Karaoke Forums

Being they are discontinued, it would pretty much be now or never if anyone still has them actually in stock.  



TOYS!  If you did a show with this equipment you'd probably be laughed out of business.

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

Ericlater, I was really just kidding about my post on Walmart having a sale on crate-sized speakers.  It was meant for BigDog's consumption since he seems to enjoy a few ribbings here and there.

Listen to Lonman.  He knows what he is talking about.  If you are planning to be a KJ someday, invest in quality equipment.  It is really hard to sell your equipment and get good prices for them, should you realize that you made a mistake buying them.  

I strongly recommend the PM15A from Carvin, if you want quality speakers and don't want to spend a lot of money.  I know that it is hard to make a decision unless you have actually seen or heard the speakers.  I think that is the main reason why Carvin is not so common among the KJs on this board.  If you are willing to spend the extra bucks, look into the LS Series.

I don't mean to put down DBK1009's speakers, but those speakers are cheap for a reason.  I guess satisfaction is relative and it's possible that his speakers may not have been played alongside better speakers.

Just my opinion.

I've heard Gemini speakers before & they all sound tinny to me.  I haven't heard that specific model, but they seemed very ear piercing at higher volumes.

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

I'll abide by what the majority has to say about the Geminis.  The only other system I have thought about was being sold to someone while I was at a Karaoke Store I frequent.  It is the Fender PD250, a "system" with a 250 watt amp and two speakers.  The store recommend it highly and tell me they have many satisfied customers.  I also checked it out at my local ("hemongous") music store, which has a vast inventory of amps and speakers, and they were happy to point out that Bose or " Bose technology" was incorporated into the speaker system.  

Does anyone know of or have an opinion about this product?

Makes a great monitor system, would I use for club mains - no.  Known a few that have owned these trying to do clubs with them, they either ended up taking them back for more powerful gear or they added powered subs which defeats the portability factor, still not as bad, but....For home use, it would be fine.  
The Passports that use the Bose designed speakers are the 'deluxe' PD models.  The lower P models do not.

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

Correct on the Deluxe.  And that's what I was being introduced to, the Deluxe model.  No doubt they would work for me at home (which I don't really need).  But if I did buy them, would they work in smaller venues (like restaurants, small pubs, private parties) if I took them out to a job?  I don't have $800 to waste and that's what they'd cost (plus stands plus tax).

So, Lonman, please consider that most in the audience are not as critical a listener as you are.  On the other had, that's obviously why your opinion is often sought in these matters!  So what do you think?   Any differing opinions out there?

I'm not trying to be critical, but the smaller systems IMO aren't usually big enough to do the job.  Not saying I haven't heard the smaller systems, but even in smaller rooms, you will eventually need to turn the volume up & this is where these systems lack clarity & fullness.  ESPECIALLY if you are in a saturated market, I wouldn't go with this type of system - even in small rooms.  If you would pretty much be the only karaoke around, you may have a better chance at getting away with it.

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

I was reading this thread, and knowing that Lonman probably has us all over a barrel with his experience and expertise, I was wondering how he feels about Sonic speakers. Not as well advertised in todays market, but I've used them for years and, to me, a great bang for the buck, and very durable, and they sound as good as JBL, Peavey, etc. So my friend, what do you know about "those guys". Just curious.

                               Donny "B"

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It's a wonderful life!!

Honestly can't say i've ever heard their product, but looking at their specs, it looks like they have low, mid & high end lines that would be as comparable if not equal to the major names.
http://www.sonicspeaker.com/table.pdf
We don't have a dealer in WA close by so I couldn't even stop to listen.

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

 Right Lonman. When I first started DJ'ing, I bought the Sonics and a pair of JBL 734's. (remember those?) Well, after about 3 gigs, I realized that the Sonics were better sounding across the board, and more than ample for moderate to even large rooms. So.....I sold the JBL's....for a hundred more than I paid for them. I've used the Sonics ever since, and only had to replace one tweeter since 88'. Also, they still look brand new. I have asked around why you don't see them that much, and a good friend of mine who owns New England Speaker, told me that they are in fact just as good if not better than JBL, Peavey, all the advertised brand names. It's just that they don't feel the need to push their product like the other companies, and that must be true, due to the fact that they've been around a very long time and still competing, successfully so, with the "major" brands. Just thought I'd toss that little bit of info out there to give others another venue when "in search of" speakers for their systems, whether it be just starting out or looking to upgrade. Thanks for the response


                                      Donny B

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It's a wonderful life!!

I'm in the "Yamaha S115V boat" They have such a clear, powerful sound. I like the sound clarity better than the JBLs I've heard at 2 other shows around here.  I've even had bands at the bar I work hook into them because they like the sound of them better than their speakers.

You'll never regret getting good quality equipment. Never! But you would eventially regret going cheap, if you later had to upgrade. Also, if you get the good equipment now, you can focus on buying more discs instead of sinking more money on your equipment.

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Leave Bose in the livingroom where they belong.     Professionals playing in the professional world, AKA bars use regular PA systems just like bands.     Ever see a band play with Bose?    

Real KJs use 12"-15" speakers and subs.

Actually yes I have.  
4 of these on each side with the processor
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=602041

2 of these on each side
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=602042

Proper amps & processor controlled, the sound was very good.  Pretty expensive system, nothing I would invest in - for the cost of a system like this, I would go a completely different route, but the sound was very good & no lacking for volume or thump from the kick drum.

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

I played many acoustic coffeehouse gigs using the 901's as PA speakers, sounded excellent.  This is pretty interesting (assuming you don't mind horrid spelling)  LOL

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread/t-32533.html

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Are they talking about the Bose towers?

A coffee shop isn't exactly the same atmosphere as a crowded bar.   I'm sure the crowd decibel level is much higher in a bar.      You would never be able to do an acoustic karaoke night.


WalMart  =    Karaoke Hacker's Helper.

Bigdog,  Those 901 and 901-2's throw off ALOT of sound when properly placed (Bose uses reflection of sound, not quite so easy to properly place) but I've heard DJ's and KJ's alike using 4 Bose 301 cabs placed around 7 1/2 feet up in room corners (roughly 70x70 feet in conjunction with a subwoofer) that I thought sounded quite good.  I was surprised needless to say, the 301's aren't higher end speakers, but they sounded great in semi-crowded conditions in a rectangular moderately small room.  Of course today there are smaller cabs than older days giving other options to bose.  I think the 901's had ALOT of power handling ability too.  I don't recall, but something like 200 watts each, Even in the mid 1970's Bose was pretty advanced for that period.  Who'd have thought using about 9-10 tweeter sized speakers per cab, and wall bounce could project a full sound in a room ?  My own feelings are that the 901's & 801's were amazing in the older days EVEN for moderate room sized PA use.  While I agree that a 12 inch woofer (minimally) is what I'd opt for in a PA cab, and while I'm one who feels the Bose Acoustimas systems lack mid-range, the 901's were amazing speakers IMO

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Bigdog,  Those 901 and 901-2's throw off ALOT of sound when properly placed (Bose uses reflection of sound, not quite so easy to properly place) but I've heard DJ's and KJ's alike using 4 Bose 301 cabs placed around 7 1/2 feet up in room corners (room was roughly 70x70 feet in conjunction with a subwoofer), and I thought these sounded quite good.  I was surprised needless to say, the 301's aren't higher end speakers, but they sounded great in semi-crowded conditions in a rectangular moderately small room.  Of course today there are smaller cabs than older days giving other options to bose.  I think the 901's had ALOT of power handling ability too.  I don't recall, but something like 200 watts each, Even in the mid 1970's Bose was pretty advanced for that period.  Who'd have thought using about 9-10 tweeter sized speakers per cab, and wall bounce could project a full sound in a room ?  My own feelings are that the 901's & 801's were amazing in the older days EVEN for moderate room sized PA use.  While I agree that a 12 inch woofer (minimally) is what I'd opt for in a PA cab, and while I'm one who feels the Bose Acoustimas systems lack mid-range, the 901's were amazing speakers IMO.  I've thought some of what Bose does is just "Gimmicky" and doesn't cut it.  Some of the concepts however sound great.  I'd never take an Acoustimas system free,  I'd pay a decent sum however for a pair of 901's.  For Rock and classical music they were spectacular sounding, as well as for smaller-moderate sized room medium crowd lower volume PA use.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Returning to the Fender Passport product.  Someone clued me in today that Fender  began distributing a 500 watt system this month.  Does anyone have an opinion on the Fender with 500 watts?  Could someone check the specs (which make little sense to me) and see what you think?

Does it offer echo/reverb?

Are there enough jacks/channels (or whatever they're called)?

If I remember correctly the 901s were made to be set up in the corner of the room.  The corner walls acted in conjunction with the speaker to help project the sound.    That's why they were shaped the way they were.    The spacing from the wall was critical.    They sounded good but they were still mainly a house/livingroom speaker.

A band that couldn't afford a big/real PA system, like KJs that can't afford a PA system, are not to be used as primary examples of what to use or make due.

Get the money to do it right.   Buy a real PA system and do real karaoke.   Not "good enough" karaoke.

Yeah, this thread is another one of those "I want to make $$$ being a KJ, but I don't want to spend $$$ to do it."

Remember that if you buy your own system and get out there as an independent karaoke DJ, then you ARE a small business owner. As such, it it just simply a bad business strategy to invest in outdated or subpar technologies when you start your business.

It is like trying to start your own telecom company on the cheap and using rotary phones instead of touch tone. Your karaoke will get patrons that are there by necessity, i.e., they have always gone there or it is right by their home, but you are NOT going to be putting out a good enoguh product to ATTRACT and KEEP new business, and that is really your job.

It seems like the average KJ around the country makes $125 a night for a 4 hour show and the average KJ works 2 nights a week. That equates to $13,000 a year. So, for the chance to make $13,000 a year, isn't it worth investing $3000-4000 to meet the average industry standards for equipment?? At that cost, you are able to get an average system made by quality manufacturers that will likely last you a good 4-5 years of proper use. Even after you factor in the average maintenance costs and other nick-nak costs like books, you are making a LARGE percentage of your initial startup costs and you are EASILY in the black during your first year, which is something most small businesses can not boast.

That is kind of what many of the KJs complain about on this site. Lots of people think they can just be a KJ without much forthought or a business plan or breaking down the numbers. They think they can just go spend $500 for equipment and become a KJ overnight. While it isn't that easy, it is a relatively easy business to get into and stay in and make good money IF you think of it as a business, not a hobby, and make good, sound decisions.

So, like everyone has said, stop talking about $100 PA speakers if you want to be a lasting part of this industry and make some good money in the process.

If, however, you just want to do this as a hobby, then go on down to your local Radio Shack or pawn shop or look for speakers in the paper, get those cheapy speakers, and go have fun!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL