Press Release
253-WATT ACURA PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
To give owners excellent sound quality along with the ability to enjoy a wide range of audio formats, the MDX comes standard with a 253-watt Acura Premium Sound System with AM/FM tuner, 6-disc in-dash CD, MP3, WMA changer and 8 speakers, including 8-inch subwoofer.
Positioned prominently just below the center instrument panel vents, the MDX audio system has large-format controls that make the audio system easy to operate. The system sends a total of 253 watts of power through six channels and eight speakers. The instrument panel has a 1.5-inch soft-dome tweeter positioned on each side, with a 3-inch mid-range polypropylene cone speaker centered atop the dashboard. Mid/low-range 6.5-inch dual thickness polypropylene-cone speakers are positioned in each door, and an 8-inch subwoofer is located in a special tuned enclosure in the sidewall of the cargo compartment.
This system can play CD, CD-R/RW, CD-Text, and MP3/WMA discs, in addition to AM and FM radio bands. Embedded text information on CDs can also be displayed. Speed-dependent volume control automatically adjusts as road speed increases to maintain a clear and comfortable sound level. The amount of compensation can be set to three different levels or turned off completely.
The MDX system includes XM(R) Satellite Radio, which provides more than 170 channels of digital program material and near-CD quality sound. Informational text on the programming appears on the audio system display. XM(R) Satellite Radio offers virtually uninterrupted coverage of the 48 contiguous states and coast-to-coast signal coverage to the densely populated regions of Canada; service for Alaska and Hawaii is not available at this time. Three months of complimentary XM(R) Satellite Radio service is provided with the MDX. When equipped with the Technology Package, the complimentary period also includes traffic service. After the complimentary period, XM(R) Satellite Radio requires a monthly subscription.
To make a high-quality audio connection simple for owners who have personal music players, the MDX has an easily accessible auxiliary input jack with a nearby 12-volt power outlet.
10-SPEAKER ACURA/ELS SURROUND(TM) PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM WITH 6-CD/DVD-AUDIO CHANGER
Engineered by Grammy(R) Award-winning recording engineer and producer Elliot Scheiner, Panasonic and Acura, the available Acura/ELS Surround(TM) Premium Sound System brings a new level of audio performance to the MDX. Included in the available Technology and Sports Packages, the system pumps 410-watts through 10 speakers, to provide a total of six discrete audio channels.
Audio Head Unit
Like the MDX's standard Acura Premium Sound System, the Acura/ELS Surround(TM) Premium Sound System is remarkably versatile. The 6-disc in-dash changer can play CD, CD-R/RW, CD-Text, and MP3/WMA discs. In addition, it can also play DVD-Audio discs (the system will not play DVD movies). The system also includes AM, FM and XM(R) Satellite Radio. It's easy to connect a personal music player to the system via an auxiliary input jack with nearby 12-volt power. The auxiliary input jack is located at the rear of the center console in the Entertainment Package, and in the center console for all other packages.
Large-format controls make the system simple and intuitive to operate. A prominent display below the center instrument panel vents shows the current audio system status at all times, independent of the navigation system (which is also included in the Technology Package). Screens within the navigation system menus display the current audio system status, audio track listings and more. Items that appear on the navigation system screen can be navigated and selected via the Multifunctional Interface Dial, which is conveniently positioned on the console.
Acura/ELS(TM) Surround Sound
Acura/ELS Surround(TM) Sound gets its name from Elliot Scheiner's industry-recognized moniker "ELS." His goal with the system was to capture and reproduce music the way it is heard in the recording studio. The key to accomplishing this is through the use of the extra data-encoded on each DVD-Audio disc, which has six channels of information instead of just two channels of stereo information. In addition, DVD-Audio material can be recorded at a much higher resolution than CD material. Produced and mastered for the surround format, DVD-Audio recordings give recording artists and producers dramatically more creative freedom and control. The Acura/ELS Surround(TM) system makes the most of this added information, reproducing it with spectacular accuracy and power, without processing or modifying the artist's original creativity.
The system delivers a remarkable listening experience even when not playing DVD-Audio discs in Acura/ELS Surround(TM) Sound mode. Specially engineered equalization for each media type allows the sound quality to be optimized regardless of whether the system plays XM(R) Satellite Radio, conventional CDs, or any other format. The system also features selectable Dolby Pro Logic II signal processing that creates simulated 5.1-channel surround sound from CD, MP3/WMA, XM or AUX. For optimum sound regardless of vehicle speed, the system includes automatic speed-dependent volume control.
Amplification/Speaker System
Advanced electronics in the Acura/ELS Surround(TM) Sound system gave Scheiner the ability to precisely tune the acoustics of the MDX cabin and time of each of six audio channels to achieve the truest possible reproduction. The Acura/ELS Premium Sound(TM) System uses a 24-bit D/A converter and a 192 kHz sample rate for smoother sound.
High-energy Neodymium magnets are used throughout the system for optimum sound quality and substantially reduced weight. The carefully optimized speaker positions create an uncanny surround sound experience particularly for front seat passengers. There's a 6.5-inch mid/low-range dual thickness polypropylene-cone speaker in each door and a 1.5-inch soft-dome tweeter near each A-pillar. A 3-inch mid-range polypropylene cone speaker is centered on top of the instrument panel, and two more are positioned just behind the second-row seats, positioned high and angled into the interior. A special 8-inch Super Low Distortion subwoofer with a new cone design is positioned in a tuned enclosure on the right sidewall of the cargo area so it does not intrude on passenger room or useful storage space.
HANDSFREELINK(R) WIRELESS TELEPHONE INTERFACE
The MDX includes the HandsFreeLink(R) hands free phone interface. Designed to work with many Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones (sold separately), Bluetooth is a radio frequency-based cable replacement technology that lets portable devices like mobile phones, laptops, PDAs, and other devices communicate wirelessly. Bluetooth enabled cell phones that have the Hands Free Profile (HFP) are compatible with the MDX system. Some early Bluetooth-enabled phones do not have this communications protocol (go to www.handsfreelink.com for more information). After a 1-time "pairing" process, the MDX can communicate wirelessly and securely with the driver's cell phone when it's within approximately 10 feet of the vehicle. The phone must be on, but can be stored anywhere inside the MDX cabin - even in a pocket, briefcase or purse.
HandsFreeLink(R) boosts convenience by allowing the driver to send or answer calls without taking his or her hands from the steering wheel. The number of the incoming caller is displayed on the Multi-Information Display (MID) located in the instrument cluster and a ring tone is played over the audio system. A press of the steering wheel-mounted "Pick up" button mutes the audio system and the incoming caller can be heard over the audio system speakers. A microphone in the overhead console picks up the driver's voice and algorithms built into the HandsFreeLink(R) system cancel "echo effect." This reduces background noise and improves the transmission quality of the driver's speech. Using fingertip controls mounted on the steering wheel to activate the system, calls can be sent hands-free by dialing the number by voice.
On all models with the navigation system, up to 50 names with one number per name can be stored with voice tags in the system's Voice Tag Phonebook. For users with large phonebooks in their mobile phone memory, the available navigation system, working in conjunction with HandsFreeLink(R), can import up to 1000 names with 10 phone numbers per name. Up to six different compatible mobile phones can be paired with the HandsFreeLink(R) system at one time. Additional information can be found at www.acura.com/handsfreelink (or www.handsfreelink.com).
