Camper audio: concert hall on wheels

Wind noise, engine noise, the noise of the tires on the asphalt: to really listen to music, the manufacturer's standard speakers are not of much use for camper audio. With smart components, the right amplifier and a sophisticated set of state-of-the-art speakers, you can turn the camper into a concert hall.

Beautiful routes become even more beautiful with your favorite tunes in the background. True music lovers are not easily satisfied when it comes to standard speakers when it comes to camper audio. That is why there are after-market systems to give the music system a big boost. But the camper is a complex device and a good sound system in the camper cannot be compared to that at home.

Hi-Fi for the camper industry

The space in a camper is limited and also asymmetrical. In addition, speakers must be able to withstand significant temperature fluctuations and condensation. However, the main limitation for camper audio is that you listen to music in two ways: while driving, where you have to deal with the engine noise, wind noise and the monotonous whirring of the tires over the asphalt.

The second way you listen to music in the RV is at your destination. Then you sit exactly the other way around in the camper, with the front seats turned around. As a result, the speakers in the cabin are suddenly behind your back. With a bit of luck, the camper manufacturer has also built two speakers in the living area, but there is also much room for improvement.

Jehnert: for campers

A manufacturer that has specialized in music systems for campers is Jehnert, a company with 25 years of experience in the camper industry. The company develops special speaker systems in collaboration with brands such as Dethleffs, Carthago, Hymer and Concorde. Jehnert also produces complete systems that can be retrofitted, including amplifiers and special crossover filters. Such an amplifier can be nice to get a little more volume out of your system while driving, and crossover filters ensure that each speaker receives exactly the frequency range for which it was made, so that they perform optimally.

The right position

Another aspect that Jehnert is concerned with is the correct location of the speakers. That position has a huge influence on the sound quality. The distance between the individual speakers should not be too great, but also not too small. You cannot always fall back on the original installation openings of the standard speakers: for example, the best place for mid and high tones in particular is at the same height as our ears. The standard openings in the camper doors are much too low and can therefore only be used for low tones.

A good place for the midtone speakers on the dashboard, but at an angle that they radiate towards our ears instead of straight up. The A-pillar of the camper is the ideal place for the high tones. The position of the subwoofer is less important because the human ear cannot determine which direction the lowest bass tones come from.

A nice position in semi-integrated vehicles and vans is the map compartment of the driver's door. Jehnert has developed a special subwoofer for this. For integrated campers, a subwoofer can easily be installed in a sofa cupboard or even in the double floor.

Also in the living situation

Such a music system provides fantastic sound when you are on the road. But then comes the living situation, when you sit with the cabin seats turned around. Jehnert has developed the Multibox for this purpose: 2- or 3-way surface-mounted speakers, specially developed for the living space. These are placed against the wall directly opposite both cabin seats: near the kitchen and opposite, near the entrance. This way they radiate their sound towards the front seats. A unique Jehnert solution is the separate controller with which you can switch the characteristics of the complete music system from driving to living at the touch of a button.

Then the speakers in the cabin play a subordinate role and the emphasis is on the speakers in the living area. This way you can optimally enjoy your favorite music, both on the road and at the camper site. Let that concert begin!

Custom packages

Jehnert has complete tailor-made systems especially for semi-integrated campers based on the Fiat Ducato (and similar ones on Citroën Jumper or Peugeot Boxer). Just like for campers on Mercedes Sprinter, Renault Master and Volkswagen California. There are also complete packages for music systems in integrated campers. In addition to the various speakers (high, medium, low), such a 'sound package' consists of vehicle-specific crossover filters and a digital 5-channel amplifier. The acoustic characteristics of the camper are already pre-programmed. The costs for a complete music system start at approximately 1.200 euros, plus (from) 300 euros for a set of speakers in the living room.

More information: www.jehnert.de

Other specialists for camper audio

Alpine: www.alpine-electronics.nl
Caratec: www.caratec.de
Fusion: www.fusionentertainment.com

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