The Best RV Audio System

The best RV Audio system will have you turning it up and letting the wind blow through your hair! Good tunes have always been associated with good times and it’s easy to feel carefree and adventurous as the volume turns up and those long highway miles pass on by. If you are planning a long RV trip, having access to your favorite music is a requirement to keep those long hours behind the wheel less lonely. Music has a way of capturing our hearts and spirits, transforming our moods into memories while providing an outlet to transcend the mundane into something far more ethereal. A good song played at the perfect moment somehow provides a snapshot of that place in time. When you hear that song it the future, it will transport you back to the magical memory that was made previously.

For us RVers, a quality audio system can be as crucial as any other element on board and the sky is the limit with how far you want to take things in this department. From basic car stereos to full blown HD surround sound, there are options to appease any preference and budget out there. Even if you have no real audio knowledge, there are plenty of shops that specialize in car audio and can get your ride rocking in time with whatever budget you may have for an upgrade. So roll down the windows and let’s take a look at some of the best in RV audio.

Magic Carpet Ride

Where to Start

The basics of any audio system are pretty simple. You need a device to play music (in this case a car stereo, sometimes called a ‘head’) and speakers to produce the actual music. A real cheap and easy system and those often found on stock vehicles will have the basic stereo where you can plug in your phone, musical, device, CD, or tape (if anyone out there still has these formats, that is). Que up your favorite songs and voila, music is at now playing. For those of us looking for an upgrade on the basic, you’ll need a few more elements to be able to play high-quality audio.

Ramblin’ Man

Receivers – Where it all Starts

An upgraded receiver is the first step in improving your RV audio system. Most new receivers these days offer a touch screen interface allowing you to control the audio features of your system with a simple touch of your finger, making sure you keep your hands on the wheel the rest of the time. Look for one with modern features such as Bluetooth capabilities, smartphone features and integration, built in equalization, and a decent warranty. You’ll also want to make sure the unit has at least 6 outputs to power your speakers and subwoofers that you’ll be installing as well. Often times, these units will play CDs and DVDs but new models are starting to phase these formats out so be sure to find one that meets your personal preferences.

Here are some favorites worth looking into:

Pioneer AVH-211EX
Alpine Halo9 ILK F309

Sony XAV-AX5000

Life is a Highway

Amplifiers – How to Turn Things Up

An amplifier is necessary to power upgraded speakers and subwoofers with enough amperage to really deliver quality audio. Think of an electric guitar plugged into a tiny little speaker with few controls and little volume. It could be the best guitar in the world, but if it isn’t paired with a quality amp, there is absolutely no way to create great sound. The same is true with an RV audio system. If you buy a great receiver and speakers but skimp on the amp, the audio quality in your vehicle will suffer. Amplifiers vary based on size and output to meet the requirements you have with the size and quantity of your speakers and subs. An audio professional at a car audio or electronics store can point you in the right direction and it really comes down to preference as many of these amps function in nearly the same capacity.

Some favorite amplifiers:

JL Audio JX1000/1D

Alpine PDX-V9

Kenwood KAC-9106D


Speakers – Music to Your Ears

Speakers are the one component of a vehicles audio system that everyone seems to be familiar with. They come in many different shapes and sizes and you really can’t go wrong with speaker choice if you have a good receiver and amp powering the sound that is going to come out of your system. A standard vehicle is usually equipped with 4-6 speakers but for an RV that number can easily double as you can place speakers all over your rig. Placement is another personal choice in an RV but installing a few up front for the driver is key. Putting several other pairs in the living/dining area of your rig and then maybe another set back in the sleeping quarters that can be turned off or on when desired is a common speaker layout in many RVs.

Road Trippin’

You can get your speakers set up and wired professionally or it is easy to place, mount, and wire them yourself if you have a little bit of experience. One nice touch that comes highly recommended is to purchase some outdoor waterproof speakers and get them set up on the outside of your RV. This will turn any campground into an instant party, just be sure to invite your neighbors over so they don’t get jealous. Once all of your speakers are installed and wired to your amplifier, you are ready to hit play and enjoy the show. Always remember to let your co-pilot navigate those fancy touch screen interfaces on your receiver but remind anyone else on board that the driver gets to pick the tunes. Turn it up and enjoy the summer!

Some favorite speakers:

Ceiling Speakers

Simple Jensen Speaker