Camper audio: concert hall on wheels

Wind noise, engine noise, the sound of tires on the asphalt: to really listen to music, the standard loudspeakers from the manufacturer are not much use for camper audio. With smart components, the right amplifier and a sophisticated set of state-of-the-art loudspeakers, 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 when it comes to standard speakers for 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 are sitting in the camper in the opposite way, with the front seats turned around. As a result, the loudspeakers in the cabin are suddenly behind your back. With a bit of luck, the camper manufacturer has also built two speakers into the living area, but there is still a lot to improve on that.

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 crossovers. Such an amplifier can be pleasant to get a little 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 that Jehnert deals with is the correct placement of the loudspeakers. This position has an enormous influence on the sound quality. For example, the distance between the individual loudspeakers should not be too large, but also not too small. You cannot always rely on the original installation openings of the standard loudspeakers: 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 therefore only be used for low tones.

A good position for the mid-range speakers 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 good 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 box 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. In 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 loudspeakers 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 spot. 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 based 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 loudspeakers (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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