Assume you’re on a lengthy road trip and are desperate for a method to unwind. And having an excellent music is one of the most crucial aspects of maximum relaxation during your leisure on an RV road trip.
We’re here to help you harness the power of music by ensuring that your coach is outfitted with audio equipment that delivers such crisp, clear, and immersive sound that even you won’t be able to spoil songs. The whole point of owning an RV is to be able to travel with all of the amenities you’re used to at home, so why should your music suffer just because you’re away from your expensive Surround Sound System?
It’s totally up to you how elaborately you want to set up your surround sound system. You may either totally personalize your coach with a full-fledged Surround Sound System and all of the components fitted, or you can stick with what you have. It will come down to personal choice and how important excellent sound is to you, as it is with most things in life.
Upgrading your RV’s surround sound system is easier than you would believe. Let’s have a look.
What Is Surround Sound Audio
Simply defined, surround sound audio is sound that surrounds you. It entails having a speaker in almost every corner of the room, blasting high-quality digital sound at you from all angles, exactly like in a theater.
With deep, thundering bass rattling the floors when an explosion erupts on screen, and delicate sound effects skittering and tapping behind you in a stressful moment, surround sound audio also implies sound diversity. It’s getting completely engulfed by the song you’re listening to in terms of music.
Biggest difference: RV vs non-RV Surround sound system
There are two major distinctions:
The difference between your home and your RV is that your home is powered by 120 VAC and your RV is powered by 12 VDC. There are certain subtleties, but your entertainment system should ideally be powered by DC. The television, perhaps not, but the audio system, certainly.
Space is the second difference. Your RV system must be able to fit into a small place, such as a gap at the end of a cabinet. If you wish, your home system can be massive.
Other potential distinctions exist, but these are the most significant ones that spring to mind.
Components of a Surround Sound System for RV
Some features of a conventional surround sound speaker system are consistent.
RV Speakers
When creating a new rig model, RV manufacturers don’t usually consider adding fantastic sounding speakers. This difficulty stems from a slew of additional issues that demand their attention during the construction phase.
The good news is that speaker manufacturers are constantly looking for innovative methods to improve speaker sound quality. As a result, these gadgets are far more effective than the ones that came with your setup.
When it comes to RV speakers, you’ll have to choose between two sorts throughout this procedure. Coaxial and component speakers are the two types of speakers.
Flush mount
These are speakers that are almost invisible against the wall or ceiling, with only a little amount of protrusion. They have a “flush” appearance with the surface. To truly do a good job with flush mounts on an RV with its relatively thin walls, you’d have to allot room during manufacturing.
Aftermarket installation is feasible, but it will be considerably more difficult due to the difficulty of routing cables. But maybe even more challenging is finding wall space for the flush mount.
Surface mount
These are speakers that are mounted on the outside of the wall rather than within. Because they don’t take up much space, I believe they are the EASIEST aftermarket installation. Another advantage of surface mount is that you may aim them in a certain direction.
Why is direction important? Because by doing this you can optimize the audio experience for a special location in the RV.
Hidden speaker
As the distance between the left and right speakers shrinks, you’ll see more of these. Fills up the gaps in the sound.
Take a look at the top three RV speakers.
1. BOSS Audio Systems MR50W RV Speakers
Pros
- Waterproof design
- The speakers have a top-of-the-line polyurethane cone.
- Provide great sound quality
- Come with top tier voice coils
- Low price
Cons
- Average bass quality
2. Pyle 5.25 Inch Dual RV Speakers
Pros
- Offers them a great deal of versatility
- Made with a polypropylene cone
- Weather resistant abilities
- The polypropylene material gives a sense of stability and ruggedness
- Completely waterproof
- 100 watts power level
Cons
- Issues of rusting after a year or two
3. Polk Audio DB521 5.25-Inch Coaxial Speakers
Pros
- Cutting edge tech
- Top tier sound production accuracy
- Protected by a rubber surrounding
- Boosts the bass and makes it more apparent
- Feature a multiple hole mounting pattern in their design
- Marine certified
Cons
- Issues with the products’ shipping
Portable Wireless Indoor Speakers
If you’re not as keen on large wiring projects as you are on loud sound, there are lots of wireless aftermarket speakers available, which link to your sound source through Bluetooth signal rather than wires. There are many choices on the market, and Portable Wireless Indoor Speakers are becoming increasingly popular.
Bose SoundLink Color II
Pros
- IPX4 certification
- Portable and durable
- Can play Loud
- Multipoint connectivity
Cons
- Inaudible Virtual assistant
Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
Pros
- Powerful audio performance with intense bass depth.
- Adaptive EQ.
- Loud and clear sounding speakers.
- IPX 4 water-resistant.
Cons
- Pricey.
Klipsch Groove
No products found.
Pros
- Powerful audio performance
- Full-bodied bass.
- Compact design.
- Splash-proof.
- Durable mini Bluetooth speaker
Cons
- Lack of upward angle on driver dulls the perceived treble
Subwoofer
A subwoofer is a big, powered speaker that produces bass tones and other low-frequency sounds. The low-pitch audio frequencies from the TV or radio inside your RV are reproduced and projected by an indoor amplified subwoofer.
Check out 7 Best SQ Subwoofers for cars also.
Jensen Enclosed Amplified Marine Subwoofer
Pros
- Ported enclosure
- High and low level inputs
- Adjustable gain and crossover frequency
- Phase switch enables maximum bass
- Mate-in lock connectors for easy installation
Cons
- Not even remotely water proof
Receiver
The receiver is the brains behind the RV’s surround sound system. In a nutshell, everything goes into the receiver, which then sends the signals to the display and speakers. A built-in amplifier is included in receivers. It’s a central control device for the complete home theater system that links everything together.
Winegard PL-8000
Pros
- Easy setup portable antenna
- Fully-automatic satellite dish
- You can enjoy Dish in HD
- Easy grip handle for effortless carrying
- Compatible with your current Dish subscription or Pay-As-You-Go programming
Cons
- Non-responsive Winegard tech support
DirecTV SL3S SWM
Pros
- Very durable.
- Very portable
- Affordable
Cons
- No fancy automation features
Sound Bar
A soundbar is a long bar with several speakers that sits or is placed immediately above or below a television. The fact that it has many tiny speakers can provide the impression of surround sound in the room, even when the sound is just emanating from speakers in front of you. Soundbars are a new innovation in the RV market that provide high-quality sound and adaptability at a low cost.
Furrion Indoor RV Soundbar
Pros
- Can reproduce frequencies in between high and low sound levels
- Durable, plastic casing and grille
- Simple bolt-on installation
- Glossy black color
Cons
- No wires or instructions.
Radio Stereo systems
A combined AM/FM and/or MP3 music system is standard on both new motorhomes and towable RVs. If a satellite radio system is pre-installed, RVers may personalize their radio by adding one or purchasing a subscription. There are dozens of channels available on satellite radio, covering most music genres, talk radio, and sports.
IRV34 RV Stereo
Pros
- Bluetooth enabled
- Allows to connect devices such as Blu-ray player, PS4, or Xbox into the stereo.
- Easy install process.
- No issue using multiple music and video formats
- Three speaker zones
Cons
- Pricey
Amplifiers
The audio quality in your vehicle will suffer if you get a superb receiver and speakers but scrimp on the amplifier. Amplifiers come in a variety of sizes and outputs to match the size and quantity of speakers and subwoofers you have. An audio expert at a vehicle audio or electronics store may lead you in the correct direction, and it really comes down to personal choice, since many of these amps perform similarly.
JL Audio JX1000/1D
No products found.
Pros
- Installation is super easy
- Offers variable bass control
- Maximum RMS power of 1,000
- Soft start means no noise when switched on
Cons
- Price starts moving slightly higher north
- Could be considered underpowered
Types of Surround Sound Systems for RVs
Surround sound speaker systems for RVs come in a variety of styles. A holographic space is created with good two-channel stereo, yet all sound effects are displayed in front of you. Traditional 5.1 and 7.1 channel surround sound can help you get even more immersed in the story on film.
5.1 or 7.1 channels are common surround sound configurations. Front left, right, and center speakers, as well as left and right surround speakers, make up the 5.1 system.
7.1 In addition to the aforementioned speakers, the system includes rear left and right surround back speakers. In this case, “.1” refers to a subwoofer that is utilized to create the lowest bass.
Find out more about 3 Way vs 4 Way Speaker For Car.
Surround Sound System for RV: Things to keep in mind
Modern RVs require a lot of room, and RV passengers want to be comfortable. The ideal RV size is mostly determined by your requirements. Before we look at how to set up a home theater, we’ll look at some tips for selecting the proper RV size.
You should collect three important pieces of information:
The minimum size of your RV.
This is the maximum size at which the intended number of passengers, including luggage, may be transported lawfully.
The maximum size of your RV
This entails taking into account daily practicality, winter shelter, intended trip locations, and accessible driver’s licenses.
How much storage space and payload you need
It should be established whether or not you will be able to carry your full luggage.
RV Home Theater Installation
Learn where to begin, what configuration you’ll need, and how to pick the right device for your budget.
Home theater systems may instill a sense of wonder and excitement for visual entertainment. Our guide will help you design your system for deployment in your RV and will provide you advice on what sort of system you’ll need, including speakers, audio equipment, and a television.
Installation Tips
- Always use RG-6 cable and invest in a coax stripper, crimper, and quality RG-6 connectors.
- Supplies and components for cabinets, like as screws and laminate tape, may be found at RV surplus warehouses.
- Before you buy, plan out your system and take measurements.
RV optimization for Surround Sound System
Taking the following measures will help:
- Try putting some rugs in front of the speakers if the RV has unique wood floors.
- When you’re listening to music, close the curtains.
- To assist conceal reflections, use a bookshelf (filled with books).
- Ensure that the speaker’s line of sight to the listening seat is unimpeded.
- Concentrate on a few people. We are a good absorber from a physics standpoint. If you’re lucky enough to have an RV dedicated to a home theater, you’ll have a lot more options.
- Hard surfaces and soft surfaces should be balanced; for example, hard carpeted flooring might be used to compensate for hard ceilings.
- In an RV, place the front speakers further away from the TV.
- Also, make sure the speakers are arranged correctly.
A specific RV adapter, such as a wall diffuser and bass absorber, is a good idea. Even though they appear minor, they will have a big impact on your sound.
Other ideas for helpful improvements
Of course, there’s a lot more you can do with an RV. If you can think it up, there’s a good chance you can make it happen.
- Indoors, replacing the faulty original speakers will significantly improve the sound quality of movies and music.
- Compact amplifiers will significantly improve the sound quality of your RV’s outside speakers.
- Upgrading to a better receiver with Bluetooth and HDMI inputs is a simple task that has significant advantages.
- The addition of a more advanced portable navigation unit will alleviate some of the stress associated with route planning.
FAQs
This FAQ is here to solve your problems, while waving you goodbye at the end of the article.
My RV radio system has a couple of amusing slots. What exactly are they?
Typically, one of two things occurs:
A USB port and/or an SD card slot are both available.
However, understanding that isn’t the most intriguing aspect. If it’s USB, you may presume it’s designed to fit a flash drive into the slot. If you’re using an SD Card, it’s even clearer that the objective is to use the SD Card slot exclusively for storage.
What would you put on a USB flash drive or a memory card?
Audio files in the unprotected AAC or MP3 format are the most common solution. When you go digital, you can do some really interesting things: How to make your own personalized radio station for your RV
Conclusion
Finally, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to consider both your RV’s present layout and your ideal situation.
With these factors in mind, you’ll most likely be able to come up with a combined solution that takes into account what you have, what you want, and your budget.
Without a certain, looking at what others have done in terms of documentation online is always beneficial.
Freelance tech journalist & author of soundboxlab.com …Read More