Karaoke Forums

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new to the karaoke world and need some help. I really got into karaoke about two years ago and would like to get some new equipment. I currently have a Vocopro 3900 amp/mixer running two 10" speakers.

I have been looking to upgrade to a better mixer/amp and speakers. The amp I am looking at is a Behringer EUROPOWER EP1500. Of course I want to get a couple of 15" JBL speakers, however I found that the Behringer B212XL 12" 800W passive speakers are a little more in my price range. I really need help with a good mixer. I would love to say that there is no price limit, but I would really like to keep it under $400. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi kp19991,

Welcome to the forum first of all.
Second, the Behringer EP1500 is a good amp, but it probably won't work very well with the JBL's. Its not a good match, and a bit underpowered, too. The EP2500 is a better amp, with more power, if you can afford the extra few dollars. However, it still might not be a good match either, but would be better. I own 3 of the EP2500 on my system, and this weekend used them with some speakers at one of my venues, just to try it out to see how things sounded. The speakers I used were some Yamaha stacks. Good speakers, but I could never quite get the sound "just right". I did it just to learn.

If you are trying to keep your total budget under 400, you are gonna have a hard time, unless you go "used". You might get lucky there though. Or are you saying you want to keep the amp budget to 400? If so, thats a whole different story. Let us know exactly what your needs and budget are, and i'm sure someone here will help you with some great ideas.

Thanks for the info. My total budget is $1000, I would like to get a mixer for $400 or so. Thanks!

You can get a great mixer for less than 300 bucks. Look at the yamaha line of mixers on guitar centers website. Also look at the Behringer stuff too. A lot of people will tell you to stay away from the Behringer line, but i've had good success with it. I use the Behringer XEYNX 1832fx mixer, and really like it a lot. I also use the Behringer B1520 pro speakers. Like them too. You should be able to get mixer, amp and speakers with a budget of $1000. But you will have to look around and make some decisions. All depends on what you really are trying to accomplish.

This question has come up on the forum a lot, so look around, read and if you don't find what you are looking for, ask away like you are doing. Good luck

Thanks for the advice!

You are very welcome

Is it for home use or for hosting gig?

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

I didn't notice where the OP specified which JBL 15" speakers he wants, or how he intends to configure them. I do agree with you that the EP2500 does not cost much more than an EP1500 and is obviously a bit more powerful for not much extra weight.

Note that the EP1500 has been rebadged as the EP2000, and the EP2500 is now called the EP4000. The new models are functionally identical to the old ones. In my A-rig I have one EP4000 for one sub, and one EP2500 for the other sub. They perform the same, clip at the same point with identical gain settings, etc. I have not opened up the EP4000 yet, but I guess I will take some pictures of both amps when I clean them in a few months.


I would guess you were using the Yamaha club/concert-series speakers. IMO the horns in those boxes are very bright. They certainly can sound good with some EQ, but your choice of amp was definitely not at fault.


Agreed.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I didn't specify which model of JBL speaker b/c I'm going witha pair of Behringer B212XL 12" 800W passive speakers instead. My total budget is $1000, $400 being allocated for the mixer. Thanks for the info on the amp, I will probably go with the 4000.

Mixer
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMMG124CX

Speakers (x2)
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB212XL

Amp
http://www.zzounds.com/item--QSCGX5 - IMO much better quality than the Behringers, great match for the speakers & a 6 year warranty!

$1000 budget!

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

I agree with Lonman on the amp and the mixer. Good stuff.

If I were you, however, I'd go ahead and spend a little bit extra $$$ and get a 15" speaker over a 12" speaker. Sticking with Behringer, check out these for only $20.00 more per speaker:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHVS1520

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I only chose those speakers because he seemed like that was going to be his choice. Not mine.

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

Actually, those Behringer B212xl's, he probably won't be happy with. They work pretty good, but have no low end punch to speak of. He would be much better with the 15's by all means. I would stick with the yamaha mixer for sure, even though he could save a few bucks with a different choice. The QSC amp is a good one for sure, but he could also save about 50 bucks with the EP4000, which is a good amp as well.

It's whatever he really intends the system to be used for I suppose, home use or small gigs. Or both maybe. Space might be an issue with the 15's though.

Which he hasn't really defined. If it's just home use or small clubs, the 212's would be fine, for larger shows, subs could just be added.

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

True, true. His budget leaves him some room to be flexible to a point as far as how to set up.

Wow, thanks everyone for the great suggestions.

I will be using the system in my basement as well traveling for parties. We really prefer doing karaoke outdoors, so that is probably where most of the parties will be.

Using those 212's outdoors MIGHT be a stretch depending on the size yard you are trying to cover. They aren't real bass heavy to begin with so you might want to go with the 15" version.

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

Thanks for the help, the 15" will probably be a better choice for me.