Here's a write up on the newer ELS systems available to day in the entire Acura line, which still includes (if you can believe it) DVD-Audio capability.
NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ -- The 2009 Acura TL(R) features the next
generation of the Acura/ELS Surround(R) Premium Audio System, reengineered to
offer extended frequency range, lower distortion, enhanced clarity and
transparency, and improved second row listening experience. Designed
specifically to match the vehicle's interior acoustic characteristics, the
next generation 2009 Acura/ELS Surround(R) audio system features a new
titanium dome tweeter, redesigned woofer, higher output power and 10 speakers,
including new 8-cm SDR rear door speakers.
Developed in collaboration with multi-Grammy(R) Award winning
producer/engineer Elliot "Els" Scheiner, the ELS Surround system has proven
itself with critics and customers alike. Through an emphasis on clarity and
definition and the faithful reproduction of music from a variety of sources --
including CD, iPod, MP3, and DVD-A -- the ELS Surround system delivers a
studio quality audio experience.
"The ELS systems are all based on authenticity and advancement;
authenticity from working directly with Elliot who has extensive experience
listening, creating, recording and mixing music in the studio," said Mat
Hargett, Chief Engineer and Acura TL Project Leader. "Advancement is achieved
through continuing to raise the bar on studio quality performance, and then
achieving those goals. The system in the all-new TL advances Acura's premium
audio to a new level."
The next generation ELS Surround system has nearly double the total power
output of the first generation, from 225W to 440W and includes more powerful
equalization capabilities and adjustable audio source settings. It also
features new, high-quality speakers, including extended range tweeters and low
distortion mid-range and bass drivers. Eight channels and 10 speakers,
including speakers added to each rear door, created an enhanced listening
environment for all passengers.
"It is always exciting to hear the results of a project which spans
several years," said Elliot Scheiner, collaborator on Panasonic's ELS Surround
audio system. "It is the same whether I'm working on automotive projects or
with an artist in the studio. For the new Acura TL, the hours spent in the
development process including the listening, tuning, driving on the test track
and retuning were all worthwhile when I heard the production system. Our goal
was to bring the studio sound experience to the vehicle, the new TL has
achieved that and more."
Tom Dunn, Marketing Group Manager Panasonic Automotive, added: "Our
relationship with Elliot and Acura continues to prosper based upon the mutual
dedication to bringing new technologies and higher levels of system
performance to each successive project. The ELS Surround premium audio system
in the 2009 Acura TL is the latest example of this dedication."
Newly designed, 4-cm, hard dome Titanium-diaphragm tweeters (2) were
selected to reduce distortion, resulting in a clear, transparent sound and
stunning vocal realization. The units feature large-diameter voice coils for
reduced Inter Modulation distortion and are integrated with the tweeter
diaphragms to create an overlapping extension of high-end response down to
1kHz.
In contrast to the conventional speaker designs in the current TL, the
2009 Acura/ELS Surround premium audio system uses new, high-performance, Super
Dynamic Range (SDR) specifications for the 17-cm and 8-cm midrange and
mid-bass speakers. Capable of high-power operation, the rigid SDR drivers
lower extraneous noise, saturation and distortion to reveal new details in
mid-bass and midrange reproduction with their extended range and double press
polyurethane (8-cm) and honeycomb (17-cm) cone construction.
Two 17-cm SDR drivers are mounted in the front doors, and two in the
vehicle rear tray. The two 8-cm drivers have been added to the rear doors, and
a single driver is located in the center of the instrument panel. These rear
door additions provide improved front imaging for rear seat passengers, as
well as enhancing the front seat listening experience, with highly accurate
sound quality and no excessive bass.
The front door SDR drivers have extended low frequencies from the current
60Hz down to 40Hz. The 8-cm center and rear door speakers extend their
low-frequency response from the current 150Hz down to 90Hz.
A new Super Low Distortion Driver (SLDD) subwoofer has been integrated and
tuned with the structure of the rear package shelf to optimize the interaction
of the speaker with the vehicle. It allows the system to obtain extended low
frequency response -- a deep, powerful bass down to 20Hz -- yet minimizing
spurious vibration and rattle.
The unit features a rigid SLDD dual-edge structure, lightweight damping
cone, and a long-excursion voice coil that creates a quick response and a
clear yet aggressive bass sound.
The Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System is also available the Acura
MDX(R) luxury SUV, the Acura RDX(R) crossover SUV and all-new Acura TSX(R)
sports sedan.
About Elliot Scheiner
After nearly 40 years in the music industry, Elliot Scheiner continues to
be a highly sought-after producer and engineer. His career includes work with
such music legends as The Eagles, Steely Dan, REM, Foo Fighters, Beck, Queen,
Sting, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton. In addition to receiving his 23rd Grammy
nomination for his work on the Deborah Cox release Destination Moon, Scheiner
won his sixth Grammy Award for Donald Fagen's 2006 release of Morph The Cat.
Scheiner's recent work includes mixing for The Eagles' multi-platinum release,
Long Road Out of Eden, and the remixed release of Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in
New York performance. His extensive industry accolades include an Emmy(R)
Award for his work with The Eagles on their farewell tour broadcast and holds
four Emmy Award nominations. A TEC Hall of Fame inductee, Scheiner is the
inaugural recipient of the Surround Pioneer Award, which was created to honor
individuals who have made significant, groundbreaking contributions to the art
of surround music production. He holds an honorary Doctor of Music degree from
the legendary Berklee College of Music and is also the only American to be
awarded the lauded Master of Sound honor from the Japan Audio Society.
About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury
vehicles through a network of 270 dealers within the United States. The 2009
Acura lineup features five distinctive models including the RL luxury
performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the
turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport
utility vehicle. For additional information about Acura vehicles, please visit
www.acura.com . For media inquiries, please visit www.acuranews.com .
About Panasonic Automotive Systems
Based in Peachtree City, Georgia, and with Detroit area operations located
in Southfield, MI, Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America is a
division of Secaucus, New Jersey-based Panasonic Corporation of North America,
the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,
Ltd. (NYSE: MC) of Osaka, Japan, one of the world's leading developers and
producers of innovative digital and other electronic products for consumer,
business and industrial use. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
also acts as the North American operating company of Panasonic Automotive
Systems Company, a division of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., which
coordinates global automotive industry systems and components operations. For
more information on Panasonic and Matsushita Electric, visit
www.panasonic.com .
ELS Surround is the registered trademark of Panasonic Corporation of North
America, all rights reserved;
Acura, Acura TL, RDX MDX and TSX are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.;
GRAMMY is the trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts &
Sciences, Inc.; and
iPod is the registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
SOURCE Panasonic Automotive Systems
Jeff Samuels, Panasonic Automotive Systems, +1-201-392-4571,
[email protected]; David Stoyka, Marx Layne & Co., +1-248-855-6777,
[email protected]
