CPR

Is it just me, or do others think that the latest version just sounds better; especially, with DVD/A's.
I had the '09 version; the new one seems to have better dynamic range and tonal pacing.
On Elton's GBYBR, you hear clarity that transcends auto stereo's
Donald Fagen's Justine, is surreal
My bootleg DSOTM/Us & Them, has to be heard, to b believed
The Sax playing is so real, it's lmost LIVE
Same with The Band'/Last Waltz/The "Weight"
Staple Singers sound like they're in the back seat
Comments?

hugomarvin

I'm on my third Acura TL. I owned a 2004, a 2008 Type s and now the 2012 Elite/Advanced. I believe the sound from the ELS system in the 2012 is inferior to previous years.
although the DVD-A is still very good; the playing of Mp3 files from any source (HDD, disk, USB, A2DP) is very poor. There is substantially more noise in the playback with the 2012 system.

weather

This is interesting....so far we have one that says better, while the other says worst. This is my first Acura with the ELS stereo so I can't really comment other than to say that I think the stereo sounds really good. Better than before...I dunno?!

VelfarreClubber

I've had an '04 and now a '12 with tech and I think it sounds great for every kind of music except the sub can't really handle electronic music like house. IMO it's about 15%-20% better sound than the 04 could be more but I only had the car for about 3 weeks now.

Overall it is a really good system, better than the Lexicon system in the Genesis but almost as good as the Meridian system in the Range Rover Evoque.

slick316

This is my first TL, but sound systems aren't new to me as I'm a big aftermarket system type of guy. And I must say, I really like the ELS in my 2012 to point that I don't see a reason to upgrade it (well, the sub is the only thing I would do, but then I would give up some trunk space which I'm not sure I want to do).

I have a friend that had an 04 and he thinks the 2012 ELS sounds just a bit better than his 04's. He says that the front stage is improved, but thats about it.

VelfarreClubber

Just saw the Avengers trailer in my car using bluetooth audio with Dolby on and I gotta say I was blown away!!! Sounded like a movie theater!! Only issue I have there is a 1 or 2 sec lag from audio and video, don't know if it's a problem with my iPhone 4 or my car at the moment.

Ken1997TL

I've had multiple Acuras as some of you may know. The 4th gen TL system is by far the best out there. The TSX, particularly the wagon is just slightly behind.

Hugo, I'd say it's probably because of the MP3 bit rate quality being low. The 4th gen TL will definitely demonstrate that if they weren't ripped properly from a lossless source and compressed properly.

A more 'muffled' quality stereo will hide the 'sloshing' noises, especially XM which I find to be just awful. XM is almost unlistenable in my TSX wagon.

AudiophileJ

I think the ELS system has been excellent since 2004 when it was introduced. Arguably one the best stock setups bar none. I really like this 2012 but i sure wish I could use my extensive collection of SACDs. I don't typically do DVD audio, but I do have a few choice DTS and DVD-A titles.

jrob8604

I thought my 05 TL sounded better then my 09. The bass/sub seemed to have gotten worse in the 4th gen.

I also came from a Hyundai 2010 genesis coupe with a stock infinity premium sound system and it blows the tl away in sound quality and clarity in almost every department.

I am thinking about replacing the speakers, with the sub numero uno

Alvin1958

This is my first Acura (TL '12 w/Tech Pack) and here are my thoughts/tips on the audio system:

- DVD-A system sounds great, but few if any DVD-As are made anymore, and the ones available on eBay or Amazon are expensive. Pity they never caught on.

- If you put the Dolby Surround "on" for non-DVD-A sources, it tends to reduce the bass output too much for my taste, even when bass and subw are all the way up. To get a "surround" sound with better bass, turn the Dolby "off" and put your Fader 3 clicks to the rear (provided no one's in the back seat).

- I'd prefer the option of burning my CDs onto the HD in either a compressed or WAV format, but currently the only way is via compression. (In a WAV format I could still get about 25 CDs on the HD). The sound from the HD therefore is not that great.

- I wish the iPod display would show the time elapsed in each song, but it doesn't seem to be anywhere. It does show it on the DVD-A though.

That's about it. Thoughts from others?

AudiophileJ

Does the CD ripping process compress the audio tracks or are they ripped in a lossless format?

CyberTL

I would have to agree with CPR...My 2012 TL ELS sounds better than my 08 MDX ELS? The Bose system I had in my 2000 TL wasn't bad either.

Alvin1958

They are compressed

AudiophileJ

Thanks do you know where I can get the specifications?

Ken1997TL

According to Acura's press release, 128 kbps.

AudiophileJ

Thanks for the info. I would have expected it to be a higher bit rate because it does not sound bad.

I am one of those crazy audophile guys that rejects the whole premise of MP3 audio due to its low resolution and compressed sound. This sounds pretty good though I must admit.

Ken1997TL

The exact info Acura stated was for purposes of measuring storage capacity (i.e. number of hours of playable music at 128 kbps)

It's possibly it may be variable bit rate or something else. I can't find any more information.

AudiophileJ

Thanks for the response. It sounds like its lossless. As a sick (very sick) audiophile, I am fairly impressed.

Livestrong_TL

Were you watching the trailer on your phone, or on the nav display? I'm getting my '12 TL on Friday so I'm going to have to try this out!

TimbukTL

A friend who owned an Acura in the past put it well when he said of the Tech sound system "that's the first time a car stereo gave me wood."

dcrandon

Same here.

We just bought a CPO 2010 Tech, but I've only listened to FM so far. And I'm disappointed. But, that's coming from listening to HD Radio in my S2000, so I'm biased.

dwest1023

Strange. I'm the 2009 TL els, you cannot select Dolby with DVD A.

dwest1023

I noticed it too. It might b because of better sound deadening material in the car. When I had dynamat applied to my rear shelf, and the bass was less muddy.

dwest1023

I noticed it too. It might b because of better sound deadening material in the car. When I had dynamat applied to my rear shelf, and the bass was less muddy.

ctaranto

Not suggesting that Edmunds is the definitive resource for car audio, but an interesting read none the less:

http://www.edmunds.com/car-technolog...sound-off.html

Having a 2011 AWD Tech, I have no complains about the stock audio system. It doesn't have the heart pounding bass of some of my custom audio systems in cars past, but for stock, it's tough to beat.

Livestrong_TL

I added a 10" sub in a custom enclosure. With this addition, this system is tough to best IMO

Livestrong_TL

How did you watch the trailer over BT? The first time I read this post I was thinking WiFi and not BT

sockpuppet

Not strange. Dolby PL II is designed to create multiple channels out of a 2 channel source (cd, mp3, xm, etc.). A DVD-A doesn't need the extrapolation; it's already multi-channel. Accordingly, Dolby is not available.

This is in your manual.

dwest1023

I did not articulate myself well. I meant strange in that, the op said he had the option for Dolby even when playing DVD A, and my car did not offer that. I know the reason why.

sockpuppet

Now that I reread your post, I realize I was in error. I misunderstood. Sorry.