A Beginning Introduction to Karaoke Amplifiers

What are karaoke amplifiers? These amplifiers, also referred to as karaoke amps, are used to increase the level of audio signals, which are often taken from a mixer or pre-amp and emitted from the speakers as amplified sound. Amplifiers for karaoke purposes are often use in professional settings such as bars/clubs and restaurants. Home karaoke users can also benefit from buying amplifiers if they have karaoke sessions in large spaces or require a louder sound than what their karaoke system can produce. In addition, using an amplifier will allow your music to sound more dynamic and cleaner.

There are various types of amplifiers available in the market. These include pre-amps, power and mixer amplifiers. Of these, the karaoke mixer amplifiers are the most popular because of their features, convenience and ease of use.

As the name indicates, mixer amps, also known as karaoke mixing amplifiers have a mixer and amplifier combined into one unit. The main advantages of mixer amplifiers over having separate units include easier setup with less wires to connect, lighter to carry and less cost.

A power karaoke amplifier is a typical amplifying unit that boosts sound level. Pre-amps are used in conjunction with power or mixing amplifiers. They do not provide much sound amplification, but these units increase a signal sufficiently so that they can be fed into an amplifier. Pre-amplifiers often have controls to adjust volume, tone and balance.

For most karaoke locations, a 100 watt amplifier should be sufficient. However, if your budget permits, make a long-term investment and buy a more powerful amplifier (i.e. one with more watts like 300w). These amps will only cost you relatively a little more, but will last for the long haul and provide you with quality sound in practically all types of karaoke venues.

If you have speakers that can handle more power than the capacity of your karaoke amplifier, the sound may start losing its clarity and crispness when the volume is turned up. Clipping or distortion may occur when an amplifier is driven to supply more current to a speaker than it can. If this happens, you should purchase a higher watt amplifier. You should also make sure that your amp’s power does not exceed the power rating of your speakers.

Here are some features to consider when buying an amplifier: number of watts, circuit protection, cooling fan, number of A/V inputs & outputs, number of microphone inputs, mixing controls (e.g. key controller, vocal partner, echo, bass/treble, etc.), and remote control capability.

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