Camper audio: concert hall on wheels

Wind noise, engine noise, the sound of tires on the asphalt: to truly listen to music, the standard manufacturer's speakers for camper audio are not much use. With smart components, the right amplifier, and a sophisticated set of state-of-the-art speakers, you can turn your 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 with standard speakers when it comes to camper audio. That's why there are aftermarket systems to give the music installation a significant boost. But the motorhome is a complex device, and a good sound system in a camper cannot be compared to one at home.

Hi-fi for the camper industry

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

The second way you listen to music in the camper is at your destination. Then you sit in the camper in the opposite direction, 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 still much to improve there.

Jehnert: for campers

One 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 crossovers. Such an amplifier can be pleasant to get a bit more volume from your system while driving, and crossovers ensure that each speaker receives exactly the frequency range for which it was made, allowing them to perform optimally.

The right position

Another aspect Jehnert focuses on is the correct placement of the speakers. This position has an enormous influence on sound quality. For example, the distance between individual speakers should not be too large, but also not too small. It is not always possible to rely on the original installation openings of standard speakers: the best place for mid and high tones, for example, is at the same height as our ears. The standard openings in the camper doors are therefore much too low and can actually only be used for low tones.

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

A nice position in semi-integrated and bus campers 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 built into a bench cabinet or even into 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 are sitting with the cabin seats turned around. For this, Jehnert has developed the Multibox: 2- or 3-way surface-mounted speakers, specially developed for the living area. These are placed directly opposite both cabin seats against the wall: near the kitchen and opposite it, 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 with the push of a button.

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

Custom packages

Especially for semi-integrated campers based on the Fiat Ducato (and similar models on Citroën Jumper or Peugeot Boxer), Jehnert has complete custom systems. As well as for motorhomes on Mercedes Sprinter, Renault Master and the Volkswagen California. There are also complete packages for music systems in integrated campers. In addition to the various speakers (high, mid, low), such a 'sound package' consists of vehicle-specific crossovers and a digital 5-channel amplifier. The acoustic characteristics of the camper are already pre-programmed in this. 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 area.

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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