I can't decide whether I like having this turned on or not. I never used it in my 07; didn't like the effect at all.

It seems better in the 09, for some reason. I'm principally listening to MP3s on DVD. Most of them seem to sound better (some worse), but the soundstage in the 09 is definitely different than the 07 so that may be part of it.

XM seems to sound much worse with PL turned on--too much to the center.

Other thoughts on this?

 

I just turn on this function this morning and seems to improve the sound quality of my MP3 (Dvd). The surround effect seems pretty good. I haven't tried playing with XM yet. I will try on my commute back home.

 

I leave it on all the time whenever possible......in my opinion, the sound quality is enhanced considerably when it's activated. Too bad it doesn't work with regular FM radio.

 

page 291:


In some audio playing modes
(XM, AUX), when DPLII is on, the
music coming from the rear
speakers may sound distorted. This
is due to compression of the music,
and it does not indicate a problem
with the setting.

I thought I heard some distortion w/ xm with the DPLII on?

so Bimode w/ higher bit rates is there less chance of this?

I'm no expert

 

I'm not sure. I haven't researched compressed radio into detail and the anomalies of processing it. Higher bit rates can distort just as low bit rates if you turn it up loud enough. I apply the sciences of home theatre applications. If your source is not Dolby Pro Logic II, then why use that processor? At that point it becomes simulated which can substantially change the image of your song or the way others intended you to hear it? Every mix session or musician makes a stereo two channel mix because that's where we are today. But hey, if you like the way it sounds, go with it, that's all that matters!!!

Dolby Pro Logic is not true 5.1 Dolby Digital by the way. Go to Dolby.com to check out more, that's our source of information, here's a breakdown picture:

 

I mainly listen to AUX, and with this turned on, music sounded terrible, so I just leave it off. It seemed to make everything sound a bit tinny, and without the resonance I like to hear in my music. Might be different off of HDD or disc, but I haven't tried it.

 

Again the key factor is your source. Turning on the Dolby Pro Logic simulation should not make your music sound awful, just a little spread out, see above. Let's take XM, FM/AM out of the equation and focus on the media possibilities of the TL.

Disc - CD or DVD, what you put in is what you get (I feel this is the best reproduction of audio possible in TL at this time, DVD-A first, CD 2nd)
USB - what you put in, is what you get (slow responses to larger flash drives, not reliable when thrashed around)
HDD - what you put in, is what you get, and we're pretty sure the HDD records at 128Khz which is average, no options for the HDD to record at higher MP3 rates is an oversight by Acura.
Mini pin - what you put in, is what you get, granted that your using a decent stereo Y to mini adapter, gold tips not necessary in the short term if you take care of your equipment. (This is the last option for me, and I feel the lowest quality reproduction of music, of course it varies on your playback unit and it's mini pin stereo output quality)

If any of the possibilities above does not sound good in the TL, when you know that particular source sounds good elsewhere, your source in the TL is bad. This could be a result of a bad transfer and using the audio media improperly. I suggest finding good software as most of you are on PC (XP/Vista - sorry can't recommended anything at this time), the Mac never falters and that's my weapon of choice. Start using MP3's at higher bit rates, 192Khz and above, use the best setting possible when converting AIFF/WAV files to MP3, if it takes longer you get better results. Turn off any processing when making the transfers, these will not improve your sound source.

 

Dolby Pro Logic II sounds a bit better in the new TL than the 3G TL. Due to the increase in the number of speakers and their placement, the sound is much more "uplifting" and sounds clearer. Dolby basically takes the audio, the vocals and high notes are played through the center, the front doors take up the mids. The rear speakers play "filler" which is mostly high notes with some mids. The sub of course plays the low end notes. I find that the music is more balanced with the feature off, but it sounds a bit "dead", dolby brings it alive at the cost of making it sound slightly odd IMO.

 

I change my stance. I put it on because one of my songs didn't sound quite right. It made it sound much better, and I forgot all about it. If I haven't noticed it, then it's at least as good as it was before right? =P

 

Csmeance, the "IMO", is all that matters. If you think it sounds good, who can tell you otherwise? I'm sure I could point out a bunch of things that happens when you simulate 2-channel stereo music to 5 channels, but will it really matter that much, probably not. The DPII is a great compliment to the TL system. You can't go wrong with lots of options!

 

I own an 07 TL Type S and noticed PLII definately doesn't sound right. My guess is Panasonic screwed up and implemented the PLII Cinema instead of music mode which sends much of the music inphase info to the center channel. As you know the center channel in the TL's is a wimply 3" driver due to space limitations in the dash board.

I drove the 09 TL and didn't care much for the new "improved" sound system. Personally I feel like they cut alot of corners in that car. I hope I don't offend owners of it but after comparing the 09 to my 07 Type S, i have no intention of changing my car any time soon.

 

Which one did you drive, AWD or FWD? Also as I stated before, the TL is a nice sound system for the average listener, but if you put in work like I do on audio and have any type of recording back ground, you will be disappointed with your mixes in the TL. It's a great mix environment however, if it sounds good in there, it's most likely will sound good everywhere? The speakers are very wimpy with small drivers, where is this 440 watt power going to anyway? LOL. I had 400 watts in my old 87' Integra and it destroyed this system, and that was just a mean old box with two 12"!