Hey guys, i just got a 04 TL SSM 6spd w/ Navi...ok so my only problem with the car right now is that I think the stock audio system in the car is weak. The sound is clear but I have to crank up the sound to get it loud (like crank up to full bars) and there is no bass when i turned up the bass up all the way too. Am I missing something? I thought the audio system in the car was suppose to be pretty good. Does anyone know what is wrong? maybe i'm just missing something here.

 

I agree totally. I came from an 03 Honda coupe 6sp and that car had an AWESOME sound system. It was the only model on the floor that year with the Premium Sound package. No subwoofer but two good sized woofers in the back deck. I figured moving into the 8 sp "surround sound" TL would be an upgrade. WRONG!! Even with the stock subwoofer in the TL, the car still sounds flat.... My only gripe with my new whip.

B

 

From your age I am guessing that your priority is not sound quality and soundstage but rather SPL's and earth shattering bass. First off, I will admit that the stock system could use more power, that is true of almost any stock system in any car. I have been into home and car audio equipment for a long time and while an aftermarket upgrade would be an improvement over the TL's system I would hardly clarify the stock system as weak. For example:

1) The soundstage is quite accurate in the TL's stock system. Could it be better ? Sure....but the sound is very evenly balanced as it is.

2) For speakers that are not top of the line, the mid-range reproduction of the system is truly remarkable. How can you tell this ? One of the hardest things for a speaker to re-create is the male vocal. There are even some expensive system's that will color vocals....some describe this as "chestiness". The TL's system produces more accurate vocals than even some of the extensive aftermarket systems I have had installed in my cars.

3) SPL (sound pressure level)....it's sufficient most of the time. If you want to be heard from 10 blocks away, it falls short. But the best way to listen to a car audio system, if you truly want to hear accurate sound reproduction, is to keep the cabin of the car as quiet as possible. This means keeping your windows and sunroof shut when you are tooling along the highway at 80 MPH. Even a very good aftermarket system will have issues trying to overcome that kind of road and wind noise. Trying to listen to music with that kind of noise is tantamount to watching TV inside your house while wearing your sunglasses.

If you are looking for SPL's in the 120 db range and bass that could shatter windows, then indeed the TL's system would fall short. But to get to that plateau would require a large audio upgrade and it would not come cheap.

 

if youre just listening to the radio, that makes a big difference. stick a DVD-A in and you'll really hear how great the audio is...plus the DVD-A's play a lot louder...my Linkin Park reanimaiton dvd i can only turn up to like 23 before it hurts my ears.

 

As I've said before (and been blasted for it), there may be something wrong with your system. With all the sources I've played (DVD-A, DTS CD, CD, XM), I can hit better than 110 dB at a volume of 20-25 with recent rock recordings. And the sub is audible from in the house and hits hard enough to vibrate the rearview mirror. If you're not getting any bass and you can hit 40 without your ears bleeding, it's worth having the dealer look at it.

That said, there are some recordings I have that could use more umph in the low end and an aftermarket sub+amp would be nice for those.

 

And the one other thing that you must remember is that not all source material is recorded at the same level. I find that most CD's recorded during the past 15 years or so are usually recorded at a higher level. This is because of the advancement of studio recording technology that allows a recording to take full advantage of the clarity and dynamic range of a digital medium like the CD. A lot of older CD's are recorded at a much lower output level because the recording had to be more compressed. I have some CD's that can be played plenty loud on a setting anywhere from 12-16 but I have other CD's that need to be played on a setting somewhere in the mid-20's.

And let's not forget the choice of music as well.....Metallica, Linkin Park and Korn will reach higher SPL's than James Taylor, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez....

 

Maybe you should consider replacing the speakers like King of Pain and others.

Threads that might interest you:
King of Pain's install

ELS stock speaker specs - size/imped/depth

 

Ah....its alright for a stock system. If its not enough...modify it!

 

Replacing only the speakers will not increase the SPL (sound pressure level) of the system. You have to upgrade the amplifier for that. Most aftermarket speakers are LESS efficient than the stock speakers and require MORE power to play at an equal volume level. So just replacing the speakers may actually make the system sound less loud. Clean power is the answer....but make sure the speakers you are going to use, either stock or aftermarket, can handle the power from whatever aftermarket amplifier is installed.

 

I totally agree. The stock system in the TL will not win any SPL competitions nor will it get you pulled over for disturbing the peace. What it will do is amaze you when it comes to well produced CD's and DVD-A material. The system was designed for audio quality, sound stage reproduction and imaging. For a stock system, it kicks butt. My NIN "With Teeth" DVD-A sounds nothing short of amazing.

 

The stock system in the TL is a very clean and accurate sound system. I to had a problem with the volume.

Adamo0926 is right, replacing the speakers will not increase the volume, actually replacing them with aftermarket speakers will drop the volume further. The amp in the TL needs to be upgraded. I personally went with a 5.1 amp from Audiobahn. I replaced all the speakers and disconnect the factory 8 and fiberglassed in 2 8's in the rear drivers side. As for volume, I can listen to it at 15 with the windows down running 80 mph and hear every word.

I have no distortion in the system and it is ultra clean. I have been working with car audio for 8 years professionally. I personally don't like systems that have bass that are over powering.

I am actually setting the car up to compete in SQL(sound quality level). This is far different then SPL compitions. SQL requires proper staging and for the music to be loud with no distortion. The staging in the car is awsome from the factory and is unbelievable with a DVD-a disc. So if you want more, replace the factory. This includes adding a new amp. The factory radio can be retained without a problem.

Here is what I did in mine.




Jason

 

SPL's are fine and plenty of fun when you're young. But as you get older I hope you appreciate your hearing and move more towards enjoying sound reproduction. Hearing proper soundstage, midrange and accuracy becomes more important. It's hard to do critical listening in a car when it has some many things to compete with it - road and wind noise and paying attention to the road. Enjoy the TL for what it does well. Improve if you feel it's necessary. Protect your hearing - this you'll thank us for. And if you want to hear how well music can be reproduced, go to a hi-end audio store and have them put on a fine recording on their best turntable system - sit back, relax and enjoy.

Enjoy the music.

 

I can't stand the factory system. I got so annoyed by the booming bass so I turned off subwoofer and turned bass -6. now I'm replacing the system step by step...

 

The media player on my Samsung a900 sounds better than the TL sound system.

 

I am quite impressed with the stock system. It by no means a bass thumping system for heavy metal or rap , but quite fine with most genres of music IE Beck, REM, Coltrane, The Who etc... I dont think Acura had in mind heavy music when designing the system.

The DVD-A is impressive. Most other manufacturers charge a pretty penny for a premium system mind the ELS is not a Mark Levinson of Lexus or a McIntosh , but for a std equipment audio i am quite fond of it...

 

I agree with you on the bass. I think they have it turned up way too loud. The speakers are not loud enough to back it. I wonder if the sub is bridged which causes it to turn up louder 2x as much as the other speakers. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy good bass but you need the components to back it up. They just dont with the stock system.