A bold statement, sure, but who hasn’t fantasised about superstardom?
Whether you’re a pop fan or a secret rock ‘n’ roll star, I’d bet all my coin that all our readers have practised singing in front of the mirror, in the shower, or on the motorway at least once. And we’ve all thought to ourselves, for a split second at least, “… wait, did that actually sound quite good?”. The answer is, sure! So long as you don’t go a cappella.
This is where karaoke comes in. The party staple designed for late-night adventures and sheer spontaneity after an evening in Soho, bars specialising in karaoke are incredibly popular across the globe, but nowhere more so than in Asia.
Since its inception in Kobe, Japan in the early 1970s, karaoke has become a mainstay not only in Japanese culture but across the entirety of the continent, offering an equivalent to our pub culture. The word itself is a portmanteau of “kara”, meaning empty, and “orchestra,” reflecting the experience of singing along to instrumentals without any live accompaniment.
While popular in the West, there are a few specialist companies that seem to have a monopoly over karaoke spaces here, compared to over 8,000 karaoke bars in Japan alone. Their scarcity also makes them more expensive here in London, which in turn limits karaoke to special occasions rather than a casual night out.
But as I found out, a tech company called Ikarao promises to change that.
The brand was created after its founder was on the hunt for an affordable, high-quality karaoke machine and was left woefully disappointed.
Ikarao’s bustling range is on a mission to bring a premium karaoke experience to your home, or your friend’s – given that portability is seemingly paramount for all Ikarao models.
I’d consider myself a karaoke fiend. When given the opportunity, I’m usually the first in line to sing something by Alanis Morissette while mimicking her signature twang, and always down for a duet.
So, I put one of Ikarao’s latest models, the Shell S1 (£429.99), to the test. Complete with a 10-inch full colour tablet interface, two high-tech wireless microphones and a six-month free karaoke subscription featuring over 50,000 songs, keep scrolling to see whether the brilliant device can make karaoke a staple in all households.
Ikarao Shell S1 key specs
Additional details:
Design
At 17.5 x 35.3 x 17cm, the Shell S1 is larger than I imagined – especially given the fact that many cheaper alternatives take the form of miniature, cube-shaped Bluetooth speakers. Like an old-school boombox, this device is large enough to prop on your shoulders, though I’d recommend sticking with the strap that comes with it.
It’s impeccably designed; surprising, given I hadn’t heard of the brand before testing this product. The tablet touchscreen is seamless and perfectly reactive, the speaker spans the entire circumference of the device, and the light-up volume toggle is both satisfying and aesthetically pleasing. The resulting aesthetic is so high-end that I wouldn’t be surprised if Sonos attempted to snap it up.
User-friendliness
I enjoy a device that’s seamless and intuitive enough to set up without fumbling with instructions. Thankfully, Ikarao gets it.
The setup took all of ten minutes. After selecting your preferred language, setting up an account and logging into your Wi-Fi network of choice, the device restarts itself and is subsequently ready to go.
One of the most thoughtful elements was unlocking that six-month free Karafun trial – the integrated application that contains over 50,000 karaoke songs with lyrics to choose from. Just input your email, and the trial begins. No card details, no fuss, no setting reminders to cancel before you’re charged a small fortune for the renewal fee. Thoughtful and – once again – seamless.
Connecting the mics was as simple as turning them on, and navigating between YouTube, Karafun, and additional speaker settings was just like using a regular tablet – something that most people already know how to do. The microphones automatically recharge when docked, and the speaker itself can be charged via USB-C.
Functionality
For the first time in a long time, I have no complaints. The karaoke machine is fun to use, easy to set up and works like a dream.
The speaker is equipped with two powerful woofers and two tweeters, which deliver surround-sound with a premium feel – rivalling my Sonos system at home. It’s simple to connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth, should you simply wish to make use of the rather expensive, but worthy sound system for regular music-playing over raucous sing-alongs.
Verdict
Ikarao Shell S1
Best for: foolproof usability
You heard it here first: Ikarao’s Shell S1 is the Rolls-Royce of karaoke machines.
Relatively portable yet capable of packing a punch, it’s powered by two woofers and two tweeters – all of which can be adjusted to suit your personal sound preferences (and those of your neighbours, if you’re planning a party).
The sound quality is immense, while the 10-inch colour tablet display is easy to navigate and a joy to use. The wireless microphones can be adjusted by the user and recharge automatically upon docking, and the device even has customisable voice settings if you’re feeling kooky.
Karaoke, but make it premium and accessible.
Buy now £429.99, Amazon
