Karaoke Forums

Hi all,

first, thanks for looking at this post. I know your times are very valuable. I am looking for a karaoke system for home use strictly. I need your advice on the following issues

1. I am torn between Yamaha system and JBL/Crown. Like many experts in here, I like Yamaha S115V / SW118V / P5000S power amp. But the JRX MRX 515/ 518S also look so tempting. Which one should I pick for home use?

2. Active vs Passive. I like Passive. But Yamaha MSR800W/MSR400 looks so good. What is your opinion about this? Should I go for this combo and save all the hassle with amp?

3. If I buy the Yamaha P7000S, can I power 2 Yamaha S115V AND a SW118V? if yes, how can I connect them?

4. If I do with JBL MRX 515/ 518S, which power amp do you suggest I'd using?

Thanks all!

1st Question - Since you mention "strictly for home use"

HOW BIG IS YOU HOUSE ?

Those systems and set ups seem to be over kill for home use.

Do you really need that big of a system for home use is what you should be asking. Don't get me wrong I run 2 Peavey SP4 (dual 15 cabs) with an 18" sub and around 2000 watts in my basement, overkill for the house, sure, but sure sounds good - plus it's my mobile system too.

I would actually recommend an active system for home use. Easier to setup & you can easily move the speakers out of the way when not in use. Look into the JBL PRX series, or the QSC "K" series. JBL EON 500 series is nice also Mackies powered cabs are nice too. I haven't heard much about the Yamaha powered line so won't comment on those.

As far as the Yamaha passive top/sub combo, you would need an external crossover between them, meaning you would also need another amp - well if you wanted stereo. The P7000 is certainly capable of pushing both the subs & main cabs, but again you would need an external crossover, then just run the subs on one channel & the tops on the other. Again, this will not be a stereo config, which is more desireable in a home setting however not necessary.

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

Honestly, I do not understand why home users don't go with home theater audio equipment. If you want to take it out in the back yard for parties, that's understandable, and a pro audio speaker will be a better choice for that; but in your living room or basement, why not just get a cool surround sound system that you can use for watching movies, and hook up a small mixer to an extra input for when you want to use it for karaoke?

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

"why not just get a cool surround sound system"
I'd love to do that. I am a newbie. I want to learn as much as I can before go out and buy one. Some people here say surround sound system won't be good for vocal. Which Surround Sound System you recommend I can buy for karaoke'ing?

Lonman, Thanks for the tip of connecting. I think I know what to do about that. The PRX series are also 15". Isn't that is too much for home?

I looked at the active at Guitar Center and I didn't like it one bit. But I will look again this weekend.

My main goal is to have a top Quality Karaoke system. I don't mind buy the powerful with quality. Which Speakers/Amp can I buy? Quality Sound is the key. Quality, quality, quality!

They make a 12" PRX. What didn't you like about them? Nice thing about the active is the amps are completely matched for the speakers & usually already crossed over internally. But if you are looking at a S115v/S118V combo, then the 15" PRX isn't going to be much different.
I am one that won't recommend home stereo equipment for karaoke, I have seen too many speakers blown mostly due to being turned up too loud & the combination of uncompressed vocals.
What is your initial budget for the system? Do you have any equipment at this time that will be incorporated into the new system?

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I didn't like Active because it does not sounds so clear (to me) and empty. I want more flexibility with the passive system and amp. Somehow, I feel the Passive system has full sound while the Active does not.

I actually am looking at the PRX too. Compare the Yamaha and JBL PRX, which do you like better?

For the budget, I can buy all speakers for $2000(or more), and $1000 for the amp. But if I spend on the Bose L1 , which is $3000+, then it's too much. I already had the laptop, and a Mackie mixer. Microphone, crossover can be bought later. The main thing is Speakers and amp.

You mentioned uncompressed vocal. Which equipment do I need to compressed vocal?

For home use I'd get 2 QSC k-10 and a K sub. It would rock your house. If you want a little more sound go with 2 K-12"s

I have a pair of QSC K-12 and they are great.

The passive stuff at GC never sound good cause it's never hooked up properly.

I'm thinking of 2 K-8"s and a K-Sub for my home stereo.

I am a fan of Yamaha gear and have a pair of S115V's. Awesome speakers, but like many said above you don't need to go so large!

When I built my first home system many moons ago, I bought a budget pair of Yamaha BR12's and used an old 100 watt channel amp I had lying around. Would it play in a bar? No. But in my basement? I was the Karaoke King to my friends & family with power/volume to spare and plenty of Bass!



There is no need to go powered IMHO, since you aren't going to be moving gear in/out every few days. Use that money on other things like mics/mixer/effects/etc.



You could do it, but would have to go mono on your mains & daisy chain the speakers. That amp has a built in hi/low pass filter on each channel so you wouldn't need a crossover. In my experience though, you really don't need the sub in a home environment. Besides, you could always add one later.

Men, you guys are rock. Bazza, yours are so helpful. I'm still open to all options, but I deffinitely have some ideas what to look for. If I am setle on a system, I'll let you all know.

I don't know if you ever decided what to get, but there is a lightly used Yamaha P7000 amp on eBay right now for a VERY good price. $475, buy-it-now.

If I had a need for another, I'd snatch it up!

http://tinyurl.com/yk43gar