Seems to me like the Bose sound system in my 2002 TL was clearer and better sounding than the ELS in my new '05.

Radio and regular CD both had a richer, more balanced, less "tinny" sound with the Bose speakers. However when playing DVD audio, there's no comparison, it sounds MUCH better than anything else I've heard in a car.

But for the more common CD and radio stations, it just feels like the sound quality is not as good as it was with the Bose speakers. Is it just me or does anyone else feel the same way? Maybe I need to adjust some settings in the '05?

 

While I didn't have a previous TL, I do have a Bose system in my truck. I kind of agree that I don't know what all the hype about the ELS system is about. It sounds good, but so do a lot of other factory systems such as the Bose system. Most of them are good enough for me. If you are a true audiophile, you are going to replace the sound system so it doesn't really matter.

As for the DVD-A, it does sound spectaular, but there really arent many titles and I listen to XM most of the time anyway. I don't really use it.

My big gripe is the tape deck. I wish it wasn't even there. Who still has tapes anyway.

 

I think it's just you. I came from a 03 TL Type S and to me the 04 has a much richer sound on both 5.1 as well as CD. It might be whhat you are listening to. Try a CD with nice sound quality maybe some jazz, r&b or anything with nice sound quality. The first thing I like better about the panasonic is it has tweeters and the bose in the 03 did not. I am not really a fan of panasonic and actually like Bose better(and to me Bose is still over rated.) but in this case I have to go with panasonic. I also think Bose put's better systems in certain cars than others. Because I saw a Bose rep at the New Orleans Jazz Fest under the Acura tent and I told him that it seems that the Bose system in my wife's 2000 Infiniti I30 sounds more powerful and richer than in my 03 TL. His reply was each Bose system is designed for that car.

 

I know some people who records lectures in class and listen to them during their drive.

 

WEll, i kinda lik the dvd-a system better.... how many speakers were on the 2nd gen tl??? it didnt hav a sub tho....

 

It was five. two 6 1/2 inch in the front doors and two 6 1/2 inch in the back doors and a sub in the back dash with the Bose symbol on it.

 

I think it's just you. The Blows sound system in my 2002 TL had muddy bass and clipped high notes, but like all Bose systems emphasized the mid-notes. The 3G TL's system is far more balanced, with tighter bass. If only I had time to run back to the dealer to fix the rattling rear deck....

 

I like the ELS sound system much better than the Bose in my 03. I just feel the overall sound quality is better.

 

The ELS is light years ahead of the Bose in the 03. I thought the Bose in my 03 was the worst stereo I ever had in a car. It sounded totally muddy. It was basically crap.

The ELS ranks right up there among the best. The only others that compare were the Bose 4.0 in my STS and the Nakamichi in my Lexus SC400. But I think the Acura, when you balance all the features, wins. And nothing comes close to the DVD-A sound. I like the interface on the ELS, as well as the appearance, too.

Very pleased with it.

 

This is my third TL (99, 02) and the sound system is by far the best.

 

Well then I'll keep toying with it ... got Metallica and Queen DVD-A the other day ... sounds awesome!

 

No Highs, No Lows, Must be BOSE!

 

I occasionally use it if I want to play one of my old mixed tapes that I have not recorded to a CD. Even if I didn't use it, I wouldn't mind it being there. Nice to have the option. If you have it there and want to use it, you're fine, but if you don't have it and find you want to use it, you're out of luck.

 

And I listen to my MP3 jukebox via a cassette adapter. Maybe if Acura had had a little foresight and left an auxiliary input free on the head unit for an external jukebox unit like the Phatbox I wouldn't care, but as it stands now that's the ONLY way to play my MP3 collection in my TL.