2014 Acura RLX To Feature Krell Audio System

[admin]

Acura and Krell have partnered together to design a high-end sound system for the 2014 Acura RLX. Although the Krell name badge is on the side of the speaker grilles and the amp contains some parts used in Krell's home theater amps, it remains unclear how much of this system is actually designed by the high-end audio manufacturer. We fear this may just be another attempt to slap a name on the system, read on to see why we have some reservations.

Discuss "2014 Acura RLX To Feature Krell Audio System" here. Read the article.

 

[monkish54]

Zylon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ZYLON

ZYLON

Based on the link above (the last one) Kenwood might make some Zylon drivers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, it's better than what Acura was using before- Bose.

But probably not as good as what Lexus is using - Mark Levinson.

Maybe not even as good as what Toyota is using - JBL.

I heard some Krell towers before. They were the worse speakers I auditioned that day. They were in the same Dallas dealer that had Martin Logan and DALI.

 

[j_garcia]

I received a survey from Marantz America a while back, since I have my receivers registered, regarding what would be my opinion of Marantz branded gear in an automotive setting.

 

[gene]

Well, it's better than what Acura was using before- Bose.

But probably not as good as what Lexus is using - Mark Levinson.

Maybe not even as good as what Toyota is using - JBL.

I heard some Krell towers before. They were the worse speakers I auditioned that day. They were in the same Dallas dealer that had Martin Logan and DALI.

Acura has been using an ELS / Panasonic DVD-A system since 2004 in all their cars. Incidentally the Panasonic system has a very similar driver compliment (3" center and 8" sub) and it also decodes DVD-A and DTS.

Overall the older Acura system is good (I own an 07 TLtypeS) but the bass and center channel is a little weak. Hopefully the Krell version is a significant upgrade.

 

[Sheep]

Worked for Toyota, Lexus, and now Acura. I'll let you know how it sounds when I get some at my Dealer.

SheepStar

 

[monkish54]

Worked for Toyota, Lexus, and now Acura. I'll let you know how it sounds when I get some at my Dealer.

SheepStar

Oh snap, we got one on the inside!

 

[cpp]

Worked for Toyota, Lexus, and now Acura. I'll let you know how it sounds when I get some at my Dealer.

SheepStar

We have a Lexus (s) with the Mark Levinson system. It sounds ok for car audio,but after market if done right would have an upper edge. We even had our floors and doors treated with Dynamat which really reduced the road and engine noise to the interior which helped improve the sound.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Acura has been using an ELS / Panasonic DVD-A system since 2004 in all their cars. Incidentally the Panasonic system has a very similar driver compliment (3" center and 8" sub) and it also decodes DVD-A and DTS.

Overall the older Acura system is good (I own an 07 TLtypeS) but the bass and center channel is a little weak. Hopefully the Krell version is a significant upgrade.

Oh, man, I haven't kept up with car audio at all. I am soooooooo behind.

 

[slipperybidness]

We have a Lexus (s) with the Mark Levinson system. It sounds ok for car audio,but after market if done right would have an upper edge. We even had our floors and doors treated with Dynamat which really reduced the road and engine noise to the interior which helped improve the sound.

Yup. I've spent some time in the Lexus with Levison.

Certainly impressive for a factory stock stereo. But my sourcing and installing Kenwood and Pioneer and Rockford Fosgate components in my car beat it easily for quality and just killed it in max output. Probably $700 in components and several hours of labor for me to install it, but on the next level as compared to the Lexus. In all fairness, more like 2 notches above the ML Lexus system.

I really think this new trend in car audio is to get something a little better for the average consumer that doesn't realize how much better an aftermarket car system can be (and I'm sure it would cost less than the markup for the stock system). Add to that, many cars today come with the integrated navigation / system status head unit. Those things are nice, but it makes it a royal pain to swap to an aftermarket unit. If you can't swap it, then you better have something decent from the factory.

 

[slipperybidness]

Well, it's better than what Acura was using before- Bose.

I'll bash on Bose as much as the next person. In all fairness, car audio is the one area that Bose sometimes makes sense, and they do it fairly well.

In small sports cars, where space is at a premium (most don't even have a spare tire to save space) , I have heard Bose systems that sounded "pretty good". At least better than most stock systems. Taking small drivers and making them sound decent or bigger is the one niche for the Bose market.

I'm sure it is overpriced, adds more to the sticker than it is worth. But it does make sense that Bose can work when space is limited.

 

[gene]

I'll bash on Bose as much as the next person. In all fairness, car audio is the one area that Bose sometimes makes sense, and they do it fairly well.

In small sports cars, where space is at a premium (most don't even have a spare tire to save space) , I have heard Bose systems that sounded "pretty good". At least better than most stock systems. Taking small drivers and making them sound decent or bigger is the one niche for the Bose market.

I'm sure it is overpriced, adds more to the sticker than it is worth. But it does make sense that Bose can work when space is limited.

Bose car stereos are usually better than the generic crap often found in most cars. The name adds value to the car as well but the markup for the system which is usually lumped into another upgrade package is a bit outrageous.

 

[cpp]

Yup. I've spent some time in the Lexus with Levison.

Certainly impressive for a factory stock stereo. But my sourcing and installing Kenwood and Pioneer and Rockford Fosgate components in my car beat it easily for quality and just killed it in max output. Probably $700 in components and several hours of labor for me to install it, but on the next level as compared to the Lexus. In all fairness, more like 2 notches above the ML Lexus system.

I really think this new trend in car audio is to get something a little better for the average consumer that doesn't realize how much better an aftermarket car system can be (and I'm sure it would cost less than the markup for the stock system). Add to that, many cars today come with the integrated navigation / system status head unit. Those things are nice, but it makes it a royal pain to swap to an aftermarket unit. If you can't swap it, then you better have something decent from the factory.

Agree, I tried to institute a replacement of the ML system but the wife, said DON'T touch my car. So there you have the rest of the story.

 

[Sheep]

I really didn't mind those system when I heard them in the Lexus, and the JBl in the Sienna was awesome when I worked there. I have a different preference when I'm behind the wheel versus listening at home.

SheepStar

 

[cpp]

I really didn't mind those system when I heard them in the Lexus, and the JBl in the Sienna was awesome when I worked there. I have a different preference when I'm behind the wheel versus listening at home.

SheepStar

Well not to worry she traded for a new LS Saturday

 

[H/Kthunder]

Haven't heard Krell before but Acura used to use Pioneer which sounded really good. Had a nice balance and good bass. Then they went with Bose, which again....not bad. The worst i'd say are JBL's on Toyota's. Some people out there like em but there's no good highs or lows on them.

 

[cpp]

Since it's almost Christmas don't forget to upgrade that car sound system with the latest unit.

 

[walter duque]

I don't think Mark Levinson never even listened to one of the systems he endorsed (If he did he should be embarrassed). It's all just marketing, not like he had anything to do with the designing of the system. I have it in my Lexus and it makes decent noise, not bad. I would expect a lot better than it is from a legend like Levinson.

 

[3db]

I'm too busy concentrating on the traffic around me to even appreciate a good car sound system unless sitting in parking lot waiting for my Mrs to complete her shopping. Even then, I'm could for 10 minutes of alertness before dozing off.

 

[Jeff R.]

I have listened to a most of the "special" systems and so far I have been impressed with the Lexicon system in the Hyundai Genesis. It was better that the Bose and JBL and Harmon Kardon systems....I have not heard the Levinson system mentioned though.