Do you want to sing karaoke at home but don’t know what you need? Read our review of equipment, microphones, and acoustics — and you’ll be able to choose a modern karaoke system entirely on your own. We have gathered the main trends and life hacks for choosing the right equipment.
What types of karaoke are there?
Karaoke is traditionally divided into home and professional. In the past, there could be a significant difference between the two classes, but now the distinctions essentially come down to a professional system’s ability to work with multiple screens, club update packages, a blacklist, and a few other features required by a sound engineer in a karaoke club. Otherwise, home karaoke offers performers the exact same track quality and options as a club, with one important caveat: we are talking about professional home karaoke equipment, not just a “toy”.
Home karaoke, in turn, can be divided into:
- Karaoke players
- Karaoke systems
- Karaoke streaming boxes (set-top boxes)
- Karaoke microphones
- Online karaoke
- Karaoke apps, karaoke for smartphones
- Karaoke machines
Karaoke players
A karaoke player is essentially an ordinary household DVD player that plays backing tracks from a disc. For a long time, players were the main equipment for home karaoke, but today they are an outdated class of devices, completely replaced by karaoke systems. The main problem with players is the discs and a bulky paper catalog. To play the track you want, you have to find the right disc or enter the song code. That’s no way to throw a non-stop party.
Karaoke systems
Karaoke systems came into living rooms straight from karaoke clubs. Visitors who sang in venues on professional equipment such as Evolution Pro2 wanted the same quality and capabilities at home. Home and club karaoke systems work with the same database of licensed backing tracks, have similar features, and process vocals with equally high quality.
The home EVOBOX series today consists of three models in a monolithic aluminum casing (6 colors to choose from):
- EVOBOX – the base model: 2,000 pre-installed songs + 100 free songs of your choice from the catalog.
- EVOBOX Plus – the expanded kit: a built-in receiver, 2 digital wireless microphones included, a database of 49,000+ songs, and the EvoCase transport case.
- EVOBOX Premium – the Hi-End system: a 2 TB SSD, Asahi Kasei DAC/ADC, and the maximum database of studio backing tracks and 4K video clips.
Karaoke streaming boxes
Karaoke streaming boxes differ from karaoke systems in that they don’t store songs on their own drive: backing tracks are streamed from the internet by subscription. Such devices are cheaper, but they don’t work without a stable network connection, and the quality and range of available tracks depend on the service. A karaoke system with a pre-installed database always sings – even where there is no internet.
Karaoke microphones
Karaoke microphones are not a new invention and have occupied the budget device niche for two decades. Track quality or system capabilities are out of the question here. It’s a toy that can keep a child entertained and that you won’t mind breaking. Nevertheless, such microphones enjoy a certain demand, not least thanks to their low price.
Online karaoke
Online karaoke is a website or a channel on a streaming platform that lets you sing along to instrumental music from a laptop or Smart TV screen. The only advantage of online karaoke is the price. It is usually free, but in most cases illegal due to numerous copyright infringements. Read our separate article about the pros and cons of free online karaoke.
Karaoke smartphone apps
Smartphone apps are a diverse area of the karaoke industry. Some apps, like EvoClub, extend the capabilities of home and club karaoke. Others offer singing using a smartphone and headphones.
- EvoClub
The Studio Evolution electronic song catalog. It lets you add favorite songs to your favorites, apply settings in advance, and order songs yourself on Studio Evolution karaoke systems in venues. - EvoNet and EvoControl
Apps for controlling karaoke systems. EvoControl (version 2.14.3 and higher) offers smooth adjustment of the vocal hint volume from 0 to 100%.
Karaoke machines
Karaoke machines are not very well known in our part of the world, but in the US they are perhaps the most popular home karaoke option for children. It’s a device that contains everything you need: a speaker, a player, a microphone, and a built-in LCD panel or tablet for lyrics. New songs can be loaded from discs or a flash drive. In its class, a karaoke machine sits somewhere between a karaoke player and a karaoke microphone.
What should a modern karaoke system have?
A modern home karaoke system should have a set of essential features. Here are the main ones that make singing and using the system more comfortable.
- Connection for two microphones or microphones included in the kit
- 4K resolution support
- Bluetooth remote control
- Smartphone control
- Tracks in PRO format
- Smooth adjustment of the vocal hint
- Automatic software updates
- Integration with “smart home” systems
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Karaoke personalization
Two or more karaoke microphones are the standard for a home party. Singing together is much more fun. Plus, a pair of microphones lets you perform duets, where each singer has a separate part. Let’s take a closer look at how to choose the right microphone.
What kind of karaoke microphones are there?
By operating principle, microphones are divided into dynamic and condenser types, and functionally they can be concert or studio microphones – each with its own characteristics. When choosing, consider both the technical specifications of a particular model and the price. Keep in mind that microphones from different brands sound different, and choosing one model over another is sometimes a matter of taste: whether you like how your voice sounds or not.
Karaoke microphones can be wired or wireless. The advantage of wired ones is that they don’t need charging. The disadvantage is that the cord wears out over time and sooner or later has to be replaced. Wireless models don’t have this drawback and offer a number of advantages that make them a more convenient option. For example, the SE • 200D digital wireless system:
- operates in the UHF range of 660–690 MHz with an interference-proof 16-bit ID pilot;
- sound latency of less than 3 ms, 48 kHz sampling rate;
- operating range up to 40 m;
- 18500 batteries – 8 to 10+ hours of operation on a single charge. Enough for the longest party.
Another important point when choosing digital microphones is the signal range. If the karaoke system is set up in a room of 20–25 m², there’s nothing to worry about, but larger spaces will require microphones with a matching range. With wired microphones, the distance you can move away from the karaoke system equals the cord length – usually 3–6 meters. Since microphones are used not only for singing at home but also for banquets, conferences, and lectures, the operating range can be decisive.
One-handed control
Although most karaoke systems come with remote controls, convenient control today means something different than it did ten years ago. Remotes have given way to smartphones, which let you control any device in your home with one click – from the TV to the climate system. And your karaoke is no exception. Find songs in the catalog, add them to the playback queue, adjust the volume, turn on effects – with one hand and without interrupting your singing.
Vocal hint
The vocal hint (Vocal) helps a singer who doesn’t know the song well yet. Previously, the vocal volume was switched in steps – “Quiet”, “Loud” or “Off”. Now it can be adjusted smoothly, from 0 to 100%, right on the karaoke system screen or in the EvoControl app. In addition, an updated track database has been released that supports two effects at once – LiveFX and Vocal.
Automatic software updates
The karaoke system keeps its software up to date on its own. The “Automatic installation of software updates” feature distinguishes between two types of updates:
- a partial update of the karaoke program – downloaded and installed automatically in the background, with no risk to the device;
- a full system update – requires manual confirmation by the user at startup.
Personalization
Not long ago, the question of how a karaoke system would look in your interior would have caused bewilderment: all players came in the same color – black, or at best silver-gray. But today, in the era of mass personalization, a device’s appearance is as important as having several pairs of shoes in your wardrobe. For example, all EVOBOX models come in a monolithic aluminum casing in 6 stylish colors that will fit any interior, emphasize a signature design, or blend into it completely:
- Black
- Silver
- Graphite
- Ocean
- Gold
- Ruby
Choose a karaoke system in exactly the color that best matches your lifestyle.
Six EVOBOX colors: karaoke in a home interior 6 stylish colors that will fit any design, emphasize the style of a room, or blend into it completely. Forget about compromises – from now on, your karaoke system and your interior are made for each other.
Songs you want to sing
Perhaps no one doubts that karaoke is, first and foremost, about songs. The closer to the original and the higher quality the arrangement, the more enjoyment the singer gets. What should a modern karaoke catalog be like?
First, songs should be in PRO format. This is a licensed studio backing track recorded by professional musicians that brings the joy of a live performance. Besides enjoyment, quality tracks encourage you to develop your singing skills.
Second, a large and constantly updated catalog with convenient navigation. The overall licensed Studio Evolution catalog exceeds 100,000+ tracks in more than 30 languages and is updated with new releases every week. Navigating such a database without smart search or a genre and topic index is practically impossible.
Third, you should be able not only to sing a song but also to record your performance, share it with friends on social media, or send it via messenger or email.
Karaoke acoustics
A karaoke system will not work directly with TV speakers. Sound output technology is not yet advanced enough for the picture on the TV to be displayed in sync with the voice from the microphone. Many manufacturers have blocked the ability to output sound to the TV altogether so as not to spoil the karaoke experience. So, in addition to the karaoke system itself, you will need external sound. There are countless audio system options – from simple speakers to Hi-End equipment. But standard acoustics are not designed for the peak loads of live vocals, so for karaoke it’s better to choose specialized systems.
Studio Evolution offers two 2.1 audio systems developed in close integration with the karaoke system and designed for peak vocal loads:
EvoSound Bar – a karaoke soundbar with 14 speakers that project sound at 270°, creating a surround effect, and an 8-inch active subwoofer with 150 W of power.
Modern HDMI ARC audio technology lets you enjoy rich sound from movies and TV series. ARC is an audio return channel designed to simplify control of equipment connected to the TV and improve the quality of media played on the television. 450 W of power is more than enough to fill a room of 15 to 60 m² with atmospheric sound and vibrations.
EvoSound Sphere is a specialized True Stereo 2.1 audio system created by Studio Evolution specifically for karaoke systems and home multimedia setups. It is designed for the high peak loads of live vocals and delivers clean, spacious sound without distortion.
Package contents and mounting options
The standard system package includes:
- SE • 08 SWA2 active subwoofer;
- Two SE • 05 SP spherical satellites;
- Two SE • 05 TS desk stands with a non-slip rubber base;
- ERC • 09 remote control.
Satellite placement options:
- Desktop placement: using the included SE • 05 TS stands on a table, cabinet, or shelf.
- Wall mounting: using SE • 05 WB wall brackets (sold separately).
- Floor placement: using elegant SE • 05 FS floor stands (sold separately).
The satellites attach to any stands and brackets via magnetic contacts. The tilt and rotation angle of the spherical speakers can be easily adjusted by hand, directing the sound precisely at the listener.
Karaoke bundles
Putting together components for quality karaoke sound yourself is a rather time-consuming task. It is much more convenient and economical to buy a ready-made bundle. Buying a bundle from a single manufacturer also guarantees that all the equipment works perfectly together.
The basic bundle contains a karaoke system and wireless microphones. It’s worth buying if you already have a stereo system. The top options contain literally everything, so you can start singing right out of the box.
Karaoke system with microphones
- EVOBOX, EVOBOX Plus or EVOBOX Premium karaoke system and 2 SE • 200D digital wireless microphones.
- A pre-installed song database depending on the model (from 2,000 to the maximum studio database in EVOBOX Premium) and access to the overall catalog of 100,000+ karaoke backing tracks.
Karaoke system with microphones and soundbar
- Karaoke system, 2 digital wireless microphones, and the EvoSound Bar karaoke soundbar with an active subwoofer.
- A pre-installed song database depending on the model and access to the overall catalog of 100,000+ karaoke backing tracks.
Karaoke system with microphones and stereo system
- Karaoke system, 2 digital wireless microphones, and the EvoSound Sphere True Stereo system.
- A pre-installed song database depending on the model and access to the overall catalog of 100,000+ karaoke backing tracks.
Karaoke system with microphones and PRO acoustics
- Karaoke system, 2 digital wireless microphones, and the flagship premium-class EvoSound Pro audio system.
- A pre-installed song database depending on the model and access to the overall catalog of 100,000+ karaoke backing tracks.
With just a little effort, you can choose a home karaoke system and get a device that will give you hundreds of fun evenings with friends, develop your singing skills, relieve stress after a hard day, and change the way you think about relaxing.
If you need additional advice, you can always contact our specialists.
