Karaoke Forums

Yes subs would help.  I’m familiar with those mains you have and there’s just no bottom end.  

Problem is, if you add a sub or subs of acceptable quality, then more amp, crossover if needed… you’re talking a substantial investment and more stuff to carry,

and even with the new thump, your tops will still sound bad.  

Then you say you’ll still need new main speakers in the near future, which is another few-hundred $$, after which you may even regret having bought the subs.  

You mentioned that you don’t want to invest much, so I’ll talk minimums here.  

If you want decent passive subs, I’d recommend minimally the Peavey PR 15” Sub, or better yet, the Peavey PV118.  Both have internal crossovers.

As for powered subs, the cheapest I see is some Nady 15” for $349.99, and personally I wouldn’t touch it.  Next up you’re pushing $800.  


In my humble opinon, here’s the most efficient way I can think of doing it.  

First I’d get two new main speakers and see how they sound with your amp.  I’d bet money you’d find the difference to be AMAZING.  

Then if you still want to add subs later, get one or two passive subs with internal crossovers and an amp powerful enough to run them all, you’re good to go.

Yes, it is ideal to match the amps RMS/Continuous rating to the speakers “Program” rating.  Really, anywhere between the speakers RMS/Continuous (half of program), and Program rating is a good/safe rule of thumb.

Not to contradict, but as per my understanding, if you have enough volume, it hurts nothing to “under-power” a speaker.  This is a common myth.

The problem people have is that, when they don’t have enough volume, they push something in the chain (mixer/amp/whatever) to clipping (red lights), resulting in a distorted signal which can easily double the strain on the speaker.  

If the volume is sufficient and nothing is clipping, 50 watts in a 1000 watt speaker has no ill effects.  

Also, with that in mind, it’s almost for sure that those cheapo speaker companies use some very-creative (downright dishonest) means of measuring the efficiency of their speakers, which is another reason to stick with a name-brand like Yamaha or Peavey, or even Behringer.    

I see plenty of places that don't run one & IMO the music doesn't sound full (without the aid of major eq'ing).  Also as a rule, many karaoke companies have the "Why buy good equipment" or " Why should I use that kind of equipment - it's only karaoke" mentality.  Not saying that's your stance, but I have seen that in person & even on this & other boards/forums.  Which is probably the reason why you see very few.  


            I didn't state the vocals sounded thin, I stated the music sounded thin & yes this is due to inexperience or improper equipment.  Went to a show last night, the place was a fairly large place, 2 15" 2 way speakers on stands & a crappy little mixer amp that pushed aprox 100 watts per speaker.  There was NO bass & I saw his settings - the bass was turned up.  Distortion.  The addition of a powered sub (even 1) in there would have been a tremendous help, allowing more bass in the music & cleaning up the tops.
Most dj's that do karaoke as a sideline are also generally using the 'smile' setting on their eq - which automatically boosts the bass & treble up & cuts down the mids - which is where the primary vocal frequencies lay.  So yes I can see where you may think a sub is detrimental, but with a sub that is properly crossed over, powered & eq'd, I think you'd hear a different tune!

                                                                      Couple of questions though: How did this guy with the toy equipment end up working in a professional venue in the first place?   Also, couldn't he hear what it sounded like?