So I am nearly there with my decision to go with a TSX but still have 2 outstanding issue (which I hope to resolve on Sat.) and want to get thoughts on. Can XM be added to a Navi car AND how would you rate the stereo, in general, in the TSX? I am going from an A4 with Bose that has a center channel speaker in the dash and am pretty happy with the clarity and imaging from the stereo, can the TSX compete?

TIA, this forum has been great in helping with my decision!

Rick

 

I think the stereo quality is pretty good. My last car had an Acura/Bose system and this one is better.

I don't see why you couldn't add XM to the navi system. I added it to the non-navi. Are you sure they aren't offering it now (considering that it is offered on the 2004 Accord, which seems to have the same navi unit?

 

Nope, XM will not be avail on the TSX, not even in 2005 from what I undersatnd

 

You can add an external XM unit using an aux adapter (see www.xmradio.com for various options), some of which can actually be used both in the car and in your home - a big bonus for sattelite radio fans.

As for SQ, the main complaint I've heard from users consistently is that the "subwoofers" in the rear deck don't cut it. The most logical suggestion I've seen is to replace the 6x9 speakers in the rear deck with (very high efficiency) Infinity or Polk units, which provide tighter, deeper bass.

At the end of the day, the only way to tell if the audio system in the TSX is going to be good enough for your ears is to is to listen critically with the engine running, using material you are familar with, for a reasonable period of time. A good way to do this quickly when car shopping is to use an audio test disc such as Alan Parson's Sound Check CD (put out by Mobile fidelity sound labs).

Remember when testing car audio systems that the stereo is only one aspect of the total vehicle - you're not going to be sitting in the driveway listening to music all the time. The system needs to be good enough to compliment your normal driving activities without distracting you (both poor SQ and bad ergonomics count equally here.) While the audio system in the TSX scores "good" on both counts here, there is another Acura product which scores "excellent" - the new TL.

The 2004 TL includes a state-of-the-art 5.1 DVD Audio sound system; in Nav equipped cars, you can even tune the standard XM radio using voice commands. Bluetooth-enabled phones work handsfree with conjunction with the audio system as well. Of course, with it's 270-hp V6, different suspension and more angular styling, the car itself is a completely different cup-o-tea which may or may not be to your liking.

Speaking from personal experience, one rapidly reaches the point of diminishing returns when upgrading factory audio systems, as ANY upgrade not specifically designed for the vehicle may or may not improve actual SQ on the road. The best way to avoid mistakes is to buy a car which has a system that is at least "good enough" installed, then only make upgrades that other owners have done successfully to their vehicles - one of the best ways to utilize this forum.

Hope this helps with your decision process.

 

Here's a unit on eBay for $600.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2437450555

 

yeah, that is the same unit that Honda offers in their in the accessory catalog. What I meant in my post was that it won't be integrated in toteh head unit, like the TL

 

Acutally, if you look closely at the ebay posting, the unit being advertised is designed for the Accord, it doesn't have a scrolling display, and perhaps most unforgivably for an audio nut, is FM modulated. There are better solutions out there for considerably less money. A good example is the XM Commander, which is better designed to take advantage of the way XM displays information and would be a better match for the TSX interior cosmetically: http://www.xmradio.com/commander/

 

yeah, and I have a big problem with a green display in a car that has all white/blue gauges and buttons....one reason why I hate the interiors on Toyotas and Nissans, the displays dont match.

 

As I look at the eBay Item, it appears that it does have RCA outputs and an FM modualtor. If this is the case, you can follow the info for the Aux input from the FAQ at the top of the forum listing. There are other products that would do this as well.