Karaoke Forums

I looked at it, very nice. It goes for $589.00.

Consider the QSC GX5 amp.

You need to go take a listen to the EV Sx100 speaker and they have a powered version Sxa100. Also EV has just lowered the price of the Sxa360-$799, maybe less depending on where you call. With the powered speakers you don't need an amp. A mixer with some good built in vocal effects and a pair of powered speakers and you are set.

Another speaker to consider is the EV Zx1. They are small and light and they sound great. A pair of Zx1s and a pair of EV Sb122 subs with a QSC GX5 amp will knock your socks off. Clean, clear sound great for vocals. I get lots of complements and my amp isn't as good as the GX5.

Thanks Stogie. Funny thing is, I was in Tampa about 5 months ago, and my friends took me to a place that had karaoke. (I think an Irish Bar) Anyway, the gentleman running the karaoke had a stogie, fit your profile age, and I am willing to bet was you.
What a small world.

I will look all of your suggestions up. I take it you currently run with the last setup you mentioned. Two amps with the passive speakers and subs?


Dave

It will be under $400. The $589 is MSRP, so you know, that's like what it says on the shelf at Guitar Center or whatever.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I see you have been doing a little bit of homework, but perhaps a little more would be in order. I don't have a lot of time to speculate but I will respond to your assumptions with my opinions which are based on thirty-five years in the Audio Production business. Trust me, I've made a lot of mistakes in my time but mistakes are fine as long as you learn from them. Hopefully I can help you avoid a few.


The whole Passive Vs Powered is really a very subjective subject and has good arguments on both sides of the issue. Personally I used Passive Systems ranging from just two way all the way through three and four way systems for many years. About two years ago I switched to a Self-Powered Yorkville four way system. I couldn't be happier with my systems power and clarity and would not hesitate to put it up against any rack and stack rig on these boards. It's kind of hard to argue against being able to wheel in just four Self Powered cabinets and having 4,800 watts instantly at your finger tips. Another advantage of using "Quality" Powered Speakers is that you know the amplifiers and crossovers are matched perfectly to the speakers. I don't ever foresee going back to passive speakers, if I ever need to expand I will simply add more speakers. ( I doubt I will need to as these will easily handle a 500 person Venue) If they are good enough to get this old dog to change his ways, I think they are worth a look by anyone.

EV makes great equipment but as you noted, they are very pricy and I'm not to sure the price is in line with the product. Yamaha makes good bang for the buck speakers starting with the BR line. I think I would want to move up to the S series speaker if I were to go the Yamaha route. As far as JBL goes you really can't just say JBL as they make so many different lines. You would probably want to go with the MRX line in passives or the PRX or EON line in Self-Powered. Personally I wasn't impressed with the PRX line of JBL. Amplification is critical to good sound and I won't compromise on power amps (when I used them). QSC, Yamaha, Crown, Yorkville and Crest all have good reputations for sound and reliability. Peavey and Carvin are also good alternatives. Another well kept secret is the "D" series amplifiers from Alto of all companies. It turns out that a company named "Power Soft" actually makes these amplifiers. Power Soft is very well known in the "Line Array Speaker" segment.

You would probably find yourself thinking "upgrade" almost immediately.

Yes, a powered sub could be used in either a passive or an active system effectively

Small active speakers make great monitors. You could even probably get away with a little less here. Perhaps a self powered LM Series Carvin, JBL EON or perhaps Mackie or dare I say it, Behringer. DB Tech is another company that is a division of RCF, a very reputable company out of Italy.
http://www.directproaudio.com/product.c ... ctid=56057

This wouldn't be a bad setup. I personally would probably go a different direction.
I would suggest you take a look at a couple of NX55P Yorkvilles and perhaps a LS720P Yorkville sub. This would be a very nice system that you can grow with. Don't let the suggested retail scare you, there are places that will deal on these. The QSC HPR and K series is another option to look at. Either of these could easily handle Karaoke as well as doing some series DJ and even some small Band duties.
http://www.midweststereo.com/ProductDet ... 0P&click=2
http://www.allprosound.com/catalog/prod ... e-%20NX55P

Keep in mind, every piece of sub standard gear you introduce in your signal path degrades your systems perfomance and reliabilty. It's simple multiplication. If your system is made up of 50% high quality and 50% lesser quality the best you can hope for is an average system. While High quality can't do anything to improve your lesser quality segments, the lesser quality segments will degrade your higher quality gear. Plan your system out, think about what you want to accomplish in the future. Good luck.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

To all,

I am very greatful that people in here take the time to help others out. While I am not spending a fortune, this is a considerable expense, and I don't want to end up with junk. I have a nice player and software, but buying the speakers seems to be what is worrying me the most.

I don't plan on doing anything except karaoke in some bars and small nightclubs. I have heard the American Audio Tri pack II's and I thought they sounded good. (two satelllites and a sub, no amp needed, $699) Then there is the B-52 package mentioned above. This would be great and reasonable on the wallet. Then all I would need is one powered monitor. But after reading on here, I get the feeling that most people that have done this for years wouldn't recommend this. You are right that I am worried about the passive systems, because I am not that savy when it comes to how the amps match up with the speakers, etc. The last thing I want is a system that is clipping all the time, or sounds like crap. I was at a show once and the amp kept cutting out. I have been at shows where I couldn't hear myself sing well enough, or there was way too much feedback in the system.

I guess you can say I am chicken to pull the trigger when it comes to the sound due to my ignorance. SO I really appreciate all this help in this forum.

Dave

Again the B52 package is NOT that bad - and definitely a nice little starter package. I have used it in the past with other companies. And yes you may feel that it may need upgrading later on.
But for a $3k budget, that is much more than most plan on spending to 'start out' so you are already ahead of the game. Get a couple of QSC HPR152i
http://www.zzounds.com/item--QSCHPR152I
This would be more than enough for most rooms and are above average in sound quality & you could add a sub later if needed for larger rooms. Monitors again, a small powered speaker would be fine.
What is your mixer, I didn't see it mentioned?

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

And for a little less, you have these

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ELVSXA360

If you plan to get a sub down the road, I really don't see the need of buying a 15" driver, a 12" will give you better vocals

12" will give better vocals, but the 15" will sound better in smaller rooms as they will produce more bass on their own.

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

I like the QSC HPR122i but IMHO the 152i seems to lack definition in comparison. I know of a sound company that loves the 122 but it is the only speaker in the HPR series that they will use. The K Sub from QSC is another good option but I still think the Yorkville LS720P edges it out on performance. All the gear mentioned by Lonnie and Micky is good, I just feel that with a little creative shopping (let me know if you need help) you should be able to get two NX55P's(550 watts and less than 50 lbs each) and one LS720P for around 2 to 2.2 delivered. That's over 1800 watts of good reliable power pushed through very efficient cabinets. Very easy setup and top notch sound quality, kinda hard to beat. If you are going to use a sub ( highly recommended as it allows your tops to do what they do best) you should use 12's on top, if your going without a sub, use 15's. Ok, now I have to go out and practice what I preach and make a few dollars.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

The mixer I got was the behringer 2442.

And maybe I wasn't clear about the budget, It was $3000 for everything, so about $1000 to $1500 for all the speaker stuff.

I think I have decided to try the B52's. I will pick up a powered monitor as well and avoid the need for amps right now. If I get any large venues, I will look at upgrading to some of the passive systems recommended. This will keep my budget under $3000 for everything.

Now I just have to figure out what to charge for a night at the clubs. I am sure that there is a large range of fees all you charge when doing a show. What has worked best for most of you? I have even seen shows where they charge people to sing. I would appreciate any advice in this area.


Dave