Community Forums

Wolfpack Fan · 11-12-2012, 05:46 AM

After watching extreme RV last night, I'm sort of motivated to install a surround sound system in our Dolphin.

We've got an un-used Sony surround system we used to have in our living room that's just packed away in a box. Always worked and sounded good, we just upgraded.

Has anyone done such an upgrade? If so how did you hide the wiring for the speakers going to the back channels?

Critter · 11-12-2012, 09:01 AM

One word: WIREMOLD!

Wiremold Products - Online Store - WiremoldProducts.com

I've used wiremold products on many home theater installs for a virtually invisible wire installation -- they are molded plastic channels that you can slip a wire into and adhere to a wall, ceiling, above cabinets, etc. You can easily paint the wiremold to match colors to the background area that it will be installed in.

Wayne M · 11-12-2012, 09:14 AM

Wolfpac,

Is it time to upgrade to wireless surround sound?

coffeeman · 11-12-2012, 09:20 AM

Wayne ..I picked up those Wire Channels at Home Depot and used a screw driver to tuck them it where I could. Works for me....we were watching Band of Brothers D-Day scene at a campground one night and the neighbors thought it was thundering but didn't see any lightning. Even though it was low the sub woofer had them fooled.

njs42 · 11-12-2012, 09:27 AM

My 03 Dolphin LX already has speaker wires already in the back for the entertainment center---why are you not able to use those? I don't need an answer just wondering?

On my 03 on each side of the windshield is a facia which can be removed easily which serves as a chase for bundles of wires each side. You can run the wires down there then to the basement and come up next to a wall and use the wiremold up the wall if necessary. On my floor plan I think I could go inside cabinets to get high enough.

Let us know how you do I am interested in doing this myself. Wireless is a good idea but you already have the system.

Dutch Star Don · 11-12-2012, 10:30 AM

Wolfpack.....You can just about run wiring everywhere depending on how hard you want to work. Speaker wire is relatively inexpensive. Run it down the right or left "A" pillar, under the dash, through the firewall and then along the frame (protected with wire sheathing). This is usually one of the fastest ways to get it to the rear and avoid things like slides. You can then feed the wiring back up into the coach via the refer opening or bathroom plumbing, depending on where you want the speakers.

You usually start by determining where you would LIKE the speakers and then see how you can fish the wires down to the frame of the coach from there. Once you do that, you've got the hardest part done.

On my coach, they put the subwoofer in a lower cabinet in the middle of the coach.

If you have ducted A/C, sometimes you can get the wires inside the ducting and feed them back to an area in the roof. Remember, those rear speakers can be at floor level, allowing you to drill right through the flooring and down to the undercarriage.

Wolfpack Fan · 11-12-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Wolfpac,

Is it time to upgrade to wireless surround sound?

Wayne, I've already got a decent wired system, that's just collecting dust, so I'm more inclined to just use that one. Plus I'm not sure how good the wireless stuff is. Several years ago we tried to put in some wireless rear channel speakers for the home theater system and they didn't sound that good. Maybe the technology has gotten better by now.

By the way Happy Veterans day! Veteran!

Wolfpack Fan · 11-12-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njs42

My 03 Dolphin LX already has speaker wires already in the back for the entertainment center---why are you not able to use those? I don't need an answer just wondering?

On my 03 on each side of the windshield is a facia which can be removed easily which serves as a chase for bundles of wires each side. You can run the wires down there then to the basement and come up next to a wall and use the wiremold up the wall if necessary. On my floor plan I think I could go inside cabinets to get high enough.

Let us know how you do I am interested in doing this myself. Wireless is a good idea but you already have the system.

I didn't see speaker wires behind the entertainment section when I put in the new dvd player and play station. Mine's the standard Dolphin. Yours being the LX, that might have been something it came with.

Wolfpack Fan · 11-12-2012, 08:52 PM

Good ideas folks. I especially like the idea of using the ac ducts. Not sure why I hadn't already thought of the plastic wire mold. I used the same stuff wiring a wall mount tv in our game room in the house.

"007" · 11-12-2012, 09:17 PM

If you go to ITEM # 2 you will find how I set one up in my coach.
Take your time and look it all over than do it, have fun and enjoy.

Walter5555 · 11-12-2012, 09:29 PM

I have a 36' 1997 Dolphin M.H. got it new in 97.
I have a seround sound C.D. player that I had installed years ago and I have a T.V. that is on the same vintage as my M.H.
I would like to be able to connect the T.V. speakers to the C.D. speakers.
Any ideas?
Just a thought.

Walter5555 · 11-12-2012, 10:15 PM

Just a thought.
They sound great but don't go over very well in R.V. parks.
Maybe it's because your about 15' from your neighbor.
Just a thought.

"007" · 11-13-2012, 07:26 AM

Neighborers can't hear mine with the well insulated coach, doesn't help the wife

though with my deaf ears.

Wayne M · 11-13-2012, 08:01 AM

Deaf for the stereo or deaf for DW's voice? We all have that selective hearing, right?

Wolfpack,

Sounds like you are getting close. Try using those fiberglass "fish" poles they sell in the stereo sections. I've seen them in Fry's. They bend real well and will let you fish through the overhead. When you get to where you want to be tie a nylon string on the end and pull the string out and then tie your wire to the string and pull it through. You can pull a second string through with the wire and leave it in place for the next fiber-optics upgrade. Hee hee!.