Karaoke Forums

Hi all,

So I am trying to build a Karaoke system in my basement. I have a 70 inch flat screen tv and a mondern (i5 & 8 gb ram) pc. I want to expand this entertainment center with Karaoke, but not sure what hardware that I should be gettting. So I am budgeting around 500 for speaker or receiver + Amp?

Sound card? Will my Asus onboard sound card do the job?
Speaker + Amp + Mic Mixer - found something on ebay, see below link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3000-Watt-Karao ... rmvSB=true

Here is what I did... Pickup a BOSE lifestyle Sub and receiver for around $100.00 then get 5 x Bose 151 speakers approx 50.00 per speaker.
You can get any mixer 4-8 channel for around 50.00 and a couple Sure sm58 mics for around 125/pair.

Where did you get the BOSE lifestyle Sub and receiver for around $100.00 ? I looked in ebay or amazon came back to be around 1000. Thanks!

I personally wouldn't use or recommend an home use grade equipment for karaoke. Too many blown speakers and occasionally receivers.
Also that DJ/Karaoke system you linked to is not very good. You cannot get 3000 watts for $420. Plus the mixer/amp uses low grade components so the sound will not be clean or crisp. Invest in a little higher end stuff that still won't break the bank.

The headphone jack on your computer will work, but would seriously recommend an external sound card like the Lexicon Alpha.
Look at it this way, the headphone jack is light a 10 watt light bulb. It will light, you will see, but you definitely aren't seeing all that you could or very clearly. The Alpha is like a 100 watt light bulb. Much brighter, you can see everything a lot clearer and a lot more. Headphone jacks work, it will make sound, but you won't hear everything as good, crisp or clear.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

So what would you suggest ? Brand, model? Thanks

That's like new... Just grab a used one from kijiji/craigslist Search "Bose Lifestyle Sub receiver"
Don't get the cube speakers. they do sound nice but not good for "live voice applications" The 151 Bose are amazing and very clear.

Something like this is usually around $40-$50.00


Receiver with Cable usually around 50-$100.
Keep checking kijiji or ebay. they get listed many times around those prices.

In most cases you can buy the complete Lifestyle system for around $450 and then just re-sell the cube speakers average 25.00 per speaker.

Just for the record... I've been using the exact same Bose 151 speakers over 8 years now and they still sound as if they are new. These are very nice reliable speakers for the price.

How about these:


$199. Bluetooth wireless, includes stand and mic.
15" woofer

FEATURES:
• Take your tunes with you, wherever you go and enrich any event with amazing wireless sound!
• The Total PA is a complete self-contained sound system plus a multi-source music player that together provide incredible audio reproduction, wherever your adventures take you.
• Streams music wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device.
• USB port and SD card slot let you play your digital music library.
• Ideal for parties, karaoke, corporate events, and more
• Built-in FM radio with 30 presets for quickly tuning into your favorite station
• 300 Watts of peak power, 15" woofer, and 1" tweeter for big powerful sound
• Large LCD for quickly setting up the radio, flash drives, SD cards, and Bluetooth devices
• Multi-function remote lets you control volume, EQ, radio, and more
• 6 EQ presets for enhanced playback of any music genre
• Durable plastic cabinet, top and side handles, and wheels for maximum portability
• High-quality wired microphone, tripod speaker stand and power cord included.
• Audio inputs: 2 x XLR mic, 1 x 1/4" TRS audio, 1 x 1/8" TRS aux, and 1 x stereo RCA.
• Audio outputs: 1 x XLR for linking to another Total PA (sold separately).
• Bluetooth range of up to 100 feet.

Source taken from:
http://www.factorydirect.ca/Canada-/Computer_Add-Ons/Speakers/Bluetooth_-_Portable/IO2561/TOTALPA_Ion_Total_Ipa61_All_In_One_Bluetooth_Speaker/0

LOL, stay away from that ION, it is nothing but a toy and sounds like it, heard one at a big box store the other day!

I'd go for something like (couple options linked). You can start with 1 and add another later.
Speaker options
http://www.zzounds.com/item--PEVDM112 $300
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB112W $300
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ELVZLX112P $350 (recommend more but higher $$)

Mixer
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG10XU USB mixer with built in compression on two mics & effects $200, this is probably the lowest end I'd go for a mixer but it's still good quality. You would still need some misc cords to get from mixer to speaker and mic to mixer, but other than that it would be a killer starter system.

You didn't mention if you had mics. Here is a nice wireless set
http://www.amazon.com/GTD-Audio-G-622H- ... =gtd+audio $170

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I've had the EV ZLX112P speakers for a little over a year now, and they rock my basement. I also have that same Yamaha mixer Lonnie mentioned, and the overall sound with the mixer and the speakers is awesome. Still thinking of getting the GTD mics...have heard a LOT of good things about them.

Here ya go... BOSE



http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Bose-VERICAL-ARRAY-SPEAKERS-MODULE-S-COMMERCIAL-/291630349830?hash=item43e685fe06:g:ii4AAOSw~bFWOBdZ

If there was no BOSE, I would choose EV (Electrovoice) they are awesome.

Another +1 for the yamaha mg10xu. I also would recommend the ev speakers. At zzounds you can get the pair and make payments on them over time to stretch your budget a bit. You might be able to get the YAMAHA Mg10xu at the same time without breaking your budget.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

consider saving up for a bose compact L1. Perfect sound for a karaoke system and they hold their value if you ever need to sell them.

Otherwise, I really like the QSC powered speakers like the K8.

You really get what you pay for when it come to stuff like this.

Live vocals are very hard for a consumer system to reproduce well.

--Joe

Seriously?? QSC powered speakers for home use?! If that isn't overkill, i don't know what is.

You obviously didn't read the op where they gave an estimated budget.

You could buy the mixer and one decent EV powered 12" speaker, the lexicon alpha, cables and still stay pretty darn close to his $500 budget.

Save up for a decent pair of mics, and they'll have a system that would be better than a lot of kjs who don't care about their sound etc

-James

I just got 2 EV ZLX15P cabs with 2 EV ELX118P subs for my home use They are replacing my aging Peavey SP4 and SP118/tri-amp setup.

Which is pretty much the same thing I stated above as well. Start with one speaker (may be all that is needed), small mixer & the alpha and be close to his $500 mark and still have a kick (@$%&#!) home system. Can always get a 2nd speaker later if needed.

Those GTD Audio mics are what I use in my shows, replaced all my Shure mics with them because they sound that close and don't worry about one getting dropped (although they've been dropped numerous times already without any probs).

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Thanks all for the comments. However I ended up increase my budget, see below. Please comments on below, thanks again.



Audio2000s ADM1064B Professional Cardioid Dynamic Microphone With 16 ft. Detachable Cable - x 2 for $22

Audio2000's AKJ7403 1200 Watt Karaoke Mixing Amplifier with Digital Echo $520

Yamaha Club V Series S215V Dual 15" Loudspeaker (Pairs) $600

you went backwards on the mixer and mics.
the "professional" mics are anything but. huge step down from anything you were told about here.
the "karaoke" mixer is a big downslide as well.
anything with the word "professional" rarely is and anything with "karaoke" in the name is underfeatured and overpriced.

the setup Lonman suggested with the
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ELVZLX112P
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG10XU
http://www.amazon.com/GTD-Audio-G-622H-Professional-microphone/dp/B004443DZ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449083038&sr=8-1&keywords=gtd+audio
cost $72 less than what you bought and is a truly professional system.
spend less and get more.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

RUN, don't walk as fast as you can from these - pure junk.

This would only be good if you get the proper amp to drive them. You are looking at an amp that pushes 1000 watts per channel into 4 ohms. WAY overkill for home. There were SEVERAL good recommendations mentioned that wouldn't break the bank & give you a kick (@$%&#!) system. Re-read!!

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Ok, I am going with this list then. BTW what kind of cables will I need to connect the speakers to the mixer? Thanks!

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ELVZLX112P
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG10XU
http://www.amazon.com/GTD-Audio-G-622H- ... =gtd+audio

Just a standard mic cord from the mixer to the speaker - 25-50 foot depending on how far you you are running it. Two short mic cords 3 foot is probably more than enough but longer won't hurt from the mic receiver to mixer.

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OK, I got all my items today, sounds are amazing!!! So I have another question, can I add a sub woofer to this system? Can you connect that to the yamaha mg10xu? I wanted to play my PS4 now too.... thanks!