened to a 16 speaker system. It is much better that the 12 speaker. In hindsight I should have spent the extra for the 16 speaker.
Sound is much more rich & rounder. The four extra speakers in the rear must be only a small part of the difference. The different amp must be doing more.
The 16 speaker system has an additional setting, Compressed Audio Enhancement on the same screen as the DTS Neural Sound.
Sound is much more rich & rounder. The four extra speakers in the rear must be only a small part of the difference. The different amp must be doing more.
The 16 speaker system has an additional setting, Compressed Audio Enhancement on the same screen as the DTS Neural Sound.
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Ih8honda (07-17-2021)
#38
Late to the party, and not to beat a dead horse here, but as the owner of a new A-Spec, and after having a couple of loaners in both the base and tech package trims, I can reaffirm everything that @Gate 17 said - the A-Spec/Advanced trim ELS Studio 3D system is significantly better than the tech system. For me, I couldn't get past how just unpleasant the highs (maybe it was the upper mids?) were in the tech system, they were just ear piercing and made the entire system unpleasant to listen to at anything over a 6 or 7 volume setting. I don't personally think the tech system comes anywhere close to living up to its "ELS" name, it is nowhere near as good as the system in either of the TLs I've owned (2007,2012), and frankly because of the harsh and unpleasant highs I would prefer the base sound system to it. The ELS Studio 3D system is just crystal clear from top to bottom, very dynamic, and seems to do a good job at keeping its composure as the volume increases.
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Ih8honda (06-08-2021)
#39
Instructor
Are we sure the speakers are different between ELS 12 speaker and ELS 3D 16 speaker systems? I did a quick check of online parts and it seems they both come up as Panasonic speakers using the same part number. Now the rear speakers are definitely just ELS 3D and only show under the A-Spec/Advance model but the other speakers are exactly the same...
Now the amplifiers are definitely marked as ELS or ELS 3D with different part numbers!
Amplifier Assy, Audio (ELS), Part # 39186-TJB-A21 $484.22
Amplifier Assy, Audio (16CH / ELS), Part #39186-TJB-A31 $601.97
As a matter of fact I was surprised to see that some of the Base speakers were also the same as Tech and A-Spec/Advance = 9CM midrange and the Subwoofer! The door bass speakers (17CM) and tweeters were different on the Base and of course no listing for the extra speakers the ELS and ELS 3D have.
Source: www.acurapartswarehouse.com
Now the amplifiers are definitely marked as ELS or ELS 3D with different part numbers!
Amplifier Assy, Audio (ELS), Part # 39186-TJB-A21 $484.22
Amplifier Assy, Audio (16CH / ELS), Part #39186-TJB-A31 $601.97
As a matter of fact I was surprised to see that some of the Base speakers were also the same as Tech and A-Spec/Advance = 9CM midrange and the Subwoofer! The door bass speakers (17CM) and tweeters were different on the Base and of course no listing for the extra speakers the ELS and ELS 3D have.
Source: www.acurapartswarehouse.com
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