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?

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.

heres a good breakdown of the 3D system

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...300621166.html

my guess would be that you can’t control the level of the sub because he system is designed to perform a certain way and adjusting the levels of the cabin speakers may also adjust the sub to provide optimal performance. I saw an EQ adjustment so mid and highs so perhaps when you adjust them the sub automatically adjusts to give you the best sound possible. I don’t know for sure that’s just a pure guess.

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!

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.

Not referring to base model in my question. Was referring to 12 vs 16 speaker systems.

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.

Remote start seems to be available with the AcuraLink app on all models. I believe you have to pay a fee per year. Fog lights are listed as an accessory option for Tech. I’m not crazy about how small the fog lights are though. They really do not add to the aesthetic. For me, Tech seems to be the best “value”.

You might want to believe it if you haven’t listened to the 12 vs 16 and come to your own conclusion. I can’t say I have...but I can say this:

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.

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 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.