Community Forums

tinkerreknit · 02-15-2012, 02:32 PM

I have a Forest River Palomino 5th wheel with a no-name radio/CD/DVD player. The dealer called it a Concertina, but "ZX75" is all that is on the unit and there is no name in the manual. There are 4 ceiling surface mount speakers and 2 more outside. They are very small, oval speakers. The problem is that the system sounds terrible. I don't want to put much money into it to make it sound better but I am considering a big woofer speaker and/or a cheap equalizer that amplifies the bass. If I need to spend much, I would rather wait a while and replace the whole unit with a known performer. I did hook up a pair of larger speakers with only a tiny bit better sound (bass). Hardly noticeable. I should note that I am not interested in much volume, just a good range of sound that extends to the lower notes. I have tried the bass button as well as tinkering with the built-in equalizer's settings. There is some difference but not a lot. What would you folks suggest?

ga traveler · 02-15-2012, 02:44 PM

I have owned ten campers. two of them were airstreams. I have changed the speakers in all of them. the manuf. save money by putting cheap speakers in their units. I feel you are better off with better speakers and a cheaper unit, than with a high price ent. center with cheap speakers.

tinkerreknit · 02-16-2012, 05:20 PM

How do you feel about getting an inexpensive equalizer with a preamp?

TechWriter · 02-16-2012, 05:32 PM

I just bypass the whole "car stereo" system -- the speakers are usually bad and home-type AV systems are the better bet to me.

I've updated the existing 12V stereo system to a unit with NAV and Sirius/XM capability.

Then I add a 5.1 AV 120V receiver with its own speakers for the front TV.

"007" · 02-16-2012, 05:45 PM

I have installed a DVD Audio 5.1 system in my coach that will play while traveling using a CD or the AM/FM radio within it.
Its plugged into a small 110 inverter outlet for playing.
Its item # 2 in the Quick Tips link.
You can put in any good system to make for better sound system.
You do not have your coach listed in profile so I can not give any ideas on how to go about it but #2 will give you some idea.

tinkerreknit · 02-16-2012, 05:59 PM

Thanks, all. I want a 12V system since we boondock some. I would rather not have to replace the entertainment system (yet). I am wondering whether it is beneficial to replace the speakers or add an equalizer.

teamwally · 02-18-2012, 05:00 PM

Having done a fair amount of hi end car sound I would vote for replacing the speakers 1st, probably with Memphis component units with crossovers for the tweets. If you still want more add a separate amp and sub. I am wary of add on eqs as a general rule. If your speakers are crap you wind up with louder crap

Ed-Sommers · 02-19-2012, 11:01 AM

Even the most inexpensive player sounds great because the technology is so advanced. The more expensive the system, the more you are paying for bells and whistles. Provided that the better speakers are used.

A cheap player with good speakers sounds great while an expensive system with cheap speakers sucks, and unfortunately good speakers are not inexpensive.

One trick that sometimes works is to take the present speakers out, and remount them in a small case that has backing behind them. I use sand to bring out the sound quality of speakers.

Ed

tinkerreknit · 02-21-2012, 04:17 PM

How do you use sand?
By the way, I talked to a local car audio specialist today and he said the first thing to check is the polarity of the speakers. He said that the RV installers don't know/care about this but if even one speaker is wired with a different polarity, the resulting sound will lack depth. There is a trick to determining the polarity by connecting a speaker to a 9V battery. You have to watch the speaker cone, and listen to the "pop" of the speaker to determine the polarity. Then you have to get all speakers on the same phase. I will do this as soon as I can and see if it makes a difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers

Even the most inexpensive player sounds great because the technology is so advanced. The more expensive the system, the more you are paying for bells and whistles. Provided that the better speakers are used.

A cheap player with good speakers sounds great while an expensive system with cheap speakers sucks, and unfortunately good speakers are not inexpensive.

One trick that sometimes works is to take the present speakers out, and remount them in a small case that has backing behind them. I use sand to bring out the sound quality of speakers.

Ed

Ed-Sommers · 02-22-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinkerreknit

How do you use sand?
By the way, I talked to a local car audio specialist today and he said the first thing to check is the polarity of the speakers. He said that the RV installers don't know/care about this but if even one speaker is wired with a different polarity, the resulting sound will lack depth. There is a trick to determining the polarity by connecting a speaker to a 9V battery. You have to watch the speaker cone, and listen to the "pop" of the speaker to determine the polarity. Then you have to get all speakers on the same phase. I will do this as soon as I can and see if it makes a difference.

I make an appropriate size box and install the speaker in the box and with the bottom of the box still open to gain access to the back of the speaker.

I then cover, and protect the speaker with thin plastic and then fill the enclosure with sand, and seal the box. Even a much lighter material will work.

I have been doing this for many years after learning the trick when buying very expensive speakers while in Hong Kong. They were Warfdale speakers and top of the line (at that time anyway, I'm old). They were sand filled and produced vastly (IMHO) superior sound.

Ed
USN Ret.