Karaoke Forums

I use a Mackie SRM 250 as an active monitor for the singer. It works pretty well overall but have been pondering replacing it with a slightly larger one. If you had a $300 budget what would you get? How about a $500 budget?

I'm open to suggestions and you won't insult me to say the SRM 250 sucks and I shouldn't even use that. I at least have one and it's a step up from none at all.

Thanks!

You sure you don't mean the SRM150?
For $300 budget i'd possibly consider a Behringer B212, although would probably try to save up to find something better if possible.
For $500 budget i'd opt for the Mackie SRM350, or EV ZXA1.

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Actually yeah, it's the 150. Oops!

The opinions I've heard about the ZXA1 are that it cannot get very loud. Perhaps not a problem for karaoke, but what I've read indicates it may not be suitable even for a bar-band. So if you want it for more than one use ... maybe consider something more powerful?

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

"Monitor" use!

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Wedges for karaoke use don't have to cut through guitar cabinets, drums, etc. A live band is typically much more demanding on stage monitors if for no other reason than they will likely need to get louder.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I run a Fender 1270P. It is powered, 100 watts, 10" woofer. Despite its small size, if EQed correctly, it REALLY cuts through the mix. I cut the bass and highs about 30% and boost the mids about 10%. Plus, it only weighs about 20 lbs and doesn't take up much space.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i- ... 1-010-LIST

You might think this is too small, or not enough power, but I play in a 200-300 seat, 8000 sq/ft bar, and it is more than enough placed about 20-25 feet from the singer. I used to run a Yamaha BR12 monitor and power it with a 300 watt amp, and the fender sounds better.

Must my opinion. I think what you are missing in that Mackie SRM150 is SPL. It is rated to 90db continuous SPL, which means you are probably driving it close to its max SPL levels in a typical karaoke show, and possibly losing some of its quality just due to sheer volume and slight distortion. The Fender 1270P rates to 109 continious db, which means almost 4X more perceived volume before distortion. Balance the system, cut the lows a bit, and the Fender 1270P is really perfect for most karaoke monitoring applications out there, IMHO.

Best of luck!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

With a max SPL of 123 and a 800 watt amplifier, there is NO WAY you can say an EV ZXA1 can not get loud. They don't list the nominal SPL, but with a peak of 123, the nominal has to be around 95-100, which is PLENTY of perceived volume.

The only thing I could think of is that in an unbalanced system, you might distort the 8" LF driver, but if the whole system is balanced, you would not really ever get to that distortion point. For anyone who knows what they are doing, this is a REALLLLLLLLY good speaker. I've heard a set at a wedding on top of some EV subs, and they are MORE than enough for a karaoke monitor.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I haven't heard one, but this is what I've been told by someone who has them in his rental inventory and has found them unsuitable for some of his customers/jobs.

My suspicion is the box could get fairly loud with an unusually high HPF, but it's so small it is unlikely to be able to play to 100Hz at full power without distortion.

It's a new product though, there obviously aren't a lot of opinions out there from people who own them and use them in various roles yet.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Jeff, I would be under the assumption that your average person buying this speaker might be expecting a bit too much out of a 8" woofer. It is the same HF driver that EV puts into the SX300, which I own, and it is a GREAT HF driver.

But, anyone attempting to use ANY 8" woofer as a MAIN is going to be disappointed and probably try to boost the lows to the point of distortion. Any speaker with a 8" woofer should be either used in lower SPL applications, or should be used as the HF and MF main in a 3-way application with a sub. Used in that application, this speaker is really really good. Used as a main by itself, which it isn't designed for, it is going to be lacking.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

The guy wasn't commenting on its use as a main speaker, he found it inadequate for stage monitor use for bar bands. That's the point I am trying to get across to the OP. I imagine it's fine for a karaoke wedge, but if he needs it to do anything else, it may not be powerful enough.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Thanks for the input. I am indeed only looking for a karaoke monitor. Live bands are not my purview.