New Stereo! Beatbox Blackbird for Sprinter Vans

May 1, 2024

Updated June 27, 2024 with links to new resources (all listed at the end)

RoamRig’s Beatbox stereo doesn’t need an introduction – it’s a longtime favorite upgrade for Sprinters, not just Revels. Our new version, the Beatbox Blackbird, features the new Blackbird DSP Amplifier from Arc Audio, which is tuned specifically for Sprinter vans by two of the absolute best ears in the car audio industry.

This stereo comes with a ton of flexibility to add lots of awesome features once you have the base system installed. Along with the new amp, the Beatbox Blackbird comes pre-wired with the infrastructure to add another pair of speakers and has the option to add a Bluetooth receiver.

Keep reading for all of the need-to-know info about this new upgrade that is the best sound system kit available for Sprinter vans.

The Arc Audio Blackbird DSP Amp

This is one of the top available amplifiers for car audio systems. The Blackbird DSP amp is equipped with all the latest advancements, features, and acoustically transparent benefits of ARC Audio’s Pro Series DSP platform. It is capable of over 1,000 Watts of combined power across 8 channels.

With 1000w, the amp works with excellent speakers to produce extremely high-quality audio without any output clipping due to power limitations on each channel. Power is often associated solely with volume. However, power is also important to prevent distortion and speaker damage, which is caused when there is not enough power to drive the speakers accurately, leading to clipped output signals.

Components & Price

The Beatbox Blackbird kit includes many custom components that we developed specifically for this application – they are not available anywhere else! At $3495, the Beatbox Blackbird kit includes:

Arc Audio Blackbird Amp with LR1 remote for Subwoofer control
Arc Audio A10 subwoofer
Arc Audio X2 6.2 Speaker set (6.5” door speakers with tweeters)
Injection molded, glass-filled nylon speaker adapters designed by RoamRig to mount Arc Audio speakers to Sprinter door panels
MDF subwoofer housing coated with bedliner that is designed to fit in the passenger seat base of a Sprinter
Plug-and-play harness that requires only one Mercedes wire to be cut. Everything else is plug-and-play into both the Mercedes side of things as well as the amplifier and other Arc Audio components.
4ga copper power cables terminated with high-quality sealed lugs and ferrules for secure connections to the power source and amplifier
Hardware set with extra door clips, zip ties, and more
Tuned by world class expert Brian Mitchell specifically to suit the driver of a Sprinter

The Beatbox Blackbird kit does NOT include a bluetooth receiver, extra speakers or hardware for powering from your house batteries.

Adding Speakers

The Beatbox Blackbird comes with two extra channels stubbed out so you can easily add another pair of speakers. These could be external speakers to set up outside while you’re camping or rear door speakers. Our Speaker Expansion Kit contains two speakers, grills and a 30' wire harness that will allow you to mount additional speakers wherever you like. This add-on kit can be added to any Beatbox Blackbird with the pre-configured harness. Read more here.

Tuning

We know that Sprinters are not designed with audio in mind. That’s why the Beatbox Blackbird is tuned for an ideal listening experience in the driver’s seat by two of the best ears in the industry.

All tuning and settings are pre-adjusted and specific to the components in the Beatbox Blackbird kit. Once the stereo is installed, you can start listening right away. No settings need to be adjusted before use.

The subwoofer control knob is mounted below the cup holders, enabling easy bass adjustment that’s easily accessible from either seat.

Fading

This stereo does not support rear fading that may be enabled by Mercedes on passenger Sprinters. It does not have a fader, but L/R will work correctly and the wires are clearly labeled for easy installation.

Powering from House Batteries

Many customers have requested a system that can be powered by the house batteries when the engine is off, and we listened! This is possible with the Beatbox Blackbird so that you can listen to music when camping. However, doing this adds complexity to the installation.

Since every van and power system is different, you’ll need to work with your installer to determine the best way to do this in your van. We cannot give specific advice on a case-by-case basis for how to do this.

Audio with the engine and Mercedes systems off will also require an external audio source such as an independent Bluetooth receiver. This new Beatbox system is pre-configured to have aftermarket Bluetooth receivers attached to it (more on that below).

Inputs

The Beatbox Blackbird will use audio from the Mercedes stereo by default. However it has infrastructure (both wires and software) so that it can also use audio from an independent Bluetooth receiver if desired (receiver not included).

Out of the box, the Beatbox Blackbird pulls audio straight from the Mercedes system. Unlike earlier Beatboxes, the Blackbird amplifier has four pre-loaded configurations that are combinations of input (Bluetooth or Mercedes) and output (front speakers, or front plus the additional two channels).

With different pre-loaded configurations, which are switchable on the fly via the addition of user-accessible switches (not included), you can add a Bluetooth receiver and additional speakers that can be easily enabled and disabled depending on how you are currently using the audio system.

If you add a Bluetooth receiver, the Beatbox Blackbird will still need to be powered for the Bluetooth inputs to work. For this, we strongly recommend that you or your installer add the ability to use your "house" batteries to power the stereo. Otherwise, you will need to key on your vehicle to power the stereo, at which point you can use the Mercedes interface for audio inputs.

Read more here about adding accessories like a Bluetooth receiver or additional speakers, as well as how to change between options on the fly.

RoamRig does not plan on offering any complete plug and play Bluetooth receiver kits due to the many different vans and use cases.

Installation

The Beatbox Blackbird kit comes with everything you need for the upgrade. Any RoamRig dealer can do this upgrade for your van. For DIYers, installation is straightforward for anyone who feels comfortable removing the seats, floor mats and door panels. View the installation instructions here.

Our custom wiring harnesses are beautifully made and pre-terminated so you can plug all connections straight into the amplifier after the wires are run.

The amp and subwoofer are designed to fit under the passenger seat in Sprinter VS30 vans. This kit does not work vans that have heaters or other items under the passenger seat. If you have a 2025 Revel, we made a guide for relocating components in the passenger seat base so the Beatbox Blackbird can be installed. We do not have similar guides for other vans. However, this is a frequent request, so we are looking into a kit for installing the stereo elsewhere. If we offer this mod in the future, it will require the installer to build a subwoofer enclosure for their specific needs. Read more about installation requirements here.

Installation instructions for the Beatbox Blackbird are very similar to prior Beatboxes.

Availability

Beatbox Blackbird is shipping to our dealers now and is available for purchase as a DIY kit on our website.

Audio quality vs. older Beatboxes?

If you have a 10” Beatbox with the older amplifier, the audio quality is better with the new Beatbox. However it is not a night-and-day difference. If comparing this to the older 8" Beatboxes, the larger 10" subwoofer on this newest revision of the Beatbox does make a significant difference when combined with the Blackbird amplifier.

In any case, ANY of these options are FAR better than what came with your van from the factory!

Upgrading an older Beatbox?

We have not forgotten about you! If you have one of the older 8" or 10" Beatboxes, we are actively working on upgrade kits for both versions! If you tell us you're interested.

Item added to your cart