I have been searching high and low to find out what other options there are available and some of the information is limited or I am not looking in the right spot.I have a 2006 Forrest River Sandpiper TH 5er. It has 5.1 speakers mounted in the ceiling with a POS Concertone ZX500 which is malfunctioning to say the least.I have done some searching regarding mutlimedia for the RV and the only two options I have seen are the Jensen AWM975 and the Concertone 3.0. Although the Jesnen is wired for HDMI output it is not wired for 5.1 surround sound. The Concertone has all that is needed, but the $700 price tag is a bit much.What other options are there? I am not too sure 12 volts is a necessity since I have wired my trailer wiring for inverter power. So I guess this points me to using a home system. Has anyone installed a a home theater receiver in their RV? Pictures?

If the rear speakers are mounted in the ceiling in front of you and not behind you it's not surround sound and it won't. E no matter what.

Concertone has refurbished units and at one time offered a trade in allowance. Several years ago, Alpine had a nice head unit with TV adapter I was looking at. Sadly it is no longer available. Give Crutchfields a call, talk to one of their people for available options. No matter what it is very likely thay your going to have to do some wood work to cover the huge hole left by the Concertone.

K Charles wrote:If the rear speakers are mounted in the ceiling in front of you and not behind you it's not surround sound and it won't. E no matter what. Its surround sound this I know.

Last I was at Best Buy there was an entire row of all-in-one surround sound systems. Other than running on 115vac, there is zero difference between them except quality.

I installed a home surround system in mine. Found it to be a waste of time and money. An RV is just not very conducive to a great sounding surround system.Maybe on a $1M Prevost bus ? :)

RV Surround system | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Nov 04, 2015
What do you mean by malfunctioning? Speakers cutting in and out or not working at all? Static or popping? Not satisfied with quality of sound?

As a weekend warrior, I don't watch TV camping. When I retire, I intend to put a home system in. High quality satelite speakers with a $200-300 receiver will sound as good in an RV as a house because you are not filling up a big space with sound.

You can get Aperion Intimus satelites for $269/pair. Aperion is one of several good internet direct speaker manufacturers. This is their bottom end but still good speaker. I'd run a pair in front without a center and a pair in the rear. I'd skip the subwoofer for campgrounds. If you went with a $200 AVR, you would be at around $700 which may be more than you want to spend but I think if you spend $400 on Jenson or similar you will be dissapointed and out $400.

Really need to know what your goal is. Sound bar is another option. quality speakers in front only is better than 5.1 low quality.
Ductape
Explorer
Nov 04, 2015
Our MH uses home components, all Sony. If you want it to operate on battery power just install an inverter (which is nice to have for other uses also).
Jeff1953
Explorer
Nov 04, 2015
Hi. New member here. I was wondering if you were happy with the EEDV02 entertainment system? I'm considering buying one for our trailer.
Calkidd
Explorer
Apr 11, 2015
I am thinking I am going to go with this Elite Entertainment Model EEDV02.
It has everything the Contertone 3.0 has for about $600 cheaper.
kellertx5er
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Space allowing, I would go with a low-end home theater receiver and Blu-Ray. Should be able to get both for <$350 and have higher quality components.
Calkidd
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Thanks for your personal opinions, but not quite what I was looking for.

First off I already have the surround sound install from the factory. I wasn't questioning the fact if what I have is in fact a surround sound system or if it is worth having.

My question is what have other's done and what did they use and if you're really feeling spunky post a picture.
K_Charles
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Calkidd wrote:
K Charles wrote:
If the rear speakers are mounted in the ceiling in front of you and not behind you it's not surround sound and it won't. E no matter what.
Its surround sound this I know.

Maybe if you sit in the middle of the room. If the speakers don't surround you it's not surrounding you
az99
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
I installed a home surround system in mine. Found it to be a waste of time and money. An RV is just not very conducive to a great sounding surround system.

Maybe on a $1M Prevost bus ? :)
SCVJeff
Explorer
Apr 10, 2015
Last I was at Best Buy there was an entire row of all-in-one surround sound systems. Other than running on 115vac, there is zero difference between them except quality.
Calkidd
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015
K Charles wrote:
If the rear speakers are mounted in the ceiling in front of you and not behind you it's not surround sound and it won't. E no matter what.
Its surround sound this I know.