Karaoke Forums

I spend most of my time on the AVS Forum with a keen interest on everything home theater. I have built a modest home theater/recreation room and would like to investigate getting a karaoke system. I also know of other members that have expressed a similar interest but most threads that are started on this topic simply go unanswered (ask them about popcorn though and it’s a different story). I’d love to able to get some insight from regular users to this site and share it with users on the AVS forum.

Here are some basic guidelines:

First and foremost, I have quickly learned from your site that your typical home theater speakers should not be used for karaoke. However, since home theater owners have already spent an enormous amount of money on dedicated equipment, buying a new speaker set-up for karaoke is going to be a difficult (but not impossible) proposition (consider limitations of room also).

Home theaters are primarily used for watching movies (surprised?). Playing video games, watching television and perhaps just listening to music are next on the list. My point? A karaoke system inside a home theater is there as an added feature only. It’s not the hero and is not going to used daily, used in a club/bar or rented to friends. The total package cost has to match the intended (limited) usage of the system.

Most home theaters owners already have a receiver/amp with an A/B switch (i.e. karaoke could be powered from the same receiver using the speaker switch). From what I have read, one could start with this set-up but perhaps consider a dedicated karaoke amplifier should their HT receiver fail to satisfy. Sound fair?

A Possible Solution (feel free to comment, reject or whatever to my following assessment; this is why I’m here).

I obviously need a karaoke player. A multiple tray would be nice but a single tray would be just fine. I’d needs to be a CD-G player. It won’t serve as my main DVD player as I already have one. The player should have two microphone inputs and various knobs and buttons to make the singer sound human.

Because I’m not going to use it much, I don’t want to spend more than $200. I’ll probably be able to get a single unit like a RSQ- PLRQ0405 or the Performers Choice PLPC2000 (if you know of a better machine at the same price point – please let me know). I understand that with a bigger budget I should opt for a multiple disk player and/or machines with bells and whistles but for my usage, $200 is a good budget – AGREE?

I don’t want to spend a lot of $$ on speakers as I've already spent a lot of $$ on speakers. I also have limited space. So, could I get by with a single speaker? Specialist karaoke websites do have separate speakers for $100 - $200 each – are these okay? Or, for those on a real serious budget crunch, I did find a GEM SOUND DJ200 10" 2-WAY P.A. SPEAKER for $65 from Parts Express (part # 245-190). Again, would this be okay or am I way off? I’d even pay $30 for a cheap tripod speaker stand from them as well so I could look the part (part # 245-010)

In terms of music, my best bet is to obviously purchase a starter kit. Again, budget is a consideration but I don’t want to have a library of 12 songs. As such, I’m thinking that a budget of $200 would be enough to get me in the game. I came across the Karaoke Hot Stuff Trio (36 Discs) for $170. I know there are other compilation packs but I have no clue as to how they compare. If you had $200 for a starter set, what would you buy?

Let’s recap.

I have a nice home theater and having a karaoke system would be fun. I’m going to by a CD-G player for $150, a single PA speaker and stand from Parts Express for $100 and I’m going to buy a music compilation set for $200. Grand total is $450 (yes, I know, I’ll buy another microphone). If my home receiver doesn’t work, I’ll look for a dedicated karaoke amp.

However, for $500 or so I have karaoke. Or do I???

Please share your thoughts.

Steven

Steven,

It depends on what you WANT for karaoke!!

I just met up with a guy that swears he got a terrific deal with buying the supercdg player... he also got two volumes of the supercdg set (basically it's mp3g on a dvd disc!!)... and he swears up and down he got a terrific deal.

It's mostly nutech, some chartbuster, some top tunes and some top hits monthly...

I really wasn't that impressed. Now if other main manufacturers go this route, I'll be more easily swayed to lean in that direction.

This guy got a lot of songs, and wants to build slowly replacing them as they go. And this is a bar owner.

When you get a "deal" like that, there is ALWAYS a downside.

I had picked up the Hot Stuff pack some time ago, as an experiment. I think they're passible for home, but not at all for a pro show. I feel the same way about the Nutech Karaoke Hits, KJ Tools, etc. Okay quality... but not pro!

If this is what you want, then sure, go for the "packs"...

Most of us pros will tell you you're getting what you pay for. Yet for the home user, they might be very happy with these. "It's Only Karaoke" I've heard time and time again... I try to make it a BIT more by buying the better products out there!

Take it easy!

Matt

follow my posts and you will see exactly what we have in common. I'm a member of avs forum under this name too....i got a hdtv home theater setup and i'm more than happy about....

i tried to buy cheap add on component for karaoke to utilize most of my ht hardware...but at the end...it didn't mean to be that way..
your milleage may vary

It really depends on what you're looking for. Although you may have a great home theater system, its just not designed nor intended to run a comination of pre-recorded plus live vocals. It just won't have the same quality. I'm not saying you have to go out and get new spkrs. It just depends on what you want. If you are only going to use it for an ocassional home party or something like that, it may work fine for you. However, if you go to karaoke on a fairly regular basis, and are going to use your home system to practice on, or a lot of the folks that come to your parties where you're using it do, you probably won't be impressed or very happy with it. Maybe go ahead and start without new speakers, then get one of your kj friends to bring over their spkrs and compare the difference - then decide. As long as you're using the amp in your home theater, you probably won't damage your existing spkrs. Like I said, go ahead and give it a try, but I'll bet ya one thing - If you hear it and can compare your existing speakers to ones made for karaoke/live performances, you'll not be happy till ya get some.

As for the player, if you're going with home use only, either the RSQ or JVC single drawer player should work fine. Also, I'd probably go to e-bay to find cd+g's. For home use get yourself a couple/few starter packs of 10-20 discs each and you can have a ball.

Start with the JVC player. If the player comes with a cheap plastic microphone, throw it away and get something decent. The cheap mics will cause feedback. If it hurts your ears, it hurts your speakers even more!
If you are really budget conscious, try a Shure model sold at Rat Shack, the Audio Technica ATR30, or some other respected manufacturer. Get a karaoke starter pack. For home use as a hobby Supercore, Hot Stuff, etc. are good choices. Usually, the player comes with a starter pack. My JVC came with a Chartbusters pack.

If you really want to protect your speakers, be wary of the volume when singing karaoke. Avoid feedback like the plague to avoid damaging the tweeters. Singing in surround mode with all channels can increase the likelihood of feedback. It has been my experience that newer home theater speakers do not sound as good for karaoke as older (pre-surround sound) type hi-fi speakers.

If you are happy with the sound of the JVC hooked up to your existing set-up, enjoy it. Although the player is not a mixer, it does have a basic echo control and microphone volume controls. If you find that you want more or are not happy with the sound, explore getting a dedicated karaoke set up which would include a mixer/amp and vocal/pro-sound speakers.

Remember, many of the folks on this board are pros and want to ensure that you get the best bang for your buck. As a general rule, the stuff that is made expressively for karaoke use, is over-priced and not of the same quality as pro gear. It all depends on your needs. For limited use, just start with the player and a decent microphone and go from there.