Gregerst

iTrader: (1)

So the TLX is supposed to be really quiet does anybody know the rated db level at freeway cruising speed?

Quandry

Would this only be significant if you had numbers to compare with other vehicles driving at the same speed and on the same stretch or roadway? Maybe I will do a test with my rat-shack meter and report findings for you.

Treblig

Very quiet relative to previous models. Much quieter than my current '12 TL.

tlxsteve

It does sound quieter than my 2011 TSX. Acura did a lot to reduce noise, but actual dBs would be nice.

Stew4HD

FYI, there are some decent free SPL (sound pressure level) apps. I use one for speaker leveling in home theater applications. I also have a handheld SPL meter. I find the app works well enough for a quick test

MedX172

I found a reasonably rated Android app thanks to Stew4HD's statement. I'll be happy to test it on Interstate and Street tomorrow. I'd do it today, but the TLX is at the detailer's shop getting Opti Coat Pro installed.

a77

Car and driver I think had measured the i4 at 68db highway - I think the IS was 71. As was the accord. This is a very imperfect science but it bodes well. I found the car to be very quiet on my test drives. By far the quietest Honda/Acura I have tried (includes a few TLs).

Rocketsfan

I tried a couple of Android sound meter apps on my LG G3 and the results from them were fairly far apart. One of them was giving me a reading that bounced between 68-70 dB on an interstate while doing around 75 mph. The other was giving me around 78 dB on the same interstate.

The quietness will depend on the type of roads you're traveling on and how they're paved, but generally speaking, this is a fairly quiet car. I don't think it's coffin-quiet like many reviews have stated unless you're on a well-paved road.

tlxsteve

Any specific apps you recommend? I use Android.

ATLPatrick

I don't know the exact DB, but I can without a doubt say it's the most quiet car I've ever owned!

Stew4HD

I use Sound Meter Lite (for android)

Prado

After all the hype on how quiet the TLX is, I was a little disappointed when I finally test drove a V6 TLX a week ago. Yes, engine noise is minimal even when 'getting into it', and wind noise is well suppressed even at highway speeds, but hit some bad/broken pavement and tire/road noise is there. The amount of noise is not at a bothersome level to me, but I wouldn't exactly call this car quiet. Maybe quiet for a Acura\Honda but in the grand scheme of cars I would say the TLX is good, not great in regards to the amount of road noise.

Quandry

I tested it on the highway, actually a passenger did the measurement, with an old Radio Shack SPL meter. The measurement was done when the car was was going at about 50 mph on a smooth asphalt surface, radio and fan were both off. The reading was 86 db but it sure seemed quieter than that. Turning on the fan hardly made a difference. For comparison I tested my stove exhaust fan at the maximum fan speed, and the reading was only 72 db from about 2-3' away, and that seemed loud. Go figure. Do not use my measurement as any conclusive assessment.

tlxsteve

I wonder what the difference is with ANC on and off. Or does ANC just hide the noise with out of phase noise?

WheelMcCoy

I found this database of car interior noise levels:

Auto Decibel Database

I can't seem to find out who they are and if they measured the sounds themselves in a consistent manner, or is it just consolidation of info on the internet? Anyway, the TLX is too new to appear on the list, but I did find measurements for the TSX and TL.

JLawrence

Car and Driver reported the following when they tested the TLX 2.4:

At idle: 42 dB
At 70: 68 dB

You can compare these with their other reported results. They should be consistent. For those who care, a 3 dB decrease in sound is 1/2 the noise.

A quick look at the M235i shows 42 dB at idle and 71 dB at 70 MPH.

I do not know if or how CD weights their noise measurements. It's common in the audio industry to use "A" weighting which reports noise the way our ears register it.

JLawrence

MedX172

Sound Meter Measurements


Okay, using the meter application that Steve recommended on my GNote3 I was able to get some readings. Now mind you, San Francisco's East Bay, in my humble opinion has some of the worst, bumpy, uneven, poorly maintained Interstate highways that I've ever had the displeasure to drive. That being said, here's what I discovered:


At Idle with Climate Control On: 49db +/- 2db
Average Interstate: 76db +/- 2db
Smooth Interstate: 72db +/2db
Ultra Crappy Interstate/Bridge Concrete: 81db

pdpgps

Everyone who has ridden in my TLX has commented (unsolicited feedback) on how quiet the cabin is, without knowing that the noise was something specifically targeted by Acura to be a class leader in.

Ken1997TL

Without having any db stats (and being unhelpful overall ) I'd say it's the quietest vehicle under $50,000 I've driven. And I make it a goal to drive many many cars for comparison's sake.

When I had a 2002 Acura RL I made an effort to make it even quieter with extensive soundproofing in the doors and wheel wells. The TLX matches that.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

I think it's fairly quiet and doesn't bother me at all.

tlxsteve

Nice stats! @Stew4HD told me about the app. I think it is a good app. I will have to run some tests.