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USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura

Connects your iPod to select 2007-up Acura factory radios with navigation and Live Traffic

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  • USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura

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  • USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura

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Item# 581PA15ACU offer details

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USA Spec

Why would I need an iPodĀ® adapter?

An iPod adapter allows you to connect your iPod to your car stereo, then access your playlists with your stereo's controls - a great idea for several reasons. One, you can scroll through your song titles on your stereo's larger display, instead of squinting down at your iPod. Two, you can route the adapter cable to your glove compartment or center console, so your iPod stays safely out of sight. Three, the iPod adapter keeps your iPod fully charged, so it's ready to rock when you leave your car. And last of all, some adapters bypass your iPod's internal digital-to-analog converter, using your stereo's superior DAC to turn your files back into music.

Our take on the USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura

by Zak Billmeier

You have a factory radio in your Acura, but that doesn't mean you have to leave your iPod at home. Install USA Spec's iPod interface and listen to your favorite tunes through your car's speakers. You can control song selection, and access up to six different playlists right from the radio, including shuffle mode. The interface also charges your iPod or iPhone™ while it's connected. And with your iPhone® connected, you can even stream music from popular Internet services like PANDORA®, Livio Radio, iHeartRadio, and more. The interface also includes an auxiliary input for connecting another source to your factory radio.

Note: While most iPods will work with this interface, you should check the "Hands-on Research" tab to see if your iPod is compatible.

This interface works with most 2007-up Acura radios with the navigation option and the Live Traffic feature. This adapter allows you to keep your factory satellite radio or in-dash 6-disc changer. Please enter your vehicle information or call an Advisor at 1-888-955-6000 to find out if this adapter is compatible with your vehicle.

Highlights:

  • iPod connection adapter for select Acura factory stereos with navigation and Live Traffic
  • when iPhone is connected, you can stream tunes from popular Internet services like PANDORA®, Livo Radio, and iHeartRadio
  • track up/down, fast-forward, reverse, and shuffle play
  • use up to six playlists (select six favorites, or Auto Playlist will let you choose from the first six on your iPod)
  • warranty: 1 year
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee
Shop all USA Spec iPod Adapters for Car Stereos
     

    Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

    Features and Specs

    Features and Specs
    General
    Adapter Type
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    iPod audio in w/ iPod control
    Vehicle Specific
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    Acura
    Brand Specific
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    No
    Parts Warranty
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    1 Year
    Labor Warranty
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    1 Year
    iPod Compatibility
    Full-Size
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    Classic/5Gen/4Gen
    Nano
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    Nano7/Nano6/Nano5/Nano4/Nano3/
    Touch
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    Touch5/Touch4/Touch3/Touch2/To
    Mini
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    Mini2/Mini1
    iPhone
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    Phone5/Phone4S/Phone4/Phone3GS

    Product Research

    Product Research
    What's in the box?

    Download owner's manual

    • PA15-ACUxl iPod to Honda/Acura interface
    • 6' iPod to interface cable (CB-PA105)
    • 15' Interface to OEM radio cable (CDL-ACU)
    • Owner's manual

    Our Product Research Team

    At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

    Features

    Overview: The USA SPEC PA15-ACUxl interface connects a compatible iPod to select Acura audio systems. Its on-board software translates commands from your Acura radio's in-dash CD-changer or XM controls into commands the iPod understands. This interface enables the iPod to coexist with your Acura factory system and provides a line-level input to your Acura's audio system for optimal sound quality. Please consult the Crutchfield Car Selector to see if your vehicle is compatible.

    iPod Charging: The iPod's internal battery is charged whenever it's connected to the PA15-ACUxl; charging stops automatically 30 minutes after the ignition is turned off or the iPod is paused.

    iPod Compatibility: The PA15-ACUxl is "Made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone model features when connected to a compatible Acura factory radio (as of 10/11/2012):

    iPod/iPhone Model Generation Tested Version Media Type Control Type Display Type Charge
    Audio Video Head Unit iPod/iPhone Song/Artist Text Track Info
    dock connector 3rd N/A N N N N N N N
    clickwheel
    color
    4th 3.1.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    mini 1st 1.4.1 Y N Y N Y Y Y
    2nd 1.4.1 Y N Y N Y Y Y
    video 5th 1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    classic 80GB 1.1.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    120GB 2.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    160GB 2.0.4 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    nano 1st 1.3.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    2nd 1.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    3rd 1.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    4th 1.0.4 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    5th 1.0.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    6th 1.1 PC Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    7th* 1.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    touch 1st 2.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    2nd 4.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    3rd 5.1.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    4th 6.0 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    5th* 6.0 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    iPhone 2G 3.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    3G 4.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    3GS 5.1.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    4 6.0 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    4S 6.0 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    5* 6.0 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
    iPad 1 5.0.1 N N N N N N N
    2 6.0 N N N N N N N
    3 6.0 N N N N N N N

    Notes:

    • *The iPod nano (7th gen), iPod touch (5th gen), and iPhone 5 will require the Apple Lightning to 30-pin adapter (sold separately).
    • Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the head unit and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to wait until a newer software update is available.

    Controls: There are two modes of controlling your iPod:

    • Folder Mode: access four folders (Playlist, Artist, Album, and Song) on your iPod from your Acura radio
    • Direct Mode: all the controls on the iPod are unlocked, giving you total control remotely; the radio still has basic controls; track up, track down, fast forward, and fast reverse

    App Streaming (in Direct Mode): Direct mode also lets you listen to the sound from your iPhone's downloaded music apps (such as Pandora, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, etc.) through your factory head unit & speakers. You will continue to control your iPhone's apps & view song/artist information from its touchscreen. Your iPhone will need an active Data Plan account with connection to the Internet via 3G, EDGE, or WiFi. You will also need applicable music service accounts.

    iPod Text: The Artist name and song title text can be displayed on the radio when using the Folder control mode.

    Auxiliary Input: In addition to the iPod input on the PA15-ACUxl there is an auxiliary input (RCA) for use with another source, such as a DVD system, satellite radio, etc. This aux input can be used with or without the iPod connected.

    Vehicle Compatibility: This interface enables your iPod to co-exist with the factory navigation, CD changer, XM radio receiver, and DVD system of many Acura vehicles; please check the Crutchfield Vehicle Selector to confirm compatibility.

     

    Product Reviews

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    Reviews for the USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura

    Average Customer Review:

    12 people say:

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    Showing: 1-12 of 12
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    4 out of 5

    Product delivers, but instructions miss the mark.

    Written By Anonymous, San Antonio, TX on Saturday, April 20, 2013
    Installed in a 2005 Acura 3.5RL
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    I studied a lot of different products and settled on the USA Spec. It's literally plug-and-play. It attaches directly to the XM module and works through the factory interface.

    Installation took over an hour. I used an installation video I found on the Acura forum as a reference. I would have been making a lot of phone calls without it. I also might have damaged the rear seat latch without knowing how to release it correctly.

    I routed my cable next to the door sills on the driver's side of the car, just like in the video. It's rests on top of the factory harness.

    The first unit I received worked fine for 2 days and the failed. I called USA Spec to find out what I should do. They said I'd need to uninstall the wiring harness and the interface so they could determine which was bad. They also said I'd have to work through Crutchfield because it was within 30 days of purchase.

    I uninstalled everything (big mistake) and then called Crutchfield. The Crutchfield rep said he would send me a complete replacement harness and interface. He suggested I swap the interface first to see if it was the problem before pulling out the harness. I obviously wished I'd talked to him first. Crutchfield was great. I received the new package in just a few days. It only took me 30 minutes to install it the second time because I had the right tools and knew what I was doing.

    It's been in the car for a few weeks and is working fine.
    Pros:
    Plug-and-play. Works through factory interface. No wire splicing. Charges iPhone. Flawless audio integration. Long wiring harness allows a wide variety of placement options. Five star support from Crutchfield.
    Cons:
    Installation instructions are lacking. I would have been lost without the installation video I found on the Acura forum. (The instructions actually come with a note that says they don't offer all of the detail needed for installation in an Acura RL.)
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    4 out of 5

    USA SPEC Installed in '05 RL

    Written By DarylD, Fort Lauderdale, FL on Friday, December 21, 2012
    Installed in a 2005 Acura 3.5RL
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Great product. Installed and worked great in my 2005 RL. Sounds is excellent.
    Pros:
    Great sound. Able to control the iPod/iPhone from the radio. List song, name, artist, etc.
    Cons:
    Running the cable neatly was a little annoying but I was able to get it done. But if you have an ipod that you are willing to leave in the trunk then it is not necessary to run the cable. Limited instructions on how to use the interface
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    Best method to integrate iPhone

    Written By Chris, Harlem, GA on Saturday, July 28, 2012
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Product is nice great way to listen to music off iPhone in Acura RL 06.
    Pros:
    Integrates into oem radio
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    4 out of 5

    Easy Install. Works as advertised

    Written By Anonymous, Florida on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
     
    Used in Acura MDX 08. But poor documentation. This youtube video fills in the blanks
    3 out of 3 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    2 out of 5

    Nice solution, but has limitations

    Written By kyflier, nicholasville, ky on Wednesday, April 04, 2012
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    I have a 08 Acura TL with Nav and XM. Install was easy, I've found instructions on Acura's owners forum. Easy to hide wires under seat and route along trim. I've installed stereos and speakers in the past so this was just as easy if you have that experience. Just take your time and you will be OK.

    Now the bad: Before installing the XM/radio and NAV worked perfectly. After installing the unit I'm getting weird/buggy quirks. First, While using the steering wheel control to switch XM stations the display will lag or not change to new station. The audio will switch, but the presets highlight will stay on the previous preset or totally disappear. Also the artist/song or station name will lag or totally not display. When it does this "loading" will display on the screen. One work around is to use the touch screen to switch stations, this seems to reset it back to a somewhat normal working condition. Have have also seen the GPS menu lock up after installing this unit while my iPhone is connected. Once I disconnect the phone, the GPS acted normally. Going to check USA specs web site to see if they have a firmware update for this unit.

    If USA spec can't/wont fix this, i would advise you to go with normal audio input for audio and use a cigarette plug to charge your phone. It deserves 2 stars (mainly for audio quality) However if they fix these issues, then I would give this unit 5 stars! I will update if they fix these bugs.
    Pros:
    Low cost solution to add iPhone music to your car. Sound quality is good.
    Cons:
    seems to have some bugs in the switching XM stations while using steering wheel controls. Sometimes the audio changes, but buttons on nav/audio display sticks. Slow to load artist name, song title at times. One workaround is to use the touch screen to switch stations. Also seen the NAV stick after installing this unit. Not sure but a fireware update might fix this. Haven't contacted USA Spec yet but going to do that shortly.
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    4 out of 5

    Works Great, vague instructions

    Written By Bullwinkle, Chicago on Friday, February 10, 2012
    Installed in a 2007 Acura MDX
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Once it is installed, this works great with my 2007 Acura MDX and tech package. Found a complete How to on MDXers forum. Only issue is that the instructions do not make it clear that the two XM connections in the back of the care ARE NOT THE SAME SIZE. They look the same, but they are slightly different. So if it does not fit in one, try the other. I had to call Crutchfield to figure that out. Crutchfield was very helpful.
    Pros:
    Sounds Great. Amazing. Much better than Aux jack.
    Cons:
    The method for selecting songs, playlists, etc., is a little sketchy, but that is because it is using XM.
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura

    Written By LAS, DC on Saturday, September 17, 2011
    Installed in a 2006 Acura 3.5RL
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. IT FITS 2006 ACURA RL PERFECTLY. CRUTCHFIELD IS THE BEST
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    THE BEST FOR 2005 ACURA RL WITH XM NAVI

    Written By KEN.S., CENTRAL NJ on Tuesday, January 25, 2011
    Installed in a 2005 Acura 3.5RL
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    THE BEST FOR 2005 ACURA RL WITH XM NAVI

    THE BEST! IT CONNECTED TO THE XM BOX IN THE TRUNK OF MY 2005 ACURA RL
    WITH NAVI/XM. I RAN THE CABLE THRU THE TRUNK AND UNDER CARPETING AND OUT
    UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT HOOKS UP TO MY IPHONE 4 PERFECTLY,
    CHARGES MY PHONE AND I CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN DIRECT IPOD CONTROL OR
    CONTROL IT THRU MY NAVI/AUDIO BUTTONS.
    2 out of 2 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    4 out of 5

    Best Sound for Integration - Instructions are wrong

    Written By Jay B., Shawnee, KS on Thursday, November 11, 2010
     
    I have to say this is the way to go if you wan tto integrate your ipod into your Acura - Sonic
    quality is far superior than any other way. And actually, it's pretty easy to
    install. . .EXCEPT. . .you have to be aware of a few issues with the instructions for the 2008
    TL with Live Traffic and Navigation. The instructions say that the XM radio is in the drivers
    side trunk. But they are WRONG! It's actually on the PASSENGER side trunk - mounted
    right above the navigation DVD unit once you remove the inner carpet and moldings.
    What's cool about that location is that you can run the wiring of the ipod integration right up
    into the cabin with the other wires that are right there, running into the cabin.

    From there run the wire all the way down beside the interior door trim - go take out the two
    screws in the bottom of the center console and run the wire from the door, under the carpet
    and into the whole in the carpet under the console. Here is what's cool - the secondary box
    of the ipod integration (the one with the switches) fits up under the console - just reach
    your hand up under the console and you will find some space on the DRIVERS side, under
    the console - then run the ipod cable up into the BOTTOM of the console through the little
    trap door on the bottom (it's where you would adjust the emergency brake). Pretty
    straightforward - just getting to the XM unit is the hardest part - the other steps fall into
    place.
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    5 out of 5

    Great ipod interface

    Written By Jeff, Appleton, WI on Friday, September 17, 2010
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Excellent interface - shows title, artist, song. Used in my 2008 Acura RDX --
    just wish it would scroll the entire title, but that is more a flaw with the
    RDX's navigation system than this product. Sound quality is great and it
    recharges the ipod. Also, the system is paused when a phone calls comes over
    the speaker.
    2 out of 2 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    4 out of 5

    Works on 2007 MDX with Nav/XM Traffic

    Written By Richard, Largo, FL on Thursday, May 27, 2010
    Installed in a 2007 Acura MDX
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    I was very disappointed when I bought a used 2007 Acura MDX to find out that I couldn't add the factory iPod solution. I found this unit as it is the only one advertised to not disable XM and XM Traffic. The unit piggybacks on the XM tuner and when the iPod is plugged in XM1 becomes the iPod interface.....XM2 remains as XM stations.

    It's not perfect and it is very time consuming to find an artist or song if you have a large music library, but if you tend to put one playlist on random it is excellent. There's also a Direct Mode for controlling the song selection from the iPod itself.

    I ran the wires from the rear right of the MDX all the way to the center storage compartment.
    4 out of 4 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    4 out of 5

    Best and Only Option for my TL

    Written By Nathan, Roanoke, Va on Sunday, January 24, 2010
    Installed in a 2008 Acura 3.2TL
    Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
     
    Let me start with this. The product works, and if you need iPod integration with your
    Acura w/ Nav/XM then this is your product. A few things to think about if you are going to
    purchase because it is far from perfect.

    1. Browsing is at best tedious. Browsing your iPod's music works, but it is way easier
    (especially if you have a large music collection on a iPod 160gb) to do in direct mode or
    unplugged.

    2. Being that this adapter passes track info and audio through the XM tuner and
    occupies XM1 while your iPod is attached, the XM tuner acts sluggish.

    3. CAUTION, do NOT attempt install if you care about your car! The XM tuner is in the
    trunk on a 2008 TL. I had thankfully had Crutchfield install this. The master sheet doesn't
    really help much.
    2 out of 5 people found this helpful
    Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
     
    1-12 of 12

    For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/S-ySwQwX2Yid2/p_581PA15ACU/USA-Spec-iPod-Interface-for-Acura.html ).

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      USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura
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      USA Spec iPod® Interface for Acura