Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Topic: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems (Read 740 times) previous topic - next topic

Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

April 10, 2016, 06:13:45 pm

I hope I'm placing this in the correct section. If not, some assistance from the Admin is greatly appreciated!

As some of you know, I'm on my journey to figure out if I should buy a pre-owned model as a starter coach, or go all-in and buy my last coach first. Yes, life is good! During this adventure, I'm doing my best to document what I'm learning on video and one of the things I'm noticing is that with few exceptions, many coaches are using various speakers to create "surround sound" in their coaches.

This is great if you're seated in the correct position, but with coaches, that's typically not the case as you might be watching the TV from the sofa or the dinette. Or, if you have a front mounted TV and if it's wired to the overhead speakers, the center channel dialog will be coming from an obtuse angle. (Yes, I really am The Gadget Guru!). As an example, here's a video from a Foretravel IH-45 that should show you what I'm talking about with the hopes that coach manufacturers will see this and make soundbars the standard in new coaches. Yes, some manufacturers are already doing this and that's a good thing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP98IMY56r4

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #1 – April 10, 2016, 07:13:19 pm

I agree on the attempt to get surround sound. I am in the process of putting a sound bar in place that is Bluetooth capable. I am replacing the radio with a Pioneer flip up screen for Javelin camera replacement but want to maintain the audit function and therefore the screen.

There are three ways in my opinion to consider gadgets. 1. You simply must have the latest technology proven or not. 2. Recognize the gadget adds to safety or efficiency while performing it's intended function. 3. Not a sound value proposition and added as price declines. When I consulted to NASA we were always evaluating early adoption. So I think it will be with this forum and your icon, humerous at first, but easily adapted to later.

We all have different approaches. I consider our coach to be my 57 Chevy and at almost 20 years a classic. I want many aspects to remain standard but not afraid to add a Hurst shifter if you know what I mean. Thanks for your ideas.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #2 – April 10, 2016, 07:20:11 pm

We got it covered. Soundbar is attached to the flat screen, wireless sub-woofer (and DVD-DVR) is in the old TV cabinet between the front seats. We usually place the TV on the table between the barrel chairs, and sit on the couch to watch. Works great!

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #3 – April 10, 2016, 07:30:30 pm

Quote from: George and Steph – April 10, 2016, 07:13:19 pm

I consider our coach to be my 57 Chevy and at almost 20 years a classic. I want many aspects to remain standard but not afraid to add a Hurst shifter if you know what I mean.

I do, well said, George. So many of us are ex-techs, (I was a recording engineer for 25 years), so one would think I'd want the best in the coach. Nope, I like the quiet, certain music, but I'm more of a non-need-it guy in my slow time .Sometimes wonder if coach owners want this sort of control: (Yes, me in my prime , no more beard, hair a different color these days.)

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #4 – April 10, 2016, 07:35:04 pm

The only benefit to "surround sound". Is the speakers in my coach are closer to me on the sofa so I don't have to turn the tv up so loud to be able to hear it.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #5 – April 10, 2016, 10:11:03 pm

Life is good,but why can't your used starter coach be your last coach?

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #6 – April 10, 2016, 10:28:05 pm

One of the first things we did was remove the Bose cubes and installed a sound bar. Ours is mounted above the front TV and it works fine - it also has a wireless sub woofer that also works well.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #7 – April 10, 2016, 10:43:12 pm

What I really want to do is get a transmitter to broadcast to my hearing aids.. (T coil setting on Hearing aids)
My audiologist has one set up in his office waiting room.... really takes the cake...
I have what they call a "Co-Pilot" setup at home but that does eat up the batteries rather quickly.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #8 – April 11, 2016, 12:01:22 am

We do not have an antenna or sattelite so no tv and do not miss it really. We have the old Bose system and play the odd (not weird odd) cd so no sound bar needed here.
JohnH

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #9 – April 11, 2016, 08:08:28 am

I set up the sophisticated sound system in my first motorhome, the 1947 Dodge school bus conversion. I purchased a cassette stereo hooked up to TWO (living large) 6x9 Pioneer speakers. The power source was a twelve volt battery that I would swap into the 56 Ford pickup once or twice a month. Parked in the middle of White River National Forest, we would rock out the aspens and pines with just "Willie, Waylon, and me".
Fast forward and I am considering the advantages of taking surround sound another step up in my diesel powered, rides like a Rolls, mobile mansion.
America, What a country!!!
Len

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #10 – April 11, 2016, 12:31:20 pm

I have fallen in love with all the Sonos products, including their soundbar and wireless Subwoofer. When the Bose dies, that will be its replacement

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #11 – April 11, 2016, 12:39:32 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – April 11, 2016, 12:31:20 pm

I have fallen in love with all the Sonos products, including their soundbar and wireless Subwoofer. When the Bose dies, that will be its replacement

Wow, I bet "Inna Gada Da Vida" (with the drum solo), will rock your coach with a Sonos system!

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #12 – April 11, 2016, 01:30:46 pm

Quote from: John44 – April 10, 2016, 10:11:03 pm

Life is good,but why can't your used starter coach be your last coach?

I guess that depends on which coach is my starter coach! But yes, that is a possibility.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #13 – April 11, 2016, 01:32:32 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – April 11, 2016, 12:31:20 pm

I have fallen in love with all the Sonos products, including their soundbar and wireless Subwoofer. When the Bose dies, that will be its replacement

Before you purchase the Sonos, you owe it to yourself to check out Yamaha's lineup of Soundbars. They are the pioneer of this industry and incorporate some great technology that could make them a great fit for a MH.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #14 – April 11, 2016, 01:35:22 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – April 11, 2016, 12:31:20 pm

I have fallen in love with all the Sonos products, including their soundbar and wireless Subwoofer. When the Bose dies, that will be its replacement

Can you establish the wifi connection to the wireless speakers even when without internet?

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #15 – April 11, 2016, 01:39:47 pm

I think it is Bluetooth but could have missed it.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #16 – April 11, 2016, 01:56:36 pm

You need a wifi router or buy additional Sonos bridge. Internet required for Pandora, and other streaming

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #17 – April 11, 2016, 02:00:59 pm

Thanks Tim. Would be awesome to update system without the worry of wires. Audio closet is a mess and difficult for my OCD mind to just let go of. Really like the look of the sonos product! But, we are often without internet and the Sonos website left a little ambiguity for me on the matter.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #18 – April 11, 2016, 04:50:17 pm

My FT had 3 Blaupunkt speakers mounted under the front cabinets which I turned into front and center channels for a Denon surround sound receiver. It was pretty easy to cut appropriate sized holes to mount shallow mount 6.5" rear channel speaker in the bottoms of the overhead cabinets to end up with 5 channels. The Audyssey system in the Denon unit worked wonders to time align and equalize the whole setup.

I couldn't imagine going back to the original setup.

Re: Motorhome Surround Sound Systems

Reply #19 – April 11, 2016, 06:42:41 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – April 11, 2016, 12:01:22 am

We do not have an antenna or sattelite so no tv and do not miss it really. We have the old Bose system and play the odd (not weird odd) cd so no sound bar needed here.
JohnH

AGREE! TV rots the brain. On occasion, though, I'll bust out MacGyver DVD's and watch after work when living in the RV.

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