One of my favorite clients wants a CAVS Karaoke system installed in their game room. I am wondering if their current speakers, Niles HD6 will be able to handle the vocals without going up in a puff of smoke. In addition the TV it will connect to is a 50� Sony plasma, am I asking for a image retention problem with the plasma?

Thanks

Chris

We just completed an install with our first karaoke integration We used the CAVS jb199. There should be no issue with burn in as there is plenty of movement, from selecting songs thru the actual lyrics. We used Acesonic wireless mics, with no problem and since the mic's reciever has gain adjustments, you should be able to back down the vocals in relation to the background music. We are driving audio thru Parasound pre/pro and amps and Atlantic Tech. 4200's. Sounds as good as could be expected for compressed (10,000 mp3 titles preloaded) source. I think karaoke is silly but my client LOVES it and I feel that it will lead to future referrals. I wish you the best.

You might want to add an outboard compresser/limiter to the signal chain. You have to account for drunk people, kids, or drunk kids doing very silly things with the microphone- like dropping it, yelling into it, or holding it in line with the speaker so it feeds back. Compression evens out the levels, makes soft sounds louder, and lud sounds softer. It gives you that strong Howard Stern-like voice, without being over or under-powered.

A hard limiter on the input protects the system from explosive sounds that can shread speaker drivers in no time. Have the compressor power up with the Karaoke unit, and put one of those screwed on security covers on it so no one can mess with your settings.

avophiliac, can you recommend a particular compressor?

I agree that you should get a compressor/limiter for sure.

We have a client with a theatre using Adcom pro/amp and Sonance Ultra II Cinema inwalls (THX). He's lost two channels on his amp, because two speakers have bit the biscuit, due to (I think) Karaoke.

So, we have to revisit and install comp/limiter... and hopefully this will prevent future issues.

Customer is open to putting in second set of speakers for Karaoke, which would be great, except difficult to run a new set of cables (finished and acoustically treated room).. plus it would probably take away from the 'elegance' of the room which features no visible speakers.

DBX Pro 266 xl does just what you want for a compressor.

Karaoke: Use the worst sounding speakers you can find. Reason being, most people that (sing) Karaoke, can't sing.
Second, use a comp/limiter as suggested above.
As far as the crappy speakers, well, you cant polish a turd, another example would be feeding a HQ HDTV with analog cable.

Oh by the way, I hate Karaoke!

Just be thankfult hese people are keeping it in their homes, and out of the bars. Nothing makes me want to go on a rampage like a drunk woman trying to do Barbra Streisand, or some other 'music' that was junk to begin with.

Thanks for all of the tips especially the limiter, should save the speakers if someone drops the microphone. Yes I hate karaoke too. If they were not my favorite customers I would tell them to go pound salt or whatever.

Just hope the lyrics scrolling across the bottom of the plasma TV does not cause a burn in.

don't worry about burn in.... its really a non-issue with any quality plasma tv.

I've seen more image retension on LCD panels than I ever have on plasma.