TSX69

TSX69

Vividsi

so I wonder if Krell is going to replace ELS or if its exclusive to the RLX.

jhr3uva90

I thought the Krell system was for the top-level package only. I didn't think Krell would replace ELS.

neuronbob

^^^^
That was my understanding as well.

Rocketsfan

The Krell will be in its own package and is supposed to only be available in the that package. All other configurations/packages of the RLX will have ELS.

Rocketsfan

Oops... I kind of mis-spoke above. There is a Krell Audio package that will have the Krell system, but so will the Advance package.

So does this mean you can get a "base" RLX and the Krell system (with the Krell audio package)?

TSX69

There are 5 levels of the RLX:

*Base: 10 speaker ELS system
*Navi: 10 speaker ELS system
*Tech: 14 speaker ELS system
*Krell: 14 speaker Krell system
*Advance: 14 speaker Krell system

KeithL

Too many configs for a low volume car, going to be a nightmare to get config and color combo you want on the Advance. In that range even if the car were a hit they would be selling maybe 1000 cars a month once the initial flurry settles. I figure the Advance will be maybe 10% that will be few cars, now when the AWD comes into play I suspect those puppies might be rare. Now if they price this to overlap the TL morphing into a slightly down segment then maybe there will be more volume, but we'll see. Thoughts?

Rocketsfan

TSX69, that makes sense, I guess. Thanks as usual for posting informative or discussion-worthy stuff.

I'm really interested to hear what this system sounds like, but even more curious what the price premium is on the packages that include it. I have to think the Advance package, for example, adds at least $3000-$5000 on top of the Tech Package, right?

jhr3uva90

Well, people complained that the 2nd generation RL lacked options. Now we have options out the wazoo.

Ken1997TL

Exactly.

getakey

can't wait for someone to pay for the Krell package and play their mp3's

KeithL

I hope it can support FLAC format files my entire CD collection is FLAC.

dwboston

The only thing better than car snobs are audio snobs.

weather

That was actually funny! Not that it won't happen because it seems that it appears the way that society is going....compressed audio files at the expense of quality.

Sad...but true.

KeithL

And they will stream them via Bluetooth or Pandora! Video killed the radio star, but MP3s killed the audiophile.

weather

just like Shania Twain and artists alike killed the traditional sound of country music I miss the days where you could listen to a good ol' country tear jerker on the radio. Not anymore...all bubble gum crap.

Again, not saying that everyone had to love a good ol' country song but why could the folks that do like that stuff still have a venue for their genre of music.

mrgold35

The ELS system sounds pretty good with a DVD-A. Unfortunately, I can only find 2 DVD-A in the last 2 years I want to purchase. The ELS system sounds about 5-10% better with CD/FM/XM/iPhone compared to my 06 TSX 360 watt standard system (I listen to XM about 80-90% of the time).

It seems kinda strange to have the high dollar sound system and you play low/med quality audio sources like FM or XM. It is like having a 1080p HD TV with a VCR player to watch movies.

getakey

funny, but sadly true

Litt

XM sucks. I usually listen to very high quality mp3s or CDs. If your mp3 is at 320 and 48 then it is damn near CD quality.

XM is a seriously thin signal. They would do well to cut 30% of their channels and increase the quality of each channel by 30%.

Does anyone know much much power is going to this 8" subwoofer?

KeithL

So there are a bunch of studies that did blind testing and most people can not ell the difference of CD vs. MP3 at 256K or higher. That being said I suspect the speakers, and reproduction gear play in this a bit, but many people rip stuff at 128K. I ripped everything FLAC then converted to 256K VBR MP3 which when I watch they usually average 270-300. I use the FLAC for the home AVR and the MP3s for my M37 since it only can deal with MP3 and AAC. I do have some DVD-A that I copy and use in the M and clearly a well mastered DVD-A, SACD, BD audio will blow the doors off in quality sound stage reproduction when played through decent gear, even the ELS is a very impressive unit with DVD-A, far better than the Bose based 5.1 in my M37. The ELS was very true and clean sound, the Bose 5.1 in the M is boomy and muddy sounding compared to the ELS. I can;t wait to hear the Krell and would love to hear a Mark Levinson in a Lexus. My preference will be the RLX, but I will be cross shopping the GS350 and I know that car pretty much loaded up with ML sound runs around 58K-60K. I did drive a GS350 and their version of OnStar was pretty sweet, so eager to see Acura's implementation.

getakey

Neil Young prefers vinyl

TSX69

The RLX is on maybe list this year for a new car & thanks to Acura's inexplicable feature bundling, I have to get the Krell system for rear shades & the Advance Package for the ventilated seats. Let me pause here & say that I consider these 2 things to be basic luxury comfort features & should be standard on the RLX, or Tech Package @ the most. But I digress ...

Seeing as how I currently am using the mere Acura Premium Sound System, the ELS will probably be a nice bump up so I would be more than happy with it. Since I only usually have the volume around ~10 & I get my music by converting YouTube videos to MP3s (don't judge me), the Krell system is probably going to be wasted on my ears.

Litt

HAHA nice

Rocketsfan

I don't know if I'll buy an RLX, but I'm also looking at the Cadillac ATS. After looking at GM's packages, there's nothing Acura can do short of making you reach into a bag blindly to pull out what features your car will have to make it any worse. On the ATS Standard, you get folding rear seats. Move up a level to the ATS Luxury, you lose them. Move up again to the ATS Performance, you gain them again. You'd think something called "performance suspension" would be in the ATS Performance package. Nope... gotta move up to Premium for that. lol. I could go on ...

Glashub

In regards to the Krell system. I have the Lexicon system in my Genesis with Logic 7. Lexicon is as highly regarded as Krell. Both companies have their amps made by a company in LA named ATI. I bought an ATI amp for a 1/3 of what the Krell costs. Same amp in every way except 2: it doesn’t have the Krell name and it’s nowhere near as beautiful to look at.

Back on point: the ELS system in my TL’s sounded as good if not better than the Lexicon.

Colin

I didn't have as much time to critically listen to the Krell system with content of my choice, but it did sound very 'solid'. I felt that the center channel was especially refined compared to most of the other center speakers in ELS. Bass was tight and 'fast', no 60-80 Hz 'boom'! I can't wait to put it through it's paces once we get one in the showroom.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

My opinion on the Krell audio is that it is a nice system, but not quite as nice as the Bose system on the RL is. As far as this year's audio system, I honestly thought the THX system in the brand new MKZ was better. Just my opinion

Ken1997TL

You need your ears cleaned out. The Bose system in the RL is inferior to the 4G TL and 2G TSX's ELS system.

BDoggPrelude

How can you say that when the RLX isn't even out yet? Considering it's going to be a nearly $2,000 option, it better be basically the best damn OEM car audio system in the world.

dwboston

The Bang & Olufsen system in the Audi A6 is a $5900 option....by itself.

dwboston

I agree. Always amazed me that the system in the TSX and TL sounded far better than the RL's.

BDoggPrelude

Good lord. That's insane.

KeithL

I never heard the Bose in the RL, but Bose in the M37 can't hold a candle to the ELS. I find the ELS to be cleaner and truer throughout the range, while Bose seems less clean throughout and down right muddy on the lows with poor sound stage.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

It was on display at the North American International Auto Show with Krell Audio. I got a chance to try it out for myself.

I never compared it to ELS. I just compared Krell to Bose. Learn to read boys.

ELS>Bose>Krell

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

Like I said, just an opinion. I never compared it to ELS. I just compared Krell to Bose to THX.

Glashub

In the AV world everyone knows; "Bose blows!"

BDoggPrelude

No way dude! My Bose Lifestyle home theater in a box is so awesome! Those little Jewel Cubes put out better sound than my local movie theater.

Lol. Home audio snob here BTW.

dwest1023

I listen to the Krell system in the new RLX at the DC autoshow. I must say I was dissappointed. To my ears it was not much better if any, then the ELS system in my TL. Granted the only source I had was the FM radio. Being the owner of a 35K Krell home system, I expected more. I don't know what the Krell option is suppose to cost, but I'm not sure the Krell system is worth the premuim.