Should I Use a Sound Enhancer for Karaoke Systems? 

Karaoke sound enhancer is a device in the sound system that processes and improves vocal quality before sending it to the speakers.

According to a Nielsen survey in 2024, about 80% of karaoke business rooms are equipped with voice boosters to increase competitiveness and retain customers.

Karaoke sound enhancement helps make the voice brighter, thicker and clearer, while adding sound quality to make the singing experience more pleasant and professional. However, the product can make the sound unnatural, easy to interfere and is not really necessary for those who prefer original sound quality.

Therefore, karaoke sound enhancement is useful for those who want to have a more soaring voice, overcome the disadvantages of compressed music or upgrade a common karaoke system. On the contrary, if you own a high-end system or prioritize realistic sound, it is not required to use.

When choosing a voice amplifier, users should consider four factors: brand, features, design, and needs. Together Phuc Truong Audio Learn more about the issue of whether to use a sound enhancer for karaoke systems through the following article. 

What is karaoke sound enhancement?

Karaoke booster is a specialized device in the sound system, which is responsible for processing and optimizing the quality of input signals. The booster receives audio signals, adjusts the frequency bands and outputs the processed signal to transmit to the amplifier or power amplifier. 

The karaoke booster helps improve vocals to become brighter, smoother and clearer, while enhancing the quality of background music with tight bass and clear treble. The device also has the ability to mix vocals with music, process compressed music sources and support subwoofers to bring balanced, detailed and vivid sound.

How the voice lifter works

The amplifier operates based on the mechanism of receiving and processing audio signals. Specifically:

• Input signal: Device that receives signals from a microphone or music source (TV, karaoke player, computer…).
• What a three-dimensional image: The amplifier will analyze, fine-tune and balance the frequency bands (bass, mid, treble), while eliminating unnecessary noise.
• Output signal: After processing, the audio signal is sent to an amplifier or power amplifier for amplification and transmission to the speaker.

Thanks to this mechanism, the sound emitted becomes clearer, clearer and more harmonious.

Main functions of the voice lifter

The sound enhancer is not only an auxiliary device but also plays an important role in improving the quality of the karaoke system. Outstanding functions include:

• Improve vocal quality
  • Helps vocals become brighter, smoother and clearer.
  • Reduces voice loss, suffocation, or loss of power.
• Enhance background music sound effects
  • Make bass tight and powerful.
  • Helps treble sound sharp, detailed, not harsh.
• Mixing vocals and background music
  • Helps vocals stand out, not getting lost or drowned out in the music.
  • Create balance, easy to listen for both singer and listener.
• Compressed music source processing
  • Recreate and restore lost audio details from online music sources like YouTube, TV…
  • Makes music more emotional and realistic.
• Subwoofer support
  • Has the ability to cut unnecessary bass frequencies, helping the subwoofer work more effectively.
  • Delivers deep, solid bass without causing background noise.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a karaoke amplifier? 

According to the rating of Phuc Truong Audio, karaoke voice enhancer helps improve vocals, enhance sound quality and is easy to use. However, the device can make the sound unnatural, easy to interfere and is unnecessary for people who like original sound.

Research by the Vietnam Institute of Sound (2024) shows that over-processing can cause auditory fatigue after 2-3 hours of continuous listening.

Advantages of using voice lifters

Using a karaoke sound enhancer brings the following 4 advantages:

• Significant improvement in weak singing voice: People with small, weak or uncontrolled voices will find it easier to sing, with clearer and richer voices. As a result, they will also be more confident when performing.
• Upgrade sound quality without changing speakers: Instead of investing in an expensive speaker system, you just need to add a sound booster. This device can significantly improve the bass-treble effect, creating the feeling of using a high-end sound system.
• Optimize sound for each music genre and vocal: The booster has the ability to fine-tune the frequency range, making lyrical music smoother and dance-remix music more vibrant. With bolero, the sound also becomes deeper.
• Easy to mix and use: For popular models, the device often has an intuitive design and is easy to operate. Thanks to that, normal users can also adjust it without requiring deep expertise.

Disadvantages when using the voice enhancer

Using karaoke booster has 3 limitations:

• Can lose the “fidelity” of the original sound: Due to the many steps it has been processed through, the sound may sound different from the original recording. This may cause dissatisfaction for those who love the original sound.
• Risk of signal interference if not properly matched: When connecting incorrectly or using poor quality equipment, the sound may be howling, crackling or distorted.
• Not necessary for people who prefer natural sounds: For those who just need a basic karaoke system and are not too fussy about effects, a sound enhancer may be a redundant investment.

When should and should not buy karaoke sound enhancer?

Based on experience of Phuc Truong Audio, karaoke booster is suitable for those who want to improve their voice, upgrade sound quality and overcome the disadvantages of compressed music. But if you already have a high-end system or just like natural sound, it is not necessary to invest.

When should I buy a voice booster?

You should buy a voice booster when:

• Want to improve weak, breathless singing voice: For those with thin voices, difficulty singing loudly or easily running out of breath, the voice enhancer will help the voice become fuller, clearer and more confident. This is especially useful in family singing sessions or karaoke entertainment, when not everyone has a strong and standard voice.
• Karaoke system sound is not good enough or lacks detail: If your karaoke system produces a dull sound, with a weak bass or a dull treble, a booster can fix it by fine-tuning the frequency ranges. This results in a clearer, more balanced and pleasant sound for the listener without having to change speakers.
• Want to experience singing more professionally: The voice enhancer not only enhances the vocals but also blends them with the background music, making the singer feel like they are recording in a studio or performing on stage. This is the right choice for those who want to upgrade their karaoke experience from basic entertainment to more professional.
• Regularly sing music from compressed, low-quality sources: Many people have the habit of playing music from YouTube, TV or MP3 files, which are often compressed and lose sound details. The sound enhancer has the ability to recreate and restore some of the lost details, making the music come alive and closer to the original recording.

When should you not buy a voice booster?

You should not buy a voice booster when:

• Karaoke system is in high-end segment: If you have a professional karaoke system with digital echo, mixer and modern signal processing equipment, adding a booster will not make much difference. In fact, it may even over-process the sound.
• Love the original, authentic sound: Some people prefer to listen to natural sound, without any processing effects. In this case, the amplifier will change the original sound quality, resulting in a feeling of "unrealism".
• Limited budget and need to focus on core equipment: For the same amount of money, investing in high-quality speakers, amplifiers, or microphones often yields a more noticeable overall effect than buying a booster. Therefore, if your budget is limited, you should prioritize the basic equipment first.

What should I keep in mind when buying a karaoke amplifier?

To choose to buy a quality karaoke amplifier, you should prioritize choosing a reputable brand, with full features and connection ports, durable design, and suitable for your needs and budget.

• Trademark: Choosing products from reputable brands is a key factor, because these are units with many years of experience in manufacturing audio equipment. Famous brands such as DBX, Idol, JK Audio, PK are trusted by many professional and family karaoke rooms thanks to their high durability, stable performance and good warranty policy.
• Features and ports: A quality sound booster needs to have all the popular connection ports such as Optical, Coaxial, AV to easily combine with many types of amplifiers, digital echo or karaoke players. In addition, priority should be given to devices with additional features such as anti-howling, compressed music reproduction or sub-frequency cutting, to help optimize the singing experience.
• Design: Design not only affects the aesthetics but also determines the durability of the device. Good sound boosters are often made of high-quality metal or alloy, with an effective heat dissipation system, ensuring stable operation during long-term use. A neat design, easy to arrange in a karaoke system is also a plus point worth considering.
• Needs and budget: Expensive is not always the best. If you only sing at home, a mid-range amplifier is enough; but for business karaoke rooms, you should invest in a high-end line to meet the needs of continuous use. In addition, balancing the budget helps optimize costs, avoiding waste when other equipment in the karaoke system is not properly invested.

Questions related to karaoke sound enhancement

What is the main difference between a voice lifter and a filter?

Both of these devices help improve sound quality, but have different core functions:

• Audio Enhancer: Mainly focuses on processing and optimizing frequency ranges (bass, treble), making vocals brighter, smoother and music clearer. The main purpose is to beautify and upgrade sound quality.
• FilterEqualizer): Its main function is to balance, cut or enhance specific frequency bands (bass, mid, treble) in detail. The filter helps users fine-tune the sound to suit each room space, eliminating excess frequency bands that cause howling or background noise. The main purpose is to adjust the tone and overcome sound disadvantages.

What is the main difference between a sound enhancer and a digital reverb (karaoke mixer)?

The booster mainly focuses on optimizing frequency ranges (bass, mid, treble), reproducing lost sound details and making vocals brighter. 

While, digital echo is a comprehensive digital signal processor (DSP), integrating many functions such as anti-feedback, fine-tuning EQ for each channel, creating in-depth echo/reverb effects, and managing the entire sound system. Digital reverb has the ability to intervene much deeper and more detailed than the amplifier.

 Can a booster damage speakers or amplifier? 

If used properly and not over adjusted, the booster will not damage the speaker and amplifier. However, if you turn the knobs too high (especially the Gain or Volume knobs), the output signal may clip, causing distortion and potentially damaging the tweeter or overloading the amplifier. Always keep the signal at a safe level.

What equipment and amplifier should be combined to make the karaoke system sing better? 

To better karaoke system, you should combine the sound booster with digital echo or mixer.

• Digital echo/Mixer: Processes echo/reverb effects, prevents howling and balances overall tone, making vocals more professional.
• Enhancer: Optimizes bass and treble ranges, making vocals clearer and background music more vivid.

This combination will help you have a sound system that is both professional and easy to sing, bringing a complete karaoke experience.

Which unit provides quality and reputable karaoke sound enhancers?

Phuc Truong Audio is a company specializing in audio equipment, including karaoke equipment such as sound amplifiers, digital echo, amplifier, karaoke speakers, wireless microphones,…

Some highlights:

• Providing a wide range of audio equipment from reputable brands, ensuring quality and clear origin.
• Our staff has in-depth knowledge of audio engineering, helping customers choose the product that best suits their needs and budget.
• There are warranty, maintenance and dedicated technical support policies, creating peace of mind for customers throughout the usage process.
• Reasonable price, commensurate with the quality of products and services provided.
• Providing complete sound system installation solutions for homes, businesses, or events, helping customers save time and effort.

Contact with Phuc Truong Audio to buy genuine karaoke amplifier, good quality, good price!