Options list narrowing down...Touch Radio

[cpaharley2008]

While waiting for Reace and Tammy to return next Monday from their holiday, I have been trying to resolve a couple of options. One is the radio situation. Although the "Touch" radio Escape installs has gotten bad reviews, I'm wondering what alternative I have. Does it play dvd's for the television and does the tv sound come thru the cabinet mounted speakers. Looks like there are 2 large rear and 2 small front speakers. I'm a little hard of hearing (and hard headed) so 4 speakers may make it more enjoyable. Is there a separate external antenna? I like the weather channel option also.
What about the speakers, do the big ones take away a lot of cabinet space, where is the radio mounted, can it be put anywhere? Thanks for any help on this option.

[dbailey]

I can't speak about the Touch radio specifically, but the points I considered in answering this question for myself were:
- Touch system had bad reviews on the user interface.
- reviews are irrelevant regarding sound quality -- it's subjective so you have to hear it yourself.
- audio equipment is easy to install after the fact.
- video equipment is irrelevant to me. If my wife wants her news or TV fix, she can use her laptop.

I decided I'd look into an aftermarket car stereo for the trailer.

I never got that far, though. I ran across a review for an inexpensive but very good sounding amplifier which runs off 12v. I ordered it and am playing with it now. My intention is to mount it under the overhead shelf at the front of the trailer, with a small bookshelf-style speaker mounted under the shelf in each corner. I'll feed the amplifier with a small mp3 player (which includes a radio).

Jim: this doesn't help you with your weather channel, or your requirement to play dvds. It might help with your hearing, since it's easier to make out the audio when it's a quality sound.

For myself, it doesn't solve the problem of outdoor music. I don't (yet) have a satisfactory solution for that one.

[cpaharley2008]

Doug,
Any pictures of your set up. For outside I use a bluetooth speaker for my iPhone music.

[J Mac]

I've always liked the DeWalt job site radio. AM, FM, and Aux for iPod tunes etc. when plugged in to shore power or my inverter it also charges the battery I use in my DeWalt drill for raising and lowering the levelling jacks. It works inside and outside and also provides 3 additional electrical sockets. Once it's charged, it can go with you to the lake!
About $150.00.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Is there a separate external antenna? What about the speakers, do the big ones take away a lot of cabinet space...

My external AM antenna is mounted somewhere inside the cabinet by the radio itself--I can't see it. I have Kenwood 6.75" speakers mounted in the back. Quite frankly, I haven't even noticed them behind the cabinet facing and I have stuff stored all along that shelf. The days of bigger speakers making for better sound are long gone.

[hotfishtacos]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

While waiting for Reace and Tammy to return next Monday from their holiday, I have been trying to resolve a couple of options. One is the radio situation. Although the "Touch" radio Escape installs has gotten bad reviews, I'm wondering what alternative I have. Does it play dvd's for the television and does the tv sound come thru the cabinet mounted speakers. Looks like there are 2 large rear and 2 small front speakers. I'm a little hard of hearing (and hard headed) so 4 speakers may make it more enjoyable. Is there a separate external antenna? I like the weather channel option also.
What about the speakers, do the big ones take away a lot of cabinet space, where is the radio mounted, can it be put anywhere? Thanks for any help on this option.

Jim, I think you are better off putting in your own stereo but I suggest that you have Reace mount the speakers and run your wiring. That is a lot of work. I mounted the four that I put in (each corner of the trailer) facing downward in each corner. It used no storage space and the sound is great. Here are a few pics...



Here is the location of the stereo over the dinette entrance. This is when you want to be able to reach the volume control....



It's mounted in a surface mounted enclosure....really nice! I also added an AM/FM Sherwood marine antenna mounted horizontally above the entrance door.

Steve

[cpaharley2008]

I like those speakers, surface mounted? No holes correct? Please post where you got them and your radio info, I may just do that in the rear dinette area. Thanks, Steve.

[hotfishtacos]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I like those speakers, surface mounted? No holes correct? Please post where you got them and your radio info, I may just do that in the rear dinette area. Thanks, Steve.

There are a few small holes for the speaker wiring and the 4 mounting screw holes. I'll get the list together for you...

[cpaharley2008]

I just noticed your corner, this is a 2012 19' correct? Why are the front corners concave and have a bump out, but the rear appear to be convex with a bump in? Maybe it is just the photo angle?

[hotfishtacos]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just noticed your corner, this is a 2012 19' correct? Why are the front corners concave and have a bump out, but the rear appear to be convex with a bump in? Maybe it is just the photo angle?

It's an illusion...they are the same front and back...

My stereo is a KDC-BT952HD Kenwood stereo that has several input options such as Aux, XM, USB, etc. and Blue Tooth wireless and a CD player and HD Radio Reception + remote control. The operating colors are even programmable. In each corner of the trailer I mounted one 6 1/2" Polk Audio Coaxial speaker (4) in a pod (surface-mounted) facing downward. If you Google speaker pod you will see the same style. Most of the time I use the Zumo 550 GPS Unit from my motorcycle for the XM stereo plugged into the AUX input. I also horizontally mounted a Marine AM/FM antenna over the inside of the doorway that has great reception.

[hotfishtacos]

Rhino Speaker Pods
$44.95
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[cpaharley2008]

Thanks, back to Google........

[dbailey]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Doug,
Any pictures of your set up. For outside I use a bluetooth speaker for my iPhone music.

My "setup" is various scattered pieces right now -- the amplifier, a pair of Koss M60 speakers I had kicking around (excellent sound for small speakers), a 12v plug that I cut off something else twist-connected (not even taped) to a plug I found in my spare parts bin that fit the amplifier.

Here's the article that led me to the amplifier: Low-cost hi-fi: the amazing world of cheapo mini-amps - Boing Boing

The amplifier is best described as "cute" -- all of about 5" wide, volume/bass/treble/power, and that's about it:



I'm not an audiophile, but I do like good quality sound. For a $25 amp, using speakers I had gathering dust in the basement, the sound is fantastic.

My intention is to build a wide narrow box that will hold the amp, house a couple of spare 12v outlets (for charging phones and such), and provide a place to attach and plug in an MP3 player. But, I have other priorities (put a 2nd coat of finish on a bed-side shelf earlier tonight). It'll likely be August before I get the music installed.

[captmath]

I replaced my TouchAudo with a Concertone from Crutchfield. I had to enlarge the hole slightly, but it basically fits the same space. Much better reception, and none of the control problems I was having with the other unit.
Dick

[PAB4]

IN my build I have ordered from Escape the Jensen DV2011. Any experience with this model?