I am looking into a 2005 TL and I was wondering just how good is the sound system? I checked acura.com and its suppose to be like some crazy ass stereo surround system with DVD sound and all that crap. How good is it really?

Another question... does the TL without Navigation also come with the screen in the center console? Thanks!

 

C'mon, man, do a search! There are dozens of threads that cover these topics, and have picutres. Otherwise, go drive the car.

 

Most people say it's a hell of a sound system. DVD-A are supposed to be really great.
Non Nav also have a screen, but it gives just the info of the radio and a/c system.
Check out this threads:
http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93635

 

honestly tho from the driver's position, it's not as specular because you are not sitting in the "center" as you would be at home. i think the rear passengers get the 5.1 effect a lot better, given their distance from the center speaker. i dunno tho just my 2 cents

 

its rated one of the best from the factory sound systems, so what do you think

 

I've been to a couple of car audio places and they said that the speakers in my 2004 TL are great, even better than BOSE. I wanted to upgrade my speakers, but they said that I didn't need to...I could just upgrade the sub. DVD-A is great! It's much clearer and better than CD. I just got discwelder. I am starting to make DVD-A from music concert DVDs. Why wait for DVD-A's when you can just get the DVD video and make the DVD-A from it.

 

Not true for me, maybe it has something to do with your height? Im 6'3 1/2 and the top of my hair barely reaches the ceiling of the car, but i do hear the center nicely. try putting your center level all the way to the max.

 

i actually feel like the rear seat passengers kinda just hear... normal music, while the front gets teh fun.

 

Go Trojans!

 

Quality wise, the ELS system is pretty good...one of the best in any mass produced car. There are a couple of flaws...

1) Sound is DRIVER centered. Even Elliot Scheiner said this in an interview. The new RL's Bose 5.1 is more suited for good listening from different seating positions.

2) Volume doesn't go high enough. I usually don't like listening to loud music but I find that if I am driving on the highway with the windows down, I can't get the volume high enough to overcome the wind noise! With the windows closed, I don't have any problems. Definitely not for those that like to rattle the windows of the car next to you.

 

Volume doesn't go high enough with xm radio, i noticed good quality cds and fm sound much louder i can't go over vol. 28 w/o hurting my ears

 

who cares what it is rated as? the bose in my old car was crisper, cleaner, and better highs...better sound

 

I just traded my 97 Acura RL for the 04 TL. The RL had the highly rated Bose System with 7 speakers as I recall. I can't give the you technical analysis, but the TL easily sounds better.

 

That is true. Only you can make the decision on how it rates.

I wish I could say the same of my Bose system in the NSX. It has got to be the absolute worst OEM system ever made. I finally had to upgrade to aftermarket so it would be tolerable. Then again, the real music sits a few inches behind the drivers head.

 

IMO, the only way to decide is to test it out for yourself. Dealers have a sample DVD-A disc to which you can listen during a test drive. Of course, I would highly recommend listening to it while sitting there parked, as that's the best way to hear the difference.

There's one song on the disc given in both normal CD, and DVD-A formats. Play both and you'll see the difference. It should be fairly easy to notice.

 

You need to listen to the system first, and bring along your favorite CDs.

We took it for granted that this is a fabulous sound system. After a year of driving, we can't wait to get rid of it. Sounds like crap to us. My chevy/bose sounds much better. Everyone is a bit different though. Alot of folks like the TL system.

 

The sound system in the TL is outstanding at what it was designed to do. Those of you who are looking to shake the mirrors and get attention at stop lights (not that this is bad)will probably be disapointed. There was a recent review in "Stereophile Ultimate AV" which is posted here somewhere. I also have it in PDF if anyone can post it, I will email.

I find the sound to be rich, full and emersed in detail that I rarely find in a stock audio system. As the article states (and I completely agree) sound of DVD-A and CD depends almost entirely on the quality of the recording and the new 5 channel sound leaves a lot of room for producers to take liberties with material. I have some recordings (Police, every breath you take) where some of the affects sound "gimmicky". ie, a snare hit durring Roxanne can be heard in the front channel but the echo comes from the rear. Satellite radio is really growing on me. I didn't really see point at first but I am really addicted to channel 54.

Overall, the system is not overpowering but is clear and detailed. It is difficult to drive the system past it's capabilities, but with some material you can; and the system has some flaws especially at the low end of the spectrum. I have read some posts where some of you have added Basslink or other bass enhancing products, but in my opinion (whatever it's worth) products that amplify line-level inputs produce muddy, sloppy bass.

 

as far as sound clarity i would say good , but as far as the watts they say, i doubt it , car doesnt put out the watts my 96 maxima did , with the boes

 

I think everyone's putting too much emphasis on the brand name of these audio systems. A car audio system needs to be carefully designed around the acoustics of the car's interior. That will make or break the system's performance. Generally, all the factory audio systems use very poor quality components (in fact most aftermarket car audio is of very poor quality compared to even mid-fi home audio gear). Most of the component parts of the sound system are outsourced. There's no way to tell who really built the drivers or the amplfier, despite the brand name printed on them. If the manufacturer of the car (or the audio system) gets lazy and doesn't design the system properly for the specific car's interior, it will not perform well.

Here's a good example: I've owned four Nissan Maximas: 1993, 1995, 1998, 2001. All of them had a "Bose Premium Sound System," yet all of them sounded completely different. The 93 and 95 were pretty good, but the 1998 Maxima had the finest, best balanced, factory sound system I've ever heard (note my TL hasn't arrived yet). The 2001 Maxima I'm currently stuck with has the absolute most godawful sound system I have ever had the displeasure of hearing. For the past three years I've listened to NOTHING but AM talk radio. Yes, the quality is that bad. The Delco system in my 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix sounded more natural. Yet both the 1998 Maxima and 2001 Maxima have the same "Bose Premium" system? What happened? Bose really cheaped out on the drivers they used for the 01/02 cars, for one thing. It's also likely they did absolutely no acoustical testing on the then newly designed 01/02 car.

 

The Bose in my Max sounded nice for the first few yrs before i changed everything. But the funny thing i discovered the day i switched out the speakers, was that Clarion made the tweeters and the rest is bose. If it wasn't for the tweeters the system might have sounded like

 

jj69 and tonyg34, off topic....since you guys owned 4th gen Maximas im wondering what got your heads turned to the 3rd gen TL? For me, i decided between the 6th gen max (ugly) G35 coupe. Once i saw the TL i loved the interior/exterior design, after the test drive i was sold on it. The TL could use some more torque, i remember driving the max at 65mph on the freeway then floor the pedal to 80 and hear the tires screech to sprint off. On the TL i don't hear it yet, maybe because its really quiet inside or just the torque.

 

I had a Bose sytem in my 97 Maxima and 2001 Pathfinder. Both god awful. I have NEVER heard a good quality Bose system home or auto. I am not looking for shear wattage. I want sound stage and clarity. At home I have a Yamaha Sub with Celestian sats and the soundstage is incredible. When I upgrade to surround for Home, I will buy my speakers from Aperion Audio. As for auto, I think the TL has an excellent stock stereo. It is very accurate and clean. Not the loudest, but very true with great soundstage. If you want a perfect sound system for your car you have to go aftermarket. Tough to do now with 5.1!

My last car, a '97 Cobra, had a Mach 1 sound system. It wasn't perfect, but I couldn't see spending 3k+ on slight improvements.

Try Steely Dan- Everything Must Go. This is a reference quality DVD-A. This disc will allow you to see the strenghts of the ELS system. No use of cheesy 5.1 effects. The music was written with a surround system in mind. Enjoy!

T

 

Also if anyone listened to Benny Bennassi on Xm ch 81, the lows just sound amazing in the car, even in mp3 format.