First let me say, the TL is a very nice car. I just got mine last week, silver, ebony interior, nav... simply awesome. BUT, is there anyone else out there that thinks like me. I mean, come on, that ELS system is hands down the worst audio system in a car i've ever heard. Sure it's great it has all those speakers, but everything sounds so muffled. Adjusting the treble and bass does nothing. DVD-A does sound good, yet muffled as well, but that format is so widely unsupported. You can only find rare dvd-a's yet oldies out there. What happened to MP-3??? Sure you can burn dvd-a, but you're not going to get the multi-channel surround sound. So what's the point in having it? I've listened to the bose in the RL. NOW THAT'S A SYSTEM. The lows are thundering and the highs are crisp. Sweet.

Also, with all those features and gadgets, why did they not put in automatic headlights? Does anyone else really use the voice commands? I'm still trying to find a list of all the commands that are available without resorting to trial and error. For those of us with radars who plug into the dash, they certainly tried to hide that behind the little door. And probably the biggest thing, why front rear drive? With 285 horses, i want that power in the back!

Don't get me wrong, I love the car... i just traded in my is300 and the car is awesome. But to me, it falls short of perfection. So, i was just wondering if anyone else thinks the way i do or am i just nuts. Please, feel free to let me know!

 

Nakamichi in the IS300 is pretty nice so I do understand where you coming from. However, the audio system in TL is definitely one of the niceest OEM available. Some magazine concluded couple of months back.

RL is almost 15-20k over the TL. It should have a better audio system.

I don't want that.

I use voice command everyday. You can find a list of voice command by searching the forum.

Hardwire your radar detector.

To save money. TL is based on the Accord and borrows a lot of components. If Honda develops the TL on a brand new RWD platform, the R&D would make the TL cost a lot more than it is right now.

and it's 258 horses, not 285.

TL has it's shortcomings. I agree it's not a perfect car. However, you'd be hard to beat the bang-for-the-buck the TL offers.

 

Nakamichi in the IS300 is pretty nice so I do understand where you coming from. However, the audio system in TL is definitely one of the niceest OEM available. Some magazine concluded couple of months back.

RL is almost 15-20k over the TL. It should have a better audio system.

Of course the RL costs more... but anyone who thinks this audio system is one of the nicest OEM available are simply hear imparied. It's the worst sounding. Nothing is sharp, it's all muddy sounding. I don't expect to get bose quality, but i do expect better than this. You can't simply add more speaks, support dvd-a and now this is a premium system. For all the hype on it, it simply sucks. Really, what is dvd-a for? Is there anyone truly using the dvd-a multi channel format?

Originally Posted by alsedr
Also, with all those features and gadgets, why did they not put in automatic headlights?


I don't want that.

The lexus has automatic lighting... you may not want it, but i like to have the option of using it. I found it very useful.

Originally Posted by alsedr
Does anyone else really use the voice commands? I'm still trying to find a list of all the commands that are available without resorting to trial and error.


I use voice command everyday. You can find a list of voice command by searching the forum.


Now why after spending 35k+ do i have to search a forum on the commands on how to use it?????


Originally Posted by alsedr
For those of us with radars who plug into the dash, they certainly tried to hide that behind the little door.


Hardwire your radar detector.

now this is just plain stupid.....

Originally Posted by alsedr
And probably the biggest thing, why front rear drive? With 285 horses, i want that power in the back!


To save money. TL is based on the Accord and borrows a lot of components. If Honda develops the TL on a brand new RWD platform, the R&D would make the TL cost a lot more than it is right now.

and it's 258 horses, not 285.

My mistake, typo. And i'd pay the extra money to get a AWD or even a RWD. I suspect the platform will change in the future.

 

The voice commands are all listed in the back of the Navigation Manual.

 

Did someone say BOSE quality?

BOSE is a crock of shit for quality. I bet you have half a dozen of their little cubes in your house.

 

FYI ... all of the voice commands are in the back of the Navigation owners manual.

 

you buy what you need. did somebody blind fold you and force you to sign a check? you didn't know it was a FWD before u bot it? you didn't listen to the sound system before u bot it? you didn't know it's 258hp not 285hp? u didn't know there ain't moving headlights? u didn't know the plug is behind a cute lil door before u bot it? u didn't know there is no perfect car out there to end all? can we see a picture of your car please? until then.......


ooh BTW few sound mags suggested that if you are in the market for a new sound system, buy the car, put it in your garage and put a TV in front of it. that's just them tho. i ain't no sound freak but it sounds good to me.

 

The bose in the RL is much MUCH better than what the TL provides. You may not like bose, but there is no denying it sounds better than the ELS of the TL. Acura hypes it like it's the premo of audio systems in a car.

 

Of course i knew all these things... don't get all bent out of shape. If you read above, you'll see how i praised the car as well. And yes, i did listen to the sound system above and when i first did a test drive i was shocked. But just figured it would take some adjusting and playing to get it sounding good. Cause no way could it sound that bad.

And don't have a pic at the time... only a week old. But chill dude, relax... it's an awesome car!

 

Appreciate it, i must have missed that!!!

 

Lets not flame the guy...he's clearly stated he's a fan of the car, he bought one. As for the audio, i'd be willing to bet that 4th gen TL will NOT have the DVD-A format, as it is quickly going the way of the 8-track.

And yes, as for the 'quality' i *do* understand where he's coming from regarding a muffled sound...it took some getting used to for me (i'm an audiophile, have done a lot of recording and am perhaps a little more sensitive to stereo spread and audio dynamics than some.)

To everyone else's point, the TL is the best car out there when you consider bang for your buck and i'm not saying the audio system is poor, it just took some getting used to.

 

r u sure RL is the best? if u r, trade the TL in while it's only a week old. if ur not, keep looking fast while you still can get great trade in price. good luck.

 

someone had too much coffee this morning. take a deep breath and exhale slowly.

 

no my point is .......YOU bot it.....already.....sits in your drive way or garage.......what's the point talking about all these. you either like it or u don't for the $$$ u pay. otherwise get some other cars.

 

Didn't say the RL is the best i've ever heard, just that it sounds way better. If acura never promoted this system as something more than it was, probably wouldn't think twice about it. I'm no audiophile, but even i can tell the difference. My iPod with $20 headphones sounds clearer than this thing.

 

thanks man... i think everyone was missing the point. I was just trying to see if i was nuts to think these things. I agree 100% about dvd-a. Why would they put that in a car, even though it does sound completely awesome, if the format is not widely supported? I may have it, but i can't use it because i can't find any true dvd-a dvd's out there i would actually want to listen to. So then what's the point in having it? I guess my only hope is for acura to read this and change in upcoming models.

i think i'm starting to get more used to the system, just hard when i still have in my head what true audio sounds like.

 

good point... but i thought the point of these forums was to talk about the car, which is what i am doing. the good points AND the bad points.

 

my friend listens to his ipod all the time in his car cuz he got no radio. you can certainly do that if you decide that the TL audio is subpar. pretty subjective stuff but it's ur car and ur ears.

 

to acura's credit, when the TL was released the two big upcoming formats were DVD-A and SACD. When you consider that i think it is a pretty stellar commentary on Acura's commitment to excellence...neither of those formats have done too well but from a product standpoint acura shouldn't be criticized for not changing the hardware because you have to give the format a chance.

 

I don't think listening to an iPod is going to change anything. It still goes through the system and out from the speakers. My point was, a $20 pair of headphones sounds better. Should i have to resort to putting on headphones in a car that costs this much? That's absolutely insane... bottom line, ACURA, fix this thing in the next model!! Stop focusing on # of speakers and focus more on quality, not quantity.

 

don't take this the wrong way too much. u replied so quick i can hardly keep up. i think you got my point. nothing personal. you had all the time before your purchase. now you bot it. you should have started this conversation way before you made the purchase. subjective stuff people either like or don't like. pointless debates imo.

 

good point... i do feel acura is an outstanding dealer. I would buy from them again without hesitation. Just wish the format did catch on because it truly is awesome to listen to.

 

no no no. i meant using your $20 headphones if they give you more enjoyment. why not? TL sound sucks in your opinion.

 

yes very true... the goods outweigh the bads in the car. Was just wondering what other people thought. It's hard to truly know a car 100% until you submerse yourself in it, day in and day out. But i have no regrets and simply love the car.

 

Yeah its too bad the format hasn't taken off.

 

i dig that DVD-a thing but my bro dogged me from day one saying it will never take off. i have no D-fense now since it ain't going nowhere.

about the dealer tho, it all depends on who ur dealer is. i got a good one. however my friends said bad thing about the same dealer. ok maybe it's not just the dealer. it's who you know in that dealer makes all the differences. i am sure that's more or less true elsewhere too.

 

agreed, many dealer complaints and praises all over this forum... i think he may have meant manufacturer....as in acura as a whole.

 

take it to the dealer and see if there may be something wrong with your stereo since it sounds pretty good to most people.

and yes, the forums are to talk about the car, the good and the bad. but pretty much you said: i love the car (no explanation), BUT .................................................. ...... lots of stuff that you are dissapointed with.

i went to the auto show last weekend and after i left, i concluded that there was no better car for the money. and even looking at the more expensive cars with more stuff on them, i probably could not justify spending the extra $10k, $15k or whatever for them. after a year of ownership, i still feel good spending my money on the TL.

plain and simple, i love my TL as most people do. and they-cars will all have their downfalls and imperfections.

regards to everyone, mark.

 

i guess for me, since i just bought the car, my perspective is i knew it wasn't going to take off, so in my eyes, i'm wondering why did they put that in? I got an 06 and since the car just came out, it stands to reason they should have at least added support for mp3's, not dvd-a because they harp on that aspect of it. Yet in reality, if you don't know any better, you get all excited about it until you find out you can find anything worthwhile to buy for it.

 

i thought about talking to the dealer, but my test drive car sounded similar... maybe i should, don't have anything to lose. like i said, figured just needed to be configured right.

Sorry didn't expand more on the positives... there are so many and most everyone knows about them.

Anyone know how to get rid of that annoying OK on the nav everytime you boot it up???

 

I never had that problem. I just did not get the Navi.

I don't think you can get rid of it, though.

 

I prefer the Acura stereo over my Audi system. To each his own I guess

Again, to each his own.

You paid too much.

That's uncalled for. Complaining about insignificant crap which he/she should've known before buying the car and then start throwing insults on the forum is stupid. If those things bother you go buy your farking lexus back.

TL will have SH-AWD in the future, for now check out the RL.

 

Every reviewer has rated the TL audio system the best OEM system available. Even the audiophile magazines say so. The clarity of mine is excellent, and no, I'm not a fanatic but I do know a good system from a bad one. It could, perhaps, use a little more boost in the subwoofer if you want to rattle the windows 3 cars away but that's not a priority for me.
If your refering to listening to music on XM that's not the systems fault; it's all the signal compression XM uses. I've never heard any audio system sound good with XM.
Perhaps you need to have your unit checked. It doesn't sound like your listening to the same ELS product that I have.
Addendum: All of the voice commands are listed in a easy to access menu in the nav. system. Take a few minutes to review them and you'll probably find them easy to use.

 

I don't know about most people but I surely don't expect that much from factory stereo systems. Alsedr, if you consider yourself such an audiophile then you will know that to get the quality you want you will need to go aftermarket. I think the TL's system is above average for a factory system. Certainly the RL's will be better as it is considered an upgrade from the TL.

 

i agree with you but maybe his ears are different. his feeling i don't know. that's why i said this is a pointless debate on subjective stuff. he said he "loves" the car so put on a $20 set of headphones and all his problems solved. small price to pay to solve a "big" problem.

 

you're right i should... but then again, it works. the dealer will look at me like i'm nuts.

 

By what he's saying, the rest of us who think the ELS is pretty good need to get our hearings checked...

 

i agree, an aftermarket system would sound way better. but the system is so rooted in there, not sure how it will affect other systems. i'm not audiophile, but i do know clairity when i hear it. it blows my mind this system gets such high reviews. is it the features, dvd-a, etc....or do they rate the sound quaility itself.

 

to each his own... if you enjoy it, then you must be lucky. but my lexus stock system sounded way better to me and from the hype acura gave, i expected this system to rock not sound like i have ear muffs on.

 

hmm... you really should get the dealer to look at your sound system. Or you can try the system from another TL and see if there's anything wrong with yours.