Karaoke Forums

I'm having trouble with the sound to the opposite side of the bar. I have normal speaker wire going from my mixer to the input of a second amp supplying surround sound speakers on that side, 35-40 feet away. It runs through the ceiling, and while wiring this up I noticed a wire that runs next to it is "coated", meaning the wire inside is surrounded by an aluminum outer layer to eliminate outside interference. My setup worked great at first, but then died out...no sound at all. So I did it again, this time with single wire (too many connections the first time), all the way to the amp input. This time I get sound, it's not what I want though. I have to turn it up to max to get it to a decent level on that side of the bar. Maximum is normally way to loud, except now. When I put this amp on its own disc player or radio, the sound level is great, (have to turn it to 1/2 level for loud output, but sound coming from the mixer it is'nt loud enough.

1) I'm thinking I need coated wire for this run from the mixer to the second amp. There's neon lights directly outside of the outer wall, and lots of other lighting around that could cause interference. Not to mention electronic games (4).

2) Someone else was telling me that I need thicker wire run from the second amp to the supplied speakers. I don't think that's the problem, or else the volume would be low when its on its own CD player or radio output.

What's everyone's opinion from the people w/experience. Is it interference from Neon/fluorescent lights/other electronic equipment thats causing my output loss from the run from the mixer.

Appreciate the help...

                                                                                    bigjim56

could it be that the amp is going bad?

What gauge of wire are you using?

Try flipping the wiring around.  Place the amp close to the speaker and run an un-powered wire from the mixer to the amp.

You are using 'speaker' wire between your mixer & amp?  You should be running a 'shielded' line cable - not 'coated'.

Then i'm also not understanding the run of a single wire?

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twansenne - The amp is a brand new amp, surround sound system (Phillips) from Sam's Club. The gauge of the wire is normal speaker wire from Radio Shack, brand new. It plays CD's on its own, and radio at regular volume. It only loses power when trying to amplify the mixer from across the bar. Have to set it to max to get decent volume. There's something wrong from mixer to secondary amp. Interference is my guess.

Lonman - Yes, it's normal speker wire. I suspected it should be a sheilded type, since I saw the other shielded wire next to my run, coming from that side of bar.
The neon lights on the outside of the building (transformers too) are only 5-10 feet away. Electronic games are close also. It's a single wire, meaning a double threaded wire, typical side by side speaker wire. (just like the wire for any electrical appliance/light etc.) Karaoke is mono, no need for 4 wire leads...one wire is a 2 way lead in this case.

I have a ton of coaxial, satellite TV cable, could this be used for this run? It's sheilded.

Thanks for the inputs,

                                                                             bigjim56

consumer AMP (phillips) powered by a PA mixer?
That could be your problem

It's a Phillips surround sound system for a TV set up. Don't see where that would be a problem. I have a Bose setup also that I was gonna run, but chose the Phillips instead. It's 5 smaller speakers, with a bass box...good sounding system, just need more volume from the karaoke mode. Plays CD's/FM with no problem and good volume, just lose power from the mixer setup.

An amp should amplify whatever sound goes to it. The quality of sound is a result of the crisp or distorted signal that it receives, in this case the signal from my mixer...which is severely weakened from the lengthy run and lack of a sheild from the interference of surrounding neon lights/electronic games.  If any of my thoughts are incorrect, let me know. I've hooked many car stero/home systems up, but this is obviously a different ballgame. I can understand that there's interference from neon lights and electronic games, and that's the reason behind sheilded cable. Just thought people here could add to my understanding.

Thanks,

                                                                        bigjim56

OS the surround sound works when using it's built in capabalities, but doesn't work when you hook you PA mixer to it?

Sounds like it is probably being overpowered by the mixer.   Consumer grade product, like surroud sounds, are not made to handle PA equipment, even though it may work.  If I wwere you, I would but a PA powered speaker (or amp and speaker) and use that.

Note:  If you do use a PA amp and speaker, it may be required by code that you run the speaker wires through conduit .

Agree with Twan, that is most likely the main culprit - home grade receiver hooked up to PA for live vocals.  NOT what they are designed for - which is why it sounds fine for cd only.  You are most likely overloading the amp.  Get a pro PA amp, also get rid of the 'speaker' cable between you mixer & amp, get regular shielded 'line' or instrument cable.

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Thanks twansenne/Lonman, will work on your ideas. Will try the sheilded line or instrument cable first, see if that improves it at all. I feel it will.

Have no other amp but the BOSE surround system. Its of the TV surround sound mode too. $$ is low. If cable upgrade works, it may have to suffice for now.

Thanks again,

                                                                      bigjim56