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Newbie with a system question...
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Author:  MRaz [ Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Newbie with a system question...
Hi!

I am new to karaoke but have spent the last few days reading the many posts here and educating myself as best I can.  I am looking to buy a system for home/small party use and after considering all the advice I have read here, I think I have narrowed it down to 2 all-in-one choices.  I think building a system component by component actually comes out to be more expensive and is much more intimidating for me when I see the numerous makes/models available.  So a self-contained setup seems more appealing but if you convince my otherwise, I would consider it.  

I would like your opinion on which you all think is better and any pros and cons you see which I may have missed.  The systems are both from Ace Karaoke :

The Acesonic Thunder http://www.acekaraoke.com/acesonic-thunder-500-watt-usb-dvd-vcd-cdg-sd-mmc-reader-all-in-one-karaoke-system.html

and

Audio 2000 AKJ7804 Singer's Power IV
http://www.acekaraoke.com/audio-2000-akj7804-singers-power-iv-dvd-cdg-mp3-cdr-vcd-cd-all-in-one-karaoke-system-lcd-monitor.html

Both are just about what I am looking to spend ($1000) on just the hardware and both seem like nice setups.

Any input you can provide on quality of one over the other, feature-sets or just an opinion would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance

Mark :D
Author:  Lonman [ Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie with a system question...
If I were to HAVE to choose between either of these I would probably opt for the Thunder as it is still a component system (just screwed into a road case with speakers built in) & you could ditch the mixer amp later if needed, get a good PA amp & a nice table top mixer to put on top.  
For home use this would probably be the better bet overall.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie with a system question...
I wouldn't buy any "karaoke system" myself. All the "karaoke mixers" and "karaoke mics" I bought now gather dust. You pay about 20% more than they are really worth.

Unless you are simply not planning on growing your karaoke capability and expertise over time, I recommend a  reasonable powered mixer, a pair of speakers with stands, and some software for a computer.

I would get:

          Behringer PMH3000 powered mixer  ($300)
          Peavey PR-12 speakers  (pair for $340)
          One Shure SM-58 mic, one Behringer XM-8500 ($100 and $20)
          LIveWire mic cables ($60)
          JustKaraoke ($25)

That's $845. Just add your home computer and some music, and there you go. It will absolutely *blow away* either of those systems.
Author:  MRaz [ Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie with a system question...
Thanks for the responses!

mckyj57, I appreciate the recommendation and will research the equipment you recommend.  If the quality is so much better as you indicate, maybe this WOULD be a better route.  I have a spare laptop I could use so that won't be an issue.  But what do you recommend for portability of that setup?  I know in the "all-in-one" setups the speakers are self-contained.  Can I house those speakers in a road-case along with the rest of the equipment and then use the stands once I am ready to setup? Or maybe not even use stands and keep everything housed together.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie with a system question...
I mount my speakers on the wall with these:

 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SS7913B/

You can take them off if you want to go somewhere. The PR-12 only weighs about 22 pounds, so it is easy to carry.

The mixer goes in a mixer bag ($40 from WorldTour). One more gig bag for mics and cables and you have it easily portable.

For instance, I am going to toss the equivalent setup in my trunk tomorrow and help a friend out with his party. I have more elaborate setups, but the PMH-3000 and some PR-10s (I use the 10" and a sub instead of the PR-12) is portable and will take me 5 minutes to set up. And it will be far better than his old VocoPro Duet.

My whole list for tomorrow:

   Audix OM-2 wired
   AKG WMS40 wireless
   Behringer PMH3000
   Peavey PR-10 pair
   One speaker stand, one mic stand
   Two mic cables
   Two speaker cables plus two Speakon/1-4" adapters
   Laptop with Compuhost
   1/8" --> two 1/4" sound cable
   S-Video --> composite adapter and cables

It all fits in one mixer bag except for the speakers and stands. It won't take up even half of my large trunk.
Author:  sidewinder [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie with a system question...
The all in ones weigh over 100 pounds.  You will have to dead lift that weight to get them in a vehicle or up stairs.
Author:  Lonman [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie with a system question...
sidewinder @ Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:02 am wrote:
The all in ones weigh over 100 pounds.  You will have to dead lift that weight to get them in a vehicle or up stairs.
It's for home use only, most likely stationary.
Author:  MRaz [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie with a system question...
Thanks again for everyone's help.  I think I will forget about the all-in-ones.  Even though it seems really overwhelming with the number of choices available if I build it component by component, there are so  many suggestions on this forum that I don't think I can really go wrong with any of them.  This way, I always leave myself open to being able to upgrade something.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Newbie with a system question...
mckyj57 @ Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:06 am wrote:
For instance, I am going to toss the equivalent setup in my trunk tomorrow and help a friend out with his party. I have more elaborate setups, but the PMH-3000 and some PR-10s (I use the 10" and a sub instead of the PR-12) is portable and will take me 5 minutes to set up. And it will be far better than his old VocoPro Duet.

My whole list for tomorrow:

   Audix OM-2 wired
   AKG WMS40 wireless
   Behringer PMH3000
   Peavey PR-10 pair
   One speaker stand, one mic stand
   Two mic cables
   Two speaker cables plus two Speakon/1-4" adapters
   Laptop with Compuhost
   1/8" --> two 1/4" sound cable
   S-Video --> composite adapter and cables

It all fits in one mixer bag except for the speakers and stands. It won't take up even half of my large trunk.

Did the party with that gear (different but equivalent mics), and as usual some didn't realize I am an amateur -- a couple of people were trying to hire me afterwards. 8-)

Of course it was an older crowd, so the missing bass of the 10" didn't bother them, but this is the first time I got that reaction at a gig where I didn't bring the big guns.
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