Karaoke Forums

I can't afford any of those dream systems mentioned in that "other" thread, though I sure salivated while reading about them.

I just acquired a new CAVS 199 system and now want to find a mixer-amp and speaker outfit to go with it.  I work in small clubs and do occasional private parties, indoors and outdoors.

My budget for this is around $1,000.

A local karaoke store is recommending the Audio 2000 AKJ7401 mixer-amp and a set of BMB speakers.  I was leaning this direction until I discovered this forum.  Now I am beginning to think that equipment dedicated for karaoke hosting, even "professional"  karaoke equipment, may not be as good a value for the money as professional musician equipment.  I spent the last hour looking at the musician friend web site and I see a lot of cool systems I could get for around $1,000.

I'd be interested in seeing what the folks here would acquire if they had a $1,000 budget for a set of speakers and a mixer amp.

What say?  This will really help me if you take the time to answer.

Smoky

If you're going to get an KJ Mixer like that, go ahead and get the bigger one of the 7050. I have the 7000 unit (the 7050 comes with a much needed cooling fan)

A friend of mine has the unit you're looking at, and he hates it.

Anything that is made for karaoke isn't worth the price you'll pay - players being the biggest exception.  For that budget, i'd go for something like
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630199

If I only had a $1000 to spend, i'd save up for something that I really wanted instead of settling for something just to have.  Closer to $3000-5000 for just a PA & players.

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Amazing Lonman!  

I was just looking at that same page on Musician's friend while I was waiting for replies here.  I think I will give them a call.

anyone see any problem with the system Lonman is recommending, based on the Yamaha EMX512SC mixer amp and Yamaha speakers?  Will the mixer have enough power to drive those speakers?

The mixer/amp is perfectly suited to those powerwise & you should have enough oomph to do most small to medium sized rooms.  If not, then you add a couple of powered subs down the road.
This is just to get you started, the mics you may want to replace down the road as well, but will suffice until such time.

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It is not possible to buy any pair of speakers under the $600 price point. They will sound like crap.

All decent speakers start at very close to $300 each

JBL JRX115
Peavey SP5
Yamaha S115V
Cervin Vega 152 Intense
B52 SR-15

I would take any of these 5 speakers to start out.

Then you will need a mixer and an amp. I would never recomend that anyone buy a powered mixer.

Your least expensive option Is a Behringer 12 channel mixer and an EP-2500 amplifer.

$130 and $320

That puts you at $1050 but you will need microphones, cables, a mixer rack, and speaker stands.

I agree for the most part, but the BR series from Yamaha is still better than the BMB 'karaoke' speakers he listed out.  They aren't as good as the Club series but still can push the sound with the proper power behind them & the 512 mixer/amp is more than sufficient for those cabs.



For cost Behringer is hard to beat, for quality, i'd pick the Yamaha system anyday.  Nothing wrong with mixer/amps either for someone on a budget, the 512 is a nice little unit & again, much better than the 'karaoke' mixer amp he listed.   I do agree quality components sound much cleaner & are easier to upgrade, but they also cost much more.  Like I said I would save up more to get a better system, rather than having something now.

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I should have mentioned that I plan to also user a pair of wireless mikes with the Pro 2 receiver.  Likely those will be upgraded at some point.  Everyone around here insists on wireless, even though they don't sound as good as a good wired mic.  Folks just like to jump around a lot.

Smoky

Wrong!

If you happen to live where there is a Carvin store, check out the PM15A.  They are listed at $369.99, but their prices are negotiable.  For instance, I was able to buy a TRX118B, which is listed at $449.99, for only $400 out the door.

Don't be afraid of the Carvin stuff, especially the PM15A.  This speaker is no slouch at all and it is half the price of other brands.  Contrary to the negative things that some of the posters say about Carvin, their stuff is really not bad at all.  And their customer service is unbeatable.  I went to their store on Monday, thinking that my Carvin CX3000 crossover was broken.  I bought the crossover used from a guy who used to work there, but they could not find any records of it.  The guy must have bought it from someone else, meaning I am probably the third owner.  I was about ready to give up thinking that I would have to pay for the repair when the main guy at the store said that he will give me the warranty free of charge.   Anyway, he also advised me, just in case, to test my crossover again with my gear before they send my unit to the factory.  It turns out that my cords were bad, and there was nothing wrong with the crossover.  Does the other manufacturer do this?  Probably not.

One way to spend $1000 wisely on good equipment is to buy "good used" stuff from ebay.  Check out the listings for Mackie CFX12.  I was able to buy a made in the USA unit in almost new condition for only $220.  I am so happy with this mixer.  It's just what the guru (Lonnie) had ordered, and my sound woes are over!

Oh, I forgot to mention.  That "crappy" Carvin sub that I bought has turned out to be a big thumper so much so that it puts a big smile on my face everytime I turn it on.

Good luck.

JD

My music store takes trade-ins and also sells stuff for people.   I bought a whole system very similar to mine.    Less than half price.   That was the deal of all time.  :yes:     Got it for $5000 did a little upgrade and sold it for $15,000.   Ohhh Yeah    :yes:  :worship:

Did that include discs?  What was included with your system to make it worth that?    $15K is a pretty insane amount for a used system...or the people that bought were genuinely stupid to pay that much.

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

Thanks for all the help here.  I am very close now to buying the Yamaha powered mixer and speakers.

Just one final thing troubles me.

Back at the karaoke store where I was originally going to by the Audio 2000 AKJ7401 powered mixer and BMB speakers, I noticed the mixer had a pitch control on it.  I wanted to get a reaction here before the thread wandered to farr off the main path.

I do not believe the Yanaha EMX512 does any pitch control.

Now I know my CAVS system will handle that for me, but golly that CAVS system is really kludgy.  My RSQ CD+G player is no problem as it has a button to bring everything back to neutral.  But the CAVS system requires you to increment everything back to neutral on click at a time.  If I was running the CAVS, I was going to use the Audio2000 for pitch shifting.

If I go with the Yamaha mixer I assume I will be stuck with the CAVS for pitch changing?

Not a deal breaker, but an annoyance.

Pitch Controls for Karaoke will only be found on the PLAYER
Generally not the MIXER or the AMP
Yamaha is a nice set up

On 'karaoke' mixer/amps, they add the key changer on them as well, pro-PA mixer/amps won't have the key changer.  Generally not needed as they are on most players.

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