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.
This package consists of our best selling JBL speakers and our best selling four channel amplifier. This package packs plenty of punch and gets loud for those looking for a quality affordable upgrade. If you have questions about each individual component, please checkout there specific product pages.
THE AMP IN THIS PACKAGE IS CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER UNTIL 8/15
This listing includes all the components recommended to upgrade the stereo in your Acura TSX with navigation.
If your TSX has navigation and you want to upgrade the navigation screen to an android touchscreen with apple CarPlay and android auto this package is your best solution. This plug and play upgrade allows you to retain all the factory functionality including the factory navigation and factory backup camera.
The android screen is powered by the circuit that used to power the OEM navigation display so it doesn’t add any additional load to your factory electrical system. The RGBs video from the factory navigation brain is converted and connected to the new android screen. The android screen then feeds stereo audio to the factory audio system via the XM input. The factory audio system is not impacted and all factory functions including the steering wheel controls continue to work the factory radio. The touchscreen does not control the factory navigation and the steering wheel controls do not control the touchscreen they are independent of each other but do work together.
The base configuration of this upgrade has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage this is perfect if you only want to use the screen for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If you want your android screen to also run applications like Netflix, YouTube or iGo-Navigation it is recommend to instead grab the 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
Included in the package is the android 9″ screen, a plug and play harness and the necessary dash kit. The instructions for installation are in the video. The screen will not come with printed instructions. The kit will come with the necessary wires and installation hardware. An upgraded camera is not included you will need to purchase the camera separately here or from another seller.
If you installed an aftermarket radio in your Acura TSX Base model but the subwoofer isn’t working its because most likely you are missing this harness. This harness plug in behind the radio and gives you an RCA to connect to the subwoofer output of your radio. That signal is then sent from your aftermarket radio to the factory amplifier and finally to your subwoofer. In order for this harness to work you must connect the blue wire on the primary power harness you have to the remote wire of your aftermarket radio so your factory amplifier turns on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08aPXoGSdVI
Your Base Acura TSX has a total of 7 speakers that are powered by the factory amplifier. When replacing the factory radio using our complete kit you are able to keep all of the speakers. The front door speakers, tweeters, rear deck speakers and the factory subwoofer will all continue to work. Our harness integrates with the factory amplifier to keep all your speakers working. If your factory amplifier does not work this kit will not work.
Your Tech Package or Navigation equipped TSX has a total of 10 speakers that are powered by the factory amplifier. When replacing the factory radio using our complete kit you are able to keep all the speakers. The way the ELS Amplifier Interface retains the factory amplifier is by feeding left and right audio from the aftermarket radio to the factory amplifier and the factory amplifier up-mixes the audio from stereo to 5.1 surround.
You will lose Sirius XM, AUX Input and the factory handsfree link functionality. The steering wheel controls including volume up, volume down, next, previous and mode will work. The call control buttons are not retained. The navigation control buttons are not retained.
FAQ.
- In my premium audio system, will the display above the radio continue to show climate control information.
– Yes your climate control will continue to function as normal. - In my tech package, will I lose the climate control information?
– Yes the climate information will be lost unless you convert your navigation screen to the audio HVAC display with our harness. - In my tech package, will I lose the factory backup camera?
– Yes the factory backup camera is lost. You can use our camera retention harness to keep it on your aftermarket radio. - Can I use this complete kit on a TSX with navigation?
– Yes. But you will need additional parts to convert the climate control display and to keep the factory backup camera. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Do I get to keep all my speakers?
– Yes all speakers are retained. - Do I get to keep my steering wheel controls?
– Yes but an additional part is required. The AXSWC in included in this kit. You will get to keep volume up, volume down, next, previous and mode. The call control buttons will not be retained. The navigation control buttons are not retained.
When replacing the radio in your Acura TSX you will need to modify the plastic behind the factory radio to fit the new radio in place. This modification while permanent does not affect the ability to install the factory radio or any factory components. If you replace the radio in your Acura TSX the new aftermarket radio will utilize the factory amplifier to keep all of your speakers including the front door speakers, tweeters, rear deck speakers and rear deck subwoofers. You will also get to keep the steering wheel control buttons including volume up, volume down, next, prev and mode. The Navigation and HFL control buttons will not work. The factory navigation will keep working but you will have no sound from it. The factory backup camera will still work if equipped through the factory navigation. This radio kit is meant to be installed below the factory radio please check the pictures. The factory radio and climate control will remain functional.
A. driver inner dashboard trim
B. passenger trim
C. center console panel
D. center upper pocket
E. center lower pocket
You need to remove the hazard switch as well, this will pop out, is also held in by clips. Remove five 8mm screws from the face and below the radio, and the radio will pop out -note- is also held in with clips.
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
If your factory backup camera is bad and you want to replace it or if you want to add a backup camera to the factory navigation of your Acura this harness will allow you to do so. This harness plugs straight into the navigation and allows you to send video in. You must ground the black wire of this harness for the camera signal to work.
NOTICE: Please select your year and model for installation specific information and what factory features will continue working.
Radio Summary:
If you are looking for the best available head unit for your Acura this Kenwood receiver is the winner. Kenwood also makes higher tier units that might have additional features but this radio has all the essential features you could want in a new radio. This radio has an 7″ HD capacitive touchscreen and tactile buttons to help you control your entertainment. This radio is loaded with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, Bluetooth Audio Streaming and Calling along with wireless Android Mirroring. This radio also has SiriusXM compatibility, an HDMI port, multiple camera inputs and three pairs of 4volt pre amp outputs to power your factory amplifier or aftermarket amplifiers. The only features missing from this radio are a CD/DVD player and built in GPS Guidance. Installing this stereo requires you to run a new microphone wire to the visor or other desired location. The USB port is on the back of the radio so you will need to run the included USB extension 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, speakers and factory navigation in most Acura’s.
Who should buy this radio:
This radio is a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade the head unit in their Acura. The Kenwood operating system is intuitive so if you know how to use a smartphone you can easily use this radio. This radio also has all the settings you could want to adjust the sound output to your liking. 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 HD screen makes choosing apps or selecting radio stations enjoyable and electronics inside this head unit provide a solid audio foundation for integrating with the factory system in your Acura or powering an aftermarket system.
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. If you like to keep all your media on a USB drive this radio is also not a good choice. The menus for traversing folders and finding the exact song you may want to listen to on your USB drive is annoying. If you want to watch videos of a USB its okay but not for audio.
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.
