The ElS (Elliot Scheiner) system in the TL -- amazing ! ! ! 5.1 surround is more than just "sound". It's "an experience" from head to toe. Has anyone had a chance to "feel" the difference? Anything Elliot Scheiner touches technically is gold to the ears. He has also recorded, produced or mixed such greats as Steely Dan, the Eagles, REM, Beck, Natalie Cole, Faith Hill and just recently the Foo Fighters. Wow ! ! What a talent. He has also been nominated and actually took home many Grammies.

Especially if you have a chance to hear one of the songs he has mixed in 5.1 on the ELS system, you will hear instruments coming from every direction with just the right balance. Really, Really moving ! ! ! My question is -- when is the company going to put ELS (audio) in all the Acura's and Honda's? As far as I am concerned -- too much has been kept silent about this system that has been innovated by the wizardry of Elliots concepts and genius.

 

Instruments shouldn't be coming from all the directions. A good car stereo should sound like when you are sitting in the sweet spot at a live concert. Vocal should be dead in the center and instruments should be placed on a sound stage at about eye level behind the vocalist. Only sounds coming from the rear should be ambiance and reflected sound.

 

Being someone who does not know how to describe something technically, I think I am very much giving the wrong impression. You sound like you may be an engineer or producer. I am not. The Els system in no way gives the impression that Mr. Scheiner had instruments coming from every direction without purpose. His awards have come to him because of his excellence. You would have to personally listen to understand the beauty of the system and the 5.1 surround mixes.

 

also, there is a major difference between the theory behind 2-ch stereo and 5.1 surround. Audio imaging is changing drastically, and the concept of a flat stage is no longer the proper way to look at it. A concept more in line with 5.1 surround audio-only mixing is to look at it from a conductor's perspective. Of course bass is always non-directional, but the various instrumental groups *should* be in their proper positions. A live recording will have more of the old flat-stage theory in its mix, but even studio recordings of more contemporary music (including vocals) will be mixed *much* differently for surround. It'll be more like you're in the middle of the recording studio. As 5.1 becomes more popular, I'm sure mixing will advance as it did with stereo, including phasing channels and positioning sounds for effect.

Basically, forget about the old-school conecpts that were limited to 2 channels. This is something completely different. And it is still very much a "good car stereo."