I've read nothing but awesome things about it in carmags.... what are some of your personal likes/dislikes?

How does it compare to other Luxury marque sound systems? (Nakamichi, Harmon Kardon, Monsoon, etc)?

Thanks!

Looking forward to going from 4 speakers to 8!!

 

I've never heard a better car sound.

 

The sound is an awsome experience, I just wish it had more volume.

some classical pieces I can barely hear them...
It must be because the amp is working 5 times harder by powering individual channels. Stereo sound is much louder.
Cd are ok.
Cassette player is low on volume too.

 

You'll have to experience it yourself. Try the demo CD at the dealership. It's especially impressive when you flip between track 3 (original 2 track) and track 5 (with 5.1 surround).

Track 21 intro is nice when the voice travels all around the different speakers, and track 20 is a great live rendition.

 

I'm not a sound expert. But it sounds good to me. And I can say for sure that its sounds much better than our '98 Honda Accord AM/FM with Tapedeck.

 

LOL! Then it must be awesome!

 

It does not sound as good as our Toyota Sequoia Limited on regular CD and AM/FM but it is very close and a totally different environment as far as space. With the right DVD-A, IT SOUNDS AWESOME AND BEATS THE SEQUOIA EASILY. I'm kind of didappointed that the XM radio doesn't sound as good as CD since it is supposed to be a clean digital signal. XM just doesn't have the presence regular CD does.

 

I'm a musician. For me, the TL's audio system was one of it's major selling points. It sounds better than any stock stereo I've heard. I've never heard a stock Bose system that I really liked. GM and Ford have absolutely nothing that compares. I have not heard the Lexus Levinson system so I can't comment on that one, except to say that it is an expensive option.

The DVD-A quality is superb. I'm not sure where the complaints from the sound quality of the CD come from. I haven't listened to the cassette player because I haven't listened to a cassette for probably 10 years (maybe I should invest in some books on tape just to use it). XM and FM sound fine. There will obviously be a quality difference between those and CD. XM quality does vary from channel to channel - maybe because of original source media. For the most part, it sound good. I'd rank the sound quality as follows - DVD-A, CD, XM, FM.

The system may be a bit underpowered for DVD-A material. I believe this does have to do with the fact that there are more channels (6) of discrete information being sent.

2 channel stereo material appreciates more wattage per channel. There is plenty of power in this case.

The sound and tonal quality is very balanced, with an emphasis in the upper midrange. Bass is strong without being dominating (I believe there are some who are used to and wish for much stronger bass, but imo this system doesn't need it). I believe the sound to be very true to the source material, having an almost studio monitor quality. The downside of this is that poor recording and/or mixing are going to be revealed on this system.

Don't get me wrong, it's neither an audiophile or monitor system. But it definitely has more in common with those than in the majority of stock mobile audio systems available today, which generally have poor tonal balance (i.e. overboosted highs and bass - I listen to this system flat, never done that before).

I have no complaints about the audio system. I do, however, have a few wishes - an equalizer, silkier highs, and SACD instead of DVD-A. I'm worried about DVD-A as a survivable format. New DVD-A titles appear infrequently. Sony, and other labels for that matter, is churning out new SACD's monthly.

 

ERR...GREAT!!

 

DVD-A/DTS, Cd-Audio sound better than any other OEM I've ever heard, FM is better in my previous Ford MACH systems.

Bass could be deeper on soungs that require it, the Panasonic sub struggles a lot with deep notes but overall the system is great.

 

I am an audio engineer and musician. I find the ELS system to be quite good. The Mark Levinson in the new ES-300 is better, but not by much.

The spacious feel that you get playing well-produced DVDAs is incomparable. It is REALLY stupid that Acura didn't include the FREE DVD algorithm to give us surround sound from our 2-channel CDs.

I believe that the system will sound fantastic if the drivers are replaced with better speakers, starting with the front tweeters.

IMPORTANT - For better balanced sound, be sure to turn the Bass DOWN to -2. Now, when you raise the overall volume, this brings up the needed midrange, and improves the entire sound of the system 100%.

 

Automophile,

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Why didn't Acura include some DSP modes for 2 channel CD, including Dolby Surround to add ambience on regular 2 channel audio? This is a serious oversight, especially when you consider everything is place to make it happen with the exception of a DSP chip.

 

I've never heard a DSP effect that I thought was worth the effort to switch it on (thinking of all those DSP modes that can be found on surround sound receivers these days).

Mike

 

Automophile, what instrument do you play?

 

Not a musician or an audio engineer - just a music fan. This car is making me buy a whole collection of DVD-A of the stuff that I've download, err, purchased in the past. The sound is just awesome. For example, go out and purchase the Queen with Dragon attack and listen through your home DVD player (if you have surround sound 5.1) - this is what you'll get. Impossible to describe it in words, you just have to experience it your self.

 

I just bought a 2004 TL. Previous car was a 200 TL & the bose system was starting to not sound good. This one the sound is even worse (tinny, crackly at higher volumes). Anyone got any thoughts?

 

i loved it.........actually took me a while to get used to the regular yet premium system in the new 4th gen TL ......cause i have the base model.........when i had the 06 TL it had the ELS system .....

 

the Amp might be going bad.

 

As others have said, this is a quality sound system---the best OEM unit I have heard.
However, it can be made to sound better. The system lacks bass "punch, IMO. I replaced the tweeters and the subwoofer and have it sounding just the way I want.
The Acura demo DVD-A is incredible!

 

Man, can somebody host the demo DVD-A disc image somewhere.. I really want to hear it! Maybe we can get a little torrent going, or this.

 

it sounds good but a little weak for sure....my friends is350 with the mark levinson sound system is much louder and definitely sounds better too.

 

what dvd-a demo are you guys talking about? is it the acura tl dvd that came with the car when it came off the dealership? i have it at home but i never tried to play it in my car.

 

yes it came wit the car when you bought it, sounds pretty nice when u listen to it in the car

 

Having come from a past that included high-end aftermarket car audio, I have to say that the ELS isn't that great. It's not bad; it's decent, at best, to my ears. You can certainly put together something better, that is geared more towards your tastes.

 

well i dont know, but for me it is one of the the worse premium systems i have heard. Audi, Bmw, Lexus, some infiniti sounds better than acura tl system.

 

I'll try to host it for you guys.

 

The system in my 04' is good but I'm replacing my factory speakers with Polk component speakers up front and 6.5 2-ways in the back with a 400 watt amp.

 

That would be huge! I haven't even heard anything through the center channel aside from Navi. Can't wait.. let us know if you get around to it

 

wish it was louder with a ipod jack