2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Acura TL TSX MDX Plug and Play Amplifier Upgrade

The Acura TL and Acura TSX spanning the years 2009–2010, 2011–2012, and 2013-2014 come equipped with a factory amplifier located in the trunk on the passenger side behind the trunk liner. The factory audio system in these consists of 8 individual drivers, including the front speakers, the dashboard tweeters, the rear deck speakers, the subwoofer, and lastly, the center channel speaker.

This amplifier only works on models without factory navigation.

When the factory amplifier is working with no issues, the factory audio system sounds rich and full. When your amplifier begins to fail or has failed, the system sounds tinny, and the volume output is very low. If you want to upgrade your sound system or if your factory amplifier has failed, this is a great option to consider. Our plug-and-play amplifier works with the factory radio or with an aftermarket radio if installed with our accessories. The plug-and-play amplifier will work with your factory speakers or aftermarket speakers. This is a five-channel amplifier that will retain all your speakers except for the center dashboard speaker.

If you are installing this amplifier in your Acura TSX you will need to upgrade your tweeters. The factory tweeters are protected by the factory amplifier. When you replace the factory amplifier that protection is gone and the new amplifier can easily blow your factory tweeters. You can either upgrade your tweeters or the front speakers together. The tweeters are easily removed by removing the sail panel that is clipped in place.

Installing this amplifier in your Acura TL or MDX will result in the loss of the factory center channel. If you are looking to retain the center channel please checkout our 6 channel plug and play amplifier. The Acura TSX has no center channel so no speakers are lost.

This upgrade is plug-and-play so it doesn’t require any new power or ground lines. When installing the amplifier, you don’t have to run any wires to the speakers or to the battery.

These are the amplifier power ratings.

  • NEW AMPLIFIER With 2 OHM Speakers: 80 Watts to each speaker + 200 Watts to the subwoofer
  • NEW AMPLIFIER With 4 OHM Speakers = 40 Watts to each speaker + 100 Watts to the subwoofer
  • FACTORY AMPLIFIER With Factory Speakers: 20 Watts to each speaker + 40 Watts to the subwoofer

Impedance is rated in ohms. Impedance changes in a speaker as it begins to play music, but for the best results, you want speakers that have a resting impedance of 2 ohms. The amplifier will automatically send as much power as it can to each speaker, depending on the impedance of that speaker. There is no switch or setting on the amplifier for changing impedances; it is handled automatically by the electronics inside the amplifier. To take full advantage of this amplifier, we recommend installing 2 ohm speakers for the doors, deck, and subwoofer. We sell 2 ohm JBL, Infinity, and Audison speakers but there are other brands that also sell 2 ohm speakers. If you also plan to upgrade the subwoofer, the kicker subwoofer we offer is the best choice. There are other subwoofers, but you want one that has a 2 ohm final impedance.

The factory amplifier powers each speaker with roughly 15–40 watts, depending on the speaker; this results in a total power output of 140 watts. This amplifier has a total power output of 500 watts. The factory speakers are all 4 ohms in final impedance, so if your factory speakers are all in good condition, the amp will make them sound great. If some of your speakers are blown and you didn’t notice it before, this amplifier will make you notice it now.

When installing the amplifier, we highly recommend replacing the factory subwoofer at the same time. The factory subwoofer works with this amplifier, but you will have to be careful at higher volumes with heavy bass songs. The extra power can possibly damage your factory subwoofer. As for the factory door speakers, we have found they can handle the extra power as long as the high-pass filter is turned on. The amplifier is shipped pre-configured, so you don’t have to turn any knobs or flip any switches. We ship the amplifier configured based on the selections you make on this page. When shipped, the amplifier will have the proper level set along with the correct high-pass and low-pass filters selected for your application.

This amplifier is packaged with a plug-and-play harness and the accessories you need to install it. The amplifier also comes with a bass knob, so you can control the bass level on the fly. To install this amplifier, you will need to remove the passenger trunk liner and unbolt the factory amplifier. Then you can proceed to unplug it and connect our plug-and-play amp in its place. The amplifier shares the same connectors as the factory amplifier, so no wiring is necessary. If you plan to install the bass knob that comes with the amplifier, you will have to snake the wire for the bass knob to your chosen location. To mount the amplifier, you can use the supplied screws or self-tapping screws to secure it in the factory amplifier’s location. The new amplifier will fit in the factory location; you will just need to maneuver the wiring harness behind the trunk liner and metal rails.

While this amplifier is louder than the factory amplifier, it does not shake the doors off your car or make your window flex from the bass output. This amplifier is a great choice for someone who has a failing amplifier or wants just a little bit more bass from the subwoofer and the door speakers. If you are looking to make your car show stopping loud, you will want to check out our other high-power plug-and-play amplifier. This upgrade will make your car noticeably louder, and you will feel the bass, but you must have realistic expectations.

Please read this disclaimer. The loudness of sound can be subjective from person to person, along with the quality of sound. Almost all of our customers who have bought this amplifier have loved it, but there have been a select few who claimed it was not louder than the factory or that it did not sound better than the factory. We do not accept returns because you don’t like how it sounds or because the amplifier is not as loud as you expected. If you want loud and clear sound, check out some of our higher-end amplifier options.

If, after reading this description, you feel that this package does not have enough power, you can use our amplifier bypass kit to easily install your own amplifier. Please keep in mind that if you are going to power each speaker with more than 125 watts RMS, then we recommend running new speaker wires and suggest you do not use our amplifier bypass.

If you have questions regarding shipping or product availability, please check out our FAQ section.

If you are looking to upgrade the factory amplifier in your 2009 to 2013 Acura TL, Acura TSX, or Acura MDX without navigation this amplifier is a great upgrade that doesn’t require permanent modifications. This amplifier can be installed in a plug and play configuration. This amplifier can replace your Acura’s failing factory amplifier and doesn’t require you to install new speakers. You can also use this amplifier to power aftermarket speakers. This amplifier provides 80 watts of output per channel @ 2 ohms and 40 watts of power @ 4 ohms. The subwoofer portion of this amplifier can provide up to 200 watts of power to a 2ohm subwoofer or 100 watts of power to a 4ohm subwoofer.

FAQ

  1. Can I use the factory radio and factory speakers with this amplifier?
    Yes, you can use this amplifier with the factory radio and factory speakers.
  2. Can I use an aftermarket radio with this amplifier?
    Yes, but you must have installed that radio using our accessories.
  3. Can I use aftermarket speakers with this amplifier?
    Yes, we recommend using speakers from JBL or Infinity.
  4. Does the Android radio work with this amplifier?
    Yes, but you will not have fader and balance controls.
  5. Can I run this amplifier and another amplifier for subwoofers?
    Yes, you can either tap the lines of this amplifier (brown wires) or run an LOC of the rear subwoofer.
  6. Can I use the subwoofer output of this amplifier to run a 10″ or 12″ subwoofer in a box?
    Yes, if you don’t want to upgrade the 8-inch subwoofer, you can instead use it to power a subwoofer in a box.
  7. Is this amplifier louder than the factory amplifier?
    Yes, this amplifier is louder than the factory amplifier.
  8. If my factory amplifier has low audio, is it the amplifier or the factory radio?
    If you are having audio volume issues, it’s almost always the amplifier.
  9. How do I know if my speakers are blown?
    If you turn your radio up and set the bass to +3, your speakers should not make any weird noises. If they do, they might be blown.
  10. How do I mount this amplifier?
    The amplifier comes with four mounting screws, so you can secure it to the factory amplifier location.
  11. What speakers should I upgrade if I get this amplifier?
    We recommend getting two ohm final impedance speakers.

Acura ILX MDX TL TSX JBL Legend Apple CarPlay Radio Kit

All of of radio kits include, the radio shown in the picture, the dash kit for your exact Acura, a wired plug and play harness and the steering wheel control interface. This is one package that includes everything you will need to complete your upgrade. The information below is a summary of the radio features and some of its highlights. If you are looking for specific information regarding your Acura please visit the following pages. Also please read the message that is generated below the selection menus.

Vehicle Specific Information

1999-2003 Acura TL
2004-2008 Acura TL
2004-2008 Acura TSX
2009-2013 Acura TSX
2001-2006 Acura MDX
2007-2013 Acura MDX
2013-2022 Acura ILX Single Screen

NOTICE: Please select your year and model for installation specific information and what factory features will continue working.

Radio Summary:
If you are looking to add , Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto to your Acura this JBL radio is a budget friendly option. It offers a mix of great value, simplicity and features. The capacitive touchscreen is great for controlling your apps on the go including Apple Music, Waze, Spotify and YouTube Music. Along with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto this radio also has USB Media Playback and a auxiliary input. It also has the option to add a backup camera or an aftermarket amplifier for subwoofers. What this radio doesn’t have is a CD/DVD player, Sirius XM Compatibility, or built in GPS Guidance. The USB port is on the back of the radio so you will need to run the included USB extension into the glovebox or flush mount a USB adapter somewhere on your dash. Our plug and play radio kit removes the need for any wiring so all you have to do is plug everything in. Our radio kit also allows you keep your factory steering wheel controls, amplifier and all your speakers speakers in most Acura’s.

Who should buy this radio:
This radio is a great choice for a first time buyer of aftermarket car audio receivers. The electronics inside this head unit provide a solid audio foundation for integrating with the factory system in your Acura or powering an aftermarket system. This radio has a very simple interface that makes it easy to navigate. It also has a clean audio output and dedicated settings for any of your audio sound goals. JBL uses there own dedicated operating system that is similar to Sony in simplicity. This radio has tactile buttons all along the bottom so you can easily see and tell which button you are pressing. It has a dedicated subwoofer button to get you to the subwoofer settings whenever you want and a dedicated voice activation button for CarPlay or android auto. The 7″ inch touchscreen display is bright and has great viewing angles regardless or how low or how high you have to mount it in your Acura.

Who should look for something else:
If you are looking for built in GPS Guidance that doesn’t require a phone connection or for the ability to play CD/DVDS this is radio is not a good choice. This radio also isn’t recommended for those who want to run a complex aftermarket audio system that are going to use multiple amplifiers. This radio works great with the factory audio system in the Acura TL, MDX, ILX and TSX but with multiple aftermarket amplifiers there are better options than this radio. Installing a subwoofer amplifier is no problem but if you are planning to run a two or three amplifier system then we recommend a higher tier Kenwood or Pioneer with all the audio settings necessary and with 4v-5V Preamp outputs instead.

About the JBL Brand:
JBL is one of the largest speaker manufacturers in the world. They make car speakers, house speakers, portable speakers, arena speakers and a ton of other speakers. But what do they know about making radios? The truth is this is one of the first radios they have made in the recent years and while JBL has a great track records with speakers we don’t know much about what to expect from there radios. What we can say is this radio has a one year warranty and JBL is a partner who does backup there products.

2009 10 11 12 2013 Acura TL TSX MDX Factory Backup Camera Retention Harness

If you upgrade the radio in your 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013 2014 Acura TL, TSX or MDX and want to keep the climate information available, you will need to replace the factory navigation display with a non navigation display. When you replace the factory navigation display you lose the factory backup camera. If you want to retain the factory backup camera and view it on your aftermarket radio you will need this harness.

This harness provides the factory camera with the correct amount of voltage (6v) and gives you an RCA to connect to your aftermarket radio. If your factory camera has multiple angles only one angle will work with the new aftermarket radio and you will not be able to switch it. In order to automatically switch your aftermarket radio into reverse you will have to wire tap the reverse signal. The reverse signal trigger wire is included in the 2009-2014 Acura TL wire harness and the 2010-2013 Acura MDX wire harness. On the 2009-2010 Acura TSX you must wiretap the reverse signal at the junction boxes. In the 2011-2014 Acura TSX you will wire tap the connectors to the factory navigation. The grey 28 pin connector behind the navigation brain has the reverse signal on the light blue wire which is pin 20. See the images for the pinout. If you are looking for the harness for the android radio for your Acura MDX click here.

This is the breakdown of the connector per car. Although the pin numbers are the same some vehicles have different pinouts.
2009-13 Acura TSX 28 Pin
2009-2010 Acura TL 32 Pin
2011-2013 Acura TL 36 Pin
2011-2013 Acura MDX 28 Pin

2007 2008 09 10 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Acura ELS Audio Amplifier Retention Interface

If you have any of the following Acura’s including the Acura ILX, Acura TL, Acura MDX, Acura RDX, and Acura TSX from years 2007 to 2014 with the ELS system you can now replace the factory radio and keep the factory amplifier in place to power all of your speakers. The factory amplifier requires digital volume control which is achieved with our interface and a dedicated external volume knob. Instructions

This interface will come with proper connector for your vehicle and you will have to connect two additional wires. You will have to connect the red wire to accessory power and the black wire to ground. This interface will plug in behind the radio. We will reach out via text to confirm all the details so please use a valid phone number when ordering.

This integration does not keep the factory navigation working. You can retain your navigation if your car has a DVD based navigation unit somewhere in the car. The 2010 and up Acuras all have Hard Drive based navigation so you will not be able to retain it. You can only retain the navigation in some 2007-2009 Acuras. You can not retain the navigation in any 2009-2013 Acura TL.

This interface allows you to control the volume of the factory amplifier. This interface does not allow you to control balance and fader. You can change the EQ on the radio for the desired sound but the factory amplifier will still keep the factory crossovers in place. The factory amplifier only uses the FL and FR audio outputs of the aftermarket radio and expects the voltage of the RCAs to be between 0v- 1.3v. This means this interface can work with almost any aftermarket radio. Along with this interface you will still need the other necessary harnesses to install you aftermarket radio. You will not have the ability to fade the audio between the front and back but you can balance between left and right.

Acura TL MDX TSX Kenwood Apple CarPlay Complete Radio Kit

All of of radio kits include, the radio shown in the picture, the dash kit for your exact Acura, a wired plug and play harness and the steering wheel control interface. This is one package that includes everything you will need to complete your upgrade. The information below is a summary of the radio features and some of its highlights. If you are looking for specific information regarding your Acura please visit the following pages. Also please read the message that is generated below the selection menus.

Vehicle Specific Information

1999-2003 Acura TL
2004-2008 Acura TL
2004-2008 Acura TSX
2009-2013 Acura TSX
2001-2006 Acura MDX
2007-2013 Acura MDX
2007-2012 Acura RDX
2013-2015 Acura ILX

NOTICE: Please select your year and model for installation specific information and what factory features will continue working.

Radio Summary:
If you are looking to add Bluetooth Audio Streaming, Android Wired Mirroring, Wired Apple CarPlay or Wired Android Auto to your Acura this Kenwood radio is a solid choice. It offers a mix of great value and features. The capacitive touchscreen is great for controlling your apps on the go including Apple Music, Waze, Spotify and YouTube Music. Along with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Android Mirroring this radio also has USB Media Playback, Sirius XM Combability, a dedicated video output. It also has the option to add a backup camera or an aftermarket amplifier for subwoofers. What this radio doesn’t have is a CD/DVD player, an AUX Input or built in GPS Guidance. The USB port is on the back of the radio so you will need to run the included USB extension into the glovebox or flush mount a USB adapter somewhere on your dash. Our plug and play radio kit removes the need for any wiring so all you have to do is plug everything in. Our radio kit also allows you keep your factory steering wheel controls, amplifier and all your speakers speakers in most Acura’s.

Who should buy this radio:
This radio is a great choice for a first time buyer of aftermarket car audio receivers. The electronics inside this head unit provide a solid audio foundation for integrating with the factory system in your Acura or powering an aftermarket system. This radio maybe a little overwhelming with all the audio settings its offers but Kenwood is known for their high quality radios that can produce awesome sound and those settings are part of the equation. The Kenwood operating system is very sleek and easy to use. There are tons of menus to find all kind of cool adjustments but if you are just looking for the basics this radio is simple and easy to control. The icons are large and selecting your desired source is easy. The screen is responsive and vibrant so looking at google maps or Waze is enjoyable. The only complaint we hear about this radio is the lack of hard tactile buttons. The screen and the buttons are capacitive so unless you are looking at it it sometime tough to able to feel what exact button you are pressing.

Who should look for something else:
If you are looking for built in GPS Guidance that doesn’t require a phone connection or for the ability to play CD/DVDS this is radio is not a good choice. This radio also isn’t recommended for those who want to run a complex aftermarket audio system. This radio works great with the factory audio system in the Acura TL, MDX, RDX, ILX and TSX but with aftermarket amplifiers this radio doesn’t have high enough RCA output voltage to properly run multiple amplifiers. Installing a subwoofer amplifier is no problem but if you are planning to run a two or three amplifier system then we recommend a higher tier Kenwood radio with 4v-5V Preamp outputs instead.

About the Kenwood Brand:
Kenwood is often compared to Pioneer and is referred to as ‘your grandpas radio’ by enthusiast when it comes to aftermarket electronics. But that statement while silly just showcases how long Kenwood has been around delivering quality aftermarket audio components. The Kenwood power delivery, audio quality and sleek operating system makes their head units an easy recommendation for enthusiast and professionals looking for a new radio. Kenwood offers a one year warranty on head units so you can have peace of mind that your investment is protected.

Acura ILX TL TSX TLX RL RLX Factory 8 Inch Subwoofer PNP Upgrade Package

This subwoofer package includes the Kicker 8 inch subwoofer, the subwoofer mounting bracket, and the subwoofer wiring to make installation plug and play. This subwoofer can work with the factory amplifier or our plug and play amplifiers. This subwoofer package works with the following Acuras. Acura TL from years 2009 to 2014, Acura TSX from 2009 to 2014, Acura ILX from years 2013 to 2022, Acura TLX from years 2015 to 2020 and Acura RLX from years 2014 to 2020. This subwoofer package will work for on a base, premium or ELS sound system . Our subwoofer packages ship next day and arrive within 3-5 business days to most US states. Your subwoofer is covered with a one year warranty. If you have a 2021 or 2022 Acura ILX please choose the 2020 option from the dropdown.

While this subwoofer upgrade package won’t rattle the windshield in your car it does provide better bass response than the factory subwoofer. If your factory subwoofer is blown the difference in bass output will be extreme. If you are looking to get the most out of this subwoofer upgrade we also recommend upgrading the amplifier that powers this subwoofer. You can save your self some money by installing this subwoofer yourself following the guides below. If you want to have this subwoofer installed professionally it is about 2 hours of installation time on the Acuras mentioned above.

When replacing your factory subwoofer there are three main specifications your new must subwoofer must meet. One is that it must be a free air subwoofer as the factory subwoofer is not fully enclosed. The second is that it must be 8 inches and not exceed 6 inches in depth so that it may fit in the factory location. The last specification is that its final impedance must be two ohms to not cause any issues with the factory amplifier. This Kicker subwoofer meets all of those specifications and fits into the factory location with the use of our adapter bracket. The kicker subwoofer also has a flat surround which stops it from rubbing against the rear deck.

In order to achieve the best bass output we recommend applying sound treatment to the rear deck and the rear deck cover. This sound treatment is to minimize rattle and increase acoustical output to your ears. The sound treatment is an additional purchase. We offer some options you can check them out here.

Installation

To install the subwoofer upgrade you will need to remove the rear seats if they do not fold down. You will then need to remove the C-Pillar covers, and the rear deck cover. The tools you will need include a ratchet, ratchet extensions, a 10mm socket, a panel removal tool, a clip removal tool and a towel or blanket to protect parts of your interior. If you are completing the install your self and its the first time removing the rear seats, we suggest setting aside 2-4 hours to complete the installation. If you are looking for instructions you will find them down below. If you have questions regarding installation or the product please call us at 877-542-2872.

If you are looking to install a different subwoofer but need the adapter bracket you can find it here.

2009 – 2014 Acura TSX Instructions

2010 – 2014 Acura TL Instructions

2013 – 2022 Acura ILX instructions

2015 – 2022 Acura TLX Instructions

2014 – 2022 Acura RLX Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is this subwoofer louder than the factory subwoofer?
    A: Yes this subwoofer is slightly louder than the factory because it is more efficient.
  2. Does this subwoofer handle more power than the factory subwoofer?
    A: Yes this subwoofer is rated for 200W RMS
  3. How much power does the factory amplifier output to the subwoofer?
    A: About 50-60 Watts
  4. If I install this subwoofer will it shake my car?
    A: This subwoofer has the potential to shake your car but it will need another amplifier to power it to its full potential.
  5. I installed this subwoofer but its not much louder than the old one, what did I do wrong?
    A: Upgrading the subwoofer only doesn’t give your vehicle more bass, you also need to upgrade the amplifier powering the subwoofer.
  6. How does my warranty work?
    A: As long as there is no physical damage to your subwoofer and you are within your warranty period you can exchange your subwoofer for a new one.

Acura Tweeter Speaker Harness Adapters

When you are replacing the tweeters on your Acura the tweeters have there own bass blocking capacitor on them. There is no crossover in place for the tweeter instead it uses a capacitor to filter out lower frequencies and not damage the tweeter. When you replace this tweeter you will either need to run new speaker wire from your crossover to your tweeter or you can use our harness.

This harness comes with a aluminum electrolytic capacitor that is rated for 100v and 15uf brining the crossover point to right about 3500-4500hz for tweeters of 2-4 ohms. This means you can safely install your new tweeter with ease and not having to worry about running any new wiring. This listing contains 2 harnesses.

This adapters are verified working for

    • 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Acura ILX
    • 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Acura TLX RLX
    • 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Acura MDX
    • 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Acura TL
    • 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Acura TSX
    • 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Acura RDX
    • 2006 – 2020 Honda Civic
    • 2008 – 2017 Honda Accord
    • 2011 – 2016 Honda Pilot
    • 2003 – 2019 Honda CR-V
    • 2016 – 2021 Honda HR-V

They may fit these other Acura models but we have not been able to confirm fitment ourselves.

Acura TL MDX TSX License Plate Light Backup Camera

If you are thinking about adding a backup camera to your Acura this camera installs with ease. By replacing the license plate light housing with the housing provided with the camera you are able to install the backup camera without having to drill any new holes and the final installation looks OEM.

This camera comes in two options with fixed parking lines or with active parking lines. If you are going to be using the parking line adjustments on your radio we recommend you get the fixed parking line version and then disable them. You can view the difference in the parking lines in the images.

There are two ways to install this camera. You can set it up to always be on so you can hit the camera button on your radio and view it at anytime or have the power only power on when you are in reverse. The reverse only installation is easier to complete.

Below are the specifications of the cameras

The specs of the fixed parking line camera are as follows:

  • IP Rating: IP68
  • Resolution (TV lines): 800
  • Lens Angle (Deg.): 170°
  • Power Supply (DCV): 12V
  • Minimum Illumination: 0.1LUX

The specs of the active parking line camera are as follows:

  • IP Rating: IP67
  • Resolution (TV lines): 600
  • Lens Angle (Deg.): 170°
  • Power Supply (DCV): 9V-12V
  • Minimum Illumination: 0.1LUX

You can view our installation video here.

This camera works with the following Models:

  • 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Acura MDX
  • 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Acura TL
  • 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Acura TSX
  • 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2013 Acura TSX Sedan
  • 2007 2008 2009 Acura RDX

2007 08 09 10 11 2012 2013 Acura MDX Aftermarket PNP Radio Wiring Harness

If you are having trouble wiring a new aftermarket radio in your 2nd Generation Acura MDX spanning years 2007 to 2009, 2009 to 2011, or 2012 to 2013 then this custom made wiring harness will solve your issue. Our wiring harness to connects to your aftermarket radio and integrates with the factory amplifier in your Acura MDX to power all of your speakers. This harness is compatible with Acuras that have the premium sound system(base) or the ELS sound system(tech package with navigation).

In the base or premium sound system this harness uses the RCAs to send a low level signal to the factory amplifier. The harness is also wired with the lead to turn on the factory amplifier when you are playing audio. The harness eliminates the need for any wiring splicing or wire cutting. It makes you installation plug and play. If you do wish to keep the steering wheel controls you will need an additional part.

In the tech package with navigation and the ELS audio system our harness uses RCAs along with the ELS amplifier interface to keep your factory amplifier and power all of your speakers. The ELS audio system requires the ELS Amplifier Interface to manipulate the factory amplifier volume. If you do not use the ELS interface you will have power and audio but you will not be able to achieve full volume with your aftermarket radio. This harness makes your installation plug and play and requires no additional wiring.

*DISCLAIMER FOR ACURA TSX WITH NAVIGATION*
When you install an aftermarket radio in your Acura MDX you will lose the factory navigation functionality and the backup camera. If you want to retain the factory backup camera then you will also need to to purchase the camera retention harness. This harness will allow you to view the factory backup camera on your new aftermarket screen. When you keep the factory camera you will need to wiretap the reverse trigger. You will also need to install the ELS Amplifier volume knob in an accessible area to control the volume of your system. Please watch the clips below.
*END DISCLAIMER*

When you replace the factory radio in your Acura MDX you will lose some factory components. Those components include Sirius XM Radio, Factory Hands Free Calling and streaming, Factory Navigation Guidance, Acuralink, USB port, and the factory AUX Port. If you want Satellite radio you will need an extra tuner as you cannot use the factory one. Your new aftermarket radio will have Bluetooth streaming and calling along with USB and AUX.

After placing your order we will create a custom wiring harness for your exact radio installation. The custom harness will allow you to install a new aftermarket radio without the need for any wire splicing or wire tapping. This harness will allow you to have a plug and play installation for your Acura TSX with a supported compatible radio. A parking bypass is highly recommended with your order if your radio brand is Pioneer, Kenwood or Alpine. You can learn more about the bypass and add one to your cart using this link.

Our plug and play harness integrates with the factory amplifier to retain your center speaker (tech only), front door speakers and tweeters, the rear door and rear deck speakers and the factory subwoofer. Included in our harness are the necessary three connectors for your Acura MDX and the radio specific connector that will plug into the back of your radio. Our harness uses RCAs to feed a low level signal from the aftermarket radio to the factory amplifier. We also add the connector for the AXSWC steering wheel control interface so you can retain your factory steering wheel controls if desired. The AXSWC is an additional purchase it is not included. The wiring for the AXSWC is completed so if you do purchase it you can just plug it in. You can find the AXSWC here. The ASXWC allows you to retain volume up, volume down, next, previous and mode on your steering wheel but not the call control buttons with your aftermarket radio.

In order for your aftermarket radio to be compatible with our harness it must have at least 5 RCA outputs including FL, FR, RL, RR, and SUB. Also the brand of the aftermarket radio must appear in the selection menu of this listing. If you are unsure if your radio qualifies please call us at 877-542-2872.

In order to complete your order we may need your radios model number please include it in the billing checkout notes or if you forget please include a valid phone number where me may reach you in case of any questions.

In order to complete your order we may need your radios model number please include it in the billing checkout notes or if you forget please include a valid phone number where me may reach you in case of any questions.

FAQ.

  1. Will your harness allow me to keep the factory subwoofer working?
    – Yes this harness integrates with the factory amplifier to keep your factory subwoofer working.
  2. Can I add an amplifier and subwoofers with your harness?
    – Yes you can. You will just need run your RCAs to the back of the radio and wire tap the blue or blue/white wire of the harness.
  3. Can I add a backup camera with your harness?
    – Yes just follow the instructions provided in the radios owners manual or the cameras manual to complete the installation.
  4. Can I use a random radio I found on Amazon or eBay that has an unknown brand?
    – Most likely not. If the radio you purchased on Amazon is less than $100 it most likely won’t have all the features and ports needed for you to complete the installation.
  5. Do I get to keep all my speakers?
    – Yes all speakers are retained, except for the center dash speaker.
  6. Do I get to keep my steering wheel controls?
    -Yes but an additional part is required. The AXSWC you can find it here. You will get to keep volume up, volume down, next, prev and mode. The call control buttons will not be retained.
  7. How do I get the radio to dim when I turn on the headlights?
    -You will need to wire tap the wire show in this picture and attach it to the orange or orange/white wire in your harness.

*When replacing the factory radio in your Acura you will loose the factory Sirius XM, HFL and AUX Port. If you want automatic dimming when you turn on your headlights you will have to wiretap the illumination wire of your factory wiring unless you purchase a radio which does not require an illumination trigger.*