In motorhome audio for a novice

[eric twinge]

Before I start I need to confess, Ive never been bothered about car audio, so this is all a bit new to me.
I have bought a 95 Hymer motorhome, however the audio set up in it is from the same era.
I would like to install a DAB head unit, new shelf speakers, they have to be shelf speakers at the front as I cannot drill out the bulkhead), new speakers in the living area and I am also thinking an amplifier would be useful.

So, something like this:
http://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/dab-c...

with either of these amps:
http://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/car-a...
or
http://www.halfords.com/technology/car-audio/car-a...

If this is ok, how powerful do the speakers need to be, would the amp overwhelm certain wattage speakers?

As I say, it just needs to sound ok and drown out a 2.5TD Ducato!
Many thanks!

[chasingracecars]

Do you have any car type speakers in the habitation side of the caravan? Most vans had some as left and right repeaters. If not cable and add these as there are usually connections on the head unit for four speakers.

With regard to amps personally I would just change the headunit first and then see how it is.

You will need a DAB aerial though for that. I would make sure you can Bluetooth audio from phone to headunit and control volume from phone as it's a nice feature when sat in the back.

[eric twinge]

chasingracecars said:

Do you have any car type speakers in the habitation side of the caravan? Most vans had some as left and right repeaters. If not cable and add these as there are usually connections on the head unit for four speakers.

With regard to amps personally I would just change the headunit first and then see how it is.

You will need a DAB aerial though for that. I would make sure you can Bluetooth audio from phone to headunit and control volume from phone as it's a nice feature when sat in the back.

yes, it has the same speakers in the back as are in the front, cheers

[chasingracecars]

Changing the speakers in that case can make a world of difference. Same size as the ones you take out easy fit. The ones in our caravan are awful and on the list to bin.

We are running cables to the underside to put some outdoor speakers on for when at Le Mans.

[eric twinge]

Thanks, you can see from the photo below the size and age of the speakers! there are two on the dash and two more in the habitation area. I don't know how powerful they are but not very I suspect!
Not too sure about DAB now, the more I read about it I don't think they are cut out for motorhomes!
One more question, the head unit in there is a Blaupunkt Madeira 33 (no me neither). Output is stated as:
Amplifier
Output power: 4 x 25 watts
sine in accordance
with
DIN 45 324 at
14.4 V
4 x 45 watts
max. power

Looking at halfords for example I see a Pioneer DEH-150MP with a whole 4 x 50W of power! Doesn't strike me as much more than I have now. Is it worth sticking an amp on it and buying bigger speakers?
Thanks for your help!!

[chasingracecars]

They don't look like your normal car type speakers so will be harder to find replacement like for like ones. Have you thought about cutting in new ones?

50W is twice the 25W that you have now so will sound far superior then current at 75% volume.

Most cars don't have an amp and they are usually loud enough for a garden party it seems.

[eric twinge]

Many thanks for your help, much appreciated.
I don't want to cut into that bulkhead, the engine is underneath that, it is loud enough as it is!
I think I will look out for some new speakers and a better head unit. If that is not sufficient perhaps an amp and leave it at that. I think my skills can run to that!

[Type R Tom]

Have you considered a retractable screen? You can probably pick one up second hand, then add a reversing camera which I imagine would be helpful in a motorhome.

I'd look second hand too for your amp, plenty of stuff on ebay and a decent brand like kenwood / pioneer