As in the TL, the RDX system centers around an in-dash DVD-Audio changer near the bottom of the center stack that also plays CD, CD-R/RW and MP3/WMA discs, and is controlled by a 6.5-inch touchscreen at the top. Steering-wheel controls are on tap, as is voice-activation of some features. One big downside for RDX owners with kids: The system doesn't play DVD-Video discs and rear-seat video isn't available even as an option. An aux-input and a 12-volt outlet are both on hand in the center console for easily adding an iPod or other MP3 player. XM Satellite Radio is also available. The system includes Dolby Pro Logic II signal processing for all sources except DVD-Audio and AM and FM.
While this all sounds good on paper, what really counts is what it sounds like on the road. I got a chance to find out on a test drive of the '07 RDX through Northern California. I started out with some favorite DVD-Audio discs since that's what the system is designed for. With "Funeral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding)" from Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the death tolls that start the track had an ominous and omnipresent tone, while the howling-wind sound effects swirled seamlessly around the soundstage. When the rocking second part of the song kicked in, I cranked it as loud as I could stand and the system reproduced every subtle nuance with amazing clarity.
Next I cued up John Hiatt's classic Bring the Family on DVD-A and drove dumbstruck and in awe of the way the system rendered the sublime slide-guitar solo in "Lipstick Sunset." Instrument placement was pinpoint accurate within the soundstage with Willie Nelson's DVD-Audio of instrumental jazz standards titled Night and Day, but some of the lowest bass notes skewed rearward towards the subwoofer position. The massive kettle-drum strikes at the end of "I'm Waiting for the Day" from The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds were as accurate and powerful as I've ever heard them.
CD sound quality was also superb. Listening to Bluesiana Triangle - an SQ favorite that features Dr. John, David "Fathead" Newman and Art Blakey - the soundstage had impressive height and width; imaging was good if not great; and tonal quality was reasonably faithful. As for controls, the touchscreen was fairly straightforward, but some of the audio menus were a bit baffling. Trying to switch discs and tracks wasn't as simple as it could be, but that's where the steering-wheel controls came in handy.
While the system in the RDX certainly isn't going to turn the tide in the (un)acceptance of DVD-Audio by the general public, you have to admire Acura and other automakers (or at least blame their years-long product cycles) for sticking with the struggling format. After all, the high-end home stereo tweaks may have moved on, but hardcore car audiophiles know that the best place to listen to multi-channel music is in the car - and the new ELS Surround system sets a new standard for that particular experience.