Upgraded/Replaced Concerttone Audio/Visual System

[BKennedy]

I have a 2011 Forest River 30WFKSS V-Lite. Last fall the Concerttone brand audio visual system started having problems when playing DVD's. it would freeze up right in the middle of a movie. I decided to replace it with the updated Genesis 3.0 unit. This unit fit the same location as my original factory unit. Several things I noticed caused me to remove this unit. I could not disable the CEC (smart TV) feature so when you would play a music CD it would turn on the TV and burn the beach scene from the Genesis unit into the screen, no way to turn it off other than kill the TV every time you put in a music CD. The Bluetooth feature was terrible. every time my phone would ring it would try and connect to the genesis system even if I was outside the coach.

I did some research and ASA Electronics offers the Jensen line of products. Jensen has been around a very long time and these folks saw the need for the RV market and answered the call. I installed the AWM-975 unit that has HDMI output. This unit is not the same shape as the Concerttone but all I did was contact my Forest River dealer and they ordered me some of the wood pieces that match my interior and I built the frame and installed it myself. I think it turned out nice.

I even upgraded the sub woofer with the JXA8BA2 unit that fit perfectly where the old sub was. The only thing I am going to do is relocate the adjustments for the sub so you do not have to open lower cabinet. ( I will cover this in future thread).

Below are some before photos, comparison shots with Jensen sitting in cabinet next to original unit and after photos. Hope this helps someone who may have had similar issues by offering another option.

Happy Camping

[BKennedy]

I forgot to add photos of the sub woofer installation. This unit fits perfectly and sounds Great.

Happy Camping!!

BK

[KyDan]

I also pulled out my Concertone and tossed it after the original and 2 replacements failed.
I'm reasonably happy with the Jensen but it's not perfect.
It doesn't have weather bands and for some reason it often wants to
show closed captioning when playing a DVD.
It doesn't always show CC and on some DVDs the menu to shut
off CC can be difficult to find. We've always been able to stop CC but at times
the frustration level is rising by the time I get it done.
Having said all that- I'm still happier with the Jensen than the original piece of junk that came in the trailer.

IF I had it to do again, knowing what I know now, I'd at least look long
and hard at some of the upper end car radios that also play DVD and have better bulk (USB) MP3 file navigation.

Good job on the cabinet re-fit!!

Oh yeah-- My jensen has a tiny little credit card size remote. UGH!
I got a Sony RM-VL620 universal programmable remote and THAT bad
boy is awesome! It has 3 hi power infrared transmitters in the nose and
you can practically bounce a signal off a window and still control the
TV and Jensen. It was recommended by my computer/video geek
engineer son. I like it so much I got a 2nd one for stereo, dvr, TV,
Roku controlling at home.
IF your Jensen came with a full size romote, you're probably happy.
If you got the little bitty remote- I give the Sony a 5 star rating!

[KyDan]

Follow up- don't toss your Concertone remote. By the time I gave up on
my concertone I had collected 2 remotes. I immediately gave one away
here on the FRF to someone who'd either lost or broken theirs.
A year later I tossed the 2nd one and wouldn't you know it- someone
contacted me months later and needed it.
You can probably make someone's day if you hang on to yours and pass
it along to a needy RVer.

[BKennedy]

Dan

Thanks for the feedback, I did not think I was the only one who thought the Concertone was not very good. Also tough to reach them. I think they may be a virtual company. I have both of my remotes for the Concertones, as a matter of fact I still have both units too. Not sure what I will do with them but if someone needs a remote or a Genesis 3.0 I have it.

Take care

BK

[1atalbot]

Where did you find the Sub?

[BKennedy]

Originally Posted by 1atalbot

Where did you find the Sub?

You can find it at ASA Electronics web site. Here is the link

Amplified Subwoofer | JXA8BA2 Amplified Subwoofer

It worked out very well in my application. Like I said before I will probably remote the adjustment knobs so I do not have to open the cabinet door to change when I want different bass settings for music or video.

I think this complements the Jensen system nicely.

Thanks
BK

[pcmdnh]

Originally Posted by BKennedy

Dan

Thanks for the feedback, I did not think I was the only one who thought the Concertone was not very good. Also tough to reach them. I think they may be a virtual company. I have both of my remotes for the Concertones, as a matter of fact I still have both units too. Not sure what I will do with them but if someone needs a remote or a Genesis 3.0 I have it.

Take care

BK

Do you still have the Genesis 3?

[R Whitlow]

FYI
Cencertone, Genesis and Jensen are all made by the same co. Call tech support they address all of them.

Got an old ZX500 if someone oils looking for one A channel surround not working


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